self catering cottages and fishing in Devon

Late Availability at Newbarn Farm - Don't Miss Out!!!

2010-04-20T10:18:00.003+01:00

Super Spring Late Offers

Poachers - sleeps 2 - 5 nights from Sat 24th April - ONLY £195

Badgers Holt - sleeps 4/5 - 5 nights from Mon 26th April - ONLY £270

Anglers Rest - sleeps 4/5 - 5 nights from Mon 3rd May - ONLY £300

To BOOK or more information please call Catherine on

Tel: 01803 553602

Offers updated 20th April 2010

2010-03-23T14:43:00.001Z

Easter Bargains!

Oaktree w/c 3rd April - sleeps 2/4 - ONLY £410

Buzzards Bough w/c 10th April - sleeps 3 - ONLY £425

Poachers w/c 10th April - sleeps 2 - ONLY - £350

Five day break in Pheasants Hide - sleeps 2/4 -commencing 12th April - ONLY £270

Please call Catherine on 01803 553602 for details

Offers updated 23rd March 2010

Marching into Spring.......

2010-03-09T10:31:00.007Z

With Easter just round the corner...here are a few of the activities taking place over the next few weeks........

A Baby Giraffe born at Paignton Zoo

He's delicate and dark eyed - and stands at nearly 6ft tall. He came into the world around 7am on Wednesday 24th February. The male calf named Tonda was born to beautiful mother Janica and father Yoda after a 15 to 16 month gestation period. He is the pair's first youngster. Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment said: "We are ecstatic with the new arrival. We hope he will grow up big and strong like his dad. This heralds a new era in giraffe breeding for Paignton Zoo after the tragic fire that killed Paddy, Kizi and their week-old calf back in 2006". Zoo spokesman Philip Knowling said " We are delighted. He's the most amazing new-born you could ever imagine - he is truly a wonderful sight." Newbarn Farm offers discounted tickets for entrance into Paignton Zoo.

Walking the Geopark Trail. Saturday 3rd April.

Desert sands, dry wadi beds and volcanic heights. 400 million years of time seen in a morning! Join John Risdon in viewing the unique Torbay coastline along 3 miles from Goodrington to Broasands. Meet at the Seashore Centre at 9.30am. Adults -£3.00, no booking required

Easter Egg Hunt at Newbarn Farm. Sunday 4th & 11th April.

Enjoy our very own nature trail whilst searching for the carefully hidden eggs on our very first Easter Egg Hunt. Watch out for nesting birds, newts in the ponds, recent badger activity and other signs of wildlife. Hopefully the bluebells will be out in full bloom!

Girls' Night Out. Thursday 8th - Saturday 1oth April.

Jane is preparing for the biggest day of her life and that wouldn't be complete without a traditional hen night with the girls. Meanwhile Tony and the boys are putting together the final touches of their make or break ladies only show. Both funny and touching, we follow the boys from rehearsals to performance, as they prepare for the forthcoming 'Feast of Flesh' contest, which could turn them from has-beens to heroes overnight.

'Quite simply the perfect girls' night out' Darlington Evening Post 'It was fantastic...I have seen and loved The Full Monty but this play was 100% funnier' The Hull Daily Mail. The Princess Theatre Torquay, evening performances only. Tickets from £12.50.

Just a tiny selection of things to do when staying at Newbarn Farm this month. All events within 30 minutes travelling time from the Farm

2010-02-22T15:21:00.002Z

Early Easter Bargains at Newbarn Farm Cottages & Angling Centre

Week commencing 3rd April

Oaktree - sleeps 2/4 - ONLY £390 was £485
Badgers Holt - sleeps 4 - ONLY £500 was £740

Week commencing 10th April

Buzzards Bough - sleeps 3 - ONLY £390 was £485
Poachers - sleeps 2 - ONLY £325 was £415

5 day breaks in Pheasants Hide - sleeps 2/4

Commencing 3rd April - ONLY £270
Commencing 12th April - ONLY £270

Please call Catherine on 01803 553602 for details

Offers updated 22nd February 2010

A Taste of Devon at Newbarn Farm

2010-02-11T10:54:00.001Z

Taste of Devon - heavenly fresh foods!

Now in its fifth year, our popular food ordering scheme not only offers locally produced fayre from the Dairy, the Bakery, the Field Counter and the Potting Shed but from Newbarn Farm's very own chickens and pigs. Six breeds of colourful chickens provide tasty eggs for a wholesome breakfast coupled with some of the best sausages and bacon you will have ever tasted! Pork roasting joints and chops are also available. We continue to stock locally brewed cider and real ale and also provide some of the finest traditional pasties in the locality! Want to order a hamper to enjoy on your holiday - not long to wait you will be sent a tempting menu 6 weeks before your stay. So take advantage of our food ordering system - 'Taste of Devon' and have that little something tucked away in your hand picked hamper - maybe a traditional Devon Cream Tea or some of the regions finest cheeses.

Newbarn Farm Latest Fishing News

2010-02-04T11:10:00.004Z

Great Catches from Newbarn Farm - a Fabulous Devon Fishing Location

The weather may be putting a lot of anglers off, but those who are braving the elements and visiting our banks are being rewarded with great catches.

Simon Russell from Torquay caught 10 bream to 2lb on lily Lake, much to his delight!

Torquay's, Kevin Lock caught two mirror carp and one ghostcarp on Mirror Lake and, on the same lake, Rob Pierce of Newton Abbot had another mirror carp.

