In line with the government announcement on 22nd February 2021 we can welcome guests to our holiday cottages near the beach in Devon from April 12th**. This will be for single households and support bubbles, until 17th May when two households or support bubbles, or 6 individuals will be allowed to stay at self catering holiday accommodation in England. Then, as Mr Johnson set out in his speech today, hopefully, by 21st June there will be no limitations on social contact and we’ll be open for good! Woo-hoo! Come on down!
Well, that’s the news we’ve all been waiting for; at last we have something to look forward to, something to set our sights on. It’s a big glimmer of hope for us and for those of you who can’t wait to have a holiday. We have missed our guests so much; it’s been really sad seeing our gorgeous holiday cottages in the country standing empty, when they should be full of the love and laughter of people enjoying their stay at our holiday cottages near the beach in Devon. We’ve got used to issuing refunds and rescheduling but it’s so tiresome and all we want now is to welcome guests to Stonehayes Farm for relaxing family holidays and happy celebrations. We can’t wait.
Those dates are all subject to the data of course, certain requirements must be met in terms of vaccines, infection rates and new variants, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed tightly because our holiday cottages are just too good not to shout about. Lots of people have already booked their summer holidays but we still have some availability so take a look at our country cottages to rent and book now – otherwise you might miss out and we wouldn’t want that, not after all this!
A big bonus with Stonehayes Farm is that it’s beautiful here anytime of year, but if you come when the weather’s usually pretty reliable you can make the most of days out on the fantastic beaches nearby. The Jurassic Coast (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is less than half an hour away and with such a diverse coastline you’ll find the perfect places to spend time on your holiday in Devon.
Let’s start with Beer, because it’s one of our favourites; this peaceful fishing village has such a wonderful air about it and you can easily while away a whole day there. Browse around the little shops and galleries, stop for a cream tea or to buy an ice cream, wander up over the cliffs on the South West Coast Path, hire a beach hut and soak up the rays on the beach – it’s a pebbly one but it has amazing rockpools at low tide and you can get an awesome crab sandwich from Ducky’s Beach Café. Hire a self drive boat and go cruising round the bay, and if you’re still there in the evening, go to The Anchor Inn, get a pint of local cider and sit in the clifftop beer garden to watch the sunset. It’s hard to beat.
We love Branscombe too! It’s just so charming, with flower hung cottages lining the hill that takes you down to the sea; there’s even a working forge where you can watch the blacksmiths at work. Find a spot on the shingle beach and enjoy the incredible scenery and something tasty and homemade from The Sea Shanty Beach Café. Stroll up over the cliffs to Beer, or if you’re brave enough, venture up behind the church and across the coast path, then down the steep zigzaggy cliff path to Littlecombe Shoot. Not many folk come to this quiet little cove (probably because of the access) but it’s lovely, so if you don’t mind the challenge you must go and discover it for yourselves!
Then there’s Sidmouth! Sidmouth is good; it gets busier because there’s more going on and there are two beaches. The Town Beach is a big expanse of sand and shingle baked by enormous red sandstone cliffs; Jacob’s Ladder Beach is smaller with a big expanse of sand and at low tide there are rockpools to explore. Both are great for families and are close to the Esplanade lined with impressive Regency buildings. Potter round the town and you’ll find lots of independent shops and places to eat, along with a notable timeless charm.
Seaton has a mile long pebble beach and is popular for watersports like kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, as well as mackerel fishing. Right out the end, tucked between the cliffs is The Hideaway Café where you can tuck into the scrummiest food. Whilst you’re there have a ride on the tram through the tranquil wetlands, or get fish and chips and find a spot out by the estuary to see the sunset. Park up there and wander along Axmouth Harbour to the beach; if you’ve got your walking boots with you, follow the trail through The Undercliff Nature Reserve to Lyme Regis – it’s like another world!
And that brings us to Lyme Regis, a popular resort that’s just over the border in Dorset. Lyme can get very busy in the summer, but that’s not surprising because it’s such a lovely little town. Steep hills lead down to the sea, there are quirky independent shops and excellent places to stop for a bite to eat, or to buy a proper job pasty. Amble along The Cobb (the historic harbour wall) to the marine aquarium right out the end, catch a fishing trip out to sea, or an exhilarating rib ride around Lyme Bay. Hunt for fossils,, go to Dinosaurland Fossil Museum, or to the Town Museum where you can find out all about the ichthyosaur found by Mary Anning in 1811. Play crazy golf in the town gardens, have a barrel of fun in the amusement arcade, get yourselves an ice cream, sit on the wall of the esplanade and watch the comings and goings.
Just the kind of things that holidays are all about, exploring new places, enjoying the beautiful scenery; relaxing and watching the world go by. Isn’t that what we all deserve? Time spent just being with our loved ones, happy together at last. Bring it on, we say – BRING IT ON!