Posts

Pancake Day

/in /by

Pancake day is a firm favourite with our family- especially the dog who waits expectantly for any failed flips and pancakes falling from the heavens! Although we love a good fluffy American style pancake for breakfast we think for pancake day you’ve got to go traditional.

Here is our foolproof Beeson Farm Pancake Recipe (just make sure you have a really good flat bottomed pancake pan)

Ingredients

  • 100g plain flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 300ml milk
  • 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil, plus a little extra for frying
  • lemon wedges, to serve (optional)
  • caster sugar, to serve (optional)Put the flour, eggs, milk, 1 tbsp oil and a pinch of salt into a bowl or large jug, then whisk to a smooth batter. Set aside for 30 mins to rest if you have time, or start cooking straight away.Set a medium frying/crepe pan over a medium heat and lightly wipe it with some oiled kitchen paper. When hot, cook your pancakes for 1 min on each side until golden, keeping them warm in a low oven as you go.

    Serve with lemon wedges and sugar, or your favourite filling.

     

For all your pancake day ingredients (including delicious fillings) head down to Stokeley Farm Shop (between Stokenham and Torcross).

For a savoury twist check out the recipes on the Riverford Organic website here https://www.riverford.co.uk/blog/2018/02/09/live-life-veg-pancake-day/

If you prefer to go out for pancakes we can recommend The Seabreeze Cafe at Torcross for big American fluffy style pancakes, The Tower Inn at Slapton (Kids all you can eat pancakes for £5) and Valley View Cafe at Aune Valley near Loddiswell

February Half Term for Families

/in /by

There is plenty of fun to be found this Half Term in South Devon to suit all ages and budgets.

Here is our pick of whats on locally:

Woodlands Family Theme Park, near Dartmouth (approximately 20 minutes from Beeson Farm). During half term its Superhero and Princess Week, with winter prices of only £7.50pp.  When children dress up as a Superhero or a princess they will get a free child return ticket to visit the park again before 25th March 2018. There will be live entertainment 13th, 14th and 15th February 2018. https://www.woodlandspark.com/

Pennywell Farm (approximately 45 mins from Beeson Farm). Become a Pennywell VIP with a February Half Term return ticket. A full price day admission ticket gives you a FREE return for the rest of half term so you can visit as many times as you like! With a full day of hands on animal action, a different activity, show or display every half hour, hundreds of friendly animals (including some you can bottle feed and the world famous Pennywell Farm miniature pigs). There is also an indoor play space and four free outdoor rides. https://www.pennywellfarm.co.uk/

Paignton Zoo (approximately 50 minutes from Beeson Farm). With over 2,000 animals across 80 acres you’re in for a really wild time at Paignton Zoo! Head down to the zoo for a week full of fun activities and the launch of their year of Nearby Nature. As well as finding out about all the animals in the zoo guests can learn about and get closer to the fantastic native species we have around us. There will be lots to do including special talks, trails and more. https://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/

National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth (approx. 60 minutes from Beeson Farm). The Uks largest aquarium with over 4000 animals. 2018 is their 20th birthday year! During February Half Term visitors can join in with ‘Sea the Difference: Ocean Adventures’ celebrating all the wonderful marine animals and habitats found here in the UK. Meet scientists, conservationists and marine heroes and take part in activities, games and adventures! http://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/

 As if that all wasnt enough to fill your half term we would also recommend the Art Café in Kingsbridge, The Kidz and Co play café in Salcombe, PaperBird Island in Salcombe, Clip and Climb in Plymouth, iBounce in Newton Abbott, the South Devon Steam Railway in Buckfastleigh and Start Point Lighthouse.

Valentines Weekend in The Linhay

/in /by

The Linhay makes a perfect couples (or family) retreat all year round- but especially at Valentines.

The Linhay has the largest living/dining area of all our cottages, with a triple aspect view out onto the courtyard, the wildlife pond and its own private garden.

Settle down on one of the squishy sofas in front of the log fire (logs provided from our own woodshed) and relax with a good book or a film. For those with musical talent there is also a piano in the living room!

