Wednesday of last week I took my lads to Seaton in East Devon for a short break. Their favorite attraction in the area was Seaton’s Tramway.

The trams are scaled replicas of original trams and they run on a narrow gauge line running from Colyton to Seaton via Colyford. the total trip lasts for about 20 mins (one way) and you reach about 13 mph at the fastest point. The cars are open topped so you get a chance to really enjoy the whole experience.

We arrived in Colyton and waited for a tram. It only took about 10 mins for one to arrive but the excitement levels had already risen to near bursting point. We navigated our way to the top of the tram and waited to set off. The journey was very comfortable and we could enjoy far reaching views across the Devon country side and into the river axe and its tidal banks.

Egrets, Shell Duck, Waders, Rabbits and Herons were a few of the many species we saw on the journey. We stopped in Colyford to allow other passengers to board the already bursting tram car and off we went once more towards Seaton. My lads loved the level crossing and waving to the stationary vehicles allowing us to pass through.

On arriving at Seaton we spent a few quid buying postcards from the tramway shop then headed into Seaton to explore this seaside town.

All in all agreat day and one that we will be talking about for weeks to come.

Held from the 3rd August 2007 untli the 10th August 2007 in Sidmouth, East Devon.

Enjoy dancing in the streets with this fantastic gathering of musicians and artists from around the world playing thier own unique sound.

There will be work shops, markets, street music, plays and much more to enjoy.

My wife’s best friend has just moved away from Cornwall and is now living in Exmouth.

She has been phoning regularly informing my wife about the area and what it has to offer. “Exeter is only 7 miles away, there is some great shopping to be had” she tells my wife!

Apart from retail therapy she has found some lovely FREE areas to wander in. The Western end of the Jurassic coast line to walk her dogs on, or the length of the beach on the estuary at Exmouth, this part of Devon is criss crossed with footpaths and bridal ways.

Being a keen eventer she is delighted with the equestrian facilities in the area which include of course Bicton Park with its cross country course, used for basic riders and the most advanced and I understand well thought about in the horsy world. There are great hacks across Woodbury Common full of diverse wild life and the odd Marine training at Lympston commando camp. She also informed us that there are many stables offering livery for holidays periods, so you and your horse can go self catering together if you so desire!

All in all she seems delighted with her move to the region and its opened her eyes up to what this town has to offer.

For anyone who ever wanted a second chance….

You can rely on a cracking good laugh when Miracle Theatre comes into town. This winter, they explore the world both past and future with the aid of an extraordinary and somewhat unpredictable Time Machine. The show opens in Cornwall on December 7 and plays at Falmouth’s Princess Pavilion over Christmas. Touring the UK throughout January and February, this is Miracle Theatre’s renowned and popular blend of family entertainment at its best!

Where would you travel? To the past or to the future? You can expect to ponder some of the eternal questions of life while your children are enthralled, delighted and intrigued by the jokes, songs, and the unexpected ‘things’ that invariably happen in a Miracle show. This comic and colourful treat will delight and entertain families, children and adults of all ages, and will keep you smiling for days afterwards.

Cornwall’s Miracle Theatre Company has been touring South West England for over 25 years and is one of the region’s most popular theatre companies. Now touring widely across the UK, Miracle’s reputation for ‘Seriously funny theatre’ just grows and grows.

“They just go on getting better and better.”
Western Morning News

For full tour dates and more about Miracle Theatre Company visit: www.miracletheatre.co.uk

Explore a Lost Village and discover Creatures of the Night… in the
Tamar Valley.

The Tamar Valley Programme of Events continues this week (week
beginning 28th August 2006) with four activities to choose from,
helping you to enjoy, and learn more about, the Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty.

This Thursday morning (31st August), Paul Rendell leads a circular
walk exploring life in the lost village of New Quay and Morwell Woods
(near Morwellham). Please wear stout footwear and bring a packed
lunch. Cost for this walk is £2 adults, 50p children, payable on the
day. The walk begins at 10:30am and finishes at 1:30pm.