Newton Abbot Fishing Association put 12 anglers on Mirror Lake and all had bags of more than 9lb. Steve Ball won with a bag of 23lb 6oz which included two carp of 11lb 6oz and 12lb of roach. Phil Bailey had a 14lb 14oz carp as well. Lawrence Lee had the biggest bag of silvers at 16lb 10oz.

Work is progressing well on the new Angling Centre building, the base has now been dug out, with supporting poles going in! We hope to have an early March opening. What this space!

Lastly, Simon Russell won the catch report lottery this week and can collect his free day ticket from Jonny or Darren on his next visit.

Newbarn Farm - Fishing Holidays in Devon, Self-catering & fishing, Devon Fishing Holidays

Marching into Spring.....

2010-01-29T10:48:00.007Z

. . . just a few of the activities taken place within a flower's reach of Newbarn Farm this month

Searching for Spring Trail - Castle Drogo. Sat 5th & Sun 6th February

Follow the trail around the garden and grounds to discover the signs that winter is passing and spring is on its way. As well as shopping and having a warm drink with an inviting cream tea or an inviting piece of cake, visitors can also enjoy dramatic views over Dartmoor thanks to Drogo's ideal setting above the Teign Gorge. Located in Drewsteignton, Castle Drogo is one of the most remarkable works of Sir Ewin Lutyens and is also believed to be the last castle to be built in England. 11am - 4pm National Trust Child £1.50 per trail (including prize). Winter admission charges apply.

Valentine Dinner & Dance at Paignton Zoo. Saturday 13th February
An evening for romantics. Treat your loved one to a sumptuous candlelit dinner in our Island Restaurant, then listen to romantic melodies from vocalist Katie Jaye and dance to the disco. Paignton Zoo Envirnmental Park. Advance bookings only on 01803 697520.

Woodlands Adventure Park - Totnes. Sat 13th - Sun 21st February

Exhilarating Rides, Action and Family Fun. The big family day out in glorious Devon with brilliant attractions for all ages. Experience 70 action packed acres with 15 family rides, 10 powerful playzones, 300 animals and 100,000 sq ft of indoor fun. Expect amazing adventures exploring forts, assault courses and enchanting play palaces. Enjoy dazzling drizzly days in the UK's biggest indoor venture centre including three exhilarating rides. The Woodlands experience promises the widest variety of attractions and all weather family fun. Open 9.30am - 5pm. £6 per person. Newbarn Farm have 12% discount vouchers for all of our guests.

The Rocky Horror Show. 1st March - 6th March

Dust of your corsets, strap on your suspenders and fish out those fabulous feather boas as The Rocky Horror Show returns with a bang. Let Frankie rose tint your world all over again as Richard O'Brien's frolickingly fabulous classic returns. It's the original, it's the best, it's the world's favourite rock 'n' roll musical, so jump on board for another rip-roaring ride! The Princess Theatre Torquay, evening performances only. Tickets from £19.00.

Just a tiny selection of things to do when staying at Newbarn Farm this month. All events within 30 minutes travelling time from the Farm.

BOOK a week's holiday in February or March 2010 and receive a 5% discount. Quote Ref:10FM

Newbarn Farm - Fishing Holidays in Devon, Fishing in Devon, Self Catering & Fishing.

Ways to cut Holiday Costs

2010-01-15T20:24:00.005Z

Book a Cottage at Newbarn Farm for a money saving holiday

Are you about to book your big family holiday now and are looking for ways to cut the cost this year?

Well look no further!

Opt for a staycation. Cut the price of flights and stay in the UK. Fishing Holidays in Devon

Book Late. This can be a gamble. Don't relay on this one, but having said that here at Newbarn Farm we occassionally have some great last minute deals. Self-catering Cottages & Fishing

Save on Travel Insurance. With annual, multi-trip cover if you plan more than two trips this year. Devon Fishing Holidays

Team up with Friends. Rent a big cottage, more more, better value for money per head. Devon Fishing Holidays

Avoid Peak Holiday Times. This applies to school half-term holidays too! Newbarn Farm Fishing Holidays in Devon

Newbarn Farm Helping the Birds

2010-01-08T10:20:00.008Z

Don't forget the birds during this cold spell!!

As the big freeze continues to keep South Devon in its grip with the gritters a regular sight and most of us with one ear glued to the radio for hope of a thaw, give a thought to our feathery friends. Plenty of us are wondering whether we have have enough food stocked in our cupboards and freezer. I for one made a dash to Sainsbury's yesterday to stock up on frozen food just in case!! I was shocked to see so many empty shelves but logic told me there and then I wasn't the only one especially when I saw there was only peas left in the frozen vegetable department!

So do spare a thought for our feathery friends who need our help to survive the cold snap. The combination of snow and frozen water makes it harder for them to find food and ensure they eat enough of it to build - and maintain - adequate fat supplies to store on the body and 'burn' for energy.

Here at Newbarn Farm, a great Devon Fishing Holiday location, though probably not so during this cold spell! We make sure that the bird feeders remain full and that there is plenty of free flowing water for the birds to flourish. The ground just becomes too hard for birds like thrushes and lapwings to probe, and natural food like berries, acorns and seeds are buried.

During cold spells like this current one, birds are more likely to come into our gardens to seek sanctuary and this is where you can help. By putting out food such as meal worms, fatballs, crushed peanuts, dried fruit and seeds and grains. For those who don't have any of this bird food to hand, leftovers such as grated cheese, porridge oats, soft fruit, pasta, COOKED rice and the insides of baked potatoes are just as good and provide much needed nourishment.

Water is also vital for both drinking and bathing and bird baths can be kept from freezing over by using small floating items like twigs or ping pong balls.

