Beautiful Blooms Battle it Out...

Bluebells - photo courtesy of Cosmo_71

Do you have a favourite wildflower? 


The wild plant conservation charity, Plantlife, has launched a survey to discover the nation’s favourite, but oh, what a choice! A shortlist of 25 species has been drawn up, and the West Country is blessed with a host of blooming leading contenders.

From Somerset and Dorset, across Devon to the end of Cornwall, wildflowers thrive in our ancient hedgerows and gently farmed fields. Take a trip west and before you even arrive at your holiday home you’ll be welcomed en route by blowsy clouds of cow parsley and cheery oxeye daisies.
Wildflowers are wonderfully evocative, markers of the cycle of seasons, stirring innocent memories of childhood picnics, country walks and daisy chain necklaces.

Some have terrific fragrance: the heady musk of wild honeysuckle, often scented before spotted when wandering a lane on a summer’s evening; the incongruously tropical coconut perfume of vivid yellow gorse flower on a moorland slope; the subtle but unmistakable sweetness of the delicate pink dog rose. 

It’s no coincidence that many of the blooms heading the race for victory are the heralds of spring and early summer. Drifts of snowdrops, shy swarms of lemon-yellow primroses and carpets of vivid bluebells regenerate and fill us with optimism for sunshiny days ahead.

Shippen Cottages
Many of our holiday homes are hidden sanctuaries where you can lose yourself in nature. Picnic tables in organic wildflower meadows invite you to unpack a hamper of goodies at 1 and 2 Shippen Cottages in Wilmington, and West Huckham Barn, a 200-year-old Exmoor cottage, is deep in the unspoiled Quarme Valley full of flowers. South Barn is a haven for nature lovers, with a natural area of ponds and wildflowers; stroll at dusk for evening flower scents and stars emerging in a huge, unpolluted sky.  We’ve lots more countryside havens; do ask us if you’d like help finding your perfect place.  

South Barn
Political party leaders have battled it out and election fever has left us oft-times jaded – what better antidote than seeing the snakes head fritillary go head to head with the lesser celandine and ticking a box for your favourite wild blossom? Visit www.plantlife.org.ukto vote.  
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Michael Gove as Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor

The Rt. Hon Michael Gove MP has been appointed as Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor - see No. 10 Appointments.  This dual role was previously held by Jack Straw, Kenneth Clarke and Chris Grayling.  Mr Gove is a somewhat controversial politician - (here is an example from his time as education Secretary in the 2010-15 coalition government). His entry on wikipedia is worth reading.

He is the second person who is not legally qualified to hold the office of Lord Chancellor.  In December 2014, Parliament's Constitution Committee published a report about the Lord Chancellor and stated that:

' ... the Lord Chancellor’s duty to the rule of law requires him or her to seek to uphold judicial independence and the rule of law across Government.'

The report
also concluded that - ' ... on balance it is not essential for the Lord Chancellor to be a qualified lawyer; but that a legal or constitutional background is a distinct advantage. Given that neither the Lord Chancellor nor the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice are currently required to be legally qualified, the Committee recommends that either the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice should be legally qualified or the department’s top legal adviser be appointed at permanent secretary level.'

It remains to be seen whether the new government will take any notice of this report but the Lord Chancellor's duty with respect to the rule of law is enshrined in the Constitutional Reform Act 2007 where the Lord Chancellor's oath is set out:

“I,     , do swear that in the office of Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain I will respect the rule of law, defend the independence of the judiciary and discharge my duty to ensure the provision of resources for the efficient and effective support of the courts for which I am responsible.     So help me God.”

The Rule of Law is a vital concept.  Importantly, it requires that Government respects the law and the position of the citizen vis-a-vis the State.  Mr Gove is obviously now tasked with delivering on the Conservative manifesto commitment to "scrap" the Human Rights Act and to introduce a British Bill of Rights.  The present fear is that this policy is aimed at reducing the rights protection currently enjoyed by the citizen or, conversely, making the State more powerful against the individual.  We know that Conservative Ministers have previously been highly annoyed at how human rights arguments have stood in their way.  Examples of that include extradition of individuals where there is risk of torture or ill-treatment and prisoner voting.

