Best of the Pick - twin centre holiday in Cornwall

Holiday decision time: West Cornwall or South Cornwall? Decisions, decisions! What about the best of both beautiful, special places? How about treating yourselves to a select Bed and Breakfast in Cornwall and spend some leisurely time 'Discovering the Extraordinary' in the stunning Tamar Valley or perhaps go on a big adventure walking on wild Dartmoor, closing your days in a selection of the excellent restaurants and pubs in the area presenting the very best local produce?

Or perhaps a self-catering and dog friendly stay in the romantic Tamar Orchard Barn on the border of Cornwall and Devon and historic Tavistock, set in the landscaped gardens of the house? You can also treat yourself to a special breakfast in the main house or perhaps a sumptuous breakfast hamper delivered to your door.

Set in the 2 acre landscaped gardens historic Sandhill House, the Tamar Orchard Barn has a south facing, private garden, where you can just sit and take in the magnificence of the unspoiled, stunning Tamar Valley, listening to the bird song amongst the scent of sweet peas, creeping thyme and lavendar.

And then mosy on down to West Cornwall on another journey of discovery to the beautiful Tudor Kenegie Manor, near St. Ives and Penzance but tucked away from the 'crush' of these dynamic Cornish towns.  

The Great Hall, in the Tudor part of the Manor, is dog-friendly and the perfect place from which to explore this stunning area. 

Or perhaps the cosy Arundel Wing, on the first floor in the Georgian wing of the Manor, where you can just relax, unwind and explore the stunning and endless beaches, culture and wonderful restaurants in the area. 

For more information or to book please call us on 01822 833722/07713 077877 or email mary@marycorincornishholidays.co.uk when I shall be very happy to help. 

Turner in the Tamar Valley Exhibition

"I have never seen so many natural beauties in such a limited spot as I have seen here."

Those are the words artist JMW Turner used to describe his time spent in the Tamar Valley at the start of the 19th century, and it really hasn't changed very much.

Following the discovery of new JMW Turner sketches of key iconic Tamar Valley views, and to coincide with the newly-released film, Mr. Turner, a Turner in the Tamar Valley Exhibition including the new sketches, will run daily from Tuesday 16^th – Friday 19^th December, 10am – 4pm. at the Tamar Valley Centre, Drakewalls.

                                                                Crossing The Brook (Newbridge)

Local Turner enthusiasts, Dorothy Kirk & Di Cook, who have written a book called Turner in the Tamar Valley, will give a talk on the evening of Monday 15^th December, 7pm, revealing more about Turner’s journey in and around the Tamar Valley in the early 19^th century.

So why not book a special couple of days, in our select accommodation in the Tamar Valley, to hear this new information about one of England's greatest artists. We can then book you a place for the talk. 

Tavistock' s enchanting Dickensian Evening 28 November 2014

Well! Just can't believe it's come round again! Where did another year go - how can it be Christmas again in just over a month's time? Having enjoyed the enchanting, genteel Dickensian evening for the first time last year, we can thoroughly recommend a visit. So why not book a weekend break when you can get all your Christmas shopping done for your loved ones whilst have a great time? When was the last time you went on a merry-go-round?

The ancient town of Tavistock, which has just celebrated it's 1000 year, is just a few minutes drive from Sandhill House Country House Retreat with select B&B accommodation. So, don't miss the unique experience of doing your Christmas shopping in Tavistock during their enchanting Dickensian Evening on Friday night 28th November. This is also the evening that the Christmas lights are switched on and, as you can see, the Christmas Trees on the Town Hall were stunning last year. 

Starry, Starry Night… in the Tamar Valley - 22 November

If last week’s World Space Week has left you with stars in your eyes, the Tamar Valley AONB have planned two events next month that will take you to infinity… and beyond!

 Join the team, together with Space Odyssey, for a unique mobile planetarium and outdoor stargazing experience, in one of two locations within the Tamar Valley. Discover more about the quality of our night sky, then take part in a star count near Sandhill House Country Retreat B&B, in the Tamar Valley, just 5 minutes drive away in Harrowbarrow. 

Sam Barnes, Helping Hands for Heritage project officer, explains more about the sky at night; “The night skies are an important part of the character of the AONB, and contribute to its tranquility. Genuine starry skies are getting harder to find, and only 11% of England still has truly dark night skies as the threat of light pollution from our surrounding towns and cities is affecting that tranquility”.