Remember, freezing weather is a potential death sentence for many birds but by feeding the birds in your garden you can help them survive the worst of the winter weather. Just a little water, food and shelter can turn your garden into a vital haven for birds in the freezing winter months.

Wrap up and stay warm without forgetting our feathery friends.

Here at Newbarn Farm we love seeing the wildlife in abundance during the summer months and so too do our guests staying in our 4 STAR luxury self-catering cottages with fishing. We have bird feeders positioned so that most can watch the birds feed as the sunrises whilst they are eating their leisurely breakfast!! Those same bird feeders are kept well stocked throughout the winter months too!

Wrap up warm and enjoy Newbarn Farm

2009-12-30T18:33:00.006Z

A Little warm up of things to come!

It would be true to say that not many people decide to up sticks and venture forth for a holiday on our shores - 'mad dog and Englishmen' sums it up nicely! Mad Englishmen - yes I can almost hear you mutter - with cheap package deals to warmer climes surely what is the point?

Well this is what the point is! For as little as £280 for a week's stay in a luxury 4 STAR cottage which includes all heating and hot water, linen,towels and every kitchen utensil you could image, Newbarn Farm offers far more than just a fishing holiday in Devon! Just check out some of the events taking place less than 30 minutes drive from us. And this is only a sample:

Stoke Gabriel Wassail. Saturday 16th January.

A magical evening at the ancient ceremony of apple tree wassailing. Join the lantern parade to the orchard for the traditional wassailing ceremony. Be entertained by the Newton Bushel Morris Dancers, Bovey Tracey Mummers, folk music and story telling with Clive Fairweather. Home made soup, pasties and cakes, BBQ, bar and warm mulled cider. Bring your lantern and torch and wrap up warm. Event opens at 4.30pm for food, music and morris dancing. Procession starts at 5.30pm. £2.50 adults, £1 children.

Big Time American Wrestling. Friday 29th January

The colourful, charismatic kings of the canvas are coming to town for American Superslam team action. You have seen it on TV, now experience the excitement and atmoshphere of big time wrestling live - there's absolutley nothing like it! Solo and tag team bouts and over the top rope rumble battles will provide an unforgettable spectacle for the whole family! Performance at the Princess Theatre, Torquay. 7.30pm. Adults - £15.25, Children - £12.50.

Buckfastleigh Farmers' Market. Every Thursday in January

An oppotunity to taste the delights of distinctive foods and meet members of this friendly local community. One of the best in the area, it is distinct in its wide range of produce inlcuding: free-range home-reared beef, lamb, pork, poultry & game, meat pies, bacon & sausages, gammons; fresh local fish and smoked fish, shellfish, home produced fish based readymeals, fishcakes; West country cheeses, goat & sheeps milk cheeses, butter and eggs; home baked fare; organic salad and vegetables; locally sourced vegetables; plants; venison; Luscombe cordials; hand crafted knitwear and Aloe Vera range products.

Pennywell Farm - Lambing Special - Opening 13th February

Join activity leader, Olly Lamb (yes, that's his real name) for a truly ewe-nique line up of activities, shows and displays, giving the whole week a very special feel. Enjoy the new born lambs skipping about in the winter sunshine. Don't be sheepish, there are plenty of lambs to cuddle and bottle feed in the main barn. Who knows, you may be lucky enough to see some new lambs come into the world. As well as lamb cuddles and lamb feeding, you can make your own baa-rmy lamb to take home as even the craft activities will take on the lambing theme. Every day the winner of a lamb treasure hunt will win a giant cuddly toy sheepdog and there are some great fun facts to discover in the 'Did ewe know?' quiz.Just a tiny selection of things to do when staying at Newbarn Farm this month. All events within 30 minutes travelling time from the Farm.

So just remember next time - Newbarn Farm is not only a lovely haven for fishing holidays in Devon but a great base for exploring this beautiful county with may I say it some of the best self-catering holiday cottages (with fishing)!

Sparkle This Christmas

2009-12-15T10:51:00.008Z

Sparkle this Christmas with Newbarn Farm's Recipe for a great Christmas

Take a little Christmas sparkle and then follow Newbarn Farm's (Fishing Holidays in Devon) recipe, for a magical festive season:-

Newbarn Farm's Christmas Sparkle

(Fishing in Devon, Devon Fishing Holiday, Holiday Cottages & Fishing, Self-catering Cottages & Fishing)

1. Select carefully your chosen freinds and family. The main criteria here is to make sure they all get on well. Now invite them all to your Christmas celebrations - be careful not to overdo it - 3 days is the maximum time required!
2. Order Turkey, Gammon Ham and any other meats required for your celebrations at least 3 weeks in advance.
3. Order all vegetables in advance - organic tastes better - splash out it's Christmas!
4. Buy all cupboard foods required with a good shelf live - at least two weeks in advance.
5. Buy bread and cheeses on Christmas Eve - plan to go early to avoid and use the 10 items till.
5. Plan your menus carefully and write down a time plan.

6. Make sure all presents are bought and wrapped at least one week prior to Christmas with name tags carefully secured on each.
7. Endeavour to have all Christmas cards written and sent out using 2nd class stamps at least one week before the last posting date.

8. Organise a trip to your local pantomine - a must for all the family.
9. Find your local crib service or carol service and ensure the younger members of your family or friends are treated to one - they love the magic it creates!
10. Let the children decorate the Christmas cake - they are more likely to eat it if they feel they helped make it.
Blend all the above together slowly and whole heartedly to make a Christmas to remember, incorporate slowly and in moderation beverages of your choice - allowing time to settle in between.

