Devon Visitor - Travel Guide to Devon & Cornwall

Devon Libraries

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:31:31 PST

I got the below email 3 times and counting from Devon Libraries. Still it's a good service!

Devon Libraries has introduced a new service. From now on, you will receive a first reminder by email if anything on loan to you becomes more than 14 days overdue. This means you will be informed sooner than we can do it by post.

If you would prefer to stick with postal reminders instead (as at present), please contact your local library as soon as possible. Please note that we cannot offer both email and postal reminders.

A big advantage of choosing email is that we will soon start sending email reminders just before items on loan to you are due for return, to remind you to return or renew them. We know that, with busy lives, many people forget when their items are due back. We hope this new service will be a big customer improvement and help you save money on overdue charges. If, for any reason, you do not wish to be reminded in advance, please contact your local library as soon as possible.

We apologise if you have already received this email.

Exeter Airport Flight Information

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:35:00 PST

Track flights to and from Exeter International Airport (EXT) south Devon's gateway to Europe.

Flight information is provided by FlightStats, and is subject to the FlightStats Terms of Use

Exeter International Airport (EXT) is situated 5 miles to the east of Exeter city near Clyst Honiton just off the A30. Exeter International Airport has regular domestic flights to Aberdeen, Alicante, Belfast, Edinburgh, Faro, Geneva, Guernsey/Jersey, Hannover, Isles of Scilly, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle. International destinations include Amsterdam, Dubrovnik, Dublin, Funchal, Larnaca, Nice, Palma, Paris, Malaga and Salzburg.

Bristol Airport Flight Tracker

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 06:30:52 PST

Track flights arriving and departing Bristol Airport, the south west's main gateway to Europe and beyond.

Flight information is provided by FlightStats, and is subject to the FlightStats Terms of Use.

Overseas destinations in Europe departing from Bristol Airport include Dublin, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Brussels, Sofia, Bastia, Split, Larnaca, Paphos, Prague, Beziers, Bordeaux, Grenoble, La Rochelle, Limoges, Marseille, Montpellier, Nice, Paris, Perpignan, Toulon, Toulouse, Berlin, Bremen, Corfu, Kos, Rhodes, Zante, Amsterdam, Budapest, Milan, Naples, Pisa, Rimini, Rome, Trieste, Turin, Venice, Verona, Riga, Malta, Gdansk, Krakow, Poznan, Rzeszow, Wroclaw, Faro, Lisbon, Madeira, Porto, Cagliari, Bratislava, Alicante, Barcelona, Gerona, Madrid, Malaga, Murcia, Seville, Valencia, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife, Geneva, Bodrum and Dalaman (Turkey) among others.

© Devon Visitor

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Marble Museum Bovey Tracey

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 06:16:35 PST

The House of Marbles in Bovey Tracey is a fun day out for kids and their parents alike. The House of Marbles is a working glass and games factory set in an historic pottery factory in a beautiful part of the Devon countryside.

This museum of marbles displays both rare and historic marbles with explanations of how marbles are produced.

The museum's marble run 'Snooki' claims to be the largest marble run in the UK

In the museum's garden there is giant chess, marble rings, a marble fountain and other games.

There are demonstrations of glass-blowing by skilled craftspeople at work and displays on the over 4000-year history of glass-making.

Refreshments are available at the museum's restaurant and cafe.

House of Marbles
The Old Pottery
Pottery Road
Bovey Tracey
Devon
TQ13 9DS
Tel: 01626 835358

Hours

Monday - Saturday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Sunday 10.00am - 5.00pm

Access

House of Marbles and Teign Valley Glass works at Bovey Tracey are situated between Exeter and Plymouth on the A38. From the Drumbridges roundabout take the A38 towards Bovey Tracey and in the opposite direction to Trago Mills.

By Bus: From Newton Abbot Bus Station catch bus number #39, get off in Pottery Road, Bovey Tracey.

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Life in the Sun

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:50:41 PST

Is life in the cold getting you down?

It has got some of our colleagues down, as they have headed off to the Middle East for a permanent life in the sun. While it may get a tad too hot in the summer, the weather at present is perfect.

They have been busy while they have been there, creating the best tourist and residents' website in the region, Qatar Visitor.

Now Qatar Visitor and the Visitor websites are offering other people the chance to work in the richest country in the world.

At the Qatar Visitor Jobs Board you can check out the latest Qatar jobs, upload your CV or set up job alerts.

Employers who have recently joined in the boards' short history include Compass International School, The Marriot Hotel, Doha and Brunel Oil and Gas.

You can also keep up to date with the latest Qatar jobs on the board's facebook page, www.facebook.com/qatarjobs, or have a chat with the other 280 odd members. (It's still cosy, although it may not remain so for long!)

See you on the board!

Devon Big Chill

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:48:03 PST

The big chill affecting Devon and the rest of the UK shows no sign of abating just yet.

