Devon Holiday Inspiration

Our latest post helps you plan dog walks around your 4 legged friends key requirements, open spaces, water and other dogs. The routes provided below have been kept relatively local to Ladram Bay (30 mins or less), with Haldon Forest being the furthest and Ladram the closest. We have also enlisted the help of Zelda (pictured right) who kindly modelled for this blog post. To meet advertising standards we must disclose she was paid in treats and sampled the Exmouth Esplanade route – giving it a resounding 5/5 rating. Below we have put together 5 of our favourite dog friendly walks complete with an interactive map. All walks recommended in this post are dog friendly all year around – that way you can spend more walking and less time working out where to walk. Peak Hill Lookout Point – Ladram Bay Start / End: Ladram Bay – EX9 7BX Distance: 2.5 miles / 4 km Pin: Blue Our first route is a convenient one starting at Ladram Bay and following the Southwest Coastal Path east. The seemingly short 2.5 miles route is packed with steep climbs on the ascent of Peak Hill, while the final lookout point provides panoramic views East to Dorset and West towards Exmouth and the Exe Estuary. Having conquered Peak Hill you may have worked up an appetite and our  Beach Shack is the perfect refuelling point. There you and your 4 legged friend will be able to enjoy the outside decking area, with refreshments in the sunshine overlooking the bay. In the interests of keeping the beach as clean and family friendly as possible, dogs aren’t allowed to roam across the pebbles at Ladram. Info: We would recommend that dogs remain on their leads when close to the cliff edge. Roundball Wood – Honiton Start / End: Roundball Lane – EX14 2BJ Distance: 1.1 miles / 1.86 km Pin: Green Roundball Wood is 150 to 175 metres above sea level, the land to its south rising steeply to 207 metres at the summit of Roundball Hill. To the north the River Otter flows from east to west through its sheltered valley on its way from its source at Otterhead in the Blackdown Hills near Churchinford to the sea at Budleigh Salterton. Starting at Roundball Lane head up the path sign posted Roundball Wood, from there you will enter the woods and see an interpretation board outlining the circular path – whether you go clockwise or anticlockwise is up to you. Info: The area is perfect for letting your dog run free and the wildlife packed woodland will allow your pooch to follow some scents. Walkers are advised to keep to the walkways as not to potentially disturb badger sets which are often hidden by grass. Shelly Beach & The Esplanade – Exmouth Start: Otterton Mill, Budleigh Salterton – EX8 1BQ Distance: 0.8 miles / 1.3 km Pin: Purple A short trip to Exmouth brings you to two areas of beach that are dog friendly all year around. The first is Shelly Beach, located on the west side of the marina, at high tide the beach offers less of a walking route – not that your dog will mind. At low tide it is possible to access a far larger area of beach. If you’re looking for more of a dog walk then the Esplanade starts at the slipway by seafood restaurant Rockfish with the year round dog friendly area ending at the Octagon Kiosk. We have marked this out on our map, however the area is clearly signposted. Info: Leads are advisable around the Marina and Esplanade. Be sure to check tide times as this will increase / decrease the usable beach areas. Butterfly Trail: Haldon Forest Park – Exeter Start / End: Haldon Forest Car Park – EX6 7XR Distance: 3 miles / 4.8 km Pin: Yellow Arriving at Haldon Forest you will find 5 different routes all clearly sign posted. Our recommended path (the Butterfly Trail) is moderate in difficulty and requires you to follow the yellow signs. The start of the trail snakes through the forest on a wide trail, before emerging into an opening over the Exe Estuary, Exeter and the Belvedere Tower. The trail then leads you back into the forest, here you will find a natural tunnel of rhododendron growing. After a long descent you will end up in the butterfly area which the Forestry Commission staff, in conjunction with Butterfly Conservation, monitors and manages the area to provide ideal conditions for the many butterfly species recorded here. From here you begin the climb back up the hill towards the car park. It is  fairly steep so make use of the bench half way up, to rest and enjoy the view over the Teign Valley. Local knowledge: Over 30 species of butterfly have been recorded within this small area. Info: You will be sharing the route with mountain bikes, walkers and dog owners. Butterfly Walk: Ashclyst Forest – Broadclyst Start / End: Forest Gate car park – EX5 3DT Length: 4.1 miles / 6.6 km Pin: Red Part of the Killerton estate and one of the largest woods in East Devon, with waymarked trails for exploring. A haven for butterflies, bluebells, birds & dogs. Info: Car park is free & well behaved dogs and owners always welcome. If it has rained recently we would suggest walking boots or wellies as the field and woodland paths sit on heavy clay.

