See our pick of restaurants in Lyme Regis. Lyme Regis is a popular holiday destination; attracting visitors from all over the UK, as well holidaymakers from overseas.

Thanks to the amazing World Heritage Site – the Jurassic Coast and the area’s unique local culture; it’s a treat for anyone who loves history, palaeontology and beautiful scenery. The beaches are great too!

We take a look at some of the best restaurants in and around Lyme Regis and summarise what’s on offer so that you know where to head next time you’re visiting the ‘Pearl of Dorset’ and looking for a bite to eat or a romantic evening meal by the sea…

poco pizza

Situated on the Marine Parade, Poco Pizza offers good value and amazing pizza! The restaurant is relatively small and not open every night of the week but it does boast an amazing atmosphere, a great range of drinks, friendly service and amazing pizza! Just a stroll away from the beach, Poco Pizza boasts amazing wood fired pizzas using the finest local ingredients in addition to an impressive range of wines. The restaurant also does takeaway, so that you can enjoy Italian style food whilst taking in the beautiful scenery of Lyme Regis – an amazing combination!

the millside restaurant

Found at 1 Mill Lane, the Millside offers fresh food from Tuesday to Sunday. Morning Coffee is available from 10.30 am – 12 pm, lunch from 12 pm – 2.30 pm, and evening meals from 6.30 pm until 9 pm. With an enticing evening menu created to include a range of local foods, the meals on offer vary from rump steak with chips to smoked roasted celeriac risotto.
The lunch menu is surprisingly extensive with a range of delightful starters such as braised cuttlefish & chorizo, with tasty main courses such as chargrilled free range chicken salad. With the option to sit outside in the evenings, the staff are very knowledgeable about the food and the local area. It is strongly advised to book in advance as the popular eatery can get very busy.

largigi

A 2 in 1 restaurant and café, Largigi is situated on the Marine Parade. Next to the beach, the restaurant offers a Thai dining experience that is surprisingly authentic given the location and the restaurants rather understated exterior. The overall dining experience on offer at Largigi continues to gather very positive reviews thanks to the quality of the food and the value for money. Visitors can enjoy sea views and a first class level of customer service; a cold beer in the evening or a coffee in the mornings.
The opening hours and menu are separated into the English Café open 7 days a week from 9 am until 6 pm and the Thai Restaurant which is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 6 pm to 9.30 pm. If you want to explore as you eat, there is also a fantastic takeaway menu on offer too.

the beeches restaurant

Based on the border of Lyme Regis, in the beautiful church village of Axminster is The Beeches Restaurant. With a quirky, fresh interior full of character and beautiful finishing touches, the restaurant itself is set in one of the most peaceful settings that you could imagine. If you are lucky enough to visit on a sunny day, you can take in the beautiful views and dine in style on the bespoke patio area.

With a range of mouth-watering creations on the menu, you can enjoy the soup of the day or something a little bit more adventurous as your starter such as the Duck Liver Pate served with Orange & Apricot Chutney, or the Mussel chowder with garlic and herb cream. There is also a good choice of mains with pan fried market fresh fish with crushed new potatoes remaining popular all year round. If you have room for dessert, the head chef has created a range of fine-dining options including the Somerset cheese plate or the Lemon Panna cotta with raspberry Sorbet. On a Sunday you can enjoy a 3 course Sunday Roast, with either roasted sirloin of beef or roasted turkey crown served with roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and pan gravy. An exquisite twist of character, charm and quality, The Beeches Restaurant combines unpretentious fine dining with tranquility that is afforded by its beautiful location.

tierra kitchen

Tierra Kitchen is the best known vegetarian restaurant in the area. Located on Coombe Street this vegetarian restaurant is a favourite eatery of many a local Vegetarian and omnivore. Serving a range of local, seasonal and organic vegetables the chef creates a range of savoury and sweet delights as customers enjoyed the relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere on offer. The friendly staff and service is another reason that the restaurant is so successful and popular, the wine is pretty good too!

Just a 10 minute drive from Lyme Regis is the stunning Hawkchurch Resort & Spa. The pet friendly lodge retreat offers sublime tranquillity that’s just a stone’s throw from the vibrant coastal communities and the beautiful beaches of Devon and Dorset. With a stunning spa offering a range of blissful Aromatherapy Associates treatments, you can spend all your time on the resort relaxing and rejuvenating or use it as a peaceful base for exploring what East Devon, Dorset and the Jurassic Coast has on offer. A great place to stay if you’re visiting Lyme Regis, the restaurant isn’t too bad either!

