There’s fun for the whole family at the Isle of Wight Comic Con. Get ready Comic Con fans… the first Isle of Wight convention is taking place in November 2017!

The two-day event on Saturday 4th November and Sunday 5th November has received a lot of support from the local community and fellow comic con fans to ensure it takes place at the Northwood House and Park, Cowes, on the Isle of Wight this year.

This is not just a sci-fi convention, with the event also celebrating pop culture, from comic books to films, TV, gaming and general entertainment – there will be something for everyone.

Exhibitors will be dotted around the venue for you to pick up some memorabilia. From game shops to film retailers and ‘small geek’ businesses they’ll be plenty to choose from.

A plethora of media guests will also be available throughout the weekend too. You’ll have chance to meet some big names in both TV and film such as Paul McGann best known for his role as Doctor Who; Manu Bennett best known for roles in Arrow, The Hobbit and Spartacus; Michelle Harrison of Flash and many more. You can even book photoshoots or autographs from your favourite Isle of Wight Comic Con visitor.

dig out that cosplay costume for a chance to win a prize!

For those of you who love to dress up then you’ve hit the jackpot with the Isle of Wight Comic Con. A cosplay contest is set to take place over the weekend so dust off your best or favourite costume to be in with a chance of winning some prizes! To make sure you’re eligible for entry your costume must have plenty of hand-made elements (up to 50% of the costume must be hand-made).

To enter yourself into the cosplay costume competition all you need to do is make sure you have a free cosplay costume tickets. Full details on how you can get one of those is on the Isle of Wight Comic Con website.

plenty of activities to keep you entertained…

On top of all of the events mentioned above, they’ll also be an opportunity to take part in a bucket load of activities!

If you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ll be pleased to hear there will be a special visit from the entire Vectis Remnant Squad of the Star Wars Costuming Group so the force will be with you throughout the weekend of entertainment. You’ll also get the chance to see a Lifesize Pod Racer, Tatooine Land Speeder and a Lifesize BB-8.

Virtual Reality games will also be available and there will also be a visit from Lightening McQueen – something to keep every member of the family happy!

how to get involved in the Isle of Wight comic con …

Tickets for both the Saturday and Sunday are still available. For a one day ticket costs start at £7 for a child’s ticket, an adult ticket is £14 and for a family ticket it’s £38.

Grab your tickets before they sell out by visiting the Isle of Wight Comic Con website.

If you’re looking for somewhere to rest your head after a long day at the convention then why not book to stay at our Woodside Coastal Retreat? Our breathtaking lodges provide everything you need for luxury Isle of Wight breaks with the added bonus of stunning coastal views. It’s also only 30 minutes away from Northwood House and Park!

Cheddar’s the perfect place to visit all year round with plenty of activities the whole family can enjoy. Our award-winning Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa is the ideal destination for families, with an abundance of activities on-site to keep you busy such as Archery, Raft Building and Snorkeling, whatever your activity need our dedicated Go Active team are on hand to help. But for those days where you fancy going out and exploring a bit more of what beautiful Somerset has to offer, we’ve put together a handy list of the must visit attractions!

Cheddar Gorge

One of Britain’s most spectacular natural landmarks and less than a 10 minute walk from Cheddar Woods. Get to the top and enjoy the outstanding views around you and explore the fascinating caves below all hosting secrets about our prehistoric ancestors. Delve into the Gough’s Cave with chambers over 500,000 years olds including the ancient elders’ meeting chamber and secret cavum’s throughout. This is a must-see visiting Cheddar as it’s one of the most historically significant attractions in the UK.

Noah’s Ark Farm Zoo

A not-for-profit zoo that welcomes over 200,000 visitors a year, located just outside Bristol and situated in 100 acres of beautiful countryside. The Zoo is also a working farm, with an abundance and variety of animals from rabbits and guinea pigs to African Elephants range of Big Cats and cute wallabies. The Zoo also houses adventure and play areas throughout the grounds from outside areas like the elephant play zone, sand pit, welly splash zone, wallaby Hill and the mega monster and mini maze to explore! And if the weather isn’t on your side you can discover the indoor play areas, from the jungle den, beehive maze, the fabulous straw den or even milk a cow! Enjoy a fab family fun day at this must visit attraction in Cheddar.

Wookey Hole

Don’t be deceived this is not the same as the Cheddar caves… The Wookey Hole Caves are a group of limestone caves and tourist attraction only a short distance away from Cheddar Woods. Wookey Hole is about more than just caves though, there are over 20 fabulous attractions all at Wookey Hole! Including a 4D cinema, explore the valley of the Dinosaurs and the secret fairy gardens as well as the mirror maze, clown town, Witch of Wookey Hole, Pirate Zap Zone, and even a fabulous circus show! Definitely one of the best things to do in Cheddar for families.