The fact that there is now devolution (in various forms) to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also make human rights reform difficult to achieve.  An interesting article* on the UK Constitutional Law Association website points out that:

' ... changing existing UK human rights law is not an easy task. Even if one leaves to one side the external diplomatic factors that may limit the UK’s freedom of action in this field, there are internal legal and political factors in play which make tampering with the HRA a more problematic project than the media headlines suggest. In particular, complex issues arise with respect to devolution and the various ways in which Convention rights have become embedded in the constitutional framework of the UK'

and concludes by saying:

' ... the UK constitutional system is now complex, variegated and pluralist in nature. Tampering with the status of Convention rights in UK law may appease some Europhobic voters, but it risks open up some serious constitutional fractures.'

Some legal commentators have already published their views about the new appointment of Mr Gove and I recommend reading:

Joshua Rozenberg - The Guardian 11th May - Why human rights reform could trip up Michael Gove

JackofKent - A new Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor

and from the Law Society there is Gove is Lord Chancellor as Cameron squares up for a fight (11th May).

Let us not judge Mr Gove from the outset but also let us keep a close eye on what he gets up to in his new role. I hope that he is listening!

Citation:

* C. O’Cinneide ‘Human Rights, Devolution and the Constrained Authority of the Westminster Parliament’ UK Const. L. Blog (4th March 2013) (available at http://ukconstitutionallaw.org)
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Our fundamental rights on the brink ~ some thoughts on Sunday morning

The very essence of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is respect for human dignity.  The ECHR is an instrument for the protection of individual human beings.  The Convention sets out certain principles which ought to apply in civilised democratic States.  As individuals under the rule of law, we have a right NOT to be treated by the State in a way that breaches those principles.

Before the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) came into force (on 1st October 2000), the UK faced an embarrassingly large number of successful cases demonstrating just how far our domestic law had departed from convention principles.  One of the enlightening features of the HRA has been that it has introduced an important dynamic to require the judiciary to bring the common law back in line with the ECHR.

All political parties
have their visceral hatred of certain legislation.  A Conservative government secured the enactment of the Industrial Relations Act 1971.  The Act set up the Industrial Relations Court.  It was detested by the Labour Movement and was repealed and replaced (under a Labour government) by the Trades Union and Labour Relations Act 1974.  Nevertheless, 'useful' features such as unfair dismissal were retained.  The Conservatives have a clear hatred of the HRA 98 and its repeal will come but what will this mean?

As things look at the time of writing, the UK (as a nation) will remain a member of the Council of Europe and will also remain a signatory to the ECHR.  The ECHR will therefore continue to bind the UK so far as international law is concerned and judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to which the UK is a party will be binding, in international law, on the UK.

In the event of a ruling by the ECtHR against the UK, it is usual for the British government to bring forward amendments to English law so that domestic law complies with the ECtHR judgment.  Having said this, the issue over prisoner-voting remains to be addressed.

Before the HRA98, the citizen could use the right under the ECHR to petition the ECtHR.  This long and hard road to the EctHR was very costly and could only be embarked upon once all domestic remedies had been exhausted (Article 35 of the ECHR).  This road remains available and, even since the HRA, has been used at times.  Again, as things look, the hard road will not be closed though it might be that the government will seek to place some roadworks on it - (that remains to be seen).  The availability (or absence) of legal aid will be a major factor here.

The HRA made it unnecessary for many litigants to have to go via the hard road because the Act required our domestic courts (as public authorities) to act compatibly with Convention rights and also to take into account (not slavishly follow) judgments of the ECtHR.  In other, more simple, words: the HRA brought Human Rights home.  The HRA also empowered the higher courts to make a declaration of incompatibility if domestic legislation was found to be contrary to the ECHR.  Such a declaration does not alter domestic law but it triggers a process by which Ministers may ask Parliament to enact a remedial order to correct the problem.  Nevertheless, the right of Parliament to legislate as it wishes (including contrary to HRA rights) was retained but the government (acting via Parliament) would have to be very very clear about its intention to do so.

