Retrace smugglers' steps by following these cornish coastal walks. No Cornish history lesson would be done justice without attention being turned to smugglers. Whether they were liberators, criminals, pirates or local heroes, they covered the Cornish coastline with their illicit trade and made history through their dealings.
Falmouth Week is a family friendly festival in Cornwall with a full schedule of activities and entertainment carefully organised for every day of the week. Take the little ones, take the older ones, take everyone or just take the two of you in August and indulge in the true spirit of the town.
The town has one of the longest stretches of sand in Europe with seven miles of glorious beaches including the beautiful locations of Brean Down and the famous Lighthouse spot.
Read about the creation of sea glass jewellery and pictures by Heidi Reynolds, founder of Pebbletastic. She also includes some top tips on where to find sea glass in Cornwall.
The beautiful medieval city of Wells offers a unique and charming day out for everyone looking to enjoy breathtaking landscapes and stunning architecture.
Nestled on the edge of Tremenheere Sculpture Garden with breath-taking views of Mounts Bay, this is set to be one of our most popular places to stay for 2019.
Voted the Best UK Coastal Resort at the British Travel Awards in 2015 and 2016, Bude has lots of things to do. Visit for your holiday or simply a day out while staying in one of our Cornwall cottages.
Overbeck's is not the largest of stately homes and the drive up to it is hair-raising, but if you like tales of eccentric inventors and macabre collections made by a mad-cap genius then Overbeck's is well worth a visit.
The St Ives Feast and hurling the silver ball are longstanding Cornwall traditions that take place in February. Brighten up your winter with a St Ives holiday filled with fun traditions.
Do you like to visit a place with a spooky story? Do you dare visit my list of most haunted Devon places with a ghostly connection? Don't just wait for Halloween at half term, Devon ghost hunts can be enjoyed year-round.
Love the famous Cornwall landmarks? From the Minack Theatre to St Ives, we've got some alternative suggestions for those who think they've seen it all.
This ancient Dorset town is so tranquil and laid back, R&R is practically guaranteed so you can kick back and zone out. But if you like to occupy your time away, there are plenty of things to do in Tolpuddle.
Yet another reason to make sure that at least part of your summer holiday is spent in Dorset, there are festivals a-plenty to add excitement to your visit.
Described as 'every child's dream' by The Travelling Book Junkie, this pretty little cottage is the perfect luxury self-catering holiday home for families wanting to stay near Dartmouth.
A willow adventure awaits: some of my favourite days out are the ones that sound the strangest - The Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre certainly ticks that weird box!
A short break in Dorset deserves a night at the theatre - a great date night for the grownups. Around Dorset the theatres and venues are packed with some really big names throughout the year.
Whether you’re a self-confessed wine aficionado or have never tried a glass of Cornish wine, these are the places to indulge your taste buds for wine tasting in Cornwall.
Summer is a time for festivals. Whether it be dance festivals, family festivals, music festivals, or anything else in between. Hampshire certainly has its fair share of them.
As galleries go, this one is a stunner, the impressive looking building just a few steps from Porthmeor beach and as such commands excellent views. You’ll also find a great program of events, exhibitions and workshops on year-round.
In order to tempt you to cast aside the traditional evenings of channel hopping the box or going to the pub, here is a preview set list of what is coming up in Dorset theatres in 2018.
In some of the smaller towns around Dorset, there is often incredible talent that is overlooked but throughout the summer there are often live outdoor performances that you won’t find anywhere else, so if you’re holidaying in Dorset this year, treat yourself to something really special.
Greenway was the beloved holiday home of Agatha Christie and, although my children are old enough to have heard of her, they’ve never read any of her stories. So, to keep their interest up on a visit to her property we play a game of...
The whole of Somerset is steeped in history, but with a wealth of Medieval evidence to impress all history buffs, the county is well worth exploring. The best example of this time is concentrated in the Somerset city of Wells.
Peering into boudoirs, opening a door onto a dusty attic and living vicariously through the photos, furniture and keepsakes of others, from another time and another class, is unashamedly fascinating.
You’d be forgiven for thinking shopping is all Plymouth has to offer, but you’d also be wrong. There are acres of stunning parkland and miles of breathtaking coastline just around the corner, waiting to be explored.
A favourite of Queen Victoria, the Isle of Wight has a long history of heritage and culture, so it's little wonder there are places of grandeur to visit. Here is a select of places to visit on the island to sample some national heritage.
If you’re searching for something to do with your significant other this winter, then look no further than the exhibitions that Dorset and Wiltshire have to offer this season. You can enjoy time being culture vultures whilst enjoying some peace and quiet without children.
Hestercombe Gardens are the most beautiful estate gardens in the south. With over 300 years of garden design all in one place, those who enjoy flora and fauna it certainly is a great choice for a day out in Somerset.
The 1877 train line brought with it an influx of artists who came intrigued and stayed for the light and landscapes. Cornwall is a pretty great place to visit if you’re only remotely interested in art! To get you started, here are five art galleries across the county worth a gander.
Choose your location, time and company (obligatory) carefully - everyone has their own secret swim spots in Cornwall and here are my top five (but ssh!)
There is so much to see and do that I have narrowed down the selection to my top two places to visit, which can both be seen in one day if you’re on a short visit, or equally spread out over several days if you’re on a longer holiday in Bournemouth.
From whimsical childhood classics to page-turning crime fiction and whole novels set in Cornwall, discover the land behind your favourite Cornish literature and writers.
