Can I have some advice about Devon please?

[TheHouseofMirth]

I'm thinking about booking a week in Devon in July with DH, DSs who will be almost 5 and 18 months and MIL. We went to Dorset last year and really enjoyed Corfe and Lulworth castles, Swanage, the beaches at Studland. I suspect MIL was rather disappointed by the lack of shopping opportunities in craft and chidren's wear shops, but I digress.

We'd like to stay somewhere fairly rural but within max 20 mins of nice sandy beaches (preferably with rockpools...) and near a couple of nice little town (for MIL). Which areas should be be aiming for?

We're travelling from London, I'm doing all the driving and DS2 barely naps. In my head it'll take about 3-4 hours if we don't stop - is that about right?

Lastly, is it worth paying the (quite hefty) extra to stay somewhere with a pool etc? There seem to be a few farms which have been converted to holiday lets and have pools, play equipment etc but I can't work out if this is a good idea or a bit too close to a posh holiday camp!

All advice gratefuuly received.

[Ruthiebabes]

In my experience these cottage complexes with pool etc are nothing like a holiday camp. We stayed in one in Wales last year and it was fab. Just a few families and dcs loved having play mates. The onsite pool is a godsend, especially if weather poor.

We are staying in one in Devon for May half term, www.hamfarm.co.uk. It is rural but 20-30 mins to north Devon beaches. Not stayed there before so not a recommendation. North Devon is lovely, loads to do and very quaint villages.

[TheHouseofMirth]

Thank you Ruthiebabes. I started out thinking it would be a fab idea but then the doubts set in!

I've found a few in the South Hamms area where there seems to be a lot to do and lots of nice beaches but I don't really know north Devon so well.

Ham Farm looks lovely. Hope you enjoy it.

[lotster]

Hi House of Mirth,

You could look at these pages:

www.southdevondirectory.co.uk/south-devon-farm-accommodation-c39.html

www.traine-holiday-cottages.co.uk/

I can also recommend some beaches and places to eat etc in the South Hams area, whereabouts have you looked?

[chimchar]

we stayed
here a few years ago...was lovely. nice warm indoor pool and a lovely big playground for the kids.

little beach (combe martin?) a few mins drive away with loads of pools to catch yukky fishy type things in.

be sure to go to the dinosaur park www.dinosaur-park.com/ too. a brill day out enjoyed by all of us (parents and kids!)

also, lydney was lovely (think thats what its called...its a town with an old fashioned water tram lift thingie)

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

If you look around Dartmouth you should cover all expectations, great beaches, Dartmouth is great for shopping, Dartington nearby, Dartmoor not that far.

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Glad you like Lulworth Castle, I got married there