Take a look at the luxurious Hawkchurch Resort & Spa in East Devon, just 10 minutes’ drive from Lyme Regis

Joanna has recently stayed at our refurbished Sandymouth Holiday Resort and has created a fantastic review for you, read her introduction and review below…

Freelance copywriting can bring many a surprise, and there was certainly one waiting when one of my clients put me in touch with Darwin Escapes. Owned by one of his good friends, my client holidays regularly at their sites and couldn’t recommend them highly enough. After giving a brief of what we were looking for on our half-term break, an email landed in my inbox asking if we would like to stay at Sandymouth Holiday Resort free of charge, in exchange for honest feedback on the recent redevelopment! You can imagine our response, read more below!

family fun at redeveloped sandymouth holiday resort – the doors are open!

The doors of the newly redeveloped Sandymouth Holiday Park are now officially open and visitors are flowing in to see the treat Darwin Escapes has created for them! Feedback from first-timers and returning guests is the same – what’s not to like?!

On arrival at Sandymouth Holiday Resort, you will be greeted by the friendly Darwin Escapes staff, given your keys in a quirky little tin suitcase and directed to your accommodation. Whatever type of accommodation you have booked, you will find the same level of quality throughout. Thoughtfully laid out and designed, furnishings and decor have been chosen to create a feeling of calm and relaxation to get you straight into the holiday mood.

That said, the redeveloped park has an offering for those that would like an added level of luxury. Situated on the edge of the park, the newly built lodges really are superb! Providing sea views that can be enjoyed either from inside through the full-length windows or from the expansive private terrace, each lodge is really a home from home. Beautiful furniture, high spec appliances and luxurious beds make booking into a lodge a definite way to indulge.

Once settled into your accommodation, the kids will be chomping at the bit to be let loose on the AMAZING pirate ship park! Rope ladders, slides, a zip line, swings…big or small, the kids will be off on their adventures. Pop on their swimming costumes and they can enjoy the adjacent splash zone too! Rainy day? Indoor soft play or the heated swimming pool to the rescue!

The grown ups in your party may be more attracted to the new stylish and contemporary bar, serving everything from Costa coffee to cool beers, good wine and favourite cocktails. A major part of the redevelopment, this has become the hub of the park where holidaymakers can enjoy a drink or sample some of the food prepared by a team of expert chefs.

Darwin Escapes has created the perfect compromise to avoid the park versus bar battle – an attractive outdoor seating area that lies between the two. Everyone’s happy!

The fun continues with children’s entertainment starting at 6pm. Dancing, magicians, a hug from Charlie bear and a game of the famous Sandymouth bingo will be sure to wear the kids out before bedtime. Much of the same (possibly minus Charlie Bear hugs!) follows into the evening.

If all that isn’t enough, Sandymouth Holiday Resort also has an on-site entertainments programme, Go Active. With a wealth of activities to choose from, you’ll be able to create memories that last a lifetime by signing up to archery, body-zorbing, fencing and much more. Even the little ones can take part with their own Go Junior programme.

Exploring off site leads you to the stunning Sandymouth Beach, situated just minutes from the resort. Visiting at hide-tide and low–tide makes you feel like you’re exploring two different places. High-tide will see you scrambling on the stones of a small pebble beach, while at low-tide you’ll be running on long swathes of sand and paddling in rock pools. The coast offers similar beaches and coves, while heading inland will take you to some of Cornwall’s finest areas of beauty.

Whether your stay is a few days or a fortnight, Darwin Escapes has created a park with a range of facilities in a fantastic location that will allow you to relax and refresh in whichever way you choose. Book your Sandymouth Holiday Resort holiday today!

Check out Joanna’s LinkedIn profile for more of her wonderful work! A huge thank you to Joanna for contributing to our blog section and for such a lovely review of our newly refurbished Sandymouth Holiday Resort, along with a big thank you to Darwin Escapes’ own wonderful Simon Cooper for putting us in touch!

Explore Cornwall Today!

Have you visited many Castles in North Wales? Has yours made it on to our top 10 list? Seaview Holiday Home Park is perfectly located to be the base to explore this beautiful region, with unrivalled views of the coastline and a peaceful sanctuary to return to, visiting all that North Wales has to offer has never been so easy. Seaview has so much to offer with a nature walk surrounding the park and every plot having a guaranteed sea view.

Wales’ Year of Legends is heading towards its half way point, now is the perfect time to share our list of the top 10 castles in North Wales to visit.