If you enjoy the chugging of the engines, seeing the steam rise up into the skies, and the hustle and bustle on board a carriage, then be sure to check out the West Somerset Railway when visiting the county.
A TV and film location pilgrimage might be the perfect weekend of escapism for you and your other half. Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset are littered with both well-known and not so well-known film sets, with their period buildings and rolling countryside providing the perfect cinema backdrop.
Try something a little more cultural on your Isle of Wight holiday with a visit to one of these theatres. See amateur dramatics, live screenings, comedy or a Christmas pantomime at these venues throughout the year.
For my family, day trips normally involve beaches or stately homes, but whilst holidaying in Cornwall this half-term the bad weather forced us to think creatively. And so feeling the Poldark effect, we found ourselves at Geevor Tin Mine.
In honour of the release of Victoria and Abdul, a silver screen epic telling the story of the Queen and her Indian companion, Abdul Karim, we discover why Queen Victoria loved the Isle of Wight so much.
Bruton is a beautiful little town in the heart of Somerset countryside that has cemented its upmarket credentials with the help of renowned gallery Hauser and Wirth.
The beginning of August hails Cowes week on the Isle of Wight. The ultimate sailing regatta brings people from all over the world to the island in the summer.
Hampshire has a lot to offer, but one of the lesser known things is the fact it is a brilliant day out for an ale lover. With its own brewery, an ale train, and some great real ale pubs, a boy’s day out is just waiting to be had!
It is a real treat to visit the English Riviera on the trail of Agatha Christie’s life and work - she was born in Torquay, and this area of South Devon is full of places which inspired her. From houses where she lived, to places which feature in some of her most famous works, you are surrounded by her presence in Torbay.
On the first Sunday of August each year a bunch of mad mountain bikers descend on the quiet villages and open moorland of Exmoor for a 30+ mile challenge. Sign up early as it’s always over-subscribed.
Who knew they could pack so much building and gallery space into a city centre? This family friendly museum is worth a stop when on holiday in Cornwall.
Dorset walks, places to eat and things to see and do in the unassuming but very pretty little market town of Beaminster, north of Bridport. It's worth a quick visit when you're on holiday in Dorset.
A winning day out with all the family, West Bay in Dorset has golden cliffs, beautiful beaches, award-worthy play areas and even a harbour for crabbing.
The Isle of Wight may be a small island, but there is certainly a lot of history present there, with numerous historic sites of interest to visit. I'll walk you through the most impressive of those sites:
Bath is a beautiful place, but it can get very busy. One of the best things about Bath is that on its outskirts it is flanked with a number of beautiful small towns and villages.
On a day out in Dorset, Portland peninsula, which dangles off the south coast, has a surprising amount to do, so if you want to avoid the summer beach crowds in Weymouth, then head over to Portland for something a little different.
Cinemas are everywhere. And can be a great way to dodge a rainy day while you’re on holiday. But if you like places with a dash of character and plenty of good films to go around, you might want to plan a special trip to one of these.
Little known Dorset town Wimborne Minster has a lot of activities to offer, whether you are after a family day out, or a quiet relaxing weekend for two.
Autumn colours and a frosty feeling in the air made for a surprisingly wonderful afternoon exploring the National Trust's Trelissick gardens in Cornwall.
Painting outdoors can be both calming and exhilarating at the same time, making it good for the soul. But where are the best spots for artistic inspiration in Devon?
Winchester is the old capital of England, it is steeped in history, full to the brim with beautiful architecture, fine eateries, and quaint and quirky shops, making for a lovely day out.
Kingsbridge is an attractive market town in its own right, but it is most often seen as a good base from which to explore the spectacular surrounding area of South Hams.
Devon and Cornwall boast magnificent houses, rugged coastline, unspoilt villages and wild moorland. All of these backdrops have been used on some well-loved films and TV programmes.
The pretty harbour village of Watchet offers a charming holiday experience in West Somerset. During the summer it is a hive of activity with the winter months in contrast proving a quiet and tranquil ambiance. For a little town, there’s plenty going on, so I’ve picked some of my highlights for a day out in Watchet.
Set on the south coast, Fowey is a maritime lover’s paradise. The smart nautical town hugs the west side of the Fowey estuary, where deep waters attract sailing fans. The town itself is a mix of enchantingly narrow streets and a mix of architecture including historic medieval, grand Georgian and Victorian buildings.
Truro is Cornwall’s only city! Steeped in history, Truro boasts stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, an eclectic shopping scene as well as a range of galleries, bars, restaurants and clubs. You’ll find something fun to do whether you’re visiting with kids, on a romantic getaway or flying solo.
Exploring the historic county town of Taunton gives you a chance to soak up a range of experiences. From the grounds of Somerset’s County Cricket Club to the impressive heritage of Taunton Castle, this lively hub is an ideal spot to enjoy a mix of culture and entertainment.
Charlestown is immediately recognisable to fans of Poldark as the harbour in the series. The joy of it as a location is that they’ve hardly had to change much at all.
Kingsand and Cawsand are twin seafront villages on The Rame Peninsula in Cornwall. They have a rich fishing (and smuggling!) heritage and you can still spot the old fish cellars and stores along the coast.
When on holiday, consider a slightly different point of view. Grab a blanket, a bottle of wine and come and check out the latest in night-time activities.
Theatre really comes into its own when it’s performed on the road. Each summer in Cornwall, a myriad of makeshift stages spring up all over the county – some providing seating, but many simply on the beach or a patch of grass on which to spread your blanket. It’s an experience not to be missed.