Devon Holiday Inspiration

In Devon we’re so fortunate to have miles of coastline, rivers feeding into the sea & breathtaking landscapes galore. In this guide we’ll show the best places to focus your lenses on. All image locations featured within this post are listed in the map below. Whether you have all the kit, are an amateur just getting started or just like to use your phone– there’s something for everyone to photograph in East Devon. East Devon is characterised by its long stretch of coastline spanning East from Exmouth to Lyme Regis on the Dorset border – and what better way to start than with Ladram Bay. Ladram Bay If you’re staying with us then the first place on your agenda should be our beautiful pebble beach. Those with GoPro (or other waterproof cameras) will be able to go that one step further. A post shared by Ladram Bay (@ladrambay) on Jan 5, 2018 at 6:37am PST Because Ladram Bay is a private beach it offers a tranquil location for photographers. Those with the right patience (& timing) have captured some incredible beach images. Night time at #ladrambay thanks to RGW Photography A post shared by Ladram Bay (@ladrambay) on Apr 7, 2017 at 2:00am PDT Budleigh Salterton Several miles west along the Coast you will find the picturesque town of Budleigh Salterton. There are several photography spots frequented by photographers, including the pastel colour beach huts that line the pebbled shore. A post shared by Budleigh Photography (@budleighphotography) on Jan 6, 2016 at 11:01am PST Orcombe Point Another area of spectacular coastline can be found at Orcombe Point, which lies 2 miles southeast of Exmouth town centre. For those wishing to pay a visit we recommend using the South West Coastal Path & packing sturdy footwear – the path is classified as moderate in difficulty. A post shared by Katrina Cawsey (@katrinacawsey) on Oct 29, 2017 at 11:11am PDT Woodbury Common If sweeping green landscapes are the focus of your attention then we suggest heading to Woodbury Common. A natural heath and woodland, the common is a great location for dog walking or snapping Devon’s flora & fauna. You may even spot a bird of prey! Our favorite spot is the Fort-South lookout point just opposite Woodbury Castle. A post shared by Laura JW (@laurajayne.w.photography) on Nov 17, 2017 at 8:42am PST The River Exe Cafe For the hungry photographer, the River Exe Cafe is a restaurant that sits in the middle of the Exe estuary providing you with 360° views of water, wildlife & coastline – the best of all worlds. A post shared by Little Thatch Cottage, Devon (@littlethatch1) on Aug 6, 2017 at 9:54am PDT  

Now is the ideal time for tent loving households to bolster their camping inventory ahead of spring. With this in mind we’ve put together a list of potential stocking fillers for all levels of camper, from fair weather folk to come rain or shine campsite enthusiasts. Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter Yes it is probably easier to buy matches or a lighter, but for those seeking a back to basics approach this fire starter from Gerber will provide sparks on demand for years to come – more importantly your BBQ lighting credentials will sky rocket. The Gerber also comes complete with a compartment to store tinder (wood) removing the need to look for dry lighting materials. Price: £17.99 Available at: Gerber.com North Face – Nuptse Tent Mule III Slippers Are you the one who seems to end up doing the morning washing up trip through the campsites cold dew covered grass? Arm (excuse the pun) yourself with these slippers for water resistance, incredible warmth & comfort. Price: £25.99 Available at: Gaynors.co.uk Aquaforno – Outdoor Stove Think forward to Spring 2018, your neighbouring campers are chargrilling burgers & sausages on their BBQs, meanwhile you are (slightly smugly) preparing oven fired pizzas or slow roasting lamb – before utilising the oven as a campsite heater. This all year round outdoor stove is portable (sets up in 3 minutes) & is extremely versatile (think bbqs, pizza oven, smoker, patio heater & integral kettle for hot water on tap). To put it simply, you can cook anything, anywhere. Price from: £295.00 Available at: Aquaforno.com UNIFUN Waterproof Portable Charger For the outdoor tech enthusiast, this mobile charger is waterproof, dust-proof, anti-shock & skid resistance meaning it should survive most family camping trips. The pack can charge your average smart phone three times, plus the LED light will certainly come in handy. Price: £14.99 Available from: Amazon.co.uk I Heart Camping Travel Mug Warm yourself whilst enhancing your campsite credentials with this I (heart) camping flask, featuring a rubber-lined lid for a tight, spill-resistant brew. Price: £22.17 Available from: Zazzle.co.uk Scrubba ‘Wash Bag’ Ladram Bay provides washing facilities for all guests, but if you do find yourself at a site without washing facilities the Scrubba wash bag will allow you to pack lighter, smell better & ultimately camp for longer. The wash bag combines a dry sack with an internal flexible washboard. To operate simply fill it with water & travel detergent then use the nobules inside to gently scrub your clothes. It weighs only 145g & packs down to a compact 16 x 10 x 3cm in size, so you can easily store it in your rucksack for backpacking & outdoor adventures.   Available from: thescrubba.com Prices correct at time of publishing (7th December 2017). Ladram Bay did not receive any financial incentives or free products in exchange for the reviews provided in this article.