Brean Theme Park

Brean Theme Park offers the ultimate family fun day out with over 40 attractions and rides to enjoy! The Brean Play offers a soft play area for children to get wild and enjoy, or visit the fabulous Brean Splash Waterpark during the warmer months and make the most of the sunshine! Brean Theme Park hosts everything from thrill seeking roller coasters to mini coasters and boat rides for the little ones (and anyone who isn’t a thrill seeker!). Admission to Brean Theme Park is free and you can purchase ‘Ride Tokens’ to pay as you play, or purchase ‘wristbands’ for unlimited rides! Brean Theme Park is perfect fun for the whole family.

Glastonbury town

Glastonbury is so much more than the famous music festival (as amazing as that is!) the town can date its history back to Neolithic times. Strolling around the colourful high street you can marvel at all the New Age Therapists, stores and market stalls, there really is no place quite like Glastonbury. (It’s my favourite place in the UK can you tell?) Glastonbury Abbey is steeped in history of the country, even being recorded in 1086 as the richest monastery in the UK in the famous Doomsday Book. The abbey is must see attraction in Glastonbury, along with the world famous Glastonbury Tor which has an accident history and overlooks the town. A site of religious significance for over 1000 years, the Tor draws thousands of visitors a year. The Tor even has connections to the legend of King Arthur, with the King and his knight’s visiting the Tor in 1191.

Puxton Park

An all-weather family fun day out is to be had at Puxton Park! Have a blast at the Adventure Area on the Pedal Kart Track in the Crazy Golf or the huge bouncing pillow. When the weather isn’t on your side venture to the indoor soft play area for the little ones, with a 6 lane rainbow slide, ball pit and so much more! Water pursuits offer fun with a boating lake, bumper boats and water walkers! Visit the Tractor Tracks where the little ones can ride around on motor powered tractors get messy with a JCB in the huge sand pit and enjoy the tractor rides. There is so much more to do at Puxton Park just waiting to be explored.

the garden at Dunster Castle

Visit Dunster Castle, the spectacular country home and amazing gardens that hosts 4 microclimates! The imposing medieval gatehouse and ruined tower of the castle are a reminder of the long and turbulent history. In the 19th century the Luttrell family was converted into a lavish country home and was occupied by this family for 600 years. The breath-taking gardens are the result of hundreds of years of planning restoration and clever planting taking you on a trip around the world. The South Terrace has kept the layout since the Victorian era with the plants representing that time period, the River Garden is a wild and wooded area with the Yew Bank being commissioned by Dorothy Luttrell in 1720. The Keep is the highest point in the whole Dunster landscape, hosting the Octagon Tower which was created as a shelter and dining area for bowls players in 1721, now houses and historical exhibition about the castle.

the Bishop’s Palace

The Bishop’s Palace has been at the heart of wells for over 800 years, with 14 acres of stunning grounds to explore and relax in an oasis of tranquility and peace. The Palace has been home to the Bishop of Bath and Wells for hundreds of years and is steeped in history, you can explore this beautiful medieval palace at your leisure. The Bishop’s Table serves mouth-watering dishes and delicious afternoon tea and don’t forget to visit the bell-ringing swans who ask for food by ringing the bell out of the kitchen window.

South West Karting

Have fun at Somerset’s number one karting experience. With 2 equally challenging and exciting tracks! When the weather isn’t on your side venture to the indoor track in Cheddar, only a few minutes away from Cheddar Woods. And on the sunnier days travel a little further to their outdoor track at Haynes International Motor Museum. Both tracks offer exhilarating fun for all the family catering to complete beginners and ultimate pros alike.

Book a stay with us at Cheddar Woods today and put these must visit attractions on your bucket list? You might fall in love with the beautiful county of Somerset and not want to leave! If that is the case don’t worry, our Cheddar Woods site offers holiday home ownership so feel free to call our friendly team on 01745 858010 to find out more.

If you’ve visited any of the attractions on this list then let us know what you thought…

For those that yet to enjoy the wonders of Cheddar, Happy Exploring!

Conwy’s biggest food, music & art festival is returning to provide another exciting programme of events. What better way to spend your weekend than trying out a variety of cuisines, experiencing great live music and enjoying a range of craft activities in the stunning location of the North Wales medieval town, Conwy.

From October 27 to 29, Conwy’s streets will be filled with foodies, art enthusiasts and music fans as the Conwy Feast returns for 2017 to provide the perfect weekend of family entertainment!

The festival gives you the chance to taste for yourself some of the amazing local Welsh produce on offer and also experience Worldwide delicacies courtesy of Street Food Vendors based on the Quayside and Food Halls which are set up across the typically quaint Welsh town.

food lovers will have an eclectic mix of events and food halls to choose from…

One of the many highlights taking place over the weekend are the live kitchen shows. Chef Bryn Williams will be taking centre stage cooking in the Seafood Kitchen on Conwy Quayside from 11am on Saturday 28th October to put together two delicious dishes, Roast Prawns & Seaweed Mayonnaise and Pan-Fried Sea Bream, Crushed Potato & Smoked Cream Sauce.

