Have a great day out for the whole family the next time you are staying at Hawkchurch, when you pay a visit to Pecorama

Pecorama is one of the leading tourist attractions in East Devon, being situated in the historic fishing village of Beer on the Jurassic Coast, just over ten miles away from Hawkchurch Resort & Spa.

This is a great attraction for railway enthusiasts, with the name of park stemming from the PECO model railway equipment manufacturers whose headquarters are situated adjacent to Pecorama. Pecorama enjoys a close relationship with PECO, even displaying and selling many of their products on-site.

There is very much a railway theme here, with Pecorama being home to one of the country’s finest 7 ¼ inch gauge railways in the form of Beer Heights Light Railway. The hillside location of the railway means that you can enjoy breathtaking views over Lyme Bay and also the Jurassic Coast itself, which is of course one of the few World Heritage Sites in the UK, as you take a ride around this 1 mile track, which was first opened in 1975.

Starting off from near the garden entrance, the journey takes you over many bridges and also a lengthy tunnel in a beautifully recreated track.

something for everyone

This isn’t just a place for railway enthusiasts though, with Pecorama also being home to The Millennium Gardens which was first opened in July 2000 to help celebrate the millennium. Designer Naila Green has ensured that a celestial theme has been followed here, with the sun, moon and rainbow gardens reflecting this with their colour schemes.

You will also find the impressive Millennium Garden Grotto here which is constructed mainly from sea shells as part of the aim of creating a sea theme, with the grotto also featuring an impressive dolphin sculpture leaping out of the sea. It really is a must-see masterpiece.

There is also plenty to keep the kids entertained as well, with a 10 hole crazy golf course and the play station indoor soft play area. You can all grab a bite to eat in the Garden Room Restaurant or enjoy a cream tea in a 1951 ‘Orion’ Pullman Carriage.

If you are looking for a bit of tranquility, then why not head to the secret garden and take in the peace and quiet ensured by the wall herbaceous borders.

peco charity garden day – sunday 17th july

Pecorama puts on a number of special events throughout the year, the next being their annual Garden Day aiming to raise money for charity. This will be taking place on Sunday 17th July and is being put on for Parkinson’s UK and the MS Society.

Special £6 admission prices are available on this day, with £5 of this being given to the two chosen charities. Also on-site on the day. to add a little something extra. will be the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary with their miniature donkeys as well as the Sidmouth Steppers Morris Dancers.

If you happen to be planning on a trip to Hawkchurch Resort & Spa, make sure that you pay a visit.

It can all happen in an on-screen coffee shop: simmering resentment, unexpressed desires, and small yet meaningful gestures between friends. The great news is many of these coffee shop locations are accessible to us humble civilians.

For the sophisticated charm of coffee and pastry with Amelie, make your way to Café des Deux Moulins on Rue Lepic in Paris; if you need a coffee to mull over relationship fails head to Elliott Bay Café on 10th in Seattle, which stood in for Frasier’s Café Nervosa.

Arguably the ultimate coffee shop was set in the cult show, Twin Peaks, created by David Lynch. Lynch himself is a coffee lover, has his own coffee brand and is said to drink twenty cups of ‘Joe’ a day. Presumably, we can trust the brew at the original café, which remains open at 137 W North Bend Way, North Bend, WA.

Whether it’s orgasmic coffee at Katz’s (When Harry Met Sally) or the unpretentiousness of Tom’s Restaurant (Seinfeld), the dedicated fan of coffee and TV will want to check out this fresh guide to the precise co-ordinates where our screen heroes got their fix.

Sources:
Tomlin, A. (2013). What Makes French Beauty So . . . French? Experts Answer. Popsugar.com
Sims, A. (2015). How you drink your coffee ‘could point to psychopathic tendencies. Independent.co.uk
Hollyman, H. (2014). David Lynch’s Philosophy on Drinking Coffee. Vice.com
Dashevsky, Y. (2007). Katz’s Delicatessen – in “When Harry Met Sally”. Youtube.com

This award winning deli & canteen in Axminster has something to offer everyone, and the HQ has even more!