The kitchen is well equipped should you wish to rustle up a romantic meal but there are also a plethora of excellent local pubs to choose from should you wish to eat out. We recommend The Cricket Inn at Beesands, The Bear and Blacksmith in Chillington and The Tradesmans Arms in Stokenham.

There is step free access out onto the sundeck which overlooks the wildlife pond, home to a nu mber of wild ducks and perfect for watching the ducklings in the spring.

A small number of steps takes you down into the garden which has both grassy and paved areas, perfect for a BBQ or for children to play.

The master bedroom has a romantic kingsize fourposter bed and ensuite with whirlpool bath- perfect for a soothing soak after a day out exploring the South Hams.

Put your boots on and enjoy a quiet walk through the village down to the beach at Beesands (which is just under a mile). The Cricket Inn is the perfect pub to enjoy a drink before strolling along the beach or following the coastpath towards Start Point Lighthouse (where you have a good chance of spotting seals at this time of year).

For Valentines Day we are offering a short break in the Linhay from Feb 16th-19th at the discounted rate of £220 with a bottle of Prosecco on arrival.

Shop Local this Christmas

/in /by

South Devon knows how to kick off Christmas! Both Dartmouth and Kingsbridge have wonderful Christmas fairs. Dartmouth opens the festive season with a unique Candlelit evening (November 24th-25th) lantern parade and Christmas market.  Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas is the first weekend in December and showcases local artisans, food producers and independent retailers.

This year I have decided to focus our Christmas shopping locally as well as crafting our own gifts. If I cant make it I am going to buy it in the South Hams – indeed I think everything on this list can be found within a 10mile radius of Beeson Farm!

Here are our top gifts that can be found in the South Hams:

My Sister in Law recently had a baby,  so we decided to buy something practical, beautiful and handmade from Wifflepigs (based near Start Point Lighthouse) who make beautiful handmade baby clothes in quirky and colourful fabrics. Prices start at £8 for a pair of leggings. https://www.facebook.com/wifflepigs/

Naturemake is run by local artist Naomi who also offers workshops locally throughout the year. She sells kits online to make your own sculptures from natural materials (think unicorns, fairy houses, boats, tree houses made from wood, shells, petals etc). Our children have found pure delight in her workshopsand the Christmas scene we made a few years ago is now a treasured Christmas heirloom. Her kits make ideal Christmas gifts for children (and adults) of all ages. Its great to know that the recipients of these gifts can make something special, unique, eco-friendly and beautiful. Prices start at £7.50 for a small robin kit https://naturemake.co.uk/shop/

For a happy Ginmas what better than a bottle of locally produced Gin? The perfect drink to get you through the long winter nights in front of the log fire!  Salcombe Gin distillery opened in 2016 and its Start Point Gin has won numerous awards.  A ticket to the Salcombe gin school would be a fabulous experience for a gin lover and a bottle of Salcombe Gin is definitely on my list of Christmas list! https://www.salcombegin.com/

My son is a chilli fiend- the hotter the better! So this year I am off to the South Devon Chilli Farm for some Christmas shopping. Everything spicy from Chilli Chocolate to a grow your own Chilli plant is available in store or online.  https://www.southdevonchillifarm.co.uk/

My daughter and I love to collect sea glass from our local beaches and have been following the work of devon jeweller Olivia Joy Jones (who started off in Beeson) for a few years. This year we both want one of her stunning sea glass necklaces which she sells from the Gallery at Avon Mill Garden Centre. The Gallery also stocks a beautiful selection of cards, ceramics, art and other unique pieces. https://www.facebook.com/The-Gallery-at-Avon-Mill-1673482926234362/

Another local artist we have been following on social media for a while is Hallsands Hidden Treasures. She makes beautiful decorations for the home using scavenged drift wood and natural materials from the beach, as well as plastics which have washed up, which she sells on Etsy. Her decorations really add something uniquely Devon to the Christmas tree- we especially love her hanging jellyfish made from limpet shells! https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/HallsandsTreasures?ref=search_shop_redirect

This year we bought some of graphic designer Jennifer Cooper Designs beautiful pictures of the local area to adorn the walls of our cottages. Her designs feature local landmarks and towns such as Burgh Island, Overbecks, Salcombe and Kingsbridge. They make a beautiful gift for someone who has Devon in their blood, or to remind you of a holiday well spent in Devon! Prices start at £15  https://www.jennifercooperdesigns.com/

This Christmas avoid the battle of the highstreet. Shop local, shop ethical, shop unique and see what your local community has to offer.