Schools in the south west region remain shut and road conditions show little sign of improving after fresh snow and more sub-zero temperatures. Disruption is as bad as February 2009, when the south west experienced similar wintery conditions.

The freezing conditions are playing havoc with the Devon economy as markets are closed and shoppers are wary to venture outside.

These photographs were taken in the village of Chudleigh, south west of Exeter.

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Freezing Britain: Devon

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:16:57 PST

The freezing weather conditions continue over most of the UK including Devon.

Schools are closed and road conditions are hazardous in the West Country. Temperatures could reach minus 12 degrees Centigrade in Exeter tonight, minus 5 degrees Centigrade in Bristol and minus 4 degrees Centigrade in Bath. Minus 19 degrees Centigrade was recorded in the Devon village of Lapford, which if confirmed, would be the lowest temperature ever-recorded in the county.

The Bristol ferry boat company suspended its services after Bristol harbour froze over yesterday.
Drivers are being warned to take extreme care while driving.

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Devon Toadstools & Mushrooms

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:18:00 PST

Does anyone know the name of this mushroom?

Could it be the Marasmius Oreades (Fairy Ring Mushroom) or the Armillaria gallica (Bulbous Honey Fungus) or even the poisonous Lachrymaria velutina (Weeping Widow).

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St Mary Church Ottery St Mary

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:43:00 PST

The Church of St Mary of Ottery is Ottery St Mary's main attraction. The church is located on top of Cornhill overlooking the town below.

The church was purchased and re-built in the 1340s by Bishop Grandisson of Exeter, who modeled it after nearby Exeter Cathedral. The weathercock on one of the twin towers is said to be the oldest surviving in Europe. The ornate interior, restored in 1977, has fine fan-vaulting, some grotesque decoration and an ancient astronomical clock dating back to the 14th century.

The grand church has played host to two English kings, Henry VI and Henry VII and the father of the poet, Samuel Coleridge, was vicar here in the late 18th century. A brass plaque commemorates the life of Sir Ernest Satow (1843-1929), 19th century British statesman and Japan scholar who is buried in the northeast corner of the churchyard.

Satow's old residence Beaumont House on the Ridgeway has been converted into flats.

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Anchor Inn Beer

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:29:00 PST

The large Anchor Inn pub and hotel is the nearest pub to the sea in Beer.

The pub is known for its fine seafood lunches at a reasonable price.

Accommodation consists of 8 en-suite bedrooms all with colour TV, direct dial phone, and tea and coffee making facilities. There is a wonderful beer garden with great sea views, ideal for summer days.

Anchor Inn
Fore Street
Beer
Nr Seaton
Devon
EX12 3ET

Tel: +44 (0)1297 203 86

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Bristol Airport

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:19:02 PST

Bristol Airport is the main airport serving the south west of the UK. The airport has flights to a large and growing number of destinations both in the UK and overseas.

UK destinations include: Belfast, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly, Leeds-Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle, Newquay, Plymouth, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey.

Overseas destinations in Europe include Dublin, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Brussels, Sofia, Bastia, Split, Larnaca, Paphos, Prague, Beziers, Bordeaux, Grenoble, La Rochelle, Limoges, Marseille, Montpellier, Nice, Paris, Perpignan, Toulon, Toulouse, Berlin, Bremen, Corfu, Kos, Rhodes, Zante, Amsterdam, Budapest, Milan, Naples, Pisa, Rimini, Rome, Trieste, Turin, Venice, Verona, Riga, Malta, Gdansk, Krakow, Poznan, Rzeszow, Wroclaw, Faro, Lisbon, Madeira, Porto, Cagliari, Bratislava, Alicante, Barcelona, Gerona, Madrid, Malaga, Murcia, Seville, Valencia, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife, Geneva, Bodrum and Dalaman (Turkey) among others.

Other destinations include Cancun, Sharm El Sheikh, Banjul (Gambia), Marrakech, New York and Sanford (Orlando) among others.

Airport parking (around 28 GBP per day) is available along with car hire. From Bristol Railway Station (Temple Meads), Bristol Bus Station and Clifton, the Bristol International Flyer express bus connects to Bristol International Airport. The journey time to Bristol city centre is around 30 minutes, with services operating daily between 02.30am and 00.45am. There is also a direct bus from Weston-Super-Mare.

By car the airport is located on the A38, 8 miles south of Bristol city centre. From the M5 coming from the north leave the motorway at junction 18; coming from the south on the M5 leave the motorway at junction 22.

Bristol Airport
Winford
Bristol, BS48 3DY
United Kingdom
0870 121 2747

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Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:07:26 PST

Happy New Year to all our readers!

New Year 2010

Bristol Weather Forecast

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:51:35 PST

For an in depth look at Bristol's weather www.bristolweather.org.uk as charts showing Bristol's weather since 1900 and how the winter's have become milder over the last 30 years.