The Denbigh-born chef first participated in the Feast festival in 2006 before going on to represent Wales in The Great British Menu, which saw him cook for the Queen as part of a winning team of four chefs.

A live session, called Kitchen Theatre, will also see some of North Wales’ best chefs show off their skills and let audience members taste the mouth-watering dishes they put together.

Make sure you grab your shopping bags and head down to the Food Halls where a range of local and European foods will be on display for you to pick up and take home. Street Food Vendors will be offering tasty treats throughout the weekend too from wood fired pizzas, to chocolate treats and hog roasts!

For those who fancy a tipple, then wine tasting sessions will be running on the Saturday evening. The first session promises to bring the taste of Spain to North Wales, from 6.30pm at St Mary’s Church Hall and then from 7.30pm experience a taste of Wales with a Welsh wine and cheese tasting session at the same venue.

take part in the variety of crafts on offer…

If wine tasting isn’t your thing then why not take advantage of the abundance of craft workshops taking place over the weekend. Try your hand at Lantern Making, Origami, Abstract Sculpture, Relief Printing and more on both Saturday and Sunday.

All tickets for these sessions can be booked in advance from the Gwledd Conwy Feast website to avoid disappointment. Prices are £7 for adults and £5 for young people over the age of 12.

For those under 12 why not head to the Apple Making Workshops outside St Mary’s Church Hall on Rosehill St from 10am to 4pm, or go and take part in your own Great Pottery Throwdown at the Tabernacl from 11.30am – 1.30pm or 2pm – 4.30pm on either weekend day!

a jam packed line-up of live music will leaving you dancing for days…

If you’re not a big food lover or not into arts and crafts, the tent on the Quay is where you need to go! For just £10 you can enjoy a weekend array of live music as this year Conwy Feast have offered out the option to buy a ticket, which will only cover the weekend’s music performances.

Kicking off the live set at the festival on Friday night is Welsh band Pinc Ffloyd, who will be followed by bands Wilbur Milton, The Storyville Mob and Bad Dog.

Saturday and Sunday will see a wide mix of music from choirs to Jazz and even a bit of Rock … so you’re bound to find a tune that suits your taste!

how to get involved in the conwy feast event…

Either choose a Wristband to cover the whole weekend or just one day… whatever you choose it is up to you! A Weekend Family Ticket for 2 Adults & 3 Children is £28 …

Full details on wristbands and how to buy them are available from the Gwledd Conwy Feast website.

If you’re looking for a more permanent holiday destination to enjoy the events North Wales offers, such as the Conwy Feast, then why not consider holiday home ownership at New Pines Holiday Home Park or either of our sister parks, Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park or Aberconwy Resort & Spa? Contact our friendly team on 01745 858010 if you’d like more information!

Enjoy yourselves fellow foodies!

Are you searching for the perfect golf clubs and not sure where to start? Darwin Escapes can help. Finding the perfect golf clubs can be quite tricky, especially if you’re a beginner. Knowing what the difference between wood or irons, or a half-rubber or leather grip is, and how that will affect your swing can be a little daunting! Luckily The Springs Golf Club in Oxfordshire, is here to help you when you start your golf club shopping.

We have put together the ultimate beginners guide, letting you know everything from the style of club to questions you should ask when shopping for golf clubs.

the clubs

When gold first started, players could carry as many clubs as the wanted to, but since 1938 only 14 clubs have been allowed per bag, with 12 being the norm. However, beginners are often set up with half-bags to avoid complications and becoming confused (which I am prone to do).

Clubs come in different varieties and all play different parts to help develop your game…

• Driver – the largest headed club, with the longest shaft. It is used to drive the ball off the tee on all but the shortest of holes.
• Woods – these are clubs with a clubface angled upward (known as lofted clubs). They are actually made from steel or titanium, but were once made of wood (slightly confusing…)
• Irons – (not those kinds) there are generally more lofted than woods (which aren’t made of wood). Irons are mostly used for shots from the fairway, rough or sand back on to the green.
• Hybrids – sometimes called utility or rescue clubs and are a cross between irons and wood clubs.
• Putter – this is the smallest club, used when wanting to roll the ball into the hole (much more fun than crazy golf!)

So those are the main types of clubs, if you’re slightly confused, never fear, the onsite Pro Shop staff are always on hand to help out and are happy to explain everything too!

what you will need to consider

Now you know the different types of clubs, you’re ready for a club-fitting! Visiting a Pro Shop and having a club-fitting means finding the right loft, lie, size of grip and club length perfect you.

Both Tour Pro’s and average amateurs use the same club-fitting process and technology to help find the right clubs for their body type and physical conditions. Here are the things you’ll need to consider when shopping for golf clubs:

• The Grip – how thick or thin the grip on your clubs should be. A proper sized grip should allow the middle and ring fingers on your left hand to barely touch the pad of your thumb when holding the club.
• The Shaft – when thinking about the length of your club, you’ll need to consider your height (obviously), build and strength.
• Clubhead – there are standard, midsize and oversize clubheads available. Oversize clubheads are recommended for beginners, as they are more forgiving of your newbie swing and mishits.