This holiday recipe is a take on traditional Christmas favourite only with an indulgent layer of custard and crumble. Mince pies with custard & crumble   Easy to make 25 mins prep time Makes 12 pies 20 mins cook time Ingredients Required 180g of plain flour 125g of butter (unsalted) X3 tablespoons of caster sugar X1 large egg 180g – 200g mincemeat 120g of custard Cooking Tips Heat your oven to around 180°c – 200°c, place a baking tray in the oven and leave to warm up. Take your 125g of butter and cut up into small pieces and place in a bowl, before sifting the flour on top and adding a pinch of salt. Rub the mixture together on your hands – stop when the consistency resembles breadcrumbs. Now stir in the x2 tablespoons of sugar. Take half a cup (85g) of the mixture and set it aside (forms part of the crumble topping) Separate the yolk and egg whites and place them into two separate bowls. Now beat the egg yolk with a fork before adding it to the main pastry mixture. need this together and roll into a ball. Sprinkle flour over a smooth work surface and the pastry, before rolling the pastry flat (5-7 mm / the thickness of an iphone) Now take a pastry cutter (ideally 8cm diameter) and cut / re-roll until you have 12 rounds. (Don’t have a pastry cutter? Use the base of a bottle of wine & cut around it with a knife). Take your 12 pastry disks and gently push them into a standard 12 cup bun tin and then add one teaspoon of custard and a small ball of mince meat on top. (Try to avoid over loading the cups with mince meat). Take the final tablespoon of sugar and add to the 1/2 cup of batter you previously set aside (re: point 5). Pinch this together to make crumble like clumps, before adding this on top of your mince meat. Place your tray in the oven for 15 mins, once cooked leave to cool. If you are planning this dish several days in advance be sure to store them in an airtight storage container and consume within 2 days of cooking.