"Scrapping" the HRA is a Conservative manifesto commitment - see previous post.  A further commitment is a British Bill of Rights.  At the time of writing we have not seen the Bill that will repeal the HRA and we have not seen even a draft of the proposed Bill of Rights (BOR).  All of these ought to be the subject of extensive examination and consultation.  They must not be rushed through in the first 100 days as the new government hits the ground running!  If the BOR is to apply across the whole of the UK then clearly it will have to be acceptable to the people of all parts of the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland).  Whether it will be so acceptable remains to be seen but something merely imposed by the Conservative dominated government is not likely to be politically acceptable even if they have a majority at Westminster.

For a more detailed look at that the Conservatives' manifesto said about human rights, please see Law and Lawyers 20th April 2015 - The Conservative Party manifesto and human rights.

Links:

Scotland and Human Rights Act abolition - Lallands Peat Worrier blog - 10th May 2015

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission - About Human Rights

Human Rights - The Conservative Party proposals - 6th October 2014

Commission on a Bill of Rights Report and, UK Human Rights blog - What lies beneath the Commission on a Bill of Rights Report

UK Constitutional Law blog - December 2012 - The Commission on a Bill of Rights Report
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General Election 2015

The election results are in and, contrary to opinion polls, a Conservative government has been returned albeit with  a majority of 12 - see BBC Election Results for the detail.  An overall majority avoids the need for consideration of what will happen in a "hung" Parliament - though it was an interesting topic discussed here and here. The Liberal Democrats have just 8 seats and they seem to have paid a very heavy price for being in the coalition alongside the Conservatives.  The Labour Party emerged as the second largest party in the House of Commons but they have only a single seat in Scotland - (Scottish results) - having lost to the Scottish National Party (SNP).  Interestingly, the SNP leader  (Nicola Sturgeon) did not stand for a seat and so their 56 members will not have her to lead them in the House of Commons. Nicola Sturgeon holds the office of First Minister in the Scottish government.

Northern Ireland has returned 18 Members of Parliament and Wales has returned 40 MPs.  UK Parliament - Current State of the Parties. 

Proportional representation?

The election results
will be seen as particularly harsh by those keen to have some form of proportional representation.  The Conservatives have achieved a majority of 12 on 36.9% of the vote.  In the past, governments with overall majorities have not shown interest in proportional representation and I suspect that the Conservative government will be no exception to that.  Also, it was the now much reduced Liberal Democrats who were the keenest on it.

Note: In 2011, the electorate chose to stick with first past the post rather than adopt the Alternative Vote (AV) system; though AV is not a form of proportional representation (see Electoral Reform Society).

How the House of Commons would have looked under a form of proportional representation - BBC NEWS 9th May 2015

Constituency Boundaries:

Reform of the House of Lords was another Liberal Democrat aim but this was abandoned, somewhat acrimoniously, with the result that the Liberal Democrats acted to defer a review of constituency boundaries . The detail is on the Boundary Commission for England website where it is stated that:

'The Commission currently plans to formally begin working on the next review in the spring of 2016, with the intention of submitting its final recommendations to government by the early autumn of 2018, as required by the legislation.'

If boundary changes are considered to be favourable to the Conservatives, they are likely to be very unfavourable to Scotland.

Access to Justice:

In the legal field, the coalition came down hard on access to justice and, in particular, civil legal aid - Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (or LASPO).  The Secretary of State for Justice in the coalition (Mr Chris Grayling) had plans to reduce markedly the number of criminal legal aid contracts.  It seems likely that these will remain on the agenda and they will be vehemently opposed by the legal profession - see Law Society Criminal Legal Aid.  .

Human rights:

It is with human rights protection that there must now be considerable concern.  The Conservatives set out their plans for human rights (including repeal of the Human Rights Act 1998) in their election manifesto - discussed here. Very broadly speaking, the Conservatives plan to remain within the European Convention on Human Rights which, as a treaty, would (as now) bind the UK in international law.  There would be a British Bill of Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 would be repealed - ('scrapped' in the emotive language of the Conservative manifesto).  All the detail of this has yet to emerge though the legally illiterate proposals in the autumn of 2014 may offer a clue.

European Union:

UK Membership of the European Union is to be put to the electorate in a referendum.  Legislation for this has yet to appear but it was a clear Conservative manifesto promise.  The referendum is to take place after a period of renegotiation of the UK's relationship with the EU.  A difficult issue will be "freedom of movement" which is seen as making immigration control difficult.