10. Rhuddlan castle

20 minutes drive away. // Opening Times: 10am – 5pm // Prices: Adults £3.40, Under 16’s £3.40, Family £10.20

This fiercely contested strategic location has led to much bloodshed over the centuries, build by King Edward I, as part of his ‘Iron Ring’ of castles, construction started in 1277 and was completed in 1282. Edward diverted the river 2 miles to ensure ships could reach the castle for supplies, the castle also showcases the latest ‘walls-within-walls’ defence technology of the time.

9. Penrhyn castle

1 hours drive away (Bangor) // Opening Times: 12 (noon) – 5pm // Prices: Adult £10.90, Child £5.45, Family £27.25

Penrhyn Castle was built between 1820 and 1833, it’s known the unorthodox style that architect Thomas Hopper took. Hopper chose a neo-Norman design, over the popular and traditional Gothic style look of a castle, resulting in the beautiful building you see today. The castle is filled with a spectacular and fascinating collection of paintings and items, such as a one-ton slate bed that was apparently made for Queen Victoria. Visit the surrounding grounds and immaculately kept gardens, make sure to explore the jungle-esque Bog Garden, before discovering the industrial railway museum and model railway museum on the grounds.

8. Harlech castle

1 hour, 45 minutes drive away // Opening Times: 9.30am – 6pm // Prices: Adult £5.25, Child £3.90

Built in the late 13th Century as part of King Edward I’s campaign, Harlech Castle keeps a watchful eye on the beautiful Snowdonia surroundings. Seeming to grow naturally from the rock it sits on, the castle offers a fantastic vantage point and was known as the most formidable of Edward’s iron ring castles. The castle was taken in 1404 by Owain Glyn Dwr, the famous Welsh leader, who held the Welsh parliament at Harlech Castle. Although a long drive away, it’s well worth the beautiful drive through the Welsh countryside to see this piece of history.

7. Flint castle

20 minutes drive away // Opening Times: 10am – 4pm // Prices: Free

Flint Castle was the first castle built by King Edward I in Wales, starting construction in 1277. The views from Flint Castle are outstanding, seeing over the estuary, where you can see to the Wirral, England. The castle was built due to the last King of Wales, Llwyelyn ap Gruffydd refusing to swear allegiance to King Edward I, and inciting a rebellion in the Welsh people. Known for its Great Tower, a striking and solitary round tower, isolated from the rest and even features in Shakespeare’s Richard II play.

6. Denbigh castle

30 minutes drive away // Opening Times: 10am – 5pm // Prices: Adult £3.50, Child £2.65, Family £10.50

The ruins of Denbigh Castle crown a steel hill above the beautiful town, the castle is known for its striking triple-towered Great Gatehouse. To show a particular sign of dominance, it was built over the stronghold once held by Dafydd ap Gruffudd, who was the Welsh leader crushed by Edward in 1282. The castle is made of two different coloured stone, due to construction being interrupted in 1294 by a Welsh rebellion, and held by the nationals for a period of time.

5. Conwy castle

40 minutes drive away // Opening Times: 9.30am – 5pm // Prices: Adult £6.75, Under 16’s £5.10, Family £20.25

Constructed between 1277 and 1307, Conwy Castle is estimated to have cost £15,000 (a huge sum of money in the 13th Century!) and was the most expensive of any of Edward’s iron ring castles in terms of the cost to design and construct. With 8 massive towers and a great bow-shaped hall, all inside the unusual elongated shape, due to the narrow rocky land it’s situated on, it’s easy to see why it cost so much. Inside the castle contains a great hall, chambers, kitchens as well as private chambers and a royal Chapel. The castle was sold in 1628 for £100, after the restoration of the English monarchy.

4. Chirk castle

1 hour drive away // Opening Times: 10am – 5pm // Prices: Adult £10.90, Child £5.45, Family £27.25

Construction started on Chirk Castle in 1295, originally built as a military fortress, it has remained continuously occupied as a castle or stately home for nearly 700 years. The location was carefully chosen to maximise its defensive capabilities, and the clever defences made up for lack of man power, with on a 20-30 garrison stationed there.

3. Caernarfon castle

1 hour, 10 minutes drive away // Opening Times: 9.30am – 5pm // Prices: Adult £6.75, Under 16’s £5.10, Family £20.25

This unashamedly muscle-bound, and intimidating castle is a brute of a fortress. The polygonal towers are a break from the more usual round towers, and add to its size. With a castle this large it would have been a dominating, fear-inducing sight to any potential attackers. To show supremacy, King Edward I orchestrated the birth of his son, the first English Prince of Wales, at the castle in 1284. With the current Prince of Wales, Charles’ investiture taking place here in 1969.

