Townhouse style in lovely Tavistock

Tavistock is an award-winning market town in West Devon. A fascinating mining heritage, a great choice of independent shops and a taste-bud-tingling farmers' market.

Browns Hotel in Tavistock offers contemporary townhouse chic in the heart of Tavistock, and currently has good prices on offer starting at £70 for a double room including breakfast.

>>> Browns Hotel, Tavistock

>>> simplydevonandcornwall.com homepage

Fly to Devon and Cornwall from the heart of London

The South West's own airline, Air Southwest, has today launched twice-daily flights from London City Airport (the closest airport to the centre of London) to both Plymouth and Newquay.

London City Airport is like all airports should be - easy to get to, easy to use, efficient, quick and thoroughly pleasant. No queues, no crowds, and no hassle!

The new Air Southwest link makes Devon and Cornwall a really attractive short-break choice for Londoners, who can now get from the heart of the capital to the far South West in little over an hour.

>>> More info - Air Southwest

>>> Great hotels in Devon and Cornwall

>>> simplydevonandcornwall.com homepage

Tavistock Feature

We have a new Tavistock feature page on simplydevonandcornwall.com

Tavistock is a great (award-winning) market town in West Devon. Lots of independent shops, an award-winning Farmers' Market, great walks, and nice places to eat, drink and stay.

>>> Visit our Tavistock feature page

>>> Hotels in Tavistock

>>> simplydevonandcornwall.com homepage

Cycling the Granite Way

It was a beautiful sunny day in Devon today - ideal for a spot of cycling.

The Granite Way is a delightful cycleway linking Lydford with Okehampton in Devon. Some of it is on main roads, but the majority is on a thankfully mainly flat disused rail track. It's about 11 miles from Lydford to Okehampton and vice-versa.

There are plenty of nice picnic spots along the route, and a couple of pubs too!

You can download a leaflet about the Granite way here

http://www.simplydevonandcornwall.com/

Late rates on summer breaks in Devon and Cornwall

If you've not yet booked your summer break, Devon and Cornwall offer good value this summer particularly with the exchange rate making Euro-zone destinations a less attractive choice this year.

We've hand-picked a few deals for you:

(all prices are per room per night, based on two people sharing, on selected dates only, subject to availability)

> St Rita Hotel, Plymouth, Devon - from £50.00 - click here

> Victoria Inn, near St Austell, Cornwall - from £52.50 - click here

> Cape Cornwall Golf & Country Club, near Penzance, Cornwall - from £60 - click here

> Palm Grove Hotel, Torquay, Devon - from £60.00 - click here

> Exeter Court Hotel, Exeter, Devon - from £69.00 - click here

> Atlantic House Hotel, Bude, Cornwall - from £69.00 - click here

> Hotel California, Newquay, Cornwall - from £80.00 - click here

Or for a full choice of Devon and Cornwall hotels, often with good last-minute prices - click here

http://www.simplydevonandcornwall.com/

Lounging Around at Plymouth Airport

Plymouth City Airport has opened a new Executive Lounge to serve business customers flying with home-based airline Air Southwest. The new lounge provides a quiet and comfortable hideaway for business customers, and is a delightful escape from the usual airport hubbub.

Plymouth Airport has seen a bit of a boost recently, with new flights to Glasgow, Newcastle, Cork and Dublin (and a winter-only service to Grenoble for skiers).

http://www.airsouthwest.com/

http://www.plymouthairport.com/

http://www.simplydevonandcornwall.com/

Stay in luxury at the Old Tavistock Railway Station

We had the pleasure today of a "sneak preview" of new luxury holiday accommodation which has been created from the historic old railway station in Tavistock.

The station building itself has been beautifully preserved and restored, and now incorporates three spacious and unique luxury self-catering units.

Each of the three units has its own character - there's the Refreshment Hall, the Porter's Office, and perhaps best of all the Ticketing Hall - complete with original features including the ticket-office hatch!

The Old Tavistock Railway Station is in a quiet, elevated spot (no trains these days!) within easy walking distance of the charming and award-winning market town.

Click here for more information and on-line bookings

Morwellham Quay

Morwellham Quay is an award-winning, evocative museum and visitor centre in the heart of the newly inscribed World Heritage Site and Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Just four miles west of Tavistock the historic port, mine workings and Estate, border the beautiful River Tamar. Amidst towering cliffs and gently rolling farmland, a lost world lives again.

So that's the official description. But we reckon this is one of the nicest tourist attractions in Devon - mainly because it is so low-key and uncommercial. You can pay if you want to experience things like the underground mine train. But it's completely free if all you want to do is wander around this remarkable heritage site. The mini hydro-electric power station, powered from the Tavistock canal, is worth a visit if nothing else. And there are miles of lovely walks around the site and along the River Tamar.

For more info visit http://www.morwellham-quay.co.uk/

Devon and Cornwall photos

The weather has gone a bit wet and windy in the South West today, but over the last few weekends we've had some lovely bright sunny days, and have used the opportunity to take some new photos for our photo gallery. Do have a look, and enjoy a photographic tour of Devon and Cornwall.

And if you'd like to submit your own photos for our planned Guest Gallery, click here for more information.