As we prepare for the start of our 75th anniversary season at Ladram Bay Holiday Park it’s time to start planning your next caravanning getaways. With that in mind, we’ve put together a ‘must-have caravan gadgets’ list, full of everyday items that can make your next adventure; more comfortable, safer, easier, dryer and tastier.   1. HUBi Solar Hub Power hookup isn’t an issue at Ladram, but we appreciate the more rugged explorers will visit more secluded sites too. The HUBi is ideally-suited to anyone using a tent, awning or caravan with limited power outlets and provides free, safe power for lights, charging phones, satnav and other gadgets. Alternatively if you’re camping abroad power is very useful for running a cooling fan. The HUBi is lightweight and easily-portable solar with no installation required. Available from Solar Technology – £120     2. Purpleline Nemesis Ultra  When on holiday nobody wants to plan for worst case scenarios, but the Nemesis Ultra can provide some caravanning peace of mind. This high security caravan wheel clamp is super easy to use and incorporates a British Made anti-pick 9-pin lock from premier lock manufacturers Lowe & Fletcher. The lock mechanism is also Thatcham Category 3 Quality Assured – in short your insurance firm will approve, its very bright & extremely tough. Available from Amazon – £138     3. Four Arm Rotary Airer & Stand Laundry will not be top of anyone’s to-do list while on holiday, but in reality kids get muddy and food gets split. This premium stand alone rotary airer from Quest has 4 adjustable arms giving it more strength and stability than standard 3 arm airers. With more usable drying space and the potential to hold more clothes you’re onto a winner. For the weight conscious camper, the airers aluminium frame is very lightweight, making it extremely easy to pick up and carry. It also folds away easily and comes complete with a carry bag. Available from Amazon – £28.65     4. Rear In-Vehicle Video Journey Recorder Your caravan might be your second / third most valuable asset and while 99.9% of us drive sensibly, it only takes one person to cause an accident. The Streetwise Journey Recorder can be mounted to your rear view mirror and allows you to record your journeys from behind. This provides quality video evidence in case of an accident or incident disputes. We like it’s ‘G-Shock’ feature that activates upon significant impact to automatically lock and save the recorded evidence. A 32GB Micro SD card (not provided) can record around 16 hours video, while  the 4.3’ TFT screen provides time screen information – although we wouldn’t suggest using it as a reversing camera. Available from Machine Mart – £47.99 32GB SD card available from Amazon – £13.79     5. Handpresso Possibly the most decadent item on our list. The Handpresso is ideal for those who crave high quality coffee but understandably aren’t willing to bring the kitchen coffee machine on holiday. It will surely get mistaken for a bicycle pump and actually uses a pump action to generate power, so no batteries or external power is involved – perfect for when electrical hookup is not an option. Simply pour in hot water, add an espresso pod or ground coffee and then press the release button – espresso is served. Available at Handpresso – £88     6. Tefal Toast N’Egg Are you always the one left on ‘washing up duty’? If so, look no further that the Tefal Toast N’Egg which combines a 2 slice toaster (muffins also fit) with a pod for a single poached egg or up to four boiled eggs. Available from Amazon or – £32.96   Prices correct at time of publishing (5th October 2017). Ladram Bay did not receive any financial incentives or free products in exchange for the reviews provided in this article.

Our first holiday cooking guide of spring 2017 is possibly our easiest to date, all you will require is a microwave & 8 readily available ingredients. The latest instalment in our series of holiday cooking guides is very caravan friendly & adaptable. Tomato risotto recipe Easy to make 5 mins prep time Serves 4 people 20 mins cook time Ingredients Required 250g of risotto rice 200ml of vegetable stock 500ml of carton passata (tomato sauce) 500g of cherry tomatoes x1 onion (finely chopped) x4 rashers of bacon (optional) 100g of mozzarella (drained & cut into chunks) Parmesan cheese (for grating) Chopped basil (to garnish) Cooking Instructions Place the risotto rice, onion & half the butter into a microwavable bowl, cover & cook on a high heat for 3 mins. Stir in the vegetable stock & passata. Continue to cook (this time uncovered) for another 10 minutes. Stir the bowls contents, before adding in the cherry tomatoes & mozzarella. Microwave for another 8 minutes (until the rice is soft). If you fancy adding bacon, fry up 4 rations & chop into small pieces. (alternatively buy lardons) Leave the bowl to cool down for a few minutes before stirring in the other half of the butter. Stir in some chopped basil & grated parmesan before serving to your lucky guests.