Devolution:

Devolution to Scotland will have to be addressed and further legislation to devolve power is likely early in this new Parliament.  On this, see Scotland - an Enduring Settlement January 2015.  Although the SNP has been at some pains to state that this election was NOT about Scottish Independence - (on which a referendum was held in Scotland in 2014) - it seems unlikely that the topic is going to go away.  After all, as someone said to me the other day, the clue is in the Party name !!

EVEL:

Then, there is the difficult question of "English votes for English laws" (EVEL).  England does not have a separate Parliament and currently Scots MPs may vote on questions of English law even when those matters are devolved to the Scottish Parliament.  This is widely seen as unfair and will have to be addressed in some way though it is likely to be more difficult than the slogan suggests.

Ministers:

Mr Cameron may now form a new government and will not require to appoint from any other party.  On appointments, please see - Number 10 Downing Street - Prime Minister and Ministerial appointments.  

Clearly, a most interesting time lies ahead and should offer much meat to observers and commentators alike. 

Links:

The Independent 9th May - Unshackled from coalition partners, Tories get ready to push radical agenda

BBC News - Sturgeon says Scotland voted for change

British Institute of Human Rights - What have human rights ever done for you?
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Explore folklore and magic in Cornwall

Tintagel Castle, photo courtesy of Robert Linsdell

Cornwall has long been the seat of some of Britain's most dearly-loved myths and legends. Indeed, King Arthur himself is often said to have been born of the Cornish people in folklore traditions. 

For holidaymakers spending time in Cornwall, there are plenty of opportunities to really get immersed in this history by visiting a range of attractions. 

The Arthurian Centre

Situated in Slaughterbridge near the medieval market town of Camelford - considered by many to be the site of the legendary castle Camelot - the Arthurian Centre is set in the 20 acres of land surrounding King Arthur's Stone. This stone - and a battle that reputedly took place at the site it commemorates - is dated to the earliest stories as far back as 540. 
Visitors are given the opportunity to walk through the Camlann Battlefield where Arthur and his nemesis Mordred met for their final battle. An exhibition room is filled with panels detailing this history, as well as a video presentation. 

Brass rubbing, a children's quiz, and a nature trail ensure there is something for everyone. Entry is £3.50 for adults, £3 for concessions, £2 for children aged six to 16, and £10 for a family ticket covering two adults and up to four children. 

Tintagel Castle

Tintagel Castle is set on the rugged North Cornwall coast, offering spectacular views over its fascinating ruins. Coupled with a stunning beach cafe, this is an ideal family day out. 

Steeped in myth and mystery, the site is said to be the birthplace of King Arthur - and there is also the opportunity to visit Merlin's Cave nearby. The castle also features strongly in the tale of Tristan and Isolde. Its history stretches back as far as the Roman occupation of Britain and is one of the most iconic attractions in the South West. 

Steep stone steps, stout walls and rugged windswept cliff edges encircle the great hall that characterise the spectacular remains of the 13th century castle. A packed events programme is maintained throughout the year, offering plenty of fun for families, with event themes including Fighting Knights, Grand Medieval Jousts and Pirates Attack. 

Entry is £6.10 for adults, £5.50 for concessions, £3.70 and £15.90 for family groups. 

The Museum of Witchcraft

Cornwall's roots in folklore and magic don't rest purely on King Arthur - as demonstrated by the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle, North Cornwall. 

This houses the largest collection of witchcraft-related artefacts in the world, including more than 2,000 objects on display. 

There is also a naturally-occurring spring and shrine, a range of activities for children, sections on healing, Christian magic, Pagan beliefs, charms, curses, Cornish 'piskies', and a lot more. 

Guided tours are available and ticket prices are £5 for adults and £4 for children and concessions. 

Read more information on our inspected and star-rated Cornwall Holiday Cottages. 
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San Ginesio – the gem of Le Marche


Le Marche is often overlooked by tourists but this beautiful region offers its own rich diversity of arts, history and culture that sets it apart from the rest of Italy and it a perfect location for a relaxing holiday in a traditional and unexplored part of Italy. If you are looking for a peaceful holiday, welcoming atmosphere and your own slice of Italy, then this hits the spot.

