Sunday, October 30, 2011

Fine Dining During Devon Holidays


Spending time at any of the gorgeous Torquay beaches during your holidays in Devon is a fantastic idea. You can swim to your heart’s content. You can engage in water sports adventure that will keep you energized and inspired the whole day. You can sunbathe, walk along the shores, or just enjoy the breathtaking sceneries of all the Torquay beaches. If you want luxurious accommodations, stay at the Torquay holiday cottages which are just a short distance away from the Torquay beaches. These top-notch accommodations are well furnished, have a pet-friendly environment, and include self-catering facilities. However, if you do not feel like cooking while on holiday, you can enjoy a nice meal with your family in these fine dining establishments near the Torquay beaches.

The Church House Inn

The Church House Inn is one of the fine restaurants you should visit after a fun day out at the Torquay beaches. This beautiful country restaurant/pub is within the picturesque village of Stokeinteignhead, Torquay. You can enjoy some traditional English food here as well as some fresh seafood dishes, modern British dishes, and Mediterranean cuisine. Some of the must-try dishes are beer battered cod, West Country steaks, sea bass and homemade suet pudding. After hitting any of the Torquay beaches or exploring the village, you can feast on savoury meals here with your loved ones. The restaurant, which can seat 70 guests inside and another 40 outside, is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

Ocean Brassiere

Ocean Brassiere is located on Croft Road and is another restaurant that serves excellent seafood. If you are looking for a nice seafood restaurant to enjoy a family dinner after frolicking all day long at the Torquay beaches, Ocean Brasserie is the right place to go. Only the finest ingredients and the freshest seafood are used in the kitchen so you can expect first-class meals that are very satisfying but are easy on the budget. Owner/Chef Neil Fanous and his wife Justyna is a husband and wife tandem that is behind the scrumptious creations at Ocean Brassiere. They are well trained and experienced in serving the best seafood dishes you can find in Torquay. The restaurant, which can seat 40 guests, is open from 12 noon to 1:45 p.m. for lunch and for dinner from 7 p.m. until late night. The restaurant not only serves the best seafood dishes but also has a wide selection of over 50 wines from different corners of the globe. A children’s menu is available as well as high chairs. The restaurant also has facilities for the disabled people. Smoking is not allowed in the restaurant. You can choose to come here for a fancy dinner while enjoying the beauty and splendour of all the Torquay beaches.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Enjoying Family Centered Attractions in Devon

When you have chosen the luxurious Devon holiday cottages, you must enjoy going out to the many family-friendly attractions that are nearby. The Devon holiday cottages are clean, comfortable and luxurious.  Self-catering facilities make it possible for you to cook your own meals for the family. Many cottages are very near the major tourist attractions of Devon which makes it easy for you to put together an itinerary that includes places your family will really enjoy. There are many places you can take your family when you are staying at the Devon holiday cottages. If your pet is going with you during your holidays, there are several Devon holiday cottages that are pet-friendly.  Here are some family attractions in Devon that you must visit.

Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park

The Combe Marin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park can be found in the scenic Devonshire countryside which is not difficult to find if you are booked at one of the comfortable holiday cottages in Devon. The park houses a lot of animals such as California sea lions, wallabies and wolves. The sea lions come from California, USA which is why they are called California sea lions. You can watch them as they perform for the audience.  The Red-Neck wallabies are from the forests of Tasmania and Eastern Australia. Their names come from the red fur on their shoulder and nape. The wallabies can be seen at the zoo and in fact, you can pet them and feed them too.  There is Wallaby food at the zoo that you can use to feed them. The Dinosaurs are the biggest attractions here at the park.  They were constructed according to the design of the park authorities by the use of animatronic technology. Internal and external computers operate the dinosaurs which you will find in different areas of the park. There are also European wolves at the zoo and you can watch the howling shows conducted by wolf expert Shaun Ellis. The park opens at 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. every day. You would need to pay an entrance fee of £14 for adults, £8.50 for children 3 to 15 years old and a package fee of £40 for families. This place is really worth a visit especially when you are staying at the holiday cottages in Devon.

The Adventure Island

One of the popular attractions that children will really enjoy is the Adventure Island.  Designed for family members of all ages, Adventure Island is a large theme park with indoor and outdoor activities. The total size of this park is 7 acres and there are 4 rides within the park. You can enjoy several attractions here which you and the whole family will enjoy. Make the Adventure Island a part of your itinerary especially when you are staying at the Devon holiday cottages.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Making Your Dog-Friendly Holidays Memorable


You can make your dog-friendly holidays memorable by experiencing the beauty and char of the south west of England. Having your family and your pet dog with you is a comforting sight. Plan your itineraries during your dog-friendly holidays so you can visit as many famous attractions there is within the region. A few days away from the normal city life will do you good. Here are some must-visit locations during your dog-friendly holidays.

