Tag Archives: First Great Western

Things to do in Tiverton

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Tiverton lies in a lovely area of Devon, easily reached from London Paddington with the speedy First Great Western Trains and ideal for a family weekend away.  Here are five of the top things to do and see for the perfect Tiverton trip:

Knightshayes Court – National Trust

A Gothic mansion from the Victorian era, this National Trust property has some of the best gardens in Devon with over a thousand unique plant species. The rich décor of the mansion itself makes it worth a trip in the cold winter months as well. Nice tearooms in the old stables and orangery. Kids visiting with an adult have free entry.

Tiverton Canal Co

The last horse-drawn barge in the south-west, you can float along the Grand Western Canal in style. There’s also plenty of other things to do on the canal, including boats and kayaks for hire, and the Ducks Ditty Café Bar where you can stop for a quick snack and hot drink. There’s a newly opened visitor centre at the canal basin too.

Bickleigh Mill

This scenic spot on the River Exe features three floors of shopping to satisfy your retail cravings. There is also a lovely bistro in the renovated Old Mill House which offers anything from a snack to a 4-course celebratory dinner and a great Sunday roast. The outdoor waterside gardens are lovely during the summer, and the stream flowing through the centre of the building is a point of curiosity.

Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life

This family friendly museum has much to offer. Packed full of objects and artefacts from the past to present day, and with lots of child-oriented exhibits, it is well worth a visit. Longlisted by the Daily Telegraph for Family Museum of the Year in 2012.

Yearlstone Vineyard

A huge selection of coffee blends as well as homegrown wines makes Yearlstone’s café a great stop any time of day. Currently hosting an art exhibition by a local artist too. You can pick up a leaflet with a guided walk through the (hilly!) vineyard. Amazing views down the River Exe when the mist rises.

Thoroughly Modern Milly travelled with First Great Western trains.

Advance single fares from London Paddington to Tiverton Parkway are available from £12.50 each way. For the best value tickets and fares buy before you board at www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk or 08457 000125.

Things to do in Truro

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When the rain is pouring in London a place of sunshine and solace within reach seems like an impossibility. Cornwall really benefits from its Southern position – every time I visit I feel like the sun appears as soon as the train reaches the bridge welcoming you into ‘Cornwall’. First Great Western offer a number of services daily that transport you from dreary London into the picturesque Cornish countryside in under five hours.

Picking a place to visit in Cornwall can be tricky, St Ives is wonderful, Mousehole is adorable, Penzance is so pretty… there is something for everyone whether you want sports and activities, a family country holiday or a private cottage retreat. Long energising walks, seaside frolics and pasties are all a must though, wherever you choose to stay.

Take a trip to Truro, Cornwall’s capital and discover a wealth of historic interest and at least a weekend’s worth of activities and adventures. Here are a few of my suggestions for this part of the world:

1) Truro’s architecture is both varied and spectacular – wander through the cobbled Georgian streets and admire the city’s glorious Gothic cathedral.

2) Every Wednesday and Saturday you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of Truro Farmers Market on Lemon Quay – pick up some fresh fruit and veg and potter around the shops.

3) Visit Mylor, hire a canoe for an hour and work up an appetite before returning back to the harbour for a delicious breakfast and superb roast coffee at Mylor café.

4) Discover Rick Stein’s culinary delights at his fish & chips restaurant and takeaway. This renowned chef offers Cornish seafood at its very best.

5) Board the Enterprise Boats to Trelissick Gardens to see the four summer houses and find a perfect picnic spot.

6) The epic National Maritime Museum of Cornwall is currently celebrating its tenth anniversary and over its five floors and fifteen galleries it illustrates the past, present and future of this island nation. Kids go free.

7) If you are keen on sealife, the Orca Sea Safari is a must… on the boat trip you will be introduced to the wide range of wildlife on the Cornish coastline and, fingers crossed, you might see dolphins, seals or even basking sharks.

8 ) If you have a car and don’t mind the drive, the Minack Theatre is well worth the journey… a magnificent open air stage cut into the cliff edge promises an unforgettable performance beneath the stars.

9) Swanpool is often recommended by locals as the best of the many beaches in and around Truro. Small but friendly with excellent facilities including a watersport centre for you to give a surfing a try.

10) The Lugger is a very special little hotel on the idyllic Portloe coast overlooking a tiny harbour with crystal clear water. With immaculate sea facing rooms and a restaurant that serves wonderful fine food, this hotel will take your breath away ensuring your stay in Cornwall is as memorable and magical as possible.

Thoroughly Modern Milly travelled with First Great Western trains.

www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk

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Photography by James Lidgett.

***My new travel book, CORNWALL by Weekend Journals is available to order here. Use the code TMM10 to get 10% off.***