Go green and feel good this half term

As the Half Term break beckons, what better way to enjoy the ‘Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness’ than to opt for an eco friendly break in the beautiful South West?

The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) certifies accommodation, attractions, activity providers, cafes and restaurants that meet its stringent sustainability standards and with over 270 award winners, the South West has more GTBS accredited organisations then anywhere else in England. This area includes the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol and Bath, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

From pumpkin festivals and apple celebrations, to nature walks and even an International Scarecrow Convention there is plenty to keep the family entertained this Half Term. Accommodation ranges from a beautiful guest house in Boscastle or a B&B in the heart of Dartmoor, to renovated cottages on working farms – all of which implement various eco initiatives and meet high levels for sustainability.

To find out more visit Visitsouthwest.co.uk/feelgood

Where to Stay – all the following accommodation has availability for half term...

Orchard Lodge, Boscastle, Cornwall – Gold Award Winner
Orchardlodgeboscastle.co.uk
Orchard Lodge is a quiet haven locatated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the upper reaches of the old village of Boscastle. Rooms are available for the Half Term break from Monday October 22 until the following Sunday in both twin and double rooms.

Rooms cost from £65 per room per night – discounts available for stays of 2 or more nights. Orchard Lodge also offers a discount for ‘green’ visitors - anyone arriving by bike, on foot or by public transport – of a £1 per person per night on standard room rates. Children over 12 are welcome.

Bulleigh Park, Newton Abbott, Devon – Gold Award Winner
Southdevonaccommodation.co.uk/
Bulleigh was the first working farm in England to achieve a Green Tourism Business Scheme Award. It is set in idyllic open countryside with spectacular views of the South Devon hills and yet only 3 miles from the beautiful ‘English Riviera’.

There is Half Term availability in both the B&B and the self catering cottages. Prices start from £30 per person per night for bed and breakfast and £425 per week for self catering accommodation. Cottages are perfect for families – one cottage has two bedrooms and sleeps four and the lodge has three bedrooms and sleeps four adults and up to two children.

Gadles Farm Cottages, Ponsanooth, Cornwall - Silver Award Winner
Gadlesfarmholidays.co.uk
Beautiful newly renovated farm cottages, near Truro in the heart of Cornwall. Gadles is still a working farm with a prize winning herd of pedigree Ayrshire dairy cows, the milk of which is used locally to make the now world famous ‘Cornish Yarg’ cheese.

Both cottages are available for Half Term and cost £450 per week. Pascoe’s sleep four plus a cot, and Foxglove sleeps 4/5 plus a cot.

Hazelcott Bed & Breakfast, Dartmoor, Devon – Silver Award Winner
Dartmoordays.com
Hazelcott is a cosy bed and breakfast located in the spectacular setting of Dartmoor National Park. It is on the Two Moors Way and is ideal for families, walkers and cyclists.

There is availability in the delightful Haytor Suite, which can accommodate two adults and up to three young children. The Horsham room, sleeps two adults and a child, is also available. Costs range from £60-£80 per room per night, based on two adults sharing. There is a child rate of £15 per head.

West Hele, Bideford, Devon – Bronze Award Winner
Westhele.co.uk
West Hele is a working beef farm set in beautiful rolling countryside with self catering holiday accommodation in a picturesque and tranquil setting. Orchard Barn (sleeps 6) is fitted with geothermal heating and costs £400 per week. Garden Wing (sleeps 4) costs £270 per week.

Garway Lodge Guest House, Torquay, Devon – Awaiting grading
Garwaylodgetorquay.com
A comfortable and elegant Victorian guest house, with traditional good food and friendly faces. Accommodation includes family en-suite rooms for 4 or 5 people (£70-£75 per room per night), double en suite (£48 per person per night) and singles (£24 per person per night). All prices include a fantastic breakfast made with locally produced food wherever possible. Discounts available on stays of 3 or more nights.

What to do…

GTBS Bronze award winner, Skirmish Exeter, is a Paintball activity centre set in 100 acres of woodland, five minutes outside of Exeter. With eighteen seperate game areas, the centre provides a unique combination of natural and man-made cover set amidst the beautiful area of Stoke Woods. The centre is open everyday over the Half Term week and weekends. Their new laser guns are suitable for children aged 8 and over. Skirmishexeter.com

Crealy Great Adventure Park near Exeter has a host of Half Term activities on offer. The focus is the 20,000 pumpkins that are the centre of the Pumpkin Festival – help harvest the pumpkins, try delicious pumpkin recipes and carve magic lanterns. The kids can take part in seasonal competitions and if you bring along a scarecrow to be part of the International Scarecrow Convention then you get a free lunch. Crealy.co.uk

Charlton Orchards, Taunton, is hosting an Apple Day on Saturday 20 October. This celebration of English apples takes place on a working fruit farm. There will be tractor tours, talks, an apple exhibition and over 30 different apples, 10 juices and more apple based products to try and buy. Bring along your own apples if you could like the farm experts to help you identify their variety. Open from 10am - 5pm - free entry. Charltonorchards.com

Join in the fun and Paint with Nature in South Devon at Sharpham on the 24 October 2007. The event is hosted by a reportage artist, Paula Cloonan and an education ranger Catherine Rance. Come and be guided through Mother Nature’s vibrant store of colour. Using charcoal, oak gall ink and pounded earth, capture the magic of autumn on paper and canvas. 11am - 3pm at Sharpham, near Totnes. Adults £7, children £5. Bring a potato to bake in the fire for lunch or something for the vegetable soup.

South Devon walking festival runs from 13-28th October 2007 and is the area’s first. With over 30 walks being organised there’s something for everyone! Whatever your age, interests or ability, you can enjoy walking and exploring South Devon and get fitter too. For more information and information about other walks in the area go to Southdevonaonb.org.uk.

The Celebration of Food takes place throughout October in Devon and Cornwall with over 130 individual events taking place. There is a lot planned for half term, from 'meet the producer' dinners with celebrity chefs to great promotions at foodie hotels. Chocolate Letterboxing takes place at Escot, Ottery St Mary, Devon, where children hunt for clues in the glorious parkland for chocolate prizes, or why not try out apple pressing and cider tasting on Apple Day (21st October 2007) Ashridge Cider, Barkingdon Farm, Staverton, Totnes, or sausage tasting at Complete Meats in Honiton or Axminster. Full event listing at Celebrationoffood.co.uk.