It is too easy to get the Winter Blues – shorter days, cooler weather, greyer skies. But it’s just as easy to not realise how much there is to enjoy here on the English Riviera. A break with us, by the sea in Torquay, can be a tonic all year round.
Even if you want to enjoy a lot of your time staying with us curled up with a good book, going out to eat in the evening is always a treat in this area. Just recently a new – and, we thought – excellent restaurant in nearby Babbacombe opened, called Hamilton’s Club. It has been beautifully refurbished throughout and are serving some wonderful wines to accompany their excellent menus, all under the supervision of Shaun the excellent wine Sommelier.
As regular guests will know, we have our own Eating Out Guide (which we’re currently updating), and we’re always happy to offer recommendations, whatever the cuisine you fancy.
Come And See The Show
Torquay’s Princess Theatre is always putting on a good range of shows and if you fancy treating yourself while you’re staying here, there are plenty to pick from. Their website has the full details – but these caught our eye for next month:
- Monday 4th March: Brendon Cole on his national tour;
- Saturday 9th March: The Story of the Dubliners (which chimes with Peter’s Irish roots, we are sure it will be a sell out);
- Saturday 16Th March: The Rocket Man – a tribute to Sir Elton John concert;
- Friday 22nd March: The Magic of the Beatles, which we saw a while back at the Henley Festival, when they were very impressive;
- Friday 29th March: Ben Fogle, talking about his Adventures in the Wilderness
And those are just the ones we’re singling out!
Other than the theatre, if you are a wine enthusiast you might want to take a trip over to Sharpham Wine and Cheese. From the beginning of April their tours of the vineyards commence. These are held on Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm, and end up with a wine tasting accompanied by some of the cheeses they also produce on the estate. (Sharpham Rustic is a favourite, made from unpasteurised Jersey milk.)
More Than Just A Hobby
Well, it’s like this. We went to the Exeter Antiques Fair at the race ground last Sunday and were blown away at the quality of antiques for sale. Top notch. (In fact, so good that they were recording a programme of Bargain Hunters while we were there.) We found a fantastic stall selling Art Deco from France and the US and we could have burned a very large hole in our pockets. In the end we limited ourselves to this rather beautiful Tiffany lamp. It is looking perfect in the Garden Suite – and installing it there gives us the excuse to claim that antique hunting is more than just an expensive hobby!
And Finally
Not to nag, but some of the dates a few months away are filling-up fast. For example, as I write we only have one room left over Easter and one room left over the August Bank holiday. So, just to avoid disappointment please do plan and book ahead if you can. And, as always, do book directly with us (01803 294755) – that will always be the cheapest price.
Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Peter and Helen