At Ladram we’re rock pooling aficionados and love to indulge our inner child along the shore of Ladram Bay. Our latest guide is intended to aid those both young and old to discover some fascinating creatures. When to go rock pooling? You can go rock pooling at any time of the year however we would generally advise those with younger children to stick to March – September, this way you’ll avoid those cold fingers. Remember the sea is generally warmest towards the end of the summer.   Ladram Bay (pictured) provides a great family environment to go rock pooling however it is best experienced when the weather is calm and dry as the rock pools will be still and therefore easier to spot creatures. Where to look in a rock pool? In most rock pools you’re likely to find green seaweed (called gut weed) and this is not good for rock pooling. The ideal time to go rock pooling is when the tide is out as the pools closest to the sea edge offer the best locations. Try not to cast a shadow over the area you wish to rock pool in, your shadow will scare the creatures away. Who lives in rock pools? Eagle eyed and lucky rock pooler’s could be lucky enough to spot any of the following creatures at Ladram Bay or wider southwest; Butterfish Blenny Goby Lumpsucker Pipefish Crab Prawns & shrimp Star fish Sea hares (slug) In the bottom of rock pools you can see star fish, sea slugs and possibly a crab. Remember you’ll need to look carefully as hermit crabs might use a periwinkle for a shell. The most adventurous rock pooler’s will be no stranger to getting their hands wet, be it turning over rocks or looking under seaweed. Doing so could uncover keel worms, sea squirts or sponges – all prize finds for rock pooler’s. Remember to return all creatures back to the area you found them. Tools of the trade Any self respecting rock pooler requires a bucket (clear buckets are best), this way you’ll be able to get a good look at the creatures you retrieve. Traditionalists might bring along a net however please be aware that many creatures are very delicate and can get tangled/ hurt in nets. Avoid jabbing nets into pools. It is also a good idea to wear shoes with grippy soles as rock pools can be slippy places. Wetsuit boots, old trainers and welly boots will do. Tidal movements Always keep an eye on the tides and when they are due to turn, set an alarm if necessary. You are generally going to spend most of your time looking into rock pools and might be unaware of the tidal movements around you. For 7 day tide times for Ladram Bay visit the beach guide website.

Over the years Ladram Bay has been home to or visited by everything from dolphins, blue lobsters and Red Arrows. This post guides you through techniques you can use for capturing those special holiday moments (when they arise) on anything from an SLR to smart phone. To get an expert opinion we asked professional photographer Tony Cobley for 3 pointers would-be photographers can use to improve their technique. Tony is a professional photographer based in South Devon and specialises in commercial marketing photography and photography tuition workshops – he also knows Ladram Bay well having photographed here for the latest photoshoot earlier this summer. Get Close Photos have much more impact if you fill the whole frame with your subject whether it’s the kids, the dog or anything else! Higher or lower Try taking pics from super high or super low and you’ll be surprised how much “funkier” things look! Tiltage Try tilting the camera left or right when shooting close up portraits. It makes things look more dynamic! Photography Tips So you’ve got your technique on point, now its time to find the right surrounds, light, timing and equipment, these tips will point you in the right direction. 1. Your surroundings You’ve found a focal point to your picture but a great background adds context. Be sure to consider the background in which your subject is set. 2. The right light You will typically find your best pictures will occur when the sun is low in the sky (post-dawn / pre-dusk), this is because the suns light is softer. You can still take great photos in full sunlight but the chances of strong shadows make capturing photos slightly harder. This image also incorporates Tony’s tip of taking the photo from a low down position. 3. Patience Photographing sunrises, sunsets and low-tides is easy (ish), you just need to know what time they occur and with a helping hand from the weather you’ve got a great photo in the making. When it comes to wildlife a little more patience / luck is required and be prepared to capture nothing – the trick is not to give up. 4. Equipment You really don’t need an expensive SLR camera to take photos, in fact many of the best photographs are taken on smart phones because we’re always carrying them. Countryside, cliffs & coast Ladram Bay is set in 63 acres of coastal countryside meaning there is never a shortage of animals flying, swimming or being spotted in and around the park at various times of the year. This section of our photography guide teaches you a valuable lesson when visiting Ladram Bay – keep a camera on you at all times; you never know what you might spot! In the sea: If you’re at sea you might catch a glimpse of a dolphin- however not all are this sociable. Also look out for seals – they like to sunbath on the sandbanks in Exmouth. In the skies The Red Arrows typically fly over Ladram Bay en route to airshows along the south coast (Sidmouth, Dawlish and Torbay) every summer during August, this makes for some pretty colourful skylines. Not everything in the skies are as obvious and loud.  In May 2016 James Clews captured this incredible photo of a Peregrine Falcon flying above Ladram Bay. Falcons are not overly common at Ladram but if you do spot one you will need a steady hand to photograph it – they can fly at speeds of 200mph! The regulars at Ladram Bay can make for equally interesting photographs, this Instagram image of 2 gulls looking out to sea proves that. Just remember to keep one eye on your ice cream. Yay it’s Friday and later we are off to Ladram Bay to hang out with these guys. Loving the modernist table sculpture this seagull has obviously been making with stick and stones 😉 ~ #ladrambay A photo posted by Molly and the Princess (@mollyandtheprincess) on Apr 8, 2016 at 12:54am PDT Perfect walking adventures over the #jurassiccoast from #Ladrambay A photo posted by Ladram Bay (@ladrambay) on Dec 15, 2015 at 6:02am PST Staying at Ladram Bay? We want to see your favorite holiday photographs, please share your adventures via the Ladram Bay Facebook or Instagram accounts. Happy Snapping!

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.

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: