Recipe: Wild Garlic Pesto

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The South Devon hedgerows around Beeson Farm Holiday Cottages offer an abundance of edible flora whether its Sloes in the Autumn for gin or elderflowers in the early summer for making cordial.

This spring the hedgerows are bursting with wild flowers and lots of wild garlic. Our favourite spots to forage for wild garlic are Stokenham Woods (up the lane opposite the church) or Loddiswell Woods (by Avon Mill Garden Centre), though wild garlic, and its cousin, three cornered garlic, can be found in virtually every lane where there are bluebells.

We love the Riverford Organic recipe for making wild garlic pesto which you can find here https://www.riverford.co.uk/recipes/view/recipe/wild-garlic-pesto

This pesto is wonderful served through warm pasta, with jacket potatoes, roast lamb or as an accompaniment to summer BBQs. This recipe makes 1 large jar which will keep for at least a week in the fridge

Ingredients

  • 100g wild garlic
  • 50g Parmesan grated
  • 50g hazelnuts, skinned & toasted
  • Olive oil
  • Lemon juice, to taste
  • Salt & pepper

Method

  1. Thoroughly wash your wild garlic and place in a food processor, blitz until fairly well broken up.
  2. Next add your Parmesan and process further, this will help to break down the garlic leaves.
  3. Finally add your hazelnuts. When the nuts are added you will want to have your olive oil to hand; turn the machine back on, and add olive oil to your desired consistency.
  4. Add salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste.
  5. Enjoy your taste of South Devon!

National Walking Month

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May is National Walking Month, so if you fancy packing your walking boots and booking a holiday at Beeson Farm  we’ve pulled together a quick guide to our favourite 5 walks for you!

There are numerous footpaths and bridleways to explore in the local area and throughout May they are lined with the most beautiful wildflowers- and often offer tantalising glimpses of the sea. The South West Coastpath runs through Beesands (less than a mile from Beeson Farm) and offers some stunning walks along the coastline, where you can discover shipwrecks, the Lighthouse, lost villages and hidden coves.

Each cottage at Beeson Farm has an ordanance survey map and a folder of local walking routes and maps.

Walk 1: Beesands to Hallsands 3.5 miles (and closest to Beeson Farm) Children particularly will love this stroll past the ‘Village that Fell into the Sea’. It is easy to understand the massive power of the ocean on a windy day here, when the waves crash on the rocks, dashing spray high in the air, and there is the muted roar of the shingle being dragged back and forth on the seabed. ‘Hallsands looks as if it properly belonged to the sea,’ wrote James Fairweather in his 1884 Guide to Salcombe, ‘and had only been borrowed from it for a time.’ 30 years later a massive storm (combined with the effects of dredging the sea for shingle to build the dockyard at Plymouth) The route follows a number of ancient lanes, and is also the route that the children in the lighthouse took too and from school in the small hamlet of Huccombe every day. it may be wet or muddy in places, so wear good footwear. There is free parking at Beesands

Dowload the walking guide here https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/83/

Walk 2: Slapton Ley Nature Reserve (family trail 1.5miles)

Slapton Ley is the largest natural freshwater lake in the south west, separated from the sea by a shingle beach. As a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) it was declared a National Nature Reserve (NNR) in 1993. The Nature Reserve is 1.5 miles long and covers over 490 acres of natural woodland, marshes and reedbed habitat, making it a wildlife haven for all types of birds and vegetation. Slapton Ley is a great day out for families, wildlife enthusiasts and anyone with a passion for nature.  Check the Slapton Ley field study centre website as there are often free activities and events happening throughout the year on the reserve and the beach to help you learn and understand more about the environment Parking is available nearby at 3 car parks (the Memorial Carpark and in Slapton Village).

