Self Catering Holiday News March 2008

News 2008 

Blue Chip Vacations continues to sign up exciting new self catering holiday properties.  Recent additions to the portfolio are a dozen new properties in Newquay, Cornwall – Pentire Mews, as well as Stoke House, a 300 year old Devonshire long house in Stoke Gabriel that sleeps 12.  Grade II Listed, this is a seventeenth century Long-House, tucked away in the picturesque village and set in beautiful secluded gardens full of interesting and attractive plants and flowers.  The property has a large terrace equipped with patio furniture, as well as a barbecue area and pergola, all enclosed by an original stone wall which makes it an idyllic retreat for groups that want to get away from it all.  The main living room is a formal period room with period furniture and fireplace with wood burner stove, and there is a second sitting room with widescreen TV and DVD player.  To the side of the house is a large conservatory with table and seating which and access through 2 double doors to the terrace.  The towns of Brixham, Paignton and Torquay are all a short drive away, whilst the little village of Stoke Gabriel has shops, a post office and two cosy English pubs.  Nearby is the River Dart Estuary and Mill Pond; ideal for crabbing, fishing and sailing with a riverside café, surrounding park and beautiful walks.

Weeks beginning 3, 10 & 17 May - £1,380pw
Bank Holiday Week of 24 May - £2,077
Weeks of 31 May & 7 June - £1,712pw       
Weeks of 14 & 21 June - £1,826pw

Also now on the books is Park Mill Farm, newly converted barns in a picturesque setting.   The Park Mill Farm cottages have been decorated to a ‘Country Life’ standard and are situated by the riverside, amidst 20 acres of fields, woods and parkland where visitors are free to roam.  There are two rivers running through the estate and a private fishing lake with carp, brown trout and salmon fishing for guests.   All cottages have natural slate flagstones throughout ground floors while the Upper floors all have solid oak flooring.  Doors and window frames are attractive solid timber, with many windows incorporating deep window seats and looking over fields and farmlands.  Each property has a double connecting door into its neighbouring cottage so that they may be booked together for larger groups. Under floor heating and hot water is provided by a ‘ground source heat pump’, an eco friendly “green” system, whilst waste water is cleansed and disposed of through a special water treatment plant.

The Smithy  -  Sleeps 4
Weeks beginning 12, 19 & 26 April - £461pw       
Weeks of 3, 10 & 17 May - £488pw

Riverside Cottage -  Sleeps 6
Weeks beginning 12, 19 & 26 April - £691pw       
Weeks of 3, 10 & 17 May - £733pw

Old Dairy – Sleeps 2
Weeks of 3, 10 & 17 May - £363pw

Cider Barn – Sleeps 2
Weeks of 3, 10 & 17 May - £363pw

And there’s much happening across the region too, the English Riviera Cream Tea Festival takes place in Torquay, 18 April to 23 April. 
Rock House in Torquay, Devon is close to the action, it sleeps 7 and is a stylish four bedroom property, finished to a high standard, with all rooms boasting amazing views of either the bay, harbour, town or all three. The large open plan living area has sweeping views, as do the four terraces that catch the sun all day and benefit from the sweeping views too.  The house is in the perfect location to enjoy the cosmopolitian buzz of Torquay with it's picturesque harbour, restaurants, cafes, shops and attractions including The Living Coasts Zoo and Kents Cavern.  There are many beaches, as well as the South West coastal path, close by.

Week beginning 19 April - £691          
Weeks beginning 10 & 17 May - £733pw                     
Week of 24 May - £1,103

The annual Blackawton Worm Charming event takes place this year on 4 May 2008.  At the event competitors vie to extract the most worms they can from metre square patches of land, without resorting to digging. Contestants tap the ground, play musical instruments and even water their patch with combinations of beer & water.

Elm Cottage in the Kingswear/Dartmouth area of Devon, sleeps 4 and is close to the event.  A two bedroom, beautifully styled, classic apartment in the heart of Kingswear, it has been newly furnished throughout and has views from the living room of the River Dart across to the picturesque town of Dartmouth.  The living room enjoys stunning views from its large window, and there is even a car parking space allocated.  Foot and car ferries cross the river frequently ensuring easy access to the many shops, restaurants and river cruises through the beautiful Devon countryside.  You can also catch a boat to Torquay and Brixham, taking in the spectacular coastline.

Weeks beginning 22 & 29 March and 5 April - £434pw
Weeks of 12, 19 & 26 April - £367pw          
Weeks of 3, 10 & 17 May - £389pw

Blue Chip Vacations itself has had some terrific coverage in the national media this year with The Times, the Telegraph and The Sun featuring properties represented by the company.  Locally too, Blue Chip Vacations was the subject of a feature within South Devon’s Herald Express, under the title ‘Website aids holiday company expansion’ it explored how the internet has revolutionized the holiday market and how the company continues to keep ahead of customer trends.

New additions to the company are Caron Ward, who has been appointed Sales and Customer Relations Manager.  Previously working as manager at the Portman Building Society in Paignton, Caron lives locally in Kingkerswell and took up the position at the end of February.  Joining too, is Jason Clark, who has taken on the part time role of in-house designer and will be rebranding all Blue Chip communications and publications.