2. castell Aberlleiniog

1 hour, 15 minutes drive away // Opening Times: All Daylight Hours // Prices: Free

Hidden in a woodland area are the ruins of a beautiful castle, built 200 years before King Edward I started his ‘iron ring’ of castles. Ordered by William the Conqueror to keep the Welsh at bay, the Earl of Chester told his henchman, Robert of Rhuddlan to build a castle on the island of Anglesey in 1088. With stories of plunder, pirates and poison, visit this woodland area for a nature walk, views of the Menai Strait, and a true hidden gem of North Wales, the ruins of a 900 year old castle.

1. Beaumaris castle

1 hour, 10 minutes drive away // Opening Times: 9.30am – 6pm // Prices: Adults £5.25, Children £3.90

Possibly the most famous of all King Edward I’s iron ring castles, building started in 1295, but was never finished, with supplies and money running out before fortifications reached their full height. The last of King Edward I’s castle, Beaumaris overlooks the breath-taking mountains and sea, offering a perfect vantage point for all military operations. It was the King’s biggest and most ambitious castle that he undertook, with the ‘walls-within-walls’ design, and 4 successive lines of fortifications, making it state of the art for late 13th Century castles.

How many castles have you visited in North Wales? Owning your own luxurious holiday home at Seaview gives you the opportunity for endless holidays, whenever you chose, to discover all the hidden secrets of North Wales.

Our location boasts beautiful views, and is only 1 mile away from our sister park – Talacre Beach Resort, where you are able to take full advantage of the onsite facilities.

For more information about owning your own holiday home at Seaview, contact our dedicated and friendly Ownership Team on 01745858010, or via our live chat service, where a member of our team is ready to answer all your questions.

Find Your Epic with Wales’ Year of Legends!

9 things to definitely avoid when you visit Thanet Well in the Lake District

Thanet Well Lodge Retreat is surrounded by the countryside, and has to be honest, just awful views – I mean why would anyone want to wake up to the most hauntingly beautiful mountainous scenery?

Cumbria is full of pit-falls like this, you can be strolling along, turn a corner and bam! you’re faced with an outstanding bit of natural beauty, and who needs that?! So take a look through our list of things to make sure you avoid when you visit the Lake District…

1. do not visit penrith castle

Who needs to see a beautiful old, red castle anyway?

2. definitely avoid walby farm park

Who wants to see Sheep and farm animals running around and having fun?

 

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A post shared by Walby Farm Park (@walby_farm_park) on Sep 2, 2019 at 12:00am PDT

3. definitely avoid the world of beatrix potter attraction

No one wants to re-live the best years of their childhood

 

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A post shared by World of Beatrix Potter (@worldofbeatrixpotter) on Dec 2, 2019 at 6:42am PST

4. don’t visit the bridge house

Why would you want to see a cute, tiny house that was once home to 6 people?!

 

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A post shared by Peppertree Living (@peppertreeliving) on Apr 27, 2019 at 7:35pm PDT

5. avoid brougham castle at all costs

When you’ve seen one castle you’ve seen them all. Even when this one has outdoor games and a stunning river

6. definitely do not go to see derwentwater lake

A stunning lake with outstanding sunsets and nature walks? Not for you. Nope.

7. avoid grasmere

You will hate beautiful morning walks by the lake

8. do not climb scafell pike

Who goes to the Lake District to climb to the top of the world anyway? (I wouldn’t)

9. and finally, definitely do not take your dog

Your pupster will hate all those new smells, the fresh air, the beautiful views and the endless fields to run around in

By now I’m guessing you’ve realised that you probably should visit the Lake District and do absolutely everything on this list! Cumbria is one of the most beautiful and breath-taking places on the planet, and with our very own Thanet Well Lodge Retreat offering luxurious lodgings for your stay, now is the time to book and explore this natural wonder!

Go Explore!

Our May Madness at Piran Meadows Resort & Spa offers £1000 off holiday homes if you purchase by the end of May!

Surrounded by the rolling meadows of Cornwall, Piran Meadows Resort & Spa offers family fun, a relaxing spa, close to the sandy beaches of Newquay and luxurious food onsite. A popular place to base yourself when exploring the region, including all the surfing spots in Cornwall, now is the time to purchase your dream holiday home for sale in Newquay.