Download the trail here  http://www.slnnr.org.uk/media/3737131/2195-Slapton-Ley-walks-leaflet-2016.pdf

Walk 3: Start Point Lighthouse Walk 1.2miles

A short 1.2m easy walk from Start Point Car Park to Start Point and the Lighthouse – part of the South West Coast Path. Start Point is the most southerly tip of Devon, with stunning coastal scenery across Start Bay and lots of wildlife to spot, including seabirds and the odd seal. See the remains of Hallsands Village, wrecked by storms on 1917, the Day Mark Tower on the Dart Estuary, and on a clear day, you can see along the coastline to the Isle of Portland. This short walk takes you from the Start Point Car Park down to the Start Point Lighthouse, built in 1836 to protect the ships sailing around this coastline. There is a steady descent down the old lighthouse road to the headland. It is suitable for many mobility scooters, and push chairs. Parking charges apply. The Lighthouse is open to the public on selected weekend and in school holidays (height restrictions apply to climb the tower and admission is cash only)

Walk 4: East Soar and Salcombe 7.5 miles (challenging)

Follow the well marked paths to visit the exotic garden at Overbeck’s or discover hidden coves for a quiet dip or picnic. Either way you’ll be rewarded with dramatic seascapes, estuary views and miles of green, rugged cliff-tops grazed by beautiful Highland cattle or in the summer, Dartmoor ponies. This walk showcases the dramatic coast around Salcombe, walking from East Soar to the charming secluded beach at Soar Mill Cove. After a rest on the beach, journey around the jagged rocks at Bolt Head and discover fantastic views as you walk up the Salcombe Estuary

The walkers hut at East Soar Outdoor experience is a great place to stop for homemade cakes and treats!

Download the trail here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/salcombe-to-hope-cove/trails/bolt-head-walk

Walk 5: Charleton and Frogmore Creek 4.5 miles

The Salcombe – Kingsbridge Estuary is a glittering jewel in South Devon’s crown. This walk explores one of its loveliest creeks, teeming with wildlife, along with some of the areas ancient green lanes. Be sure to pop in to Springfield farmshop afterwards for a cream tea and to stock up on locally produced goodies!

http://www.southdevonaonb.org.uk/explore/walks-trails/charleton-and-frogmore-creek

Banish backseat travel boredom

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We know many of our guests this Easter will be travelling a few hours in the car to get to South Devon. If your family is anything like ours then the thought of your little darlings stuck together on the back seat with impatient cries of “are we there yet?!” is the only downside of going on holiday!

Many families these days have in car entertainment but here are some ideas for good old fashioned travel games for when the kids are tired of the tech or sick of screens.

20 Questions This easy game is great for younger children thanks to its straightforward rules. Player One thinks of a person, place or thing. Everyone else takes turns asking questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no. After each answer, the questioner gets one guess. Play continues until a player guesses the answer correctly.

The Holiday Game A memory based alphabet game for all ages. One player starts off with the line “I went on my holiday and I packed….” followed by an object beginning with the letter “A”. The next player has to repeat all that went before and add an item beginning with “B” and so on all through the alphabet.

The Number Plate Game Children loved to make up stories and this game is great for inspiring creativity and imagination. Each player chooses a passing car and looks at the last three letters of the number plat.  Now make up a story using those letters- the first letter decides the main character, the second letter could be a place or an item in the story and the third letter could be what the character is doing. Alternatively, get everyone to make up a phrase or word using the letters on the numberplate.

The Word Game One person starts by saying a word then each person has to come up with a new word that starts with the last letter of the word given.  For example, player one says ‘car’, player two says ‘rabbit, player three says ‘tree’, player four says ‘elephant’ and so on. Quick-thinking is key – the faster the pace the more fun the game

Who’s Next Door? Traffic jams – an inevitability of motorway travel but not a good combination with restless kids!  Play the game of nosey neighbours-  everyone chooses a window to look out of and takes a quick peek at the person in the car nearest to them. Don’t get caught staring! Its then up to each player to decide what sort of person they are… their name, job, decide where they’ve come from or where they’re heading, what their favourite food is and so on. Give points for the most outrageous or funny descriptions.