So those are the things to consider before shopping for gold clubs – The Springs Golf Club has it’s very own Pro Shop for you to visit and purchase your golf clubs!

Happy Golf Club Shopping!

Are you and your fur-baby visiting us and looking for dog friendly attractions in Kent? We’ve got you covered. There is nothing more exciting than taking your little fur balls out for a wander around a new place, exploring and discovering as you go. Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat offers stunning lodge style accommodation, with beautiful countryside surroundings and perfectly placed to explore all that the area has to offer, humans and puppers! If you’re looking for the best dog friendly attractions in Kent, you’ve come to the right place…

Eynsford Castle

Surrounded by a picturesque village, he castle is a rare example of an early Norman’s ‘enclosed castle’. Instead of the usual motte to protect itself, the Eynsford Castle broke tradition and was actually protected by a curtain wall, with parts even surviving to their full height today. Built by the Eynsford family, the beautiful castle was at the centre of an inheritance dispute, was vandalised and left abandoned from 1312 onwards. Explore the grounds and the ruins of this tradition breaking castle with your puppy!

Faversham Stone Chapel

This is the only Christian building in England to include the remains of a 4th Century Romano-British pagan mausoleum (what a mouth-full!). Explore the remains of this beautiful Medieval Chapel, your puppies will love running around the greenery while you marvel at the history around you.

Kent & East Sussex Historical Railway

Proposals began for this railway in 1850, with the plans finally being confirmed in 1896 (a very long wait). The railway is host to lots of events throughout the year including HopFest, which is a family fun and nostalgic weekend with Punch & Judy Shows. The children will love a day out with Thomas the Tank Engine, as well as Halloween and Santa themed events, dogs are welcome to certain events also and there are endless railway walks to explore too!

Kit’s Coty & Little Kit’s Coty House

Visit these stunning remains of two megalithic ‘dolmen’ burial chambers with your dog and discover long-forgotten history. These beautiful monuments are located in the picturesque Kent countryside, surrounded by the rolling hills, your puppies will just love exploring right along with you. The origins of Kit’s Coty and Little Kit’s Coty are unknown, what is known is that barrows similar to these were used in the early Neolithic period to act as communal burial ground sites, making the site even more interesting!

Knights Templar Church

This is an interesting site of stone foundations of a small, circular chapel which has links to the Knights Templar. The military and religious organisation was founded in the 12th Century to defend the holy places and protect pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. The Order became increasingly unpopular and were finally suppressed in 1312, the links to Kent are tenuous and they are said to have fled the country in 1185. The buried foundations were uncovered in the 19th Century during construction of military defences, make sure to visit this dog friendly attractions in Kent and marvel at these historic ruins.

Mount Ephraim Gardens

The gardens are 10 acres of Edwardian beauty to explore! Visit the topiary garden and marvel at the rock and water garden’s peaceful atmosphere, as well as the beautiful rose garden on offer too. There is a wonderful tea room to explore if you would like refreshments during your walk around the breathtaking grounds. Dogs are welcome to explore and discover these beautiful Edwardian gardens with you.

Reculver Towers & Roman Fort

Visit this striking 12th Century church tower that still guides ships on their travels today. 2000 years ago the Monastic Church helped sailors pin-point their direction along the coastline. Originally built as an Anglo-Saxon monastery in 669, it was then added to, repurposed and changed until it was turned into the Parish Church in the 10th Century. You can walk around the stunning towers and enjoy the awe-inspiring views from the Cliffside.

St Augustine’s Abbey

Founded around 597AD by St Augustine, the abbey was originally built for a burial place for the Anglo-Saxon Kings of Kent. It was one of the most important monasteries in Medieval England. For almost 1000 years, the abbey was used as a centre of learning and spirituality and was reduced to ruins during Henry VIII’s Suppression of the Monasteries. The ruins of the abbey are quite well preserved, you are able to take a stroll through the rooms and really understand the importance that his abbey once had.

Sutton Valence Castle

Built in the later years of the 12th Century, the ruins were once a strongly defended castle and was owned by Simon de Montfort, who was the leader of the rebellion against Henry III. De Monfort was killed in the Battle of Evesham in 1265, Henry III then gave the beautiful castle to his half-brother William de Valence. The ruins of the castle still stand, and boast a dramatically stunning and panoramic view over the Weald of Kent.

Canterbury ghost tour

Take part in a 90 minute tour around Canterbury and learn all about the dark side of this historic city! Hosted by award-winning author and local historian John Hippisley, he will seamlessly blend history, entertainment, spooky hauntings and humour throughout the tour. Explore the hidden parts of Canterbury and learn all about the historic city in a totally unique way, dogs are welcome on the tour too!