Our first holiday cooking guide of 2018 requires just a single pot, provides 3 of your 5-a-day & most importantly is very shareable. The latest instalment in our series of holiday cooking guides is also very adaptable, meaning if you fancy a little more spice the dish can easily be enhanced with garlic, chilli powder or cayenne pepper. One Pot Spiced Chicken & Sweet Potato Stew Easy to make 15 mins prep time Serves 4 people 40 mins cook time Ingredients Required 3 sweet potatoes (cut into small chunks) 1/2 a cauliflower (chopped) A small bag of spinach (200g) 8 chicken thighs (skinless & boneless) 500ml of chicken stock 1 table spoon of sunflower oil pumpkin seeds (roasted) x4 warmed naan bread (optional) Spice Paste x2 white onions (chopped) x1 red chilli (chopped) 1 teaspoon of paprika A cube of ginger (thumb sized) x1 can of tomatoes x1 lemon (deseeded & chopped) Cooking Tip Save time & avoid washing up your pan in-between cooking the sweet potato & the chicken. Preparation Instructions Get your pan & hob ready on a high heat… Place your chopped sweet potato into the pan & add boiling water. Cover for 10 minutes on a high heat. Place all the spice paste into a processor or blender until finely chopped, now set aside. Place your spinach in a large colander before pouring the sweet potato & water over the spinach at the same time. Leave to stream dry the spinach. Return the saucepan to the heat & add the sunflower oil & spice paste for 5 mins until the mixture thickens. Now add the chicken & fry for 5 mins, add the cauliflower & cook for another 5 mins until the chicken starts to brown off. During this time stir occasionally. Season the pan with black pepper & add the sweet potato before cooking for another 5 mins. Meanwhile roughly chop the spinach before adding this to the pan. Serve the stew & scatter the pumpkin seeds over each portion. Any leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months.

This Summer we’re excited to reveal our newest addition to our accommodation range, our spacious new four-bedroom luxury leisure lodge which makes multi-generation breaks a breeze, Rockpool Lodge… Our new lodge comes courtesy of  major UK leisure home specialist Prestige & Homeseeker Park & Leisure Homes and at 48ft x 20ft its by far the largest and most luxurious lodge to join our hire fleet at Ladram Bay. Lavishly equipped exclusive Rockpool Lodge provides two sets of couples each with their own en-suite double bedroom. Two additional twin bedrooms sleep up to four more people, while generously-sized living areas mean lashings of space for mum, dad, grandparents and youngsters. The architect-inspired interior features contemporary decor and furnishings, and the Rockpool Lodge also boasts a raft of other touches to create a top-end holiday experience. From the wine-cooler and dishwasher to the bath robes, premium toiletries, USB ports, Xbox with games and flame-effect log burner, there are no compromises on comfort. The pampering even continues outside with a private hot tub and the lodge’s own landscaped garden with outdoor furniture for sunbathing and al-fresco dining. Playing a major role in its design were park director Zoe House, general manager Claire Williams, maintenance manager Matt Vining, and housekeeping manager Rob Ball. According to Zoe, many of the features were incorporated as a result of customer feedback: “We are welcoming an increasing number of extended families to Ladram Bay, but teaming-up with Gran and Grandad is about more than simply spreading the costs of a holiday,” she said. “It’s also the chance for everyone to spend quality time together during their increasingly busy working lives, and to enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed atmosphere.  “The lodge will appeal as well to two sets of families who decide to take a holiday together, and of course such arrangements can also mean shared babysitting so couples can have time alone. “We are absolutely delighted at how well the Rockpool Lodge has turned out, and we are already receiving bookings for summer and autumn,” added Claire. Creating Rockpool Lodge Lavish, fresh and contemporary decor has been used throughout the Lodge for an airy, bright and spacious feel to Rockpool Lodge. The Layout The plans (pictured below) give an insight into the technical layout of the lodge. The following images give you an insight into how the lodge was manufactured at Prestige’s Northamptonshire factory before arriving at Ladram Bay Holiday Park. Part 1: The Frame Work to assemble the Lodges 2 foundations and frames begins…   Part 2: Lodge takes shape With the initial frames assembled, the roof, insulation and outer cladding are added.   Part 3: Interior comforts Windows, internal wiring, lighting and blinds are added as the frame now begins to feel homely.   Part 4: Kitchen Installation Rockpool Lodge is now taking shape as the kitchen, radiators and white goods are fitted.   Part 5: Both sides are joined together The 2 near completed sections are now joined together (briefly) while the fitting out process is completed.   Part 6: Separated for transport Prior to transportation, the 2 sections are once again divided and taken to Ladram Bay. For more information or to view, call our team on 01395 568398.