We hope all our families have safe, fun and easy travels to Beeson Farm this Easter!

World Book Day

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World Book Day 1st March

Devon has inspired many authors, and South Devon is still a creative hub of artists & craftsmen who are inspired by the stunning and diverse area in which we live. Its no wonder that celebrated writers such as Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, Arthur Conan Doyle, RD Blackmore, Henry Williamson, Samuel Taylor Coleridge – to name only a few – all have links in one way or another with Devon.

Here are our top picks of books with a Devon connection.

Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie was born in Torquay and as a child Agatha enjoyed all aspects of an English Riviera social life: roller-skating along the pier; going to dances, dinners and balls; and bathing in the sea.  She later spent many happy years at Greenway House, her holiday home on the banks of the River Dart, now owned by the National Trust. Greenway is a magical place to explore for all the family, the house is charmingly cluttered, and there are acres of grounds filled with meandering walks, hidden follies and views of the River Dart. Agatha Christie set three of her novels here, Five Little Pigs, Dead Man’s Folly (in which the boat house is the scene of the crime) and Ordeal by Innocence.

Agatha Christie set And Then There Were None on fictional Island, off the coast of Devon, inspired by Burgh Island at Bigbury, which is also the setting for the Hercule Poirot mystery Evil Under the Sun.

Greenway House is approximately a 20 minute drive from Beeson Farm (if you travel via foot ferry from Dittisham). you can find information on visiting the house here https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

Burgh Island and Bigbury beach are approximately 35 minutes from Beeson Farm by car, the beach is a popular spot with many of our visitors who enjoy the large stretches of sand and surf lessons from the surf school.

 

Michael Morpurgo

Celebrated author, and resident of Dartmoor, Michael Morpurgo has written some of our best loved childrens books. War Horse and Farm Boy were set on Dartmoor but The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips is a favourite with us. Set in 1943, Lily Tregenza lives on a farm, in the idyllic seaside village of Slapton. Her life is scarcely touched by the war until one day her family, along with all of the other villagers, are told to move out of their homes. Soon, the whole area is out of bounds, as the Allied forces practice their landings for D-day, preparing to invade France. But Tips, Lily’s adored cat, has other ideas. barbed wire and keep-out signs mean nothing to her, nor does the danger of guns and bombs. Frantic to find her, Lily decides to cross the wire into the danger zone to look for Tips herself…

Torcross and Slapton Sands are a 10 minute drive from Beeson Farm, visitors can see the memorial to the hundreds of Allied soldiers who lost their lives in Operation Tiger as well as the Sherman Tank that was recovered from the sea and now stands as a place of remembrance.

You can read more about Operation Tiger here http://www.exercisetigerslapton.org

Arthur Conan Doyle

Dartmoor provides the backdrop for The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle, perhaps his most famous and best loved novel. The novel is believed to be based on the story of local ‘monstrously evil man’ Richard Cabell of Buckfastleigh (his tomb still stands in Buckfastleigh churchyard), legend has it that when he died in the 1670s fire-breathing dogs raced howling across the moor. Baskerville Hall itself is argued to be either Hayford Hall or Brook Manor, both near Buckfastleigh, and many believe that Fox Tor Mire was the setting for the fictional Great Grimpen Mire.