River Cottage is owned by multi-award winning writer and broadcaster Hugh Fearney–Whittingstall, known for his commitment to seasonal and ethically sourced food. This commitment helped establish River Cottage and the ethos flows through all four of the locations, from Bristol and Plymouth to Winchester and Axminster. The River Cottage Deli & Canteen in Axminster is only a short distance from our own Hawkchurch Resort & Spa, with the River Cottage HQ being only a short drive away in the stunning Axe Valley.

River Cottage HQ

Located between Lyme Regis and Axminster, River Cottage HQ offers a fantastic Cooking School with something for everyone. So if you are (like me) a newbie to the cooking world, enthusiastic about food, or even a full blown Jamie Oliver, there will be a course to inspire you! The hands on school has specialist fish or meat courses, bread making and baking classes, as well as how to courses on gardening, fishing and even seashore foraging!

award winning chefs

The HQ also offers fabulous food all locally sourced in line with the sustainability ethos of the company, at the recent Footprint Awards this was celebrated with head chef Gelf Anderson winning the prestigious award! Chef Anderson runs the kitchens, as well as the ever busy cooking school, and is key to guests gaining insight on River Cottage’s sustainable credentials, the Footprint Award recognises an individual’s contribution to environmental, social and economical sustainability. Gelf Anderson not only practices this at River Cottage, but through his enthusiasm and engagement with clients, excites them and leaves them buzzing and full of ideas about ethical sustainability. Congratulation Chef Anderson, a well deserved winner!

the River Cottage festival

Taking place over a weekend in September (17th & 18th Sept) this festival is the first ever music festival to be held at River Cottage HQ! This family fun weekend will have the farm house buzzing with fun activities, fantastic music and, of course, mind blowing food. Marvel at the falconry and horse displays, see these magical animals up close and personal, pick up tips from the demonstrations by local crafts people and grab a locally brewed beverage from the drinks tent! Kids will have an amazing weekend from performing their own puppet show to mastering spectacular circus tricks! There are day and weekend tickets available, so let your inner hippie out for brilliant music, fun activities, Devonshire treasure and mouth watering food!

River Cottage HQ has loads on offer, and the Axminster Deli & Canteen offers a delicious meal, glorious sweets and live music, all with the same sustainable, locally sourced produces ethos of the company. So why not pop in and say hello, grab a bite and a drink in the atmosphere!

Happy Adventuring Foodies!

The British like to think they know a thing or two about the sandwich, even going so far as to claim their Earl of Sandwich invented it – although it’s likely he copied the design from early Mediterranean fast food boffins. From the vegemite sandwich of Australia to the frankly weird Quebecois hot chicken sandwich, every nation has its spin on the bread envelope – and they are often as calorific as they are delicious.

Take the Mexican Cemita, for example: packed with meat, Oaxacan cheese, avocado, chillies, and pungent papalo, it’s no wonder this seeded bun weighs in at over 800 calories – although with all that spice going on, you’ll probably break a sweat trying to eat it. Track it down to its hometown of Puebla, and they’ll even make it for you with a traditional cheesy fringe. The Belgian Mitraillette (or ‘submachine gun’) is more of a no-nonsense way to plug that hunger – and fill those jeans. Stuffed full of meat, chips, mayo and onions, the Brits will be kicking themselves that they didn’t think of it first.

Asia has a more delicate approach to the sandwich: India’s Vada Pav puts a spiced potato fritter between the slices, weighing in at just 300 calories and available from street vendors for as little as 25 rupees. The Japanese Yakisoba-pan is even less fattening, not to mention delicious with its noodles-and-meat interior padded out with vegetables and pickled ginger.

But what of that Canadian oddity? You’ll find chicken between the covers (fair enough), but then the whole thing is soaked in gravy and covered with peas. Along with its Worcestershire sauce, mustard, cayenne pepper and ketchup, it makes for a soggy prospect, and you’ll probably need a fork. Not quite the convenience food the Earl had in mind, but surely he would applaud the continuing inventiveness of the world’s sandwich pioneers.

Pancake day is here, so what’s your favourite topping?

Pancake Day is one of my favourite national holidays (no surprise there, it involves food…) I’m okay at making them, but the husband makes a mean pancake! The first one is always a bit iffy, but after that tester… mouth watering goodness!