Dover Castle & Secret Wartime Tunnels

Dover Castle is one of the most iconic fortresses in England, you can roam through centuries of history and enjoy an action packed day out! Climb the famous Great Tower, marvel at the medieval interiors or delve underground to the Secret Wartime Tunnels. These amazing tunnels were the place where Operation Dynamo was masterminded, you will see, hear and feel the danger that those who evacuated from Dunkirk felt. The special effects, real film footage and projects throughout the tunnel show you the amazing events of May 1940.

During your stay with us at Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat make sure to visit all these amazing and dog friendly attractions in Canterbury. If you’re looking for the top class pet friendly accommodation, Canterbury Reach has an abundance of luxurious lodges to choose from, with sumptuous beds, fully equipped kitchens and beautiful bathrooms to make you feel at home.

Enjoy exploring all the dog friendly attractions in Kent during your holiday with your fur-baby at Canterbury Reach!

Darwin Escapes are delighted to announce that we now offer Lyme Bay Winery Products at our 5 Star Hawkchurch Resort & Spa in Axminster, Devon!

Your next visit to Hawkchurch Resort & Spa is sure to be even more enjoyable thanks to a new partnership we have formed with their nearby Lyme Bay Winery in Axminster.

We now stock many of their class leading wines, meads, ciders and liqueurs at our 5* resort in the Axe Valley. Lyme Bay Winery are famous in the industry and have won numerous awards in different categories thanks to the efforts of their small but dedicated team who have been setting new standards with their bold and innovative approach for the past 25 years.

To give you an indicator of how good they are, they added a further 35 awards to their rather extensive trophy cabinet in 2016 alone! This included awards from prestigious competitions such as the International Wine and Spirit Competition and the International Cider Challenge. They are real masters in various category of beverage and you can sample many of their best products the next time you visit Hawkchurch Resort & Spa.

Lyme Bay winery traditional mead

The brand is perhaps most synonymous for its traditional meads including the Traditional Mead Flagon which is a Lyme Bay Winery best seller. It is a delightfully sweet and full bodied concoction which has won a Great Taste Award. It is perfect for entering the winter months, as it is sure to warm the cockles and a must try for any of you honey fans out there.

We also highly recommend the Lyme Bay Winery Ginger Liqueur which won a 1 star gold award from the Great Taste Awards in 2013. It offers a delightfully spicy after taste and subtle kick from the whisky mixture. It would work really well in a Hot Toddy, so we recommend that you stock up ahead of the Christmas season. We stock the beautifully presented, rounded 300ml bottle of their Ginger Liqueur in the Hawkchurch farm shop.

a personal favourite

From personal experience, I would recommend that any brandy lovers like myself try out their fantastic Cherry Brandy which is also available in the Hawkchurch store. It is an absolute treat for the taste buds, with the sweet taste you would expect with a cherry brandy but also with hints of sour cherries to help ensure a long lasting taste.

The 200ml square bottle is stocked here which is beautifully presented, as is the case with the vast majority of Lyme Bay Winery Liqueurs. This means that it can be re-used for household presentation purposes and guaranteed that my finance didn’t offer too many objections when I last stocked up on the product.

Just when you thought holiday breaks in Axminster at Hawkchurch couldn’t get any better…

If you’re thinking of owning your own holiday lodge in Devon, Hawkchurch is the ideal place for you

Located on the Devon/Dorset boarder, Hawkchurch Resort & Spa is known at the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, making it the perfect place to base yourself when exploring the stunning region. Only 10 minutes away from the popular Lyme Regis and the area’s famous River Cottage Deli, you can enjoy all that Devon has on offer as many times a year as you wish.

Enjoying endless holidays in your luxurious and stress-free home away from home is what life is all about, you really should be seriously considering buying a luxurious holiday home in Devon, and here’s why…

year round holidays

The beauty of owning your own holiday home means year round holidays in luxurious surroundings. Imagine no more rushing, no queuing, no stress, just get up and go to your private, relaxing escape in the Devonshire countryside. Open all year round, you can enjoy a summer getaway and a winter wonderland holiday in the magical Axe Valley.

over 16’s facilities

Although children are welcome at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa and there is so much to do in the local area to entertain them all year round, the facilities are for over 16’s only – creating that peaceful space for some much needed ‘me time’. The state of the art gymnasium offers a wonderful place to keep fit during your holidays, with a separate meditation/Yoga room, as well as a regular Yoga class on a Friday. The sauna and steam rooms are perfect to escape into the heat and soak up the goodness in the air, before taking a dip in the stunning hydrotherapy pool. The pool is proven to decrease muscle soreness and increase blood flow, so sitting in the pool and enjoying the surrounding scenery is healthy for you! Heated to a temperature slightly higher than normal pools and with fantastic jets around the edge, you will feel completely relaxed in this beautiful pool.