With our May Madness offer, if you purchase and complete by the end of the month, you will get a whopping £1000 off the total price of your dream holiday home! And with a wide range of holiday home and holiday lodges for sale at Piran Meadows, you are sure to find the perfect holiday home escape for you and your family!

about Piran Meadows

This award winning location is one of the most luxurious and fun filled destinations in Cornwall, with endless activities available, a relaxing spa and beautiful surroundings, you can make Summer 2017 your best yet at Piran Meadows! Located just a short distance from the sandy beaches of Newquay, the surfing capitol of the UK, Piran Meadows is the ideal place to base yourself when exploring the area.

Owning your own holiday home in Cornwall is easier than you may think, our friendly and professional Ownership Team can introduce you to financial specialists, who can help you spread the cost of your dream holiday home. And with our May Madness offer giving you £1000 off the cost of your holiday home before the end of May, now is the perfect time to purchase your very own Cornish getaway!

award winning facilities

Becoming an owner at Piran Meadows Resort & Spa gives you unlimited access to the outstanding five star facilities. These include a full Go Active + programme, with archery, crossbow, body zorbing, and climbing wall, for fun with all the family, including the little ones with Wild Wild West, Princess Party and Pirates Play workshops.

The outdoor Splash Zone is perfect for cooling you down on a summer’s day, and is always a big hit with kids of all ages, along with the outdoor table tennis tables, where you can test your competitive skills in the summer sun. The indoor entertainments area is ideal for those rainy days, with a gold simulator to test your swing, the two lane bowling alley and pool tables offering some family fun.

Enjoy a swim in the indoor, tropically heated swimming pool, or relax in the sauna or steam room, before indulging in an Aromatherapy Associates treatment, from fully trained therapist, at the onsite Serenity Spa. Keep up with your workouts at the state of the art, air conditioned gym, where there is a range of free weights, cardio machines and free floor space for yoga/Pilates.

Grab a bite to eat for lunch, or enjoy a mouth-watering evening meal at The View Bistro, where you can indulge in a delicious burger, grilled steak or heavenly pasta dish, as well as a decadent dessert. With a never-ending list of activities at Piran Meadows, you can make Summer 2017 your best yet while taking advantage of our May Madness offer!

Located so close to the sandy beaches of Newquay, surrounded by the understated Cornish countryside, and with a plethora of onsite activities, Piran Meadows is the ideal place for your Cornish holiday home. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of the May Madness offer, with £1000 off the price of your dream holiday home when you purchase and complete by the end of May.

Contact our Ownership Team via our live chat service, book your park tour or give us a call on 01745858010 for more information, and start your ownership journey today!

Happy May Madness Guys & Dolls!

Take a look around the beautiful & elegant ABI Ambleside Luxury Caravan

The ABI Ambleside combines practical features with elegance, comfort and style. The Ambleside is currently available to buy at the 5 Star Piran Meadows Resort & Spa in Newquay Cornwall. Combining the beautiful surroundings of North Cornwall, with luxurious facilities including a stunning indoor swimming pool, a luxurious spa and an on-site restaurant & bar – it is the perfect place to own a luxury static caravan.

ABI Ambleside

The ABI Ambleside is a luxury static caravan with an amazing range of features, a robust and durable frame and exterior with a beautifully designed interior boasting a range of stylish finishing touches that represent the attention to detail that has gone into the design and manufacture of this iconic model.

This holiday home is perfect for those looking to get away from it all with the family at the weekends, providing the escape to the tranquility of the countryside that we all crave by Friday afternoon! For those who may be looking to spend the whole holiday season residing in their luxury static caravan; the ABI Ambleside is perfect for that too, thanks to its condensing boiler and central heating it provides the level of warmth and comfort that you might expect at home during the colder autumn and winter months.

This is the first choice of many first time static caravan buyers and also those with a little more experience of the holiday resort lifestyle. Pre-owned Ambleside models are affordable and with finance available are a great choice for those looking to purchase their first home from home at a luxury holiday resort & spa.

Piran Meadows Resort & Spa is surrounded by tranquility and wildlife, set in a beautiful area of Cornwall, it provides amazing panoramic views of the countryside. For those looking for a more vibrant holiday resort experience, there are a range of luxury leisure facilities found in the onsite complex including a heated indoor swimming pool, a number of pool tables, a blissful spa, a state of the art gymnasium and even bowling alleys! Just 6 miles from the beach, the vibrant seaside community that Newquay in Cornwall is famous for, is also just a short drive away!

Want to find out more? Click here to see our full range of ABI Ambleside luxury static caravans. Or for any more information call our Ownership Team on 01745858010, or talk to an adviser via our live chat service, and start your ownership journey today!