So if you are struggling to pick your favourite toppings (yes plural!) then take a read of Darwin Escapes top 5 favourite pancake toppings!

maple syrup

So this is pretty Canadian I know, but I did live there for a while and they love the stuff! (they even have it on baked beans…) if you love sweet and sticky then this is the perfect topping for you!

american blueberry

American style pancakes are thicker than our more crepe style ones. They also have a more savoury or healthier stance on pancakes too. It seems their range of toppings includes a lot of fruit and sometimes even goats cheese! So why not push the boat and try these American pancakes, have a bit of sweet healthy with some delicious blueberries!

chocolate, peanut butter and banana

Everything is tasty with chocolate! Add peanut butter and banana and we are on to a winner! This is a tasty breakfast or lunch treat, and it has a banana so it isn’t all bad!

lemon and sugar

A great British tradition! This will forever remind me of sitting in my mums kitchen and watching her flip pancakes (she’s pretty good at this still!). I used to put the lemon and sugar on them, and almost burning my fingers because I couldn’t wait (shocker there!). It’s a very tasty topping!

nutella

And now to my brand new favourite topping! Ever since visiting Glastonbury and having this off a street vendor, I have been itching to have it again! And here comes pancake day, the perfect reason to indulge! Try it, trust me you’ll never look back! (unless you have a nut allergy, better to stick to lemon and sugar!)

There you have it, our top 5 favourite toppings for pancake day! Which topping are you going to try?
Happy Pancake Day!

If you’re looking for a nice meal out on the North Wales coastline, search no longer, I’ve done it all for you! Here are my top 5 places to eat on the North Wales Coastline, all are very close to our Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park, Aberconwy Resort & Spa and Seaview Holiday Home Park locations. To offer a proper review of the eateries I had to go and try them myself, it wouldn’t be honest otherwise! And by now we all know my love for food…

Signatures

Signatures Restaurant is located on site at our Aberconwy Resort & Spa along the Conwy coastline, and just a stones throw away from the Conwy Morfa beach front. The owners-only resort offers outstanding features, with Signatures being open to the public too, we couldn’t keep head chef Jimmy’s talents to ourselves! At front of house you will find Jimmy’s equally talented wife Louise, who takes perfect care of this award winning restaurant. The luxury dinning room, adjacent seating, bar and waiting area all oozes elegance, fitting perfectly with the food and service. The menu changes often to keep it fresh and exciting, I had a mouth watering meal of chicken filled with cheese and bacon, sitting on a bed of creamy mushroom risotto, finishing off with a divine sticky toffee pudding. Let your taste buds free in luxury surroundings here!

The Talardy

Set in St Asaph this renovated Georgian house offers traditional pub food in family friendly surroundings. Recently redecorated but keeping with the traditional pub style, The Talardy is cozy with comfy seats, as well as having an outdoor conservatory eating area, with it’s own fire place to keep you warm on the chillier nights and a garden with children’s play area. There is a huge range of food here, from cheeseburgers, pasta dishes to the chicken rotisserie, which I had with a blue stilton sauce and sweet potato fries, with a delicious apple pie for dessert! This is a family favourite to visit with their Sunday roast dinners legendary, something for all tastes at The Talardy!

the Bistro

Tucked away from the bustling high street of Rhyl, The Bistro is another family favourite for anniversaries and birthdays. With plenty of choice from the set menu’s, that often change, you will find something for your pallet, from seafood, game to beef, but I love the vegetarian options here, they are always inventive and delicious! I had a mouth watering chestnut, mushroom and leek tart in white wine sauce, and for dessert I had a wonderful Belgian waffle with banana and a caramel sauce, my mouth is watering at the thought of it all now! Most of the tables are next to the windows so everyone has a lovely view of the Marine Lake or Rhyl Prom and seafront.

The Glynne Arms

Along the high street in Hawarden, The Glynne Arms is steeped in history, first opening it’s doors in the 1800’s and has a very prestigious background. The building itself looks like a traditional pub in a beautiful setting and inside is traditional until you head towards the back, a modern area bathed in natural light with splashes of colour and comfortable seating. Everything served is sourced from the Hawarden Estate Farm and Shop, from the fruit and veg to the game and meat all raised on the local fields. They promote a dog friendly pub, sitting in the back area they even offer water and feeding bowls while you rest your limbs from your puppy walk, and enjoy your lovely break, they serve the best goats cheese fritter I have ever had here! I also indulged in a stunning cheeseburger for main, and a divine treacle tart to finish off, I was in heaven! I left feeling totally spoiled and satisfied, with a friendly and homely feel with fantastic service too!