San Ginesio and surrounding countryside 


Situated on a hill, this walled town provides an ideal position from where to admire the Sibillini Mountains. It is hard to describe the beauty of the landscape with the green valley below and the towering peaks covered in snow. Although it’s a hill-town, it is rather flat inside the walls and as a town, it’s as pretty as any in Tuscany.  Quaint shops and a lively square framed by historical buildings dating back to XI century offer the visitor a welcoming atmosphere.

During the summer a few folkloristic festivals take place and the town seems to go back in time with actors dressed in costumes, drums, medieval music, dances and “battles”. This area offers a great base for walking and is close to ski resorts.

What to do



If you love the outdoors, then this is the place to be.  For walkers, the nearby Sibillini Mountains offer plenty of variety through pastures and woodland as well as dense forests against a backdrop of alpine scenery.  Paths will take you along rivers, past stunning waterfalls and caves, through gorges and up the many peaks.


Nearby Macerata is a fab local City immersed in Renaissance art and architecture. Its squares come alive in the evening and there are plenty of cafés and restaurants. For those who love shopping, the City is famous for its Wednesday market and there are some great little shops.


For the sun worshipper, Le Marche offers beautiful beaches.  It is set along the Adriatic Sea, with 80km of spectacular coastline.  In a mere 45 mins, you will find yourself at the wonderful seafronts of Porto s. Georgio and Civitanova Marche, where there are endless sandy or pebbly shores and natural bays along the rocky coast to explore.



Food and wine


Le Marche offers a wide range of centuries-old traditional food products and dishes featuring olives, ham and fish and there is an array of good wines including Verdicchio.  Local specialities such as pecorino cheese, truffles and roast pork are a real treat!  If you head up to the mountains, make sure you include a visit to one of the many great Rifugii that serve superb food using local produce.

How to get there

Le Marche is served by Ancona airport but it is also possible to access the region by Perugia and Bologna airports.

Where to stay

Holiday Homes in Italy offers a wide range of self-catering accommodation in Le Marche. Try these near San Ginesio and the Sibillini Mountains:

Casa Sibillini - 3 bedroom villa from £980 per week
Villa San Ginesio - 6 bed villa from £1,545 per week

Villa Sarnano - 2 bed villa from £920

Villa Usignolo - 7 bed villa from £1,335

Click here to view all our Villas in Le Marche
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A constitutional imbroglio ?

The question of what will happen in the event of a further "hung" Parliament continues to be asked.  Writing in the Law Society Gazette 4th May,  Joshua Rozenberg looks at the possibilities - A constitutional imbroglio.  The article also considers the possibility of there having to be an election before the date set by the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act 2011 (i.e. the first Thursday in May in the fifth calendar year following that in which the polling day for the previous parliamentary general election fell - 7th May 2020).

The Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FTPA) ensured that the opposition and the incumbent Government face the electorate on a set day whatever way the opinions polls are pointing at the time. The Bill makes provision for elections to be called earlier under only two exceptional circumstances. Parliament can be dissolved early if: (1) at least two thirds of MPs vote for dissolution or (2) a Government is unable to secure the confidence of the House of Commons within 14 days of a no-confidence vote.

Repeal of the FTPA:

Of course, as Mr Rozenberg points out, the FTPA could be repealed.  Before the FTPA, the dissolution of Parliament depended on the exercise of "Royal Prerogative" powers.  In practice, these were exercised in accordance with constitutional conventions and Her Majesty acted on the advice of the Prime Minister.  The right of a Prime Minister to ask the Queen for a dissolution - (which was invariably granted) - was a powerful political weapon.  This was particularly so if there was reason to believe that opposition parties would lose seats in the event of an election.  Prime Ministers did not always request a dissolution even when, perhaps, they might have done.  For example, when Gordon Brown succeeded Tony Blair, Brown could have requested a dissolution and hoped to win a general election.  He did not do so, with the result that the parliament elected in 2005 continued until 2010.  Blair resigned as Prime Minister in 2007.