You must have a browser that supports iframes to view the BBC weather forecast

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Royal Crescent Bath

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:22:07 PST

The Royal Crescent is one of Bath's most famous landmarks. The crescent of 30 houses was designed by John Wood the Younger and constructed between 1767 and 1774. The buildings are grade I listed buildings and superb examples of Georgian architecture.

Only the facade was constructed by John Wood and the houses behind them were built by different contractors after the property was purchased.

Number 1, the first house to be built in the Royal Crescent is now a museum. Each room has been refurbished with authentic furnishings, paintings, carpets and textiles. Downstairs is a fully-equipped Georgian kitchen.

At number 16 is the Royal Crescent Hotel.

The Royal Crescent has been home to a number of famous individuals including Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (1763-1827), Elizabeth Montagu (1718-1800) and Isaac Pitman (1813-1897) - the inventor of shorthand.

1 Royal Crescent
Bath
BA1 2LR
United Kingdom
Tel: 01225 428 126

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Bath Weather

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:33:36 PST

Like all of the south west, Bath enjoys warm and wet weather in the summer and cooler, though not cold weather in the autumn and winter. The overall climate is changeable with sun and showers a feature.

You must have a browser that supports iframes to view the BBC weather forecast

Overall Bath has more annual precipitation than nearby Bristol. Pollution counts are low.

If it does rain, there's much to see and do in Bath including the world famous Pump Rooms, the Roman Bath and the Jane Austen Centre.

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Gay Street Bath

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:01:00 PST

Gay Street is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Bath. The street and its townhouses were designed by John Wood the Elder (1704-54) and completed by his son John Wood, the Younger.

Gay Street links Queen's Square to the Royal Circus and at number 40 is the interesting and informative Jane Austen Centre. The author was actually resident at number 25, however.

Many of the three storey houses are Grade I or II listed buildings. The dwellings are noted for their Mansard roofs and Ionic columns.

Many of the houses have been converted into offices for accountants, architects and solicitors.

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Express by Holiday Inn Bath

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:58:46 PST

The 126 room Express by Holiday Inn Bath is an excellent accommodation option for visitors to the city.

Located a shortish walk south of the historic centre and right on the main road to Bristol, the Express by Holiday Inn Bath has modern, bright and clean rooms with shower and cable TV included. The morning breakfast buffet is good value (included in the room rate) as is the hotel bar with large TV. Free car park available and Internet connection for a fee.

Lower Bristol Rd/ Brougham Hayes
Bath
BA2 3QU
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 303 000

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Magic Mushrooms

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:51:57 PST

The most common type of magic mushroom found in the UK in early-late autumn is the Psilocybe semilanceata or the liberty cap, noted for the "nipple" at the top of the head.

These mushrooms, photographed at Cadbury Castle, grow on grassy meadows where cows and sheep have grazed and appear between September and November.

Magic mushrooms are an illegal Class A drug in the UK, since the Drugs Act of 2005 closed the loophole where fresh ones were legal but dried ones were not. The effects of a trip on dried mushrooms or shroom tea can be described as giggly and mildly trippy. Side effects can include paranoia and a bad stomach.

Magic mushrooms contain the psychedelic chemicals psilocybin and psilocin.

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Explore @Bristol

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:30:52 PST

Explore @Bristol just north of Millennium Square on the Harbourside in Bristol is an interactive science centre aimed at children of all ages.

There are 300 interactive exhibits and displays as well as a 90-seater planetarium, cafe and shop.

Fun permanent exhibits include All About Our World, All About Us and Animate It! including sets from the Wallace and Gromit movie A Matter of Loaf and Death.

At-Bristol's educational programmes are linked to the National Curriculum from Foundation stage to post 16.

The centre also stages regular temporary exhibits.

@Bristol
At-Bristol
Anchor Road
Harbourside
Bristol
BS1 5DB

Access

Bus #8 or #9 from Bristol Temple Meads Station.

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Wells Cathedral

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:49:14 PST

Wells Cathedral is rightly celebrated as one of the UK's most beautiful churches.

The cathedral was built between 1175 and 1490 and is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who resides at the nearby Bishop's Palace. There is evidence that there has been a church at this site since the 8th century.

The magnificent West Front, which dates from around 1230, is one of the largest galleries of medieval sculpture in the world. From the bottom, biblical scenes are depicted rising to kings, bishops and angels until the twelve apostles and Christ at the very top.

The magnificent Chapter House (1306) has a series of worn steps up to this most sumptuous meeting room. The octagonal shaped room was used (and still is on occasion) to discuss cathedral business. Before the stairs to the entrance to the Chapter House is the Wells Cathedral clock which is said to be the second oldest clock in England after the clock in Salisbury Cathedral and was probably built by the same clock-makers as the two clocks are very similar in style.