Bistro at Talacre Beach

For something a little closer to home drop into the Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park Restaurant (only open for holiday makers and home owners) and indulge in a mouth watering meal freshly prepared by our expert chefs. Take a seat in the clubhouse and enjoy the show, or in the lounge area for a natter, or for a more formal dinner try the restaurant area, and chose your favourite meal from the very varied menu. With options from pasta, rice dishes to pizza, grilled meats, club burgers and seafood, you will find something to tickle your taste buds, and then indulge in a delicious Costa Coffee too! Costa hot chocolate is my favourite, so I had a mug of hot chocolate and a towering cheese, bacon and chutney burger topped off with onion rings and sweet potato fries on the side…divine! Talacre also has it’s own fish and chip shop if you fancy a stroll down the beach with a great British tradition of getting sand in your chips! Drop in and say hello!

So go and try some of the taste-bud-tempting food that North Wales has to offer, let me know how you find them all and what your favourite dish is!

Happy adventuring folks!

Are you searching for the best restaurants, cafes and places to eat out in Newquay? Well look no further because we have done the hard work for you. We’ve trawled the internet, read hundreds of reviews and salivated over the mouth watering pictures.

So regardless to whether you’re after a bite to eat for breakfast, an authentic Italian Pizza or a restaurant with a view, we’ve got it covered. So with no further delay here are 5 of the top restaurants and cafes in Newquay that are sure to get your taste buds tingling.

1. little italy – Newquay pizza co

Looking for an authentic pizzeria in Newquay? Look no further than Little Italy, established in 2009, you can indulge in everything from a delicious homemade pizza to a healthy light salad.

“Genuine Italian pizza”
“Simply Delicious”
“Best pizza I think I’ve ever had”

A fun and friendly atmosphere awaits you here at Little Italy. Next time you’re visiting Newquay be sure to visit.

2. jam jar café

If you’re in search of a cool and quirky café in Newquay close to the world famous Fistral Beach then The Jam Jar is perfect for you. This independent café has freshly baked homemade cakes in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

“Best coffee in Newquay”
“Amazing place and breakfast”
“Perfect in every way”

On the menu you will find an array of sweet treats including vegan and gluten free options with a healthy twist.

3. the two clomes

Originally named after two fireside ovens situated either side of the open fireplace – the Two Clomes is one of the most popular restaurants in Newquay.

“Never fails to deliver great home cooked food”
“Amazing food and welcoming atmosphere”
“My most favourite pub in the whole wide world”

Serving high quality homemade meals and traditional real ale. Known for its generous portions, excellent service and welcoming hospitality next time you’re in Newquay why not stop by for a bite to eat.

4. oceans café

In search of the best breakfast in Newquay? Well Oceans Café is the place for you. Their mouth watering Full English Breakfast has received a host of amazing reviews from customers and is definitely worth a try.

“If you want a good cooked breakfast this is your place”
“The food was great and so was the service”
“Lovely place to have breakfast! Good cuppa too and friendly conversation”

It should also be noted that they serve more than just breakfast and their steak dishes have also received sterling reviews from the plaudits. Next time you’re feeling peckish why not give the owners Alan and Jan a visit at the Oceans Café in Newquay.

5. lusty glaze beach restaurant

If you want to treat your better half then Lusty Glaze Beach Restaurant is a must visit. Only a short walk from the centre of Newquay, the Lusty Glaze Beach Restaurant is nestled away in a secluded cove ideal for a romantic meal.

“Couldn’t have been better – amazing setting, excellent food”
“Most impressive spot on the beach, very relaxed and romantic”
“Possibly my favourite place on earth!”

Whatever the weather the views are truly spectacular, so you can indulge in delicious food whilst taking in the spectacular views. Former BBC Masterchef contestant, Nat Tallents, is the head chef of the Lusty Glaze and will be on hand to create an array dishes for your dining pleasure.

Here at Darwin Escapes we are always on the lookout for the best local eateries to recommend to our lovely guests. So if you’ve visited Piran Meadows and Newquay is there something that we’ve missed off the list? Why not get involved below and recommend your favourite place to eat in Newquay.