Thanks to the iconic beaches, the stunning mountain ranges and the local culture; North Wales has attracted visitors from across the UK for well over a century. Major financial investment in recent years has resulted in a number of pioneering attractions being created and redeveloped in the area – leading to tourist numbers achieving a record high in 2016.

To cement the region’s reputation as a first-class tourist destination, travel website and travel guide publisher – Lonely Planet, named North Wales as one of the top 5 destinations to visit in the world, amongst the likes of South Australia and Taranaki in New Zealand.

We take a look at some of the top things to do in North Wales and examine why it has become one of the most alluring travel destinations in Europe…

North Wales’ beaches

North Wales is well known for its range of captivating coastal scenery and golden sandy beaches. Newborough Beach in Anglesey is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the UK, combining the sand & sea with a stunning mountain backdrop. At the end of the beach, you will also find Llanddwyn Island and the remains of St. Dwynwen’s church. St. Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers and for centuries religious folk would make a pilgrimage to the island, in order to make offerings to the holy well found there.

Talacre Beach is popular with families and people travel from all across the North West of the UK to enjoy the vibrant, friendly atmosphere and the trademark system of sand dunes that provide miles of enjoyable walks sheltered from the coastal winds. At Talacre, you’ll also find the iconic lighthouse, the North Wales Coastal Path and an energetic seaside vibe. It’s also ideal for dogs, who can make the most of the beach all year around.

North Wales’ waterfalls

North Wales has waterfalls large and small scattered across the area. Aber Falls in Abergwyngregyn, is conveniently located about 30 minutes’ walk from the local car park – which costs £2 at the time of writing, to park there all day. The path itself offers great views out to the sea and you are rewarded at the end with the stunning waterfall itself.

Dyserth Waterfall near Rhyl, is less well known but equally as beautiful. Located conveniently near the town centre, it is certainly worth a visit if you are in the area.

mountains in North Wales

If there’s one thing that North Wales is famous for, it’s mountains. With Mount Snowdon alone attracting over 10 million visitors from across the world each year, if you love a hike and a long walk, you’ll love North Wales.

Snowdonia is the iconic landmark of North Wales, but there are a number of other smaller, equally beautiful hills and mountains in the area. Conwy Mountain for example, offers a shorter yet equally enjoyable walk.

Known locally as Mynydd y Dref, there is a car park located right near the base of the mountain – use postcode LL34 6TB to find the approximate area. From the summit of the mountain you should be able to take in views of Anglesey, Puffin Island, the Great Orme, Llandudno and of course – Conwy. Although the summit is rewarding, the walk to the top is equally interesting. With a range of wildlife to see – including wild horses, a number of old fort ruins and beautiful jagged rock-faces and flowers; the walk is a must for any avid hiker, or anyone staying in the area.

There are many more mountains and hills to be discovered in North Wales, with Moel Famau – the highest in Clwydian Range, providing a range of easy-going and challenging routes to the fort at the top. It also provides a stunning sunrise on winter mornings.

lakes & reservoirs of North Wales

Llyn Brenig in Conwy (postcode LL21 9TT), is a beautiful body of water that boasts a comprehensive visitor’s centre and offers a range of activities including cycling, fishing, sailing and walking. There are also a number of events and activities held at the reservoir including bush craft workshops and running festivals.

On the way to Mid Wales is the stunning Lake Vyrnwy. According to our friends at Visit Wales – this is the best lake in Wales for bird watching. It’s also a great lake for scenery, especially in the snow!

The lake itself has been created thanks to the huge Victorian reservoir, which is the oldest of its kind in the world. The lake is flanked by woodlands which are managed by the RSPB as a nature reserve.

There are a range of other beautiful lakes around North Wales, created by the mountainous landscapes and deep valleys. Conwy is again no exception, with the beautiful Llyn Crafnant one of their many idyllic lakes. The lake is a 30 minute drive from our Aberconwy Resort & Spa.

North Wales’ restaurants & eateries

North Wales boasts a number of Michelin recommended restaurants, including of course, the double rosette winning Signatures Restaurant. A wonderful fine dining experience, with free parking right outside it offers a friendly atmosphere in between the beach and the Conwy Mountain. It’s certainly worth a visit if you are in the area.

Hidden in the beautiful village of Tremadog, in Porthmadog is North Wales’ best fish & chip shop as voted for in 2016 – Chippy Dre-Sglod a Cod, or Chippy Dre for short. Previous winner of the coveted award from the Daily Post include Les and Rita’s Fish Bar in Rhyl, and O My Cod! in Bangor.