Sparkle this Christmas with Newbarn Farm's recipe (probably the best Fishing in Devon, Devon Fishing Holiday, Fishing Holidays Devon, Holiday Cottages & Fishing and Self-catering Cottage & Fishing)

Devon In Fishing - Queenie out once more!

2009-12-07T20:10:00.006Z

Despite the weather here at Newbarn Farm, everyone's favourite fishing holiday in Devon location, we have had a great week! Paignton angler Jimmy Whack won Newbarn Farm's Carp League after another successful catch in the final round. Whack caught an 18lb 6oz mirror carp to take his league tally up to an insurmountable 224lb 10oz. The other two anglers to record catches in the final round were Tony Pellant with a 15lb 8oz mirror and Tom Rushby with an 11lb 8oz common.

Jimmy is pictured above with a previous catch earlier this year of an 18lb Mirror.

The league will begin again in January and there are two places still available. Call us on 01803 553602 for more details.

Meanwhile Reg Hart, Lawrence Lee and Colin South had their weekly Newbarn Farm silvers match with Lee beating the other two by a mile, courtesy of a carp of 4lb and bag of silvers of 43lb. All caught a carp of similiar weight - maybe the same carp doing the rounds?

Richard Ward had a good session with a personal record of 12 carp to 21lb 10oz. Ward caught a number of these using our Newbarn Farm chocolate and pineapple boilies. He also had his first catches using pop-ups.

And only last Friday Dave Pierce caught Queenie on a night fish weighing in at 27lb 13oz, Dave is pictured here!

In addition to his carp league win, Whack also won the catch report lottery and can collect his free day ticket anytime this week!

And don't forget for those flung further afield we have 8 self-catering holiday cottages on site and fishing, so maybe you could organise your own league, round up your local group and have a great fishing competition at Newbarn Farm, a great Devon Fishing Holiday!

Christmas Present Ideas!

2009-12-03T10:00:00.004Z

Christmas at Newbarn Farm

I don't know about you but at this time of year I come out in a cold sweat - just thinking about all that Christmas shopping and having to locate the best Turkey sometimes gets a little too much!

Do you sometimes feel the same? Do you still have a ton of Christmas preparation to do? If the answer is yes to either of the above questions - we may just be able to help.

Fo as little as £175 for a weekend break (3 nights) or £280 for a full week, you could treat your loved one to a fantastic holiday in a beautiful rural retreat here at Newbarn Farm in South Devon. Torbay commonly known as the English Riviera is less than 10 minutes away by car - with plenty of things to do and fantastic restaurants for gourmet meals or a light lunch! Or simply take in the abundance of fresh air at the farm - take gentle strolls through 42 acres of woodland and pasture, read a novel or two. Just unwind and relax in one of South Devon's most peaceful and tranquil locations.

And for those who like a spot of coarse fishing we can offer you so much more - not just a holiday but a 'DEVON FISHING HOLIDAY'. One day's coarse fishing for £7.00, a three day ticket for £18 and fof a full week just £42. For any keen carp anglers out there, I'm sure you will agree a fishing holiday or short break would make an ideal gift. And for those who live in the locality why not buy a copy of your loved one's favourite angling magazine and pop a three, five or seven day fishing ticket inside and gift wrap ready to put under the Christmas tree.

These tickets can be used on any day of the year on any lake (unless a lake has been closed for a match) and will be valid for a full year.

Happy Christmas Shopping!

Fantastic fishing in devon, lovely self-catering cottages & fishing - Newbarn Farm a great Devon Holiday location!

Self Catering Cottages & Fishing at its Finest!

2009-11-23T20:40:00.009Z

More than just a Fishing Holiday in Devon

Here at Newbarn Farm we offer you so much more than our luxurious self-catering cottages & fishing at affordable prices. Our very recent Quality in Tourism Report was exceptional for our 4 STAR rating with compliments ranging from 'beautifully coordinated bed linen' to 'stylish furnishings' and 'breathtaking views - a glorious location for a holiday in South Devon'. This Report only covers the accommodation and on-site facilities excluding the Fishing in Devon aspect of Newbarn Farm which boasts some of the finest coarse fishing around.

Here are just a sample of the extra mile we go to make your Devon Fishing Holiday one to remember......

Planning a Celebration Away!
Planning a surprise holiday or a short break away can be tricky! Secret hushed phone calls or having to make a dive for the mail in the mornings is bad enough to keep the surprise in tact - even using the internet warrants feelings of 'guilt', not wanting to be caught! Eventually the holiday is booked without you having been rumbled. But how on earth do you keep the flowers, chocolates, balloons, banners, cake and anything else you would like to be part of the celebration a surprise. Well this is where we can help - just talk to us about anything you would like to make the celebration complete and we will do the rest. We can even arrange for a massage in the comfort of your own cottage or a pedicure or manicure.*

* Please note this service is only available during peak season (May - October inclusive) and must be booked in advance.

Taste of Devon - heavenly fresh foods!
Now in its fourth year, our popular food ordering scheme has even more on offer. We provide locally produced cider, wine and real ale, plus Newbarn Farm's very own Sloe Gin made from berries hand picked from our hedgerows last October. We have also provide some of the best traditional pasties in the locality and some heavenly cakes just to die for! Want to order a hamper to enjoy on your holiday - not long to wait you will be sent a tempting menu 6 weeks before your stay. So take advantage of our food ordering system - 'Taste of Devon' and have that little something tucked away in your hand picked hamper - maybe a traditional Devon Cream Tea or some of the regions finest cheeses.

So why not pay us a visit and experience a great Devon Fishing Holiday?