Ezina Spa onsite

Imagine having the chance for a weekly massage! With a holiday lodge at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa this could be your weekly treat to yourself, with the onsite Ezina Spa just on your doorstep. Partnering with Aromatherapy Associates, the spa offers luxurious treatments including full body massages, rejuvenating facials and relaxing signature Aromatherapy Associates treatments. Ezina Spa also offers Jessica Nails treatments, including full mani-pedi’s, as well as waxing, tinting and GELnation manicures.

best of both worlds

Hawkchurch is surrounded by the stunning Axe Valley countryside, with rolling hills and farm land teaming with beautiful wildlife, but only a 10 minute drive from the equally stunning Devonshire seaside and beaches. Lyme Regis is only a short drive away, with its famous harbour and plethora of activities and restaurants to enjoy. Relax with a day by the beach or explore the historic Jurassic Coasts and see how many fantastic fossils you can find along this beautiful coastline. The smaller, charming local villages offer boutique stores and market days for those ultimate finds and historic buildings and Churches, with Axminster being able to date the town back to the Doomsday Book.

the beeches restaurant onsite

When staying at your home away from home at Hawkchurch you can indulge in a delicious meal at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa, at the onsite Beeches Restaurant. Fabulously decorated to add to the cosy atmosphere, The Beeches serves delicious main meals, delightful light lunches and decadent desserts which you can enjoy during your endless holidays with us. Soak up the sun and views from the outdoor seating area, while enjoying a beautiful afternoon tea offering, or indulge in our fantastic Fish & Chips Friday offer, and relax with a drink from our fully stocked bar, before strolling back to your home away from home. Indulge in fine dining right on your doorstep.

luxurious holiday home

Hawkchurch Resort & Spa hosts top class accommodation available for ownership. You can have the holiday home of your dreams in Devon with us, from top class, sumptuous lodges with king size bedrooms and breathtaking ensuites, to singles lodges if you’re looking for something smaller but still luxurious and cosy. We will have the ideal model to fit your needs, and our friendly Ownership Team are on hand to walk you through the process, from the very first park tour and visit to the exceptionally exciting moving in day! Our Ownership Team can also introduce you to a financial specialist, who can help you spread the cost of your brand new home away from home, making your dream even closer!

Buying a holiday home is the ideal way to enjoy endless holidays with all the home comforts you’re used to, with Hawkchurch offering you the onsite luxuries you’d expect from a 5 Star holiday resort in Devon. You’ll never tire of exploring the local area and you’ll feel relaxed as soon as you step foot on our beautiful park, knowing you don’t have to worry about anything while you’re there and can escape from the daily stresses.

Becoming an owner at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa means joining a friendly community of like-minded people, getting to know our exceptional and friendly staff and take advantage of all the fantastic facilities on offer to you around the park. If you’ve been considering buying a holiday home in Devon, Hawkchurch is the right place for you, why not book your park tour today and see the beauty and luxury for yourself?
Or call our dedicated Ownership Team on 01745858010 for more information about ownership opportunities with Darwin Escapes, alternatively talk to an adviser now using our Live Chat service on the website.

Why not start considering Hawkchurch Resort & Spa as your home away from home today?

Entertainment is a huge part of what we do here at Darwin Escapes, we want to make your stay as enjoyable as possible! Everything is family fun, so we cater to the children as much as the adults. Our New Pines Holiday Home Park entertainments team is expertly managed by Rebecca Twist, or Becci as she is known to everyone.

Becci has been with the entertainments team for around 8 years now; she loves every part of her job and how much it varies from day to day! Every week she sits down to plans new activities and events for the week ahead – so the children get to do something different every day! Rebecca likes to do activities that the children wouldn’t be able to do at home, saying she likes it to be “as messy as we can possibly get it” and what kid doesn’t like to get messy?! She makes sure all activities are scheduled, so her team always know what is going on and when. Every activity can be adapted for all ages, from toddlers to tweens, keeping everyone happy and involved!

Obviously during peak season, school holidays and bank holidays, our resorts become a flurry of activity and fill up with more children for the entertainments team to have fun with! So with the warmer weather and the influx of children, the activities jump up a notch for Becci; she comes up with different theme days for one day every week during the school summer holidays. So from the Under the Sea day, to Pirate day and Superhero day, all the day’s events and activities will revolve around this theme. For Superhero day, the team started early and handmade outfits and capes for the kids to dress up in for the day! Once the kids came along they helped them cut out masks and decorate them so they could be any superhero they wanted to be, they then gave the kids Spongebob Squarepants cameras (there is no better superhero for me…) and a scavenger hunt list; in groups of hero’s they then travelled the park completing the hunt! The groups were placed so that the bigger children could stay with the younger ones and everyone could enjoy it together – even the grounds team and receptionists got involved with photos and poses with each group for the hunt. Becci loves that everyone at Darwin is so willing to get involved and have fun, saying “I never have trouble asking for help, everyone is always happy to help out”.