Heading towards Wrexham and only 20 minutes from Chester, the Pant Yr Ochan in a beautiful village called Gresford offers fantastic ales, a large pub garden and a range of freshly prepared meals. Perfect for families and couples alike.

adrenaline-fuelled North Wales

North Wales is ridiculously well equipped to cater for adrenaline junkies. With dozens of well known bouldering spots, hair-raising ridges such as Snowdon’s Crib Goch to (carefully) conquer and more water sports than you can shake a leek at, it’s the place to be if you like action sports.

North Wales is the perfect destination for mountain bikers. Llandegla near Wrexham, is open Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 5.30pm and til 8.30pm on a Wednesday.

For the brave hearted, there are a number of off road downhill trails, including The Snowdon Big Mountain Descent. Getting yourself and your bike to the summit is half the battle.

Other attractions for action and sports lovers, include Surf Snowdonia – a stunning man-made surfing lagoon and Zip World Penrhyn Quarry in Bangor – boasting the longest zip line in Europe and the fastest zip line in the world.

For those of you that enjoy ascending rock faces without any safety equipment, North Wales is also a hotspot for bouldering fans. With a number of well known boulders to ascend in Bethesda, the Great Orme and the Llanberis Pass, to name but a few.

other attractions

Where to start? With a plethora of stunning mountains, beautiful valleys and historical landmarks; North Wales is a fantastic place to visit all year round. Whether you enjoy mountain biking, relaxing on the beach or rubbing shoulders with the locals over a cup of tea and a slice of Bara brith, it’s a fantastic place to visit and explore.

Snowdonia National Park is the icon of North Wales, and rightly so – but there is so much more that the area has to offer, with beautiful walks and sights waiting to be found if you are happy to do a bit of exploring!

With four locations in North Wales, Darwin Escapes can offer you the perfect place to base yourself while you explore this picturesque and exciting region!

Happy Exploring!

A look inside the beautiful ABI Beachcomber at Seaview Holiday Home Park! The ABI Beachcomber is a stunning holiday home and is currently for sale at Seaview Holiday Home Park along the North Wales coastline. Seaview offers sheer tranquillity, breath-taking surroundings and luxury holiday home ownership opportunities.

ABI beachcomber (2016)

£49,995

Key Features:

• 2 & 3 bedroom options
• fully fitted kitchen
• featured electric fireplace
• master bedroom with ensuite

The ABI Beachcomber offers luxury holiday living at an affordable price, with a modern fully fitted kitchen you can cook up a storm and enjoy your meal at the dining table. With bright colouring, high end furnishings and plenty of natural light, you can really sit back and marvel at the stunning views that Seaview has to offer. Coming in either a 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom option, you can choose to expand to a large family escape or a tranquil retreat from everyday life.

Being a holiday home owner at Seaview Holiday Home Park means becoming part of this community, surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the North Wales coast.

Just 1 mile down the road is our sister park, Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park, where owners are invited to take advantage of the five star facilities on offer. Including a full Go Active programme, with activities such as water walkerz, archery and panna soccer, the children will love the full day of activities provided by Charlie Bear and his team of Rangers. As well as the nightly family entertainment including performances from musicians, comedians and even some home grown talent from the Rangers. Take a dip in the tropically heated swimming pool, before relaxing in the Jacuzzi pool, sauna or steam room. Enjoy a mouth watering meal at the onsite restaurant before retiring back to your home away from home in the peaceful surroundings of Seaview.

If you would like to know more about becoming an owner at Seaview contact our friendly Ownership Team via our live chat service, or through our contact form, or give us a call on 01745858010. The team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have and talk you through the process of purchasing you dream holiday home.

Happy Holiday Home Ownership!

Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat stocks the world class spirits from The Lakes Distillery

The award-winning The Lakes Distillery offers delectable spirits made locally, with Keswick Reach’s own bar stocking all 3 offerings from the world class company.

Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat is Darwin Escapes’ brand new location in Cumbria, offering stunning views and luxury accommodation, with outstanding facilities to enjoy on your holiday. Keswick Reach has everything you’ll need for a relaxing Lake District holiday, including a dog wash room for those pesky pups! Take a break from your self catering holiday with a delicious meal at the Copper Fells onsite restaurant, and a quiet drink at the bar, where we stock the local The Lake Distillery offerings, The One Whisky, The Lakes Gin and The Lakes Vodka.

close to keswick reach

 

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Take a 10 minute trip down the road to The Lakes Distillery itself and experience all that is on offer there, including tastes of the mouth watering spirits locally made. With a 9 million pound development, the distillery opened its doors in 2014 in the heart of the Lake District National Park with the view of producing world class spirits. Since opening, the distillery has become one of Cumbria’s leading and award winning tourist attractions.