Dartmoor is approximately a 40 minute drive from Beeson Farm. Visit the Dartmoor visitor centre https://www.visitdartmoor.co.uk/things-to-do/dartmoor-national-park-visitor-centre-princetown-p140393 to find out more about the hound of the baservilles

Devon Cookbooks

If your reading tastes are more of the non fiction variety then there are a plethora of cookbooks inspired by our local produce. The well known  Riverford box scheme began when Guy Watson started delivering vegetables locally to 30 friends in Devon. They now deliver around 47,000 boxes a week to homes around the UK from our regional farms and their cookbook contains a great variety of  seasonal recipes. The Farm Kitchen at Riverford is approximately a 30 minute drive from Beeson Farm, find out more here https://www.riverford.co.uk/restaurant

The newly published Devon Cook Book http://www.foodanddrinkdevon.co.uk/devon-cook-book celebrates the best of the county’s food scene with over 50 recipes from a wide selection of local foodie businesses.
These include some of Devon’s finest local restaurants, delis, gastro pubs, cafes and local suppliers (such as the South DEvon Chilli Farm, a 20 minute drive from Beeson Farm https://www.southdevonchillifarm.co.uk/).

To browse these and many more titles visit the Harbour Book Shop in Kingsbridge, on Mill Street at the bottom of the town.

Cottages at Beeson Farm are well stocked with good reads, sit and relax in the farm grounds or on the beach with a good read on your next stay with us!

 

Pancake Day

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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

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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.

Thirst quenching Devon

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South Devon has some hidden gems of breweries, distilleries and vineyards.  Whether you want to take a tour or just sample whats on offer you can make some great holiday memories whilst quenching your thirst.

Salcombe Gin

Salcombe is South Devons yachting haven and what better ritual to adopt than that of the “sundowner”- a refreshing gin and tonic after a day on the water! Salcombe Gin opened the doors of its distillery in 2016. Located on Island Street, Salcombe Gin has since scooped numerous national and international awards. Their gin is hand distilled from 13 carefully selected botanicals and blended with pure Dartmoor water in a 450L copper still using a traditional “one shot” method. Visit the Distillery for a drink in the bar or book in to the gin school to create your own unique blend of gin and take home the ultimate 70cl souvenir of your holiday!

Salcombe gin is available at many of our local pubs, including the Cricket Inn and is for sale locally at Stokeley Farm Shop, Chillington Post Office and Kingsbridge Wine Rooms. https://www.salcombegin.com/

Salcombe Brewery

Salcombe brewery is located in the countryside near Kingsbridge looking towards the Salcombe estuary. The site has its own borehole which supplies the brewery with its own source of pure Devonian water perfect for the brewing process. The Brewery has 4 fermenting vessels capable of making 350 casks every week. Visitors are welcome for tours or brew days. The Brewery Shop is open during the week from 10am to 4pm, on some Saturdays 10am -2pm (seasonally), and sells beer, gift packs and branded merchandise. https://www.salcombebrewery.com/

South Hams Brewery

This 10 barrel plant is run by the Brooking family on the site at Stokeley Farm Shop overlooking beautiful Start Bay. The family have a real love for real ale and are the small brewery that’s very big on taste! Popular classic ales such as Eddystone, Wild Blonde and Devon Pride can be found alongside seasonal ales for sale in Stokeley Farm shop and many local establishments.  http://southhamsbrewery.co.uk/

Sharpham Vineyard

Just two miles from Totnes, The Sharpham vineyard overlooks the River Dart where the soil, climate and grape variety combine to make a unique regional wine.  Sharpham are at the forefront of vine growing and wine making in the UK and have won numerous Regional, National and International medals. Visit the vineyard to sample their wine and take a tour of the vineyard.  Sharpham wine is available to buy at Stokely farm shop and Kingsbridge Wine Rooms. http://www.sharpham.com/

Beeson Farmhouse Cider

Beeson Farm has always produced its own cider from the apples that grow in our orchard. Each year the apples are harvested, pressed and fermented on site. Guests are very welcome to join in with the process- especially the tasting! We work closely with Orchard Link, a south Devon organisation set up in 1998 by apple and cider enthusiasts concerned about the disappearance of traditional orchards in the area. Our traditional farmhouse cider is available to buy from the farmhouse door, enjoy a cold glass of cider whilst sitting in the courtyard in which the traditional stone cider press is now a decorative focal point.

Valentines Weekend in The Linhay

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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

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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.