Out of all the activities Becci plans and gets involved in, her favourite is the evening ‘Rangers Fun Time’ show for families. This involves lots of things, starting at 7:30 and running for an hour, the whole team manage to pack quite a lot of activities in and change the show every day! Lots of party dances are performed by the team and copied by the wonderful kids on the dance floor is brilliant to see, the fun that both team and kids have is infectious! They play games, like Jenga competitions or moving a balloon around a group without using your hands – this is a lot harder than it sounds! Or my personal favourite, Heads Up, which is like charades but in my opinion harder, this always has Becci, her team, the children and their families in fits of giggles with the great descriptions they come up with! Charlie Bear often drops in for a visit and joins in on the fun and the party dances, with Becci telling him all about the day’s activities. The kids love to share this time with cheeky Charlie and it’s a great photo opportunity for the parents too. Becci loves this time because it makes her laugh and she gets to see all the families together having fun and enjoying their holiday breaks, and with this much fun on offer in the Cabaret Lounge its not hard to see why she loves it!

All summer the team teach the children songs and dance routines and then, at the end of the summer, it is all put together for the New Pines Music Mash Up Show! Becci adores this ‘end of summer’ show, as the families get to see how hard the children have practiced and how excited the kids get when they are performing. Songs from Hairspray, to a pair of children doing sign language along to The Script’s hit ‘Hall of Fame’ there is something for everyone. Becci’s stand out performance this year is an adorable 5 year old boy singing Grease Lightening with his twin sisters as his backing sisters – how cute does this sound! There is also a little girl singing Annie’s song ‘Dumb Dog’ and Becci will be making a star of her own dog Daisy, who will take to the stage with the little girl – Daisy is a darling, very beautiful and will love the attention!

With Becci’s base resort New Pines Holiday Home Park being a holiday home owners resort, Becci enjoys the feeling of them all being one big family – she knows how corny that sounds but it is the truth, and from walking the resort with her I can vouch for that. She gets to know each family and child personally and builds a great relationship with them as she gets to see them almost every weekend throughout the year -not just on the summer holidays. Becci loves to see how much the kids enjoy the activities she comes up with however they may not always go to plan, for example, at the sports day event it rained so they moved it all inside and the kids still had a blast! Planning for everything so no one is left bored! From nature walks and karaoke to arts and crafts and colouring competitions; Becci does a fantastic job at making each activity new and exciting for the kids, and she loves every second of it!

So why don’t you pop in and see Becci and her team? They are always there to help and have fun!

Enjoy a packed year of exhibitions and events all over the country, and near her home in Surrey. Our own Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat is located in Farnham, Surrey. While being only a 50-minute train ride away from the capital city of London, you can have a fun-filled holiday break with us, and this year is extra special. 2017 is the 200-year anniversary of the death of Jane Austen, one of Britain’s most-loved authors, Surrey was Austen’s home, with her house turned into a museum and a plethora of events and exhibitions on throughout the year to enjoy too!

Surrey provided the inspiration to many of her amazing novels, the Hampshire Cultural Trust will be holding activities and events, including talks, walks, live performances and even writing competitions, throughout the year at different sites, including the Jane Austen’s House Museum. The museum also has fantastic Jane Austen Picnic Packs, the packs include Regency recipes you can cook at home, a Jane Austen quiz, riddles and period games to play, as well as lots of ideas on how to hold a Jane Austen themed picnic for your friends and family.

events & exhibitions

Exhibitions and events will be taking place at various locations throughout Surrey and will include debuting permanent exhibitions such as The Jane Austen Story at the Winchester Cathedral. Where you can read all about her birth, childhood, and life, as well as being able to visit her gravesite. Also visit the Port of Gosport, where you will find The Navy at the Time of Austen: Fighting, Flirting & Fortune exhibition on display. This exhibition is all about the inspiration behind her hero’s in her later novels, her brothers, you will learn through Austen’s novels, letters and contemporary accounts about the dangers, dramas, entertainment and social life aboard ship in the Navy during that era.

Visit the Retail & Romance exhibition at the Willis Museum in Basingstoke. Austen knew Basingstoke very well, she often attended many balls and dances at the Assembly Rooms in the area. Jane Austen always wrote about the world she knew, including how someone should behave at a ball, what they would wear and eat at these high-flying social events. The exhibition covers the gentry, gossip and breathtaking gowns, Austen was an avid consumer of the gowns of the day, evident from her letters and the descriptions of what she was wearing at balls and dances.

Take a Jane Austen Tour & Tea at Winchester Cathedral, where you will stand next to the grave of Austen and reflect on her life in a very moving experience. The tour is conducted by a specialised cathedral guides, who will include insights into Austen’s life and her connections with Hampshire, along with a tour of Cathedral Close down to the house where she died on Cottage Street. The tour ends at The Refectory and your ticket price includes tea and a slice of cake here, where the conversation will surely continue on about the fascinating life of Jane Austen.