Royal Prerogative to Dissolve Parliament - Abolished or in abeyance:

If the FTPA were simply repealed, a somewhat tricky question arises:  Would the previous Royal Prerogative powers come back to life?  This is discussed in more detail on the UK Constitutional Law blog - Royal Prerogative powers and the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act *

It could be argued that the FTPA had abolished the prerogative power to dissolve parliament and that would mean that it could not be restored.  However, it could also be argued that the prerogative power had been held in “abeyance” and that it could be capable of being exercised once again.  In evidence to the Public Administration Select Committee’s inquiry on Taming the Prerogative: Strengthening Ministerial Accountability to Parliament, the Treasury Solicitor’s Department wrote that:

It is not altogether clear what happens where a prerogative power has been superseded by statute and the statutory provision is later repealed but it is likely to be the case that the prerogative will not revive unless the repealing enactment makes specific provision to that effect.

Clearly, IF the FTPA is to be repealed, the safer legal course would be for the repealing legislation to clearly enact how a dissolution of parliament is to occur.  Failure to deal with this could well lead to  serious difficulties which the courts might have to resolve.

The FTPA contains two routes by which parliament could be dissolved and it might be that a third way could be added - "Her Majesty may, on the request of the Prime Minister, dissolve parliament." That would give the Monarch a statutory power and not a prerogative power. Alternatively, the third way might be achievable by enacting that Royal Prerogative relating to the dissolution of parliament is revived.  

Review of the FTPA:

The FTPA requires the Prime Minister to put in place a review of the Act - see section 7.  However, the review cannot take place before 1st June 2020 and no later than 30th November 2020.  If that review recommends repealing the FTPA then the Prime Minister is required by section 7 'to make recommendations for the repeal or amendment of' the Act.  It is a further moot point whether that would actually lead to repeal.

Interesting questions to mull over as we await the outcome of the 2015 General Election.

Please also see the earlier post -What if, as seems likely, it is a hung Parliament.

* A. Horne and R. Kelly, ‘Prerogative Powers and the Fixed-term Parliaments Act’ UK Const. L. Blog (19th November 2014) (available at http://ukconstitutionallaw.org)
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Legal aid cuts threaten our very democracy

'Without access to justice for all, inequalities take on a more dangerous edge which threatens the legitimacy of not just the justice system but our democracy.'

Legal aid and access to justice have both become prevailing themes on this and other blogs.  Legal aid in civil cases has been severely reduced and this coupled with vastly increased charges for the "privilege" of using courts or tribunals has put access to justice out of reach for many.

A letter in The Guardian 1st May strongly makes the point that access to justice is a key element in our democracy.  The letter is signed by numerous individuals including two retired Court of Appeal judges.  The next government is called upon:

' to abandon the highly controversial restructuring of criminal defence, restore legal help to the many currently without redress and to establish a royal commission to investigate the current crisis regarding the diminution of access to justice. In addition we call for an independent body to review legal aid rates, including expert witness rates so as to depoliticise them and instead move to an evidence-based approach to ensure public need is adequately met in the provision of legal services.'

Please read the letter at The Guardian 1st May 2015 and please bear this in mind when choosing who to vote for in the General Election. 



Law and Lawyers - The Conservative Party manifesto

Law and Lawyers - The fight for access to justice

Law and Lawyers - A very brief glance at the Labour Party manifesto

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Farm-friendly fodder at Darts Farm Shop

Photo courtesy of Jacob Spinks
One of the most well-known and tempting features of the West Country is its edible produce. Eggs, pies, pasties, cider and cheese are just a few of the foodstuffs that are freshly made around the region and if you head down to Darts Farm Shop, you will find a collection of the best seasonal products sourced from local growers…

Based in Exeter, the shop has been open for nearly 40 years and recently won the accolade of ‘Best Farm Shop in the UK.’ This honour is extremely well-deserved with the shop entirely dedicated to stocking food which has been grown, reared, baked or caught locally. As a working farm, baker, deli, cider marker and lifestyle shop, Darts Farm offers an all-encompassing authentic local experience. With pick-your-own fruit and vegetables, fishing ponds, a number of animals and a Maize maze, this is a great family attraction. It is also a lovely place to simply have a stroll among the West Country landscapes and crop fields.