 

National Fish and Chip Day

/in /by

Friday June 2nd saw National Fish and Chip Day – as if we needed an excuse!! It is estimated that 333.6m portions of fish and chips are consumed in the UK each year, and we know that now guests holiday is complete without trying their own portion! We have some excellent establishments locally offering the best (and freshest) fish and chips caught on Britains seafood coast.

Here are our top recommendations!

  1. Britannia at the Beach, Beesands.  http://www.britanniaatthebeach.co.uk/This little seafood cafe (know by many locally as “the shack”) is meters away from the beach in one of Devons traditional fishing villages. Local fishermen provide the fish- much of which is caught in the bay outside. They cook delicious fish and chips to take away (sit on the beach or the picnic tables outside) but also have inside seating and an extensive menu showcasing the best of the local fish and shellfish.
  2. The Cricket Inn, Beesands http://www.thecricketinn.com/ is well known for its seafood, and the freshest fish, lobster and hand dived Scallops are caught straight from the Bay in front of the inn by the village fishermen. Eat inside or head outside to sit in the sunshine by the beach with views over towards the lighthouse.
  3.  The Start Bay Inn, http://www.startbayinn.co.uk/Torcross dates back to the 14th century when it was known as The Fisherman’s Arms and was used by the local fishermen who worked their fishing boats from the village beach infront of the pub. The Start Bay Inn is popular with locals and visitors alike, offering a huge selection of fish and shellfish (again much of which is caught directly in front of the pub). They have a sit down restaurant as well as offering take away.
  4. Rockfish Dartmouth. http://www.therockfish.co.uk/restaurants/dartmouth/Head over to Dartmouth to Rockfish, owned by Chef Mitch Tonks. They source much of their fish from the fish market at Brixham, where buyers from all over the world are eac day looking to secure some of the catch. They have a great restaurant which is amazingly child friendly (each child gets a goody bag of activities) and also have a popular takeaway, sit on the benches along the harbour and watch the boats come in.

The Tale of the Whale

/in /by

February 23rd may have brought Storm Doris to the UK, however in South Devon we were blessed with a sunny day (although windy) that brought an unusual visitor to our coastline.

By midday there were reports that a whale had been spotted off the shore of Slapton Sands (a 10 minute drive from Beeson Farm). It was initially thought to be a Minke, but has since been confirmed by Brixham Seawatch as a Humpback- a rare sighting for the South Coast of Devon which initially lead to concerns that it may be in trouble since it should be much further North out in the Atlantic.

In the early morning sun on the 24th Feb we spotted the whale at Slapton Sands, where it was close enough into the shore to see it spouting water and breaching the waves. The children were beyond excited as they watched with their classmates before school in the morning and again in the twilight as the lighthouse beamed across the bay. Once again we marvelled at how blessed they are to grow up in natures playground where they have the chance to run free on the beach where they have previously spotted seals, dolphins and porpoises.

Over two weeks later the whale is swimming strongly up and down the coastline and appears to be feeding on the glut of sprats, accompanied by porpoises, seals and gannets.  Quite the wildlife show every day!  The British Divers Marine Life Rescue have stated that it is healthy and is feeding in the shallow waters on shoaling fish. They also state that “in recent years there has been an increase in sightings around the UK.  Most of these have been in Scotland where they would be expected, but humpbacks have also been recently spotted off the coasts of Cornwall, Devon, Kent, Suffolk, Norfolk, Yorkshire, Northumberland and the North West.  This may be due to a good supply of prey, but also may indicate a recovery of the population since the whaling moratorium in the 1980s, with animals returning to feeding haunts of old”.

The whole local community are enjoying the spectacle of this living nature documentary! The memory of the day the whale came will stay with our awestruck children for the rest of their lives, reminding us all to love and protect our beautiful coast and marine environment.