Spring is the time for getting fit and adopting a healthier lifestyle. Our latest holiday cooking guide is a Thai inspired, super simple and delicious prawn and ginger noodle recipe. Thai Prawn & Ginger Noodles Easy to make 10 mins prep time Serves 2 people 15 mins cook time Ingredients required… 100g of rice noodles A thumb size chunk of ginger (shredded) A handful of sugar snaps A handful of chopped basil A handful of chopped coriander Two handfuls of bean spouts 200g of king prawns (raw & shelled) x2 cloves of garlic x1 red pepper (thinly sliced) x1 tablespoon of sunflower oil x1 small orange 2 tablespoons of red curry paste x1 teaspoon of fish sauce x1 teaspoon of brown sugar Preparation Instructions… Boil a large pan of water and put in the noodles, before covering and setting aside to soak for 10 minutes. Curry sauce: Take the zest and juice of the orange and stir in fish sauce, sugar, 3 tablespoons of water and curry paste. Heat a large wok (or pan) and add half the ginger and all the garlic – cook for 1 minute before adding in the red pepper (cook for a further 2 minutes). Now add the beansprouts, sugar snaps, curry sauce, beansprouts and prawns – cook until all the prawns are pink. Now drain your noodles before adding them to the pan along with the remaining ginger and basil and coriander. Mix well and serve. Enjoy!

Looking for a delicious yet quick & easy family dinner ? – this super-simple pasta bake recipe should do the trick. Sausage & Bacon Pasta Bake Recipe   Easy to make 20 mins prep time Serves 4-6 people 40 mins cook time Ingredients Required We’ve used fusilli pasta, but we understand when your on holiday you need to be flexible with ingredients. Try penne or farfalle pastas as alternatives to fusilli pasta – just avoid spaghetti / linguini. 400g of sausages 400g of smoked bacon 400g of pasta (fresh or dried) 1 medium onion (sliced) 1 stick of celery (chopped) 1 tsp of Dijon mustard 300g of parmesan /or/ cheddar Salt & pepper Mixed herbs (a pinch) Oil for frying Cooking Tips Brown the sausages gently in a pan on a medium heat (using oil or butter). Remove sausages & add in bacon & fry until it starts to brown off too. Remove bacon from pan & add onions to the pan to sweat. Turn on your oven to heat up at 180*C. Now return the sausage & bacon to the pan, add in the mustard & mix well  – set aside. Now add the pasta to boiling water + a splash of olive oil. Pasta cooking tip: You’ll want to undercook the pasta because it will be going in the oven for 40 mins after boiling, so if the cooking instructions say ‘boil for 12 mins’ we would recommend knocking off around 30% (i.e. cook for 8 mins). Once your pasta is cooked mix in some parmesan, sausage & bacon before pouring into a baking tray. Now cover the top layer of the tray with a light layer of cheese before adding the bake to the oven for 40 minutes. Serve with a green salad. Ladram Bay Supermarket By now you’re probably wanting to try this recipe for yourself? For those staying with us you’ll be able to find all the ingredients used in this recipe at the Ladram Bay Supermarket

