LAST-MINUTE LOCAL GETAWAYS & DAYS OUT

Summer is almost over which means now is the perfect time to plan some last-minute fun days out & getaways! We can’t think of a better part of the country to explore than the beautiful South West.

Spending some quality time with family and loved ones doesn’t have to cost the earth. Staying in the UK and exploring all that we have to offer is already cheaper than going abroad and the Covid guidelines are making abroad holidays all the more difficult to go on which means staycations have boomed. A lot of holiday homes and hotels are already booked up until 2022, a record for the accommodation industry but it has meant that a lot of people have missed out on them this summer.

It is always a good idea to keep checking back on your favorite accommodation websites as they are constantly adding more listings by the day.

Plymouth is located in one of the best parts of the UK, with Dartmoor to the North, Salcombe & the South Hams to the East and Cornwall to the West. It is the ideal base to set off on an adventure from, even if just for the day!

River Dart Country Park

Nestled in the trees, located just off the A38 past Buckfastleigh, lies the River Dart Country Park. A haven for adventure enthusiasts, thrill seekers and keen campers. Voted one of the best visitor attractions in Devon, River Dart Country park is set in 90 acres of parkland within the Dartmoor National Park and offers a whole host of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Some of their family-friendly activities include an agility trail, bike trail, mini zip wire, obstacle course, toddlers beach & playground and a pirate ship! They also have a ‘Dare Devils’ section which includes canoeing, high ropes course, kayaking, mega zip wire, climbing and caving! Their climbing and caving activities are brand new for 2021.

As if it couldn’t get any better, they also offer onsite camping for all customers!
They provide electric and non-electric pitches with modern and well-equipped amenity blocks complete with free hot water and showers. There are covered washing up areas, water and rubbish points, laundry rooms, Wi-Fi areas as well as an onsite tennis court! To find out more information or to book your next getaway, head to www.riverdart.co.uk

Backpack Camping in Dartmoor

To really explore Dartmoor, there is no better way to do it than to hike all day and then wild camp under the stars all night. Camping in Dartmoor is actually encouraged; however, they have some rules you will need to stick to.

• Check the Dartmoor camping map before setting off as some places are restricted from wild camping • Only stay a maximum of 1 or 2 nights
• Must be part of a hike • Small tents only • No large groups • Make sure you pitch up far away from any public footpaths and attractions • No open fires or BBQ’s • Leave nothing behind
• Avoid disturbing wildlife and don’t pollute streams or rivers
Wild camping is a very basic overnight stay so if you are wanting a few more luxuries and facilities, then we’d recommend you use one of the many campsites on Dartmoor instead!

However, with limited signal, light pollution and noise pollution, there is no better place to truly escape into the wilderness than our next-door neighbour, Dartmoor National Park.

Plymouth Boat Trips

No car? Fear not for we have Plymouth Boat Trips to help you out! Set sail from one of their ports located on the Barbican or the Royal William Yard and enjoy a gentle cruise over to Mount Edgcumbe Country Park or Cawsand Bay.

Mount Edgcumbe Country Park offers gorgeous views of the coastline as you wander around the grounds of the estate. You can also step foot inside the grade II listed house and explore the history for only £8 for adults and £4 for children!
Cawsand Bay is a calm, sheltered bay that overlooks the Plymouth Sound. There are only a handful of pubs and restaurants within Cawsand including The Bay, Bar and Restaurant which is perfectly located opposite the beach with endless views of the coastline. The sheltered bay offers a great place to learn how to paddleboard with Cawsand Water Sports providing paddleboard & kayak hire!

Dartmoor Zoo

A 15-minute drive North of Plymouth is home to Dartmoor Zoo, nestled within 33 acres of woodland. From tigers and cheetahs to snakes and stick insects, there is bound to be something for the whole family to enjoy! Along with 150+ animals to admire, there are also wonderful views of Dartmoor National Park, open-fronted cat enclosures for perfect viewing, a gift shop and a selection of restaurants and cafes.

For only £14.95pp for adults and £10.95pp for children, book your visit today a www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk

South West Coast Path

If you fancy a picturesque walk, we are blessed to be located along the South West Coast Path, England’s longest waymarked footpath stretching for 630 miles. This means you can pick up the path at any point along the coast and carry on walking until you’re ready to turn back around or make a loop.

Explore more of the coast path along Plymouth’s seafront or, take the hour and a half drive down to the quaint seaside town of Fowey and explore the traditional Cornish streets and shops. Fowey is located around 20 minutes from The Eden Project and 40 minutes from The Lost Gardens of Heligan which makes it a great base to explore more of what Cornwall has to offer.

Due to the beautiful nature of Fowey, accommodation isn’t cheap, however, if you take a 15-minute drive out of Fowey and head to the East Crinnis Holiday Park where there is a variety of glamping and camping facilities and pitches from as little as £38 (for a non-electric grass pitch for two nights).

Lost Gardens of Heligan

A gentle meander around the Lost Gardens of Heligan will instantly help you to relax and unwind. With 200 acres of lush foliage, exotic plantings, winding brooks and tunnels of bamboo, get lost within a tropical paradise.

The elegant gardens were home to the Tremayne family for more than 400 years until the First World War where Heligan House was used as a Convalescence Hospital for Officers in 1916. Later in 1939, American troops used Heligan House as a base and the gardens were left to overgrow for years. It wasn’t until 1990 where a secret door was discovered within the bushes by Tim Smit and John Willis, a Tremayne descendant, and the sleeping beauty was re-awakened. It has now become Europe’s largest garden restoration project!

To explore a genuine secret garden, head to www.heligan.com to book tickets.

The Eden Project

An hour’s drive into Cornwall and you will end up inside the tropical bubble that is The Eden Project.

What was a clay mine with no soil or plants has been transformed over the years into a picturesque global garden, fit for a great family day out! Immerse yourself in the world’s largest indoor rainforest and travel through differing terrain and climates. Uncover places to play like their massive Minibeast Mansion or take the wobbly footbridge through the tree canopy.

To find out more about our very own tropical rainforest in the UK,
head to www.edenproject.com