The spectacular Scissor Arches were a medieval solution to sinking tower foundations and were inserted in the 14th century to stabilize the structure.

The Scissor Arches support the weight of the central tower.

The church holds assembly for the nearby Wells Cathedral School, which was founded in the 10th century to educate choristers.

The cathedral has a friendly shop and Chapter Two cafe and restaurant located on the first floor of the New Entry Cloister.

Wells Cathedral
Cathedral Offices
Chain Gate
Cathedral Green
Wells
Somerset
BA5 2UE
Tel: 01749 674483

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Lyme Regis To Seaton Undercliffs Walk

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:45:41 PST

The 7-mile (11km) walk between Lyme Regis and Seaton is part of the much longer South West Coast Path through the Undercliffs National Nature Reserve and can easily be done in a day.

The path passes through beautiful and varied countryside including woodland, grassland and wheatfields. There are occasionally spectacular views of the sea in Lyme Bay as you walk. The frequent landslides and general inaccessibility of the area have created a fascinating natural habitat, full of interesting plants and animals. Look out for the wonderful ferns, ash and field maple.

The walk is described as moderate/strenuous but there are few, if any really steep climbs, and the whole journey was easily accomplished by my eight-year-old. Allow for around 4-5 hours if you have frequent stops and walk at a leisurely pace. Walking boots and a stick may come in handy as the path can be muddy. Bring food and drink for your journey.

The path is signposted from the car park near Lyme Regis Bowling Club and continues up the cliff to a flat grassland with views back into Lyme. The longer middle section leads through luxuriant woodland criss-crossed by streams. Towards Seaton, the path emerges onto the cliff top of Haven Cliff and leads out to Axe Cliff Golf Course and the Axe Bridge (Britain's oldest concrete bridge dating from 1877).

It was in the Haven Cliff area that Britain's largest recorded landslip occurred in 1839. The Bindon Landslip drew thousands of curious Victorian tourists as 15 acres of land slipped seaward creating a huge chasm and the outcrop known as Goat Island in the bay.

After refreshment in Seaton, walkers can continue 2 miles onto Beer or return by CoastlinX53 bus to Lyme Regis and marvel at how far you have just tramped.

South West Coast Path

© Devon-Visitor.com

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Heather Jansch

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:55:00 PST

Born in the greater London area, sculptor Heather Jansch now makes her home in Devon and is famous for her figures of horses and now other animals done in driftwood from the Devon coast and fallen oakwood collected around her country home.

Heather's love of horses saw her first make a living painting equestrian commissions, then experimenting with horse sculptures from wire before moving on to the larger wooden forms, which have made her fame and fortune.

Heather's studio in Olchard north of Newton Abbot can be visited each year during the Devon Open Studios event, which was held this year from 5-20 September.

In 1999 Heather was part of the millennium exhibition "The Shape of the Century - One Hundred Year of British Sculpture" which brought her work to a wider, international audience.

Heather Jansch
Sedgewell Coach House
Olchard
Sandygate
Newton Abbot
Devon TQ12 3GU
Tel: 07775 840 513

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Southgate Shopping Centre Bath

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:03:00 PST

The first phase of the redeveloped Southgate Shopping Centre in Bath opened on November 4.

Designed in the same style as the Georgian palaces in the city centre, the Southgate Shopping Centre is being built in three phases. Phase two is slated to open in May 2010 and the final phase should be complete in the autumn of 2010 when the new Debenhams department store is ready.

The usual giants of the British High Street are here including Boots, Sainbury's Local as well as designer stores such as H&M, Calvin Klein and Azendi.

Southgate Shopping Centre
Tel: 01225 469061

The 850-car capacity car park in on St James Parade. Both the new bus station and Bath Spa train station are located next to the mall.

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Beer In Winter

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:36:35 PST

Beer in November is pleasantly free of the summer crowds. On a recent visit we saw only a party of high school kids on a geography field trip inspecting the cliffs on the beach.

The spectacular bay was whipped by the wind and waves and is an amazing sight in winter.

To keep warm we huddled in front of the wood fire in the Anchor Inn to enjoy a lovely pint and an excellent 5 pound lunch.

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St Stephen's Church Bristol

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:49:17 PST

The Grade 1 listed building St. Stephen's Church is the parish church of Bristol and located in "The Centre" in the old City.

The building dates from 1470, though there has been a church on this site since the 11th century.

The great storm of 1703 greatly damaged the structure and was subsequently restored over the following years.

St. Stephen's spire is 152ft (46m) high and contains 12 historic bells. Noted tombs in the church are those of explorer Martin Pring (1580-1626) and the 14th century merchant Edmund Blanket.

St. Stephens Church
21 St. Stephens Street
Bristol
BS1 1EQ
Tel: 0117 927 7977

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