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Easter in South Devon

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With Easter heralding the start of Spring, we believe Easter is about getting outside with the family and having fun together after those cold winter days indoors!

We will keep updating with local events so watch this space, but read on for our list of things to do this Easter whilst on holiday at Beeson Farm.

Pennywell Farm https://www.pennywellfarm.co.uk/ will be running their annual Easter Egg-stravaganza from the 1st April to 10th April. Pennywell is always an egg-stra special day out for families who will love feeding the animals, meeting the miniature pigs and going on the rides.   https://www.pennywellfarm.co.uk/easter-eggstravaganza

The Church House Inn at Stokenham (a few minutes drive from Beeson Farm)are hosting a free Sea Shanty Easter Event on the 8th April. With live music, traditional sea shanties, a bouncy castle, face painting, BBQ and pirate themed treasure hunt this sounds like a brilliant day out! Check their facebook page for details. https://www.churchhouseinnstokenham.co.uk/

South Devon Railway are running 3 family fun weekends, offering excellent value for money. Tickets include a ride on the Steam Train along the River Dart, free entry to the Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterfly sanctuaries, free entry to Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, face painting, childrens entertainment, vintage bus rides and of course, an Easter Egg Hunt! https://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/visit-us/whats-on/family-fun-weekend/

Totnes Spring Festival on the 13th April is a free day out for the family with live music, street food, childrens entertainment (including bouncy castle and free crafts) and much more. https://www.visittotnes.co.uk/whats-on/totnes-spring-festival/

The Easter Bunny will be visiting Woodlands Theme Park near Dartmouth from Saturday April 1st to Sunday April 9th. Make your way through the rabbit warren into Bunny’s Easter Grotto featuring amazing Easter themed rooms and meet the Easter Bunny then go thrill seeking on their egg-streme rides!! A day ticket will let you explore all the usual rides and soft play, and woodland areas as well. https://www.woodlandspark.com/

 

Pop over the River Dart to Greenway House (Agatha Christies home) and explore their beautiful grounds while taking part in their Easter Egg Hunt. The trail takes place between 24 March – 30 April, from 10.30am to 5pm, with last entry at 3.30pm.  Prices are £3 per trail (usual admission prices apply) which includes an Easter trail sheet, pencil, bunny ears and chocolate egg. There are fun games along the trail including welly wanging and wheelbarrow racing! https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/greenway

Heron Valley Orchards  are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt in their beautiful grounds.  Grab a sheet from the bar and lead your little ones on an adventure through the orchard to win a chocolatey prize. The hunt can be done anytime between 9am and 5pm and can be taken at your own pace. The cafe will be open serving delicious lunches. https://www.heronvalley.co.uk/products/easter-egg-hunt

We have special offers and reduced rates available in the The Stables, Linhay or Trap House with weekly stays from just £480 per week. Check out our ‘Cottages’ page or contact us to book.

February Half Term

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Family days out that are tried and tested by us!

This half term even though the weather may require you to do a bit of forward planning there is plenty to do out and about in South Devon.

Pennywell Farm: Always a favourite with families, the gates open for the 2020 season on Saturday 15th Feb and with your admission ticket you get a return ticket valid until 23 Feb to visit as many times as you like! There have been lots of new arrivals joining the world famous miniature pigs over the winter, including heavy horses, miniature ponies and donkeys. There are lots of animals to meet, feed and cuddle as well as rides and performances throughout the day. There is lots of indoor space for picnics ad play undercover, just in case there is the odd Spring shower when you are there!
Woodlands Family Theme Park: With the UKs largest indoor play centre, exciting rides indoors and out as well as a zoo and falconry centre, families can easily spend a day exploring Woodlands. Catering for all ages (from babies to adults) there is also live entertainment throughout half term. Dress up as a princess or a superhero and children get a free return ticket making a day at Woodlands amazing value for money (tickets just £7.50 pp)
Greenway House (National Trust): Join the countryside ranger for a walk through the beautiful gardens at Greenway, once the holiday home of famous crime writer, Agatha Christie. This is a free event included with normal admission ticket, selected dates available. Wear weather appropriate clothing and sturdy walking shoes to explore the grounds. Dogs on leads are permitted.
Forest and Beach Activity Days: Drop the kids off at Forest and Beach activity centre (on the hillside behind Beeson Farm!) for a day playing in the woods, lighting fires, shelter building and cooking outdoors. The ethos of Forest School encourages children to explore the natural world through practical, hands-on experience, learning new skills through play.
There are also the same year round activities that families can also enjoy over half term including the South Devon Steam Railway, a River Dart cruise, surf school or paddleboard lessons, the Art Cafe in Kingsbridge, crabbing off the Quay, the local cinema, Dartington country estate, the tour of Start Point Lighthouse and of course all our lovely local beaches!

Year of the Pig. Gung Hay Fat Choi!

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Year of the Pig

Chinese New Year is the year of the pig (the 12th animal on the Chinese calendar) so we felt it was only right that we rounded up a few porcine places for you to get snout and about during your holiday!

The South Hams, (as our corner of South Devon is known) is an area of outstanding natural beauty encompassing large swathes of Dartmoor and stretching down to the coast. Home to vibrant and historic towns, quaint villages, hidden valleys and picturesque countryside, intersected with scenic rivers, the South Hams are a little corner of paradise

Pennywell Farm is home to the work famous Pennywell Miniature pigs, specially bred to be small friendly and exceedingly cute! Pennywell farm is a fantastic day out for families (especially young children), and visitors are welcome to cuddle the pigs and experience the thrill of pig racing every day at 2:30pm!

The Pigs Nose Inn for a totally different way to spend Chinese New Year, head over to the Pigs Nose Inn in the village of East Prawle- the most southerly point of Devon. This traditional 16th-century inn serves classic pub grub and real ales amid snug, quirky interiors. Sit by the fire and try your hand at some knitting from the knitting basket, play board games or pool- dogs and children are very welcome. There is regular live music in the adjacent hall which has seen everything from the Wurzels to Atomic Kitten!

The Pigs Nose and Gammon Head are also points on the south west coastpath, follow this circular walk (stopping at the interesting visitor centre at the coastwatch) before heading to the pub for a drink!

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/east-portlemouth-to-prawle-point/trails/prawle-point-walk

For a delicious Chinese meal (either takeaway or sit down meal), we highly recommend the food at Café Asia, in Kingsbridge. Lovely friendly staff and a delicious menu of South East Asian cuisine.

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.