Fishing in Devon Competitions

2009-11-09T20:35:00.003Z

2 Competitions
2 Prizes of £ 50 + Tackle

1st Dec through to 31st Dec 2009
1 Carp competition & 1 Silver competition
Heaviest single day’s weight WINS

One off £10 entrance fee (to be donated to a local charity)

All ages welcome (some restrictions apply)
Day tickets to be purchased normally
No night fishing catches will be included
Carp weights to be witnessed by NBF Bailiff
Keep net weights to be witnessed by a NBF Bailiff

Call 01803-553602 or visit the angling centre to take part.

2009-10-26T11:56:00.003Z

Angling News
FREE Fishing OFFERS for Holiday Guests

Due to popular demand we will be resuming our FREE FISHING offer for all our guests in November. To qualify all you need to do is book a week's holiday in one of our luxury cottages and FISH for FREE all week!*

Offer available from 7th November 2009 - 18th December 2009. BOOK early to avoid disappointment. CALL 01803 553602 and quote REF: FAF1410 to qualify for this offer.

Or visit our webste http://www.newbarnfarm.com/

* This offer cannot to be taken in conjuction with any late availability or deals offer.
Offer updated 14th October 2009 for all your Devon Fishing Holiday requirements

Fishing in Devon; Devon Fishing Holiday; Fishing Holidays Devon; Holiday Cottages & Fishing; Self-catering Cottage & Fishing

Ghostly Fishing in Devon at Newbarn Farm!

2009-10-12T15:54:00.008+01:00

As the nights draw in - venture forth into the depths of the unknown...

When the sun sets late this autumn, after a day's fishing here at Newbarn Farm, a great Fishing Holiday in Devon location; the full moon will be reflected in the waters of Mirror Lake with the Ghost Carp swimming to the depths of the silty floor for fear of being spooked by something more sinister lurking close by!!!!

Spooky Halloween Week of Horrors kicks of with The Wicked Witch of the Woods making an appearance at Woodlands during 'Halloween Happenings' from October 26th - October 31st. Don't just come yourself and have a wicked time bring Ghoulish Dads, Ghostly Mums and dastardly friends they'll have a bewitching time as well. FREE pumpkins & carving, workshops, Trick or Treat, Fiendish Beasties and a Ghost Train. All taking place at Woodlands Leisure Park, Devon TQ9 7DQ. Open daily from 9.30am.
And, as the witching hour draws near join the Haldon Rangers for a feast of Halloween Horrors storytelling around a campfire in the forest! Why not get into the spirit of the event and come in fancy dress? Prize for the under 15's and warm punch will be provided. Well behaved (and quiet!) dogs welcome. Thursday 29th October: Time: 6pm - 7.30pm for children aged 4 - 8 and 8pm - 9.30pm for children 8 and over. £5.00 per person. Booking essentail. Forestry Commission: 0845 3673787.

Scared? Never fear you will be able to retreat into the warmth of your chosen self-catering cottage with fishing here at Newbarn Farm - shut the cold night air and the screeching of the night owls and hungry foxes out by playing your favourite CD soaking in a hot luxurious bath or curled up on the sofa watching a DVD from the library sipping your favourite tipple!

Or maybe you would prefer a Firework Festival - War of the Wizards! On November 7th the famous Woodlands Fireworks Festival heralds the biggest themed bonfire yet. Expectations will be at fever pitch as Spangles the Clown and Ben the Master Juggler march with flaming torches to light the Wizards Bonfire. The leaping flames will light up the stalls and games as the Live Band get's everyone's feet stomping. Best Wizard, Witch & Warlock fancy dress competition & parade plus new for this year - Best Guy competition. Bonfire lit at 6.30pm, 12% discount tickets for Woodlands Leisure Park are available all year round from Newbarn Farm, Fishing in Devon at its finest!

'On This Night of a Thousand Stars', 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' and 'You Must Love Me' are just some of the classics to be heard at one of the most famous and inspiring stage musicals ever written, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Extraordinary 'Evita' comes to the Princess Theatre in Torquay. Bringing to life the dynamic, larger than-life persona of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, Evita tells the story from her young and ambitious beginnings to the enormous wealth and power she gained and her ultimate rise to sainthood. With more than 20 major awards to its credit, including the Oscar winning film version starring Madonna and Antonia Banderas, and featuring one of the most coveted roles in musical theatre, this brand new production of the smash hit show truly promises to be The Theatrical event of the year! Showing twice daily: 30th November - 12th December 2009. Tickets from £12.50 - £29.50. Box Office: 0844 847 2315.

Just a tiny selection of things to do when staying at Newbarn Farm this month. All events within 30 minutes travelling time from the Farm.

Fishing in Devon and some Nocturnal Activity on the Side!

2009-10-05T13:58:00.007+01:00

Nocturnal Activity

Fancy a spot of fishing in Devon - why not pick Newbarn Farm for your angling needs. Here we have eight 4 star luxury self-catering cottages with fishing. And that's not all thriving within the boundaries of the farm's outer hedges.

For several months now Richard and his team have been clearing the densely populated copse at the bottom of Eleven Acre field, paths have been cleared and brambles thinned to allow access through this beautiful haven to wildlife. Boxes for the Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Bats, Insects, Dormice, Various Tits and Treecreepers have all now been erected for nesting purposes early next Spring when the woodland bluebell will be in full bloom making this a truly magical home for our wildlfe friends! More of our wildlife friends have been making appearances throughout the night - here are just a few of the inhabitants of Newbarn Farm's Nature Trail!

So come and give us a go! You never know what you may catch or glimpse on your Fishing in Devon Holiday here at Newbarn Farm!