Humpback whales range in length from 12 metres to 16 metres and weigh about 36,000 kg. Sadly, there are very few Humpback Whales left, with scientists estimating that there can’t be more than 15,000 of them in the world.

Photo credit to our friends at Forest and Beach http://www.forestandbeach.co.uk/– an outdoor education centre and forest school provider in our village of Beeson.

A romantic retreat for Valentines Day

/in /by

We love Devon and with Valentines Day approaching we thought we’d share our top romantic ideas with you!
1. Beach strolls
There are plenty of beaches, sheltered coves or romantic clifftop walks to choose from. Walk along the sandy shore of Bigbury on Sea and head over to Burgh Island at low tide. Follow the coast path from Mill Bay to Gara Rock, where you can settle down in the relaxed ambience of Gara Rock, kick back and enjoy a drink or bite to eat while soaking up the panoramic views across the sea. Try a bit of beachcombing at Lannacombe (great for sea glass) or Blackpool Sandsspring-2009-290
2. Natural Beauty
South Devon is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Get out and explore the coast, Dartmoor, strolls along the Dart or the River Avon
3. Time to Feast
There is so much choice when it comes to dining out in South Devon. Book a table at Wild Artichokes in Kingsbridge where chef Jane Baxter and her team will cook up a generous feast of flavours and dishes for you (please note this is served at sharing tables with fellow diners). We would also recommend The Beachhouse at South Milton, The Laughing Monk in Strete, The Milbrook Inn at South Pool, Rockfish in Dartmouth or The Cricket Inn at Beesands.
4. Take the train
Step back in time and hop on the steam railway from Buckfastleigh to Totnes. The seven mile route runs along the stunning valley of the River Dart to the historic town of Totnes.
5. Visit Greenway House
Take the little ferry from Dittisham or travel up the river from Dartmouth to Greenway House, home of author Agatha Christie. A fascinating family home with extensive woodland walks in the grounds and along the river.
6. Explore the towns
Wander around the towns of Salcombe or Dartmouth. Both have a mix of unique shops, boutiques and cafes, and offer lovely views across the water. Head to Kingsbridge to explore the mix of antique and shops selling quirky vintage bits and bobs.
7. Sunset at Start Point
We cant think of anywhere more romantic to watch the sunset go down than over Start Point lighthouse as it beams out over Start Bay. (photo below courtesy of Timmy Vowles Photography http://www.timmyvowles.com/)

start-point-at-night

The Trap House and Linhay at Beeson Farm both have log burners for you to snuggle up in front of. The Linhay also has a four poster bed and whirlpool bath.
Check out our special offers or get in touch- we would love to welcome you to Beeson Farm.

.

Family fun in the winter

/in /by

Thinking of booking a holiday but worried what to do if the weather isnt too good? Dont fear, South Devon has plenty to offer the whole family off season!

One of our favourite adventures is to Woodlands Family Theme Park,http://www.woodlandspark.com/ near Dartmouth. A short drive slidealong the beautiful coast road, Woodlands boasts one of the UKs largest indoor play areas and has enough variety to entertain all ages for a whole day. The are big family rides, an awesome indoor play centre (with slides, ball pools, mazes, climbing nets, rides and adventure play).

 Outside you will find a zoo-farm housing everything from Meerkats to cuddly rabbits, snakes to shire horses.

Kingsbridge and Dartmouth both have indoor swimming pools and cinmeerkatsemas and the towns offer everything from toy shops to art galleries, soft play to boutique and antique shopping.

The National Marine Aquarium at Plymouthhttp://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/ is just under an hour away and is the UKs biggest aquarium. Our children were equally as enthralled by the seahorses and lobsters as they were by the huge sharks!jellyfish

The Art Cafe in Kingsbridge http://theartcafekingsbridge.co.uk/ is always a popular choice for pottery painting- the perfect souvenir of your stay in South Devon!

artcafeIn your cottage you will find a comprehensive guide of whats on offer locally, as well as a selection of books, dvds and toys should you wish to stay in and relax! We even provide childrens wellies should you wish to get out and do some exploring along the beach – winter is the perfect time for beachcombing, you never know what treasure you might find!

So, book a stay this Winter- we would love to share all this and more with you!