Plymouth wins bid to host World Cup matches

Great news for Plymouth. The city has won its bid to host World Cup matches if England is chosen as the host nation for the 2018 football World Cup.

>>> More info on Plymouth's World Cup winning bid

>>> For more info on everything that's great about Devon and Cornwall

New airlink from London City Airport

Air Southwest, Devon and Cornwall's own airline, has announced a brand new air link direct from London City Airport in the heart of the capital to both Plymouth (Devon) and Newquay (Cornwall).

The new flights start on 20 April, and will fly twice daily on weekdays, once on Sunday, cutting hours off road and rail journey times. And fares start from £29 way (including all the taxes, charges and baggage).

>>> More info

>>> Visit simplydevonandcornwall.com - the insider's guide to Devon and Cornwall

Christmas hotel deals

Maybe it's because of the "credit crunch", but there are some great hotel deals in Devon and Cornwall this Christmas. We've hand-picked a few especially good deals for you below (and the prices shown are for Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, for two people):

Browns Hotel in Tavistock (lovely townhouse hotel in the centre of the award-winning market town of Tavistock) - £100 per room - click here

Jurys Inn in Plymouth (modern city-centre hotel, close to the historic Barbican area of Plymouth) - £45 per room - click here

Imperial Hotel in Torquay (large resort-style hotel, perched on a headland overlooking the sea on the outskirts of the "English Riviera" town of Torquay) - £93 per room - click here

Porth Veor Manor hotel in Newquay (small hotel on the outskirts of Newquay, with easy access to the wonderful sandy beach at Porth) - £59 per room - click here

This is just a small selection of some of the great deals available at Devon and Cornwall hotels this Christmas. For a much wider choice - click here

http://www.simplydevonandcornwall.com/ - the insiders' guide to Devon and Cornwall

Plymouth Airport flying high

Plymouth City Airport has been ranked as the second-fastest growing airport in the UK, according to figures released by the Civil Aviation Authority.

The airport, an ideal gateway to Devon and Cornwall, saw passenger numbers grow by 31% in June, bucking the trend as far as airports go.

The growth at Plymouth's airport has been attributed to the increased services by home-based airline Air Southwest, which has recently added services to Glasgow, Newcastle, Cork and Dublin - in addition to the established services to London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Jersey and Dublin.

>>> More information on Plymouth City Airport

>>> More information on flights to Plymouth with Air Southwest

>>> Hotels in Plymouth

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/

A taste of Morocco.... in Plymouth!

The Souk is a Moroccan meze bar and restaurant, overlooking Sutton Harbour in Plymouth. Step inside and you'll be greeted by the sounds, sights and smells of a tastebud-tantalising Moroccan restaurant. A great lunch, including a drink, for about seven quid!

For more information on The Souk, and other great restaurants in Devon and Cornwall, click here to visit our Restaurants page