Since then they have expanded to The Lakes Gin and The Lakes Vodka, which are lovingly created in hand crafted copper stills. Their next spirit offering, The Lakes Single Malt Whisky, is ‘sleeping in the casks’ until 2018.

 

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The distillery is located in a beautifully renovated 1850s Victorian farm, offering a range of facilities including an interactive tour where you can indulge in a tasting of the delicious spirits. As well as experiencing the working distillery behind the scenes, including exploring the stillrooms, warehouse and tasting room, there is also a luxury gift shop to peruse and purchase a bottle of your favourite spirit. Don’t forget to visit the resident herd of friendly alpacas, ask at the retail shop about taking part in feeding time and walking an alpaca around the distillery’s beautiful scenic grounds.

Book your holiday at Keswick Reach now for a relaxing and informative holiday in the Lake District, and enjoy a day out at the one-of-a-kind The Lakes Distillery

You can find out more about The Lakes Distillery by visiting their website

Hawkchurch Resort & Spa is a five star location nestled in the magical Axe Valley where family fun and relaxation is key…

The perfect place to unwind and have some quality family time in the stunning Axe Valley and Devonshire countryside. With five star facilities at Hawkchurch, including a state of the art gym, refreshing hydrotherapy pool and relaxing treatments available at the Ezina Spa, you feel your stresses slip away.

Although relaxation is key at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa, the Axe Valley is filled with historical and fun places to visit. Venturing out to explore this historic region is an exciting prospect, and here at Darwin Escapes HQ we’ve found three family fun activities in Axe Valley for everyone to enjoy.

axe valley runners

Hawkchurch Resort & Spa offers holiday home ownership, as well as holiday breaks. If you decide to become an owner at our resort then joining the Axe Valley Runners means you will have something to look forward to every weekend! The group used to be known as “the little club with big feet” but since growing to over 200 members they aren’t quite so little, catering to a wide range of abilities, with no-one being left behind and ages ranging from 16 to the over 70’s. You will love having a weekly run with this diverse and friendly group!

axe vale festival

This is Axminster’s very own family friendly festival! Surrounded by the beautiful Axe Valley you can explore the festival at your own pace, with a plethora of exhibitor stands to go through, with 5 main marquee tents including floral, crafts, food hall, vintage, retro and antiques and toys and hobbies!

There are hundreds of trade stands selling everything from garden machinery and kitchen ceramics to local produce and clothes. Watch in wonder at the demonstrations stalls, including a willow artist, chair re-caning, fire and rescue service, a blacksmith, cider making and so much more. Enjoy the wow factor in the entertainment field, which has an exciting programme to thrill everyone, including the Adrenaline Tour performing an awesome show of Quad and Motorcycle stunts, the Rockwood Dogs will amaze with their courage, agility, tricks and comedy routines (plus, awe dogs!) and Adams Axemen who are a performing lumberjack team and love to entertain a crowd! All along with live music from local acts and bands, bouncy castles and kids crafts to keep everyone happy, pop along on the 17th and 18th of June 2017 for this fun family festival in the Axe Valley.

axe valley wildlife park

Although the Axe Valley Wildlife Park is currently closed for renovation it will be re-opened during the February 2017 school half term, ready for you holiday at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa! This is a family friendly zoo that everyone will enjoy, but it is primarily aimed at families with children under 12 years old.

You will get hands on experience at the zoo, with the opportunity at feeding the free range birds, keeper experience days and daily educational talks about various animals, with a full programme of animal handling sessions during the school holidays. As you stroll through the zoo you will see a variety of animals, including zebra, antelopes, small wild cats, wallabies, otters, guinea pigs, flamingos, owls, porcupines, armadillos, various reptiles and plenty of creepy crawlies! There are also plenty of play areas for the children to enjoy and picnic areas dotted around the park too. Alternatively you could grab a slice of cake at Ringo’s Rest Coffee Shop. For owners at Hawkchurch Resort there is Toddler Time during the weekdays, with toys, books and organised activities, giving you something to look forward to with your toddler during your time at your home away from home!

This is just a small example of what you can explore in the Axe Valley, with breath taking scenery and history dating as far back as the doomsday book there is more on offer in East Devon! Book your holiday at Hawkchurch, or if you are looking into holiday home ownership book your park tour now, or contact our Ownership Team on 01745858010 for more information.

Happy Exploring!