Over the past years, the Campaign for Rural England (CPRE) has been monitoring and analysing the impact of street lighting, lighting from large supermarkets, and housing development. One of their surveys suggests that 83% of people have their home view of the night sky blighted by light pollution. It can also affect wildlife by interrupting migration and feeding patterns.

The CPRE have been running community star counts where volunteers count the number of stars that are visible to the naked eye within the Orion constellation. 

More than 30 stars mean a true dark sky - but only 4% of counts in 2014 revealed this; and 59% could see 10 or less stars - indicating severe light pollution. 

The FREE stargazing events will take place on;

-                      Friday 21^st November, Buckland Abbey’s Great Barn

-                      Saturday 22^nd November, Harrowbarrow Village Hall

Choose from one of two sessions taking place each evening, at 4:45pm and 6:45pm, each lasting around 1¼ hours. Enjoy a spectacular 360-degree projected image show in the planetarium, followed by real life stargazing outside (weather permitting).

Places are strictly limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment – 01822 835030, volunteering@tamarvalley.org.uk (Tamar Valley AONB team). Please dress warmly. Refreshments will be available.

The events have been made possible by funding from an 'Our Heritage' grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and is part of the Tamar Valley AONB's Helping Hands for Heritage project. 

Falmouth Oyster Festival - 9 - 12 October

I know it's 1 1/2 hours by car to Falmouth from Sandhill Country Retreat B&B but for sure the journey will be worth it for the amazing Oyster Festival or perhaps a better description is a Celebration of Cornish Seafood. Have you ever tried a native Cornish oyster as opposed to the Pacific oyster we are used to? Now that is an experience.

Falmouth Oyster Festival celebrates the start of the oyster dredging season, the diversity and quality of Cornish Seafood and in particular, one of the last remaining traditional oyster fisheries, dredging by sail and hand punt.

Each year, a cookery master-class from a celebrity chef, followed by a book signing opens the festival. Packed with cookery demonstrations by leading local chefs, oysters, seafood, wine and local ale, children's shell painting, sea shanties, a town parade, and live music, an oyster shucking competition, a Falmouth Working Boat race and marquees brimming with Cornish produce; the festival is a must for all oyster, seafood and maritime heritage enthusiasts!

Falmouth Oyster Festival has seen an increasing number of Cornish food and drink producers promoting their quality produce alongside the longstanding craft fair stalls in the festival marquee. Festival visitors can savour the expanding range of mouth watering Cornish food and drink, both on site whilst taking in the festival atmosphere or to take home and enjoy!

http://www.falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk/

Calstock Jazz and Blues Festival 23 - 26 October 2014

Another date for your diary so get ready to polish your dancin' shoes! 

We are just a five minute drive or train journey away from this fantastic, world class jazz event so make sure you book your room early to ensure a luxurious night's sleep after dancing the night away. 

This year’s festival is set to be another sparkling event.  Calstock Arts at The Chapel have announced a truly world class line up that puts Calstock on the map for Jazz lovers. The Chapel gigs offer an opportunity to see these amazing acts up close and in a way that is what most audiences dream of . Tickets are already on sale so don’t miss out. The Festival Schedule is taking shape in the most wonderful way around the village with many of the Free Entry slots already filled. Blues lovers are well catered for with gigs that’ll fill the pubs to the doors and you’ll not go hungry either with delicious food on offer in many of the venues.

Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks about how the wonder dust is settling on this beautiful festival.

http://calstockjazzfestival.co.uk/programme/

Gavin Randle is well-known for his saxophone street performances of popular hits and jazz standards, most recently on the streets of Plymouth, Bristol and Exeter as well as across the UK and in Europe.

Autumn Colour with a difference!

Sandhill House Country Retreat B&B has the most stunning Spring garden but it also has a secret - a fantastic Autumn colour display of Camellias.  As a gardener, I didn't know such varieties existed until we moved here 2 years ago. And, on 4 October, which would have been my Mother's 80th birthday, our first Autumn flowering camellia came out, just as if she were visiting. 

Soon the bank that flanks the entrance to the formal garden will be a riot of pinks throughout the Winter months, bringing such cheerfulness and light to lift your heart when the sky is grey.