Wales's Best Kept Secret – The Gower Peninsula

It has been called Wales’ best kept secret but now more and more people are coming to experience the delights of The Gower Peninsula – Britain’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

This beautiful area of varied scenery 20 miles long and about three miles wide is shielded from the world by the city of Swansea which is itself undergoing a transformation in its aim to become a vibrant European destination by 2020.

It is also the birthplace of the famous poet Dylan Thomas whose birth house is being taken back to its condition when bought as a new house in 1914 to be let as a themed holiday experience.

Quite rightly Gower residents have fought hard to protect their inheritance so that new development has been kept to a minimum. Even so there are plenty of accommodation options from the award winning Fairyhill restaurant and hotel to campsites in stunning locations with sea views such as Northill Farm and Nicholaston Farm which regularly rate in the top ten of polls organised by national newspapers.

Gower’s best known attractions are its unique south facing beaches with Three Cliffs and Rhossili fighting over the right to be the jewel in the crown.

At present Three Cliffs leads by a short head after coming second in last year’s ITV programme Britain’s Favourite View. However, they are not the only ones with many sheltered coves which are often deserted even in high summer.

In such a compact area the opportunity for all the year round activities abound – choose from walking, kite boarding, surfing, sailing, coasteering, climbing, abseiling and much, much more. Add to that the big city attractions of shops, museums, a revamped water theme park at the LC and the Liberty Stadium – home to Swansea City Football Club and the Ospreys Rugby and you are spoiled for choice.

If you are looking for somewhere that offers activities and accommodation close to both the city and Gower then Clyne Farm Centre has a lot to offer including self catering cottages, a small campsite with tipis for hire and activities including horseriding and Challenge Valley – the muddiest assault course in the world!!
Geoff Haden, Clyne Farm Centre©
Article originally published in Cottage Holidays

Devon - Teignmouth Waterside Village

Teignmouth is a delightful unspoilt holiday town nestling at the mouth of the river Teign.

It has a wonderful sandy beach with a long promenade which boasts one of the few remaining Piers in England.

There are excellent local facilities including heated swimming pool, indoor sports centre, tennis, mini-golf, children’s play park, horse riding, sea fishing/river trips, sailing etc.

Historical Exeter is a short drive away with bustling Torquay and peaceful Dartmoor all within easy reach.

Shaldon is a lovely waterside village on the River Teign with quaint houses, a village green used for bowls, a wide range of shops, hotels, restaurants and inns – some adjacent to the beach. Leisure activities here include fishing, gig racing and boating of all types.

The village boasts fun for all with two annual sailing events, the regatta and the water carnival. There is a small golf course and there are several excellent golf clubs nearby. Teignmouth is reached by passenger ferry over the river or by car or walking across the bridge.

In Teignmouth, Riverside Holidays have two wonderful west facing riverfront properties in the town centre of Teignmouth with panoramic views of the River Teign, Shaldon & Dartmoor.

Isobel Squirrell Riverside Holidays ©
Article originally in Cottage Holidays

North Cornwall - Porthtowan

Set in a winding valley flanked by granite cliffs, Porthtowan has a great beach and a wealth of mining heritage.

You will find Porthtowan ideally situated for exploring all that Cornwall has to offer.

It is 10 miles from the Cathedral City of Truro, and within easy driving distance of St Ives, whose twinkling lights can be easily seen from Porthtowan’s cliffs as the sun sets into the bay.

Other attractions such as the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan, together with the many National Trust properties are all easily accessible from this Cornish gem of a village.

Porthtowan’s Blue Flag Beach is the ideal location for your family ‘bucket and spade’ holiday, with life guards patrolling between 10am and 6pm seven days a week between Easter and October, making this a safe and fun place for your youngsters to while away their holidays.

Children will have hours of fun discovering the beach pool, rock pooling and playing in the sea. For the more adventurous, Porthtowan is renowned for its world class surfing waves.

You will be able to rent boards and wetsuits as well as take advantage of the surf schools, both for beginners and those who are more experienced.

Taking advantage of the après-surf, you would do well to visit the Blue Bar situated at the top of the beach, with its chilled-out atmosphere and interesting menu, all from locally sourced produce.

The village also boasts the family friendly Unicorn Bar, which often showcases local Cornish talent and provides an extensive menu and varied entertainment.

The children will love the safe and secure play area while you relax and watch the sun setting spectacularly into the sea.

A warm welcome awaits you at Ocean Breeze; don’t forget to bring your dog who will delight in the miles of coastal footpath just on your doorstep.
Linda Kemp, Ocean Breeze© Cottage in Cornwall
From an article originally published in Cottage Holidays.