Fruit and vegetables are collected daily from the surrounding fields to be sold in the shop or used in dishes at the on-site restaurant. As another purveyor of fine foods, the restaurant’s menu includes traditional favourites such as Devon sausage and mash, home cooked casseroles and Devonshire cream teas. There is also a selection of local ale and cider.

The site is also home to the magnificent Food Hall, which brings together produce from the best local suppliers and specialist artisan retailers. The award-winning range of luxury includes many homemade products, the caliber of which reflects the care and passion that has gone into their creation.

The on-site master butcher sells entirely traceable meat, and also have their own herd of native Devonshire cattle, slow-reared to produce the highest quality beef. Elsewhere, the Fish Shed produces delicious fish and chips with all fish caught and landed within 12 hours of serving.
The Darts Farm Shop is based in the old town of Topsham within easy reach of many of our cottages. We have a two-bedroom apartment in the town close to the antiques shops, pubs riverside walks, cycle routes and boat trips, as well as birdwatching at the RSPB reserve. The spacious, second-floor property includes a comfortable living area and compact kitchen with lovely countryside views.

Just nine kilometers outside Topsham in the red-stone hamlet of Poltimore, you will find our gorgeous three-bedroom property, Mallard Cottage, which set in the private grounds of an organic farm. Just ten minutes from Exeter, this cottage boasts a peaceful location and bright, fresh ambience. Sleeping six, this welcoming home includes communal gardens with trampolines, slides, swings, climbing frame, picnic table and barbecue, as well as a games barn with a small pool table and darts board. The smart interiors include stripped flooring, original stable doors and spiral staircases.

Another great property local to Darts Farm is our charming two-bed ‘upside down cottage’ in the pretty village of Lympstone. Sleeping four, the property is situated on a cobblestone street and features a balcony with views of the estuary and Powderham Castle in the distance. The picturesque surrounding area takes in local pubs, shops and shingle beaches, as well as the Exe estuary - the ideal spot for windsurfers.
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"WHAT SHALL WE DO TODAY?"...



We like to live up to our name at Helpful Holidays and that’s why each year we put together a glossy brochure for our customers to help make their holidays as enjoyable as possible. As always, this year’s issue contains in depth information and tips on how you can make the most of your holiday whilst staying at one of our cottages.

Our  “What shall we do today?” 2015 guide includes a collection of impartial recommendations about some of the best things to do whilst visiting  the West Country. This helps you tailor your holiday to your own tastes and needs, such as those travelling with  young children,  adventurous travellers who wish to pack their holiday itinerary full of activities or older couples seeking more relaxed options for their leisure time.

Our ever-popular top 10 lists are updated annually to ensure that we inform visitors of  the most up-to-date and exciting opportunities. Using our local knowledge, we’ve  compiled lists of the top 10 walks, beaches, places to eat, gardens and houses, attractions for children and West Country Wonders. The latter includes such delights as the appropriately named Eden, as well as picture-perfect Cornish villages and locations made famous through our literary and cultural heritage.

Farmers Markets are some of the most authentic and enjoyable days out in the West Country and we’ve compiled a list with dates and times when the more interesting ones are held, including those in Falmouth, Penzance and Dorchester. These markets provide a fun-filled way to mingle with local people and get a taster of the best local produce fresh from the farm.

Sun and beach worshippers will love our list of award-winning beaches, which include details on those that are marked with the prestigious Blue Flag and those with official RNLI lifeguards. Foodies can scan our list of award-winning as well as value-for-money pubs and restaurants, while holidaymakers who love a good hike can choose from the range of short and long routes. These are all divided up into regions for ease of reference.

Our month-by-month special events calendar will ensure that you don’t miss out on any of the West Country festivities, which include jazz festivals, craft fairs, regattas, surfing championships and oyster festivals. The region is also home to some of the most beautiful and enjoyable Christmas festivities in the UK.

And that’s not all. In the true spirit of keeping your holidays hassle-free, we’ve secured some fabulous discounts for you. Our brochure contains vouchers with discounts on admission prices for many attractions, as well as savings on activities such as watersports, bicycle and surfboard hire and even offers of free tea and cake!

There’s a lot of fun to be had in the West Country and we’ve done the research for you. All you have to do is gather family and friends together and leaf through our brochure to plan the holiday of your dreams.
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