Go Newbarn Farm Self Catering and have a real holiday

2009-09-20T17:36:00.004+01:00

Hi Everyone

The manic season has completed and Devon Fishing has started to get back to normal now. So keep and eye out for the bargains over the winter months.

Well Queenie was out to Richard Ward this week at 26lbs up a little from her last landing at 25lbs 8oz. I think we should rename her ‘Yo Yo’ !

And what a catch Richard had with 11 Carp totaling 175lbs+. A great 24 Hour session!

Jeffrey Butler, a regular visitor from Cambridge, caught the biggest fish in the pond, now a 27lb Common, plus three other great weights to 19lbs as well. He used raw sausage an old favourite of his which he has had a lot of success with on previous visits to Newbarn Farm.

Visitor numbers have dropped now the self catering holidays season is over but the specimen lake is still giving some good sport. Bread is still being taken from the surface, mostly around the early evenings.

If anyone has any ideas on attracting more visitors during the winter, let us know,

We had a visit from Carp.com this week who are doing a review so keep your eyes open for that.

Ok so lets hope this weather stays around for a while yet and we get some more good sport from all the pools.

Cheer Richard.

How the other half goes self-catering

2009-09-20T14:09:00.003+01:00

Arrivals/Departures: How the other half goes self-catering

Trend-spotters and high-rollers will have noticed that several hotel firms are now offering exclusive apartments as well as rooms and are charging four-figure sums for them.

How to ... spend £1,000 on a room for the night

Trend-spotters and high-rollers will have noticed that several hotel firms are now offering exclusive apartments as well as rooms and are charging four-figure sums for them. The most recent addition in London is myplace, a two-bedroom apartment on the fifth floor of Bloomsbury's hotel The rate is £1,000 per night (excluding VAT), and includes a compact kitchen and a balcony. Billed as James Bond meets the Dalai Lama, the apartment has DVD players, PlayStations and computers, as well as a butler, chef and beauty therapist on call. And the ideal guest? "We're expecting guests from the music, film and media industries," said a spokesperson. Eminem has been a guest at the hotel and would be particularly welcome.

See what Robert Barton of the Independent on Sunday had to say

You can get nearly all that at Newbarn Farm for a fraction of the cost

I always new we were trend setters

Newbarn Farm - Fishing in Devon

2009-09-18T10:41:00.002+01:00

Catch Reporting w/e 15th September 2009

We have had a great week this week, none more than Jeffrey Butler, a regular all the way from Cambridge. He had a woderful session last Saturday fishing from Hut 9 on Mirror Lake - his largest catch of the day was a 27lb Common caught on raw sausage on the bottom, using the same technique he also bagged a 19lb Mirror and two more Common of 17lb and 13lb.

Another regular, Richard Ward from Torquay had a rewarding 36 hours fishing from Hut 6 on Mirror, catching a total of 11 fish, topped by Queenie weighing in at 26lb up a little from her last landing at 25lb 8oz. Maybe we should rename her 'YO YO!' Richard caught all 11 carp (all in double figures) on Tiger Nut Boilie or maggots.

Up on Lily, Adam Hackett from Paignton had a lovely mixed bag of silvers;- Perch, Bream and Roach, the Perch ws caught on worms and the rest on soft hookable pellets over a bed of pellet.
Visitor numbers have dropped now the peak holiday season has drawn to a close but the specimen lake is still giving some good sport. Bread as ever is still been taken from the surface, mostly around the early evening!

We had a visit from Carp.com this week, so keep your eyes open for thier review.
Let us hope this good weather stays with us for a while longer for more good sport from our fishing in Devon lakes!

Newbarn Farm - Fishing Holidays in Devon

What's on around Newbarn Farm - Fishing Holidays in Devon

2009-09-10T13:20:00.007+01:00

Spend some hazy Autumn Days taking in the views from Newbarn Farm and enjoying just a few events taking place this month!

For those who enjoy mystery, murder, chills and thrills, you will love Agatha Christie's - the undisputed 'Queen' of Torbay - production of ' The Spider's Web' at the Princess Theatre in Torquay, with performances running from 14th September through to 19th September. When Clarissa discovers a dead body in her drawing room, she tries to dispose of it before her Foreign Office Diplomat husband returns home with a government VIP guest in tow. Equipped with an overactive imagaination, Clarissa finds real life murder a little too hard to handle! And having persuaded her houseguests to help her, it soon becomes apparent that the dead man was not unknown to everyone amongst them. As the web of deceit starts to unravel, Clarris pulls her friends into a desperate race to unveil the murderer and solve the mystery before the police discover the felony and arrest her as their prime suspect! A great way to finish of a day's fishing at Newbarn Farm - probably one of the best self-catering and fishing holidays!

Enjoy sampling different ales and food - well the Abbfest - the Abbotskerswell Beer and Food Festival may just be for you. Forever a highlight in the locals Autumn Dairy, this festival taking place during the British Food Fortnight is a must. In addition to being able to sample over 100 beers and ciders - all produced in Devon, 50 local food producers will be displaying their produce - with plenty of traditional fayre. There will be free food tasting and cookery demonstrations by some of the best local Chefs- some of whom you will have seen on the Telly! This wonderful tribute to Devon's finest foods and beverages takes place from Friday 25th September through to Sunday 27th September. Spread over three days allows you at least a morning's fishing at Newbarn Farm a great Fishing in Devon location!