The following evening (Friday 1st September), discover the wonders of
night-time flying creatures with the aid of bat detectors and moth
traps. Martin Summers will lead this Creatures of the Night event on
Kit Hill, starting at 7:30pm and finishing at approximately 11:00pm.
Cost - £2 adults, £1 under 16s/over 60s (to include a cup of soup),
payable on the night.

On Saturday (2nd September), join in with the fun that begins at
2:00pm – Minerals, Moths & More. Morwellham provides the venue for an
afternoon’s stroll along a nature trail learning to recognise the
abundance of flora and fauna that lives there, including reeds and
orchids. Discover medicinal uses of many plants, and folklore, or
make your own collage of things that are found along the walk. Martin
Summers will explain the geology of the area (including the formation
of granite and why the Tamar and Tavy have such steep, gorge-like
sides so close to the sea) and examine the mineral pile on site.
Following soup, an evening of Bat & Moth Watching can be enjoyed. The
programme is as follows – you are welcome to join in with all, or
parts, of the programme;

·      Nature & Geology Walk: 2pm – 5pm

·      Soup (and geological activities for children): 6-7pm

·      Bat & Moth Watch – 7pm til late

Cost: Adults £2, Children 50p, payable on the day

A 2-mile Lowland Amble around Kit Hill Country Park is on offer on
Sunday afternoon (3rd September). The Countryside Wardens will help
you discover the wonders of the Western Heath and learn about local
history. Please note, the terrain is rough and uneven. There is no
charge for this walk, that begins at 2:00pm and aims to finish at
4:00pm.

For all events, booking is ESSENTIAL. Please call the Tamar Valley
AONB team on 01579 351163 or email info@tamarvalley.org.uk (office
hours Monday-Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm) to secure your place and for
details of where to meet.

Please wear sensible footwear and clothing. Bring a torch and wrap up
warm for the evening events. Under 16s must be accompanied by a
responsible adult.

After such a great success for the Sidmouth Folk Festival week 2005, the 2006 date for your folk festival diary is from 4th-11th August in Sidmouth, East Devon. It has become a festival to be reckoned with, with prime acts such as Black Umfolosi, Bellowhead, Patterson Jordan Dipper, BlackThorn and more big names. A range of entertainment to suite all tastes and pockets runs through the week including workshops, young folk events, Story telling, Ceilidhs and arts and crafts stalls and events.

It really has become an event not to be missed. Much of the local accommodation will be booked solid, with locals and holiday makers alike renting or camping in and near the town to engulf themselves in the music and atmosphere. The town will be packed, but you will alway be able to escape the hords by taking a walk along the beach following the Jurassic Coast line.

Events are held at various superb venues around Sidmouth  including street performers, local Hotels, public areas and halls.

We will try and list a collection of the performers so you can see the quality of this event.

Branscombe Air Day - 29/07/2006 A great day out for families and friends whether on holiday or local to the area.

Branscombe Air day and classic car rally usually has a tented craft stall, A local band, Static aeroplane displays and even a chance to get a bargin at the car boot sale!! All this can be washed down with a drink and hot food from one of the many stands at the show.

The show is on an old war time airfield. Having just turned off the main Sidmouth to Seaton road, just prior to the start of the village of Branscombe.

Branscombe is a delightful traditional Devon village, said to be the longest village in England. It is focused on a road that follows a valley down to the beach, with cottages and the local inn dotted along its length. The beach has parking and a Cafe/Restaurant.

Hi,

Welcome to the new Devon and Cornwall blog. We hope to bring you information about Devon and Cornwall, including activities, attractions, latest news and happenings from around the area. As well as this we will be bringing you updates for the web site and general travel news.

I hope you enjoy this improvement to the site and use it to comment on anything you feel strongly about or even just have a view about.