The Weymouth Sea-life Park

If you and your family are staying at the luxurious Weymouth holiday cottages, then you should not miss a visit to the Weymouth Sea-life Park. This park is situated in Weymouth, Dorset and provides endless entertainment, thrilling rides and exciting activities to both young and old. The park is also home to otters, seals, penguins, and other sea creatures that will delight your children. Take candid photos of your young ones as they interact with these adorable animals. The park is sprawled on over 7 acres of land. Indoor and outdoor attractions abound here so even of the weather is bad; it will not spoil the fun during your dog-friendly holidays. The park also offers educational tours that are perfect for children and adults eager to know more about marine life.  This park is open throughout the week from 10 a.m. although it is closed on the 25th of December. If you are looking for a place where you can take your children for a fun day out during your dog-friendly holidays, then the Weymouth Sea-life Park is the answer. Pack up a fully loaded picnic basket so you can quench your thirst and hunger while enjoying the park. 

Koola Bar

After a thrilling day at the park, enjoy the night out in one of the vibrant pubs in town during your dog-friendly holidays. Tuck the children to bed at the upscale holiday cottages before you head over to the Koola Bar. This bar is located close to the Chy Bar. You will be satisfied with this pub’s classic English meals, lip-smacking drinks, and warm ambiance. The Koola Bar also has some of the best DJs around – always mixing up lively beats and groovy tunes, great for partying all night long. The Koola Bar is popular bar for both locals and tourists. Everyone is so friendly here so you will not feel out of place. Its lively atmosphere and amazing seaside views all add up to the perfect pub experience. Being situated in a neighbourhood more or less central to the town, the Koola bar is always a short drive away from most holiday cottages. It would not be a surprise if you come back here in another night while still enjoying your dog-friendly holidays to the fullest.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

A Slice of Dorset History


One of the most popular holiday destinations is Dorset, a county in South West England. Here you can have one of the best Dorset holidays replete with amazing attractions, thrilling activities and a stay at the luxurious Dorset holiday cottages. The Dorset holiday cottages are comfortable and beautiful and can be found in places that are very near tourist attractions such as historical sites, shopping centres, restaurants, parks and gardens, entertainment centres and more. Pets can be accommodated at the Dorset holiday cottages so you can bring your pets with you during your Dorset holidays.

The Tank Museum

The Tank Museum in Bovington has the best collection of tanks in the whole world.  It is a fun but educational place to take your children. If you really want to fully see everything there is in the museum, you must schedule to leave early and have the whole day to go around. You will see about 200 tanks and war vehicles displayed in the museum. You get to experience exploring the trenches of World War I as well as the war action that includes amazing explosive displays. You can schedule any day of your Dorset holidays to go to the museum as they are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are just a few minutes away from the Dorset holiday cottages too.

Corfe Castle

A visit to the Corfe Castle during your Dorset holidays is a visit to the ruins of one of Britain’s most majestic castles.  The castle is more than 1000 years old and is historically known to be the stronghold that controlled access through the Purbeck Hills. It was known as a massive defence even during the time of William the Conqueror but it was Lady Bankes who guarded the castle during the civil War.  The castle was later on destroyed because of the betrayal of people inside the castle. You can leave your Dorset holiday cottages early and get the chance to explore this historic site.

Hardy Monument

You can also visit the Hardy Monument in Portesham, which is just a few minutes away from your Dorset cottages. This is a tall monument that was built in 1844 in honour of the flat captain of the battleship HMS Victory.  He was Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy. There are many other attractions that you can visit near the monument during your Dorset holidays.

Kingston Lacy

Kingston Lacy is another historic site that you must visit during your Dorset holidays. It is a very majestic work of old architecture.  What makes it even more attractive is that it is surrounded by beautiful impeccable gardens.  The mansion is popular for the Spanish Room, leather decorated walls and the display of Egyptian artefacts. The gardens that surround the mansion have a beautiful display of flora and fauna. A visit to this place will also let you view the hill fort of Bradbury Rings which goes back to the Iron Age. This is one of the places that you must visit if you are staying at one of the Dorset holiday cottages.