Devon & Cornwall

Lydford Gorge, horse-riding on Dartmoor, watching the congregation of the hunt, the Eden Project and the Cornish Coast.

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You will most definitely need to hire a car to get around Devon and Cornwall. Only the most ambitious public transport fanatic would attempt to get anywhere on a bus!

Various single, tiwn, double and family rooms are available. All are quaint and comfortable with most having ensuite shower room, W.C., colour television and tea/coffee making facilities. Evening meals are available when booked in advance priced at £11.50 per person. (4 course meal with tea or coffee). Children at a reduced rate.

Breakfast includes: Choice of cereals, grapefruit, orange juice, yoghurt, toast. Full English Breakfast prepared from local produce, or just eggs on toast. Tea or coffee. All guests have use of a communal lounge with open log fire, colour television and video and a heated outdoor swimming pool during the summer season. Traditional devonshire cream teas are available on arrival, which include home baked scones and clotted cream with jam - delicious!

Lydford Gorge is run by the National Trust and is open April 1 to Oct 31, 10 am to 5.30 pm. It costs £3-£4 to get in but is a great walk down to the Devil's Cauldron and a very popular attraction throughout the summer. We went in very early season in April, so we had the place to ourselves, but we were too early for the Rhoddedendrons and Bluebells which are apparently spectacular a little later in the year.

The ruins of the largest castle in Devon stand above a river surrounded by splendid woodland. There is still plenty to see, including the Norman moat and the jagged remains of the keep. There is a picnic area and lovely woodland walks.

It is open 1 April to 31 October, daily, 10.00am to 6.00pm.

Tel: 01837 52844.

In a giant crater in Cornwall science meet art in the form of huge covered conservatories, or Biomes. You can visit rainforests, the Mediterranean, South Africa and California. Remember: Tropical plants like it hot and the Humid Tropics Biome can reach 28oC (80oF). There are last minute escape routes if you're starting to sweat, but the last climb up to the top of the waterfall is worth the effort.

Bare in mind visiting times are busiest on week days when school visits are popular and the best time to go is first thing in the morning or after lunch on a weekend.

Ticket prices are around £9.80 for adults, £4 for children (5-15). The centre is open April to October from 9.30 am until 6 pm with last admission at 5 pm.

Overall I thought the price was a bit steep, but the centre has only been open a year or so and works are on-going, so it will only get better as things grow! Various events are to be staged this summer including live bands, check out the latest at the website on click here.