And lastly watch in awe as the Deer rut in Haldon Forest! Take a minibus safari with the Haldon Forest ranger into the depths of the forest, then walk - over rough terrain in places - to see and hear the rut of the rare Black Fallow Deer, seen in the picture here. This will be followed by a well deserved full breakfast at a local establishment (vegetarian option available). Saturday 10th October - 6.30am - 9.30am. £15.00 per person. Booking essential. And for the energetic there is cylce hire available in Haldon Forest with some wonderful tracks to explore and stunning scenery and views! After such an energetic morning why not finish the day off with a peaceful afternoon of fishing at Newbarn Farm one of the best Fishing Holiday destinations!

Back to School & Hedgerow Harvests

2009-09-04T12:12:00.003+01:00

With the School Summer Holidays almost over and thousands of children across the country clutching new shoes and book bags - many of you out there will be looking for that 'Indian Summer' holiday maybe even with a some Fishing in Devon thrown in on the banks of our well stocked lakes. And what a great time to consider taking a break - here at Newbarn Farm the hedgerows are brimming with juicy blackberries, rosehips, elderberries and sloes. And for those wishing to tale a self-catering Cottage and fishing, the banks will not be as busy as the summer months.

It won't be long before you will find me collecting these delights to turn into preserves, jellies, cook with apples for autumn crumbles or even better still ferment with gin to make Newbarn Farm's lovely Sloe Gin! But with the best will in the world I will be unable to gather every berry over 42 acres of hedgerows and bushes. Guests staying at Newbarn Farm are all very welcome to collect any of these native berries. It would be such a shame to waste all this naturally growing produce! And such a shame to miss a great Fishing in Devon Opportunity.

Not far from here there will be a great day out at Cockington Country Park when you can go and sample some of Cockington's bountiful blackberries, elderberries and other seasonal wild food specialities on a nature ramble around some of the more secluded parts of the Country Park. In the afternoon in Warren Barn, you be able to make a delicious syrup and preserve to take home with Lori Reich of Shute Fruit & Produce. You will also learn about further traditional uses of our native berries and nuts. All this for £10 on Saturday 6th September.

And to all you fishing folk out there we offer a discounted rate of ONLY £6.00 per day to fish any of our 6 fishing lakes here at Newbarn Farm a lovely Devon Fishing Holiday location.

Devon Fishing & Selfcatering

2009-09-02T20:40:00.005+01:00

Hi Everyone

Not so many catch reports being handed in but certainly more fish coming out than above. Oh well we will keep trying to get more anglers to fill out catch reports.

Queenie out again at 25lbs 4ozs by Tony Pellant. Tony, a carp league member, will probably want to catch this number of fish at the next match on the 26^th/27^th September. Lets hope.

Georgie now an experienced carp angler takes her second large carp of 14lbs 10ozs out of Mirror lake. Photo attached.

Adam Penfold wins the catch report lottery this week and can collect his Day Ticket from the bailiff or the hut at the centre.

We will be back next week so lets hope the weather picks up and the fish get hungry.

Cheers Richard.

www.newbarnfarm.com

www.newbarnfarm.org.uk

Devon Fishing at its best

2009-08-25T20:11:00.003+01:00

Hi Everyone

The Devon Fishing has been a little slow this week

Have a look at the catch report, click on it for a larger image

Fishing has been slow this week, at least to start with, but then we have had at least 4 out this
morning.

The Newbarn Farm Boilies (Chocolate & Pineapple) seem to be working well and more and more fish are being caught using them. We hope to have Pop-Ups in the same flavours very soon.

Baz Hoskins had a lovely 5lb 9oz Eel out this week. He caught this using a ledgered Roach head.

Jim McCourt wins the catch report lottery this week.

Some good fishing from the self catering holiday cottages congratulation to everyone.

Will be in touch next week.

Cheers,

Richard.

www.newbarnfarm.org.uk
www.newbarnfarm.com

Newbarn Farm - one of the best Devon Fishing Holidays

2009-08-19T15:51:00.006+01:00

August the month of the Regatta & so much more!

Holidays don't get much better here at Newbarn Farm, not only is the Farm a fantastic spot for some of the best fishing in Devon it also offers 4 Star luxury accommodation in 8 beautifully decorated Self-catering Cottages for all family sizes!

Within a 10 mile radius of this tranquil spot there are numerous activities and events happening all year round. This month of August being a time when things really hot up:

Spectacular entertainment for sailors and non-sailors alike - and the appearance of some familiar visitors overhead! August as always promises to be as action packed as ever here in the bay, commonly known as the English Riviera. One such event, now in it's second year is the Ocean BMW Torbay Week 2009 - Friday 21st - Wedenesday 26th August. This is an exciting NEW event replacing the existing Torbay regatta's (Torquay, Brixham & Paignton). That means lots of good racing and plenty of shorebased excitment for visitors and spectators too! The setting couldn't be better either, with the large sheltered bay providing fantastic sailing conditions in a climate that is noted as being much warmer than the rest of the UK. There will be plenty of live music at the Harbourside, and finally the Red Arrows will close the event with a stunning air display.

Another fantastic event is the famous Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta taking place from Thursday 28th August through to Saturday 30th. The Dartmouth Royal Regatta provides probably the most enjoyable entertainment throughout South Devon's calendar! In a glorious setting over 200 crafts from Yachts to Dinghies compete in over 15 sailing events, local rowing clubs compete in Eights, Fours and Pairs fighting it out over the testing course. The Regatta committee have managed to put together one of the best public air displays in Europe - The Red Arrows will be performing on Saturday, The Typhoon, Lynx Pair, Merlin and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will all be putting on shows through the week. Plus Treasure Hunts, Regatta Rock, Crab Fishing Competitions, Children's Fancy Dress Competition, Firework Displays, Tug of War and so much more!