To date our route guides have covered cycling routes and dog walking routes. In the following guide we’ve put together a collection of circular walking routes through some picturesque scenery. Many of the routes intersect with some of Devon’s many public footpaths, giving you the flexibility whilst rambling. With Devon being home to some 3,200 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways, travelling off the beaten track is far easier than you might think – just keep an eye out for the signs. We’ve tried to select walking routes with all ages and abilities in mind and have graded our routes based on their difficulty. The routes start / end point is marked linked to within a given routes ‘coordinates’. Difficulty Rating: Short Stroll: Mid-Length Jaunt: Steeper Climbs: Woodbury Common circular route Park up at Woodbury Castle and follows the road down to Woodbury village, there is also a track alternative which also starts by the car park too. We’ve marked the Maltsters Arms as a half way stop off point. Ramblers can expect excellent views of the Exe Estuary from the start / end point from the car park (pictured below). Route: 4.2 miles Estimated time: 2hrs 30mins Coordinates: 50.67655, -3.37074 (Google Maps) Difficulty:  Colaton Raleigh Common circular route A circular heathland walk, ramblers can park up slightly east of Woodbury Castle (an Iron Age hill fort) and walk through the former Neolithic landscape, with open views to the Jurassic Coast on a clear day. England isn’t home to savannahs – but this comes close. Route: 5.8 miles Estimated time: 2hrs 45mins Coordinates: 50.67655, -3.37074 (Google Maps) Difficulty:    Newton Poppleford & River Otter Circular A lovely walk through orchards, hamlets and along the River Otter to the Old Mill at Tipton St John. Wind your way back along the river and perhaps stop in at the Golden Lion pub (marked on the interactive map). Route: 10 miles Estimated time: 4hrs mins Coordinates: 50.71836, -3.28857 (Google Maps) Difficulty:  Fire Beacon Hill circular route This walk has many fine views both of Sidbury and towards the sea at Sidmouth. There are two steep hills, one ascent and one descent, but the route is not beyond the capabilities of an average walker. The Bowd Inn makes the perfect pre/post stop off point. Route: 6.8 miles Estimated time: 3hrs 15mins Coordinates: 50.70262, -3.26529 (Google Maps) Difficulty: 

Ever fancied working in the holiday industry? If so then have you considered joining the Ladram Bay team. Every year we look for hardworking, responsible and trustworthy people who are motivated and most importantly can welcome and relate to our customers. Working at Ladram Bay provides a family atmosphere set in a stunning location and you will receive a range of career options, training and brilliant people to work with. It’s great fun, but also hard work and is certainly not your standard nine-to-five – challenges can arise at any point during any given season. If your application is successful, you’ll be contacted and invited to an interview with a department manager. Don’t forget your CV! We look out for candidates with strong customer service skills, a willingness to learn and a positive ‘can do’ attitude. Some of our positions will require experience or qualifications such as our Lifeguarding roles. Be sure to inform us of your previous experience and transferable skills. Every day is a different day at Ladram Bay and you never know what to expect in this beautiful corner of East Devon. For online applications please email your CV & covering letter to info@ladrambay.co.uk. Seasonal, Temporary and Permanent positions in a wide range of departments. Potential for additional overtime within our Housekeeping  Department. Work in a stunning location Staff discount scheme* (*after probation period) Competitive salaries offered

Holidays are typically when we indulge ourselves with seconds or that extra ice cream – our latest holiday cooking guide is a healthy and super simple chicken salad recipe with a nutty yogurt and cucumber dressing. Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Easy to make 40 mins cook time Serves 4 people Gluten-free Ingredients for the chicken 1.2kg of chicken thighs or breast Black pepper 2 teaspoons of cumin seeds Several almonds A bay leaf Ingredients for the dressing 3 tablespoons of low fat mayo 2 tablespoons of natural yogurt 2 lemons (zest & juice) 1 cucumber (peeled & chopped) Pinch of fresh basil Ingredients to serve 4 large handfuls of salad leaves Preparation Instructions Boil a large pan of water and place the chicken, peppercorns and bay leaves in and simmer for around 40 minutes. After 40 mins take the chicken out, remove the skin and shred the meat. Now dry-fry the almonds and cumin in a separate small pan – leave both pans to cool. To make the dressing simply mix the yogurt, mayonnaise and lemon (zest & juice) together along with the chicken, cucumber, cumin and almonds. Lastly add in the basil and place each portion on a bed of salad. Ladram Bay Supermarket By now you’re probably wanting to try this recipe for yourself? For those staying with us you’ll be able to find all the ingredients used in this recipe at the Ladram Bay Supermarket. Your chicken will come from Greendale Farm just 8 miles away from Ladram Bay.