Enjoy a live comedic performance from the Ausentatious group at The Haymarket in Hampshire, who will be putting on an improvised comedy play. Every show the talented cast of comedians conjure up a brand new ‘lost’ Austen novel, always based on nothing more than an audience suggested title. Previous hilarious plays include Sixth Sense & Sensibility and Double O’Darcy, all plays are performed in period costume with live musical accompaniment, a fun night out for everyone.

jane austen’s house museum

Along with all the normal fascinating goings-on at the museum, there are lots of extra exhibitions and events throughout the year to mark the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death. Visit the Jane Austen in 41 Objects exhibition, Austen was only 41 years old when she passed away in 1817 and the exhibition tells the story of her life and legacy through 41 different objects. An evolving exhibition that runs alongside a series of online posts by guest writers. Each object comes with accompanying text and explores a different aspect of Austen’s life and work. The exhibition finishes on 15th December, one day before her birthday.

Writing Lives with Lucinda Hawksley is a writing workshop that will be taking place at the Jane Austen’ House Museum on 16th September. Visit and learn how to write your memoirs or a biographer, learn from top biographer Lucinda Hawksley, who will teach you where to start, how to extend your research and how to structure your work, as well as giving a valuable insight into the publishing industry. Join in on the workshop and let your creative juices flow!

2017 is the year to visit Tilford Woods and explore all the Jane Austen happenings around Surrey, you can help to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the death of one of Britain’s most-loved authors.

Book your holiday at Tilford Woods today and start exploring the local area and history!

Here at DE HQ, we’ve found some of the best activities and events to do this summer, completely for free! So, if you’re looking for something perfect for the family (or even just for you!) we’ve found fun and educational activities for all ages!

Disney Store arts & crafts

Every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday Disney Stores across the UK are hosting free activities, including designing bookmarks and badges, creating key rings, learning how to draw Mikey Mouse and a special Disney Pixar, Cars 3 event where the little ones can race and rebuild the famous Lightening McQueen. Check on the Disney website to see your closest store’s activities and when they are on.

National History Museum

Located in London, the admission to the Natural History Museum is free, but there may be a charge for certain temporary exhibitions. The museum has a world-class collection of animals and birds from bygone eras at the National History Museum at Tring. Along with a never-ending list of attractions and an ever-changing calendar of exhibitions, including the Sensational Butterflies exhibit where you can see hundreds of live butterflies and moths in the tropical butterfly house while learning things such as where exactly is a butterfly’s nose? (I bet you want to know now!) Or make sure to explore the Whales Beneath the Surface exhibition and discover the lives of these amazing sea creatures and find out if they really can live for over 200 years!

Museum of Science & Industry

The Museum of Science & Industry is in Manchester and will be hosting a range of free activities throughout the summer (although donations are appreciated). Activities will include the Imagine It, Make It, Move It Workshop, with an interactive session ‘Inventors Wanted’, as well as learning how steam can power an engine the size of an elephant! Along with having the opportunity to meet real life scientists working on cutting edge research, and don’t forget the MakeFest Workshop where craft and science mix, try out anything from crafting to coding in a completely free and fun day out!

meet the animals at City Farm

There are many city farms you visit for free around the UK and spend the day with baby cows, lambs and chicks! The Surrey Docks Farm, close to our own Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat, is an interactive, free and educational farm, open 7 days a week where you can help to feed all the animals and joining in on the summer activities including family cooking sessions and bushcraft survival skills. There is also the Bath City Farm, very close to our Bath Mill Lodge Retreat, where you can meet the adorable animals, a fabulous kids zone and a list of community events!

nothing beats the great outdoors

Visit your local park or if you’re lucky to live along the coast, your nearest beach! Check the Blue Flag Awards website to visit your closest sandy beach, Sandymouth Holiday Resort in Bude, Cornwall, has a Blue Flag Beach just 10 minutes down the road from the family fun resort. A local park is always full of fun an imagination for family activities.

create a treasure hunt

Your very own back garden is a map just waiting to be discovered (if you’re on holiday, use the lodge as a sunken ship!). Create a treasure map with little treats or toys for an afternoon of fun for the whole family! Dress up with tea towels and paper eye patches for some extra fun!

Lego builds

The Lego Stores offers a free ‘first toy build’ on every Thursday during the Summer holidays for 6 – 14-year olds. Getting the little one’s imagination working with everyone’s favourite building bricks!

pick your own fruit farms

A fun way to spend a day in the summer sun, there are pick your own fruit farms all over the UK, with Bellis Country Market (near Wrexham) and Hawarden Farm Shop both close our 5 Star and family focused Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park in North Wales. Spend the day picking fruit and only pay for anything you decide to bring home with you, if you do bring home some delicious and fresh fruit, you can cook up a dessert pie! Even if you’re on holiday, as all our holiday homes and luxurious lodges come equipped with fully fitted kitchens including an oven.

We hope you liked our list of free summer activities to do with the kids this August! Let us know any activities you and your little ones get up to over the summer holidays via social media, we love to see your holiday snaps!