And for all you Mamma Mia fans who hard core Abba fans - not one but two performances of Abba Mania at the Princess Theatre Torquay. Join in and enjoy all of your favourites including: 'Mamma Mia', 'Voulez Vous', 'Dancing Queen', 'Winner Takes It All, 'Super Trouper' and many more on Yuesday 18th August or a week later on 25th August - Adults £16.50, Children £8.50. Doors open at 7.30pm.

Newbarn Farm: offering some of the best fishing in Devon; Devon Fishing Holidays; Fishing Holidays Devon; Holiday Cottages & Fishing; Self-catering Cottage & Fishing

Devon Fishing at the Self Catering Cottages

2009-08-18T21:26:00.004+01:00

Hi Everyone

Well another good Devon Fishing week at Newbarn Farm. The Mirror Lake is now at it’s normal water level and producing plenty of sport. Lots more fish came out than are reported but even the ones reported are good testament to the lake being the place to fish.

Gary Davenport fished from 4:30am on Saturday morning and by 10:00am he had a 100lb bag of Bream and he had caught 8 tench to 8lbs which he released after catching !!

This is by far the biggest bag I have witnessed from Lilly Pool. I have seen plenty of 50lb + bags but this session was just tremendous. Well done Gary, you also won our catch report lottery for a day ticket, maybe you should do the lottery this week !!!!

Ryan Tunstall, who is a regular at Town Parks Fishery, had a great session at Newbarn, topping it off with a Queenie catch ! We look forward to seeing Ryan again and lets see what he can do on his next visit.

All pools seem to be producing fish regularly.

See Bob Coles Carp catch on Willow followed by another good set on Mirror a few days later.

The selfcatering cottages are fully booked with fisher people and non fisher people alike, everyone's having a great time and the weather is being quite kind

We will be back next week..

Cheers,

Richard.

www.newbarnfarm.com

www.newbarnfarm.org.uk

2009-08-11T17:56:00.005+01:00

Hi Everyone

Great Devon Fishing at Newbarn Farm Self Catering Cottages and Angling Centre

Firstly well done to Conor Nettleton for winning the Paignton Sea Anglers Junior match

Runner up was Chris Meah and third Aaron West, so well done to them also. All proceeds taken from the match and all upper pools are being donated to the PSAA’s selected charities.

Newbarn Farm and the PSAA supplied 3 prize bags of goodies. Newbarn Will sending the PSAA a cheque for £ 100.00 towards the PSAA’s Charity funds.

Alex Cooper, a regular at Newbarn Farm Angling Centre, had a great session of 48 hours taking over 150 lb of fish from Mirror Lake on almost exclusively Pineapple Boilies. One came out on a floating dog biscuit.

Maddy Sheppard wins the Catch Report Lottery day ticket. She can collect from the bailiff.

After the fire we are now operating from the hire shop which is not ideal but will suffice for the time being. We will be building a new 12metre by 6metre shop very soon. Thanks to everyone who have offered support during this time, we appreciate your offers and loyalty.

Thanks to all our fishing guesst in the self catering cottages

We will be here again next week so see you soon.

Cheers Richard.

www.newbarnfarm.org.uk

www.newbarnfarm.com

Luxury Selfcatering Cottages and Fishing

2009-08-07T13:20:00.006+01:00

Hi Everyone

View a bigger catch report by clicking on the image.

The National Fishing Weeks Fishing extravaganza was well attended and saw three competitions being held. Great Fishing in Devon

The match at Mirror Lake was won with the biggest Carp being pulled out by Oscar Pye.

It was our celebrity Ghostie, Casper, at 19lbs 10oz.Oscar also won the raffle prize, a 7 day ticket !! Lucky boy !!

Tony Bennet-Rice, one of our regulars, won the Lilly match with a good looking Bream of 3lbs 8ozs. And Luke Vinnicombe, a junior angler, won the biggest bag of silvers with 3lbs 8ozs.

Prizes were donated by Torbay Angling and ourselves to all winners.

More fish came out but we have just included winners on the catch report. Many thanks for all who attended.

We raised £ 150.00 for the Angling Trust and we will top this up to £200.00 and a cheque will be sent to them.

A bumper week on the carp lake and Lilly ! Reg & Lawrence catching a total 111 lbs of Bream & Tench, a great day for them.

Mirror Lake has seen some variety of fish out including Leathers, Ghosts, Commons & Mirrors with a total weight of 620lbs.

Tom Rushby and his partner Georgie have done well again, pictures attached.

The catch report lottery winner this week is Shawn Collings of Totnes.

And if you stay in the selfcatering cottages you want have far to go

Will be in touch again next week.

Cheers,

Richard.

www.newbarnfarm.com

www.newbarnfarm.org.uk

Newbarn Farm - Fishing in Devon this Summer!

2009-07-15T12:38:00.007+01:00

A Summer Buzzing with Activity.....

With so many things to do in South Devon it is sometimes difficult to decide what to do to make the most of a holiday here. Here at Newbarn Farm, a great Fishing in Devon location, we have put together some great events happening this summer - just to make that decision making just that little bit easier.

More than Apple Bobbing......

On Saturday 25th July, the famous Marldon Apple Pie Fair takes place. Travelling time to this fair from your self-catering cottage & fishing at Newbarn Farm is approximately 10 minutes. In loving memory of a George Hill who died towards the end of the 19th Century, the Marldon Apple Pie Fair began in 1955. George Hill used to travel weekly to market in Torquay on a donkey with panniers full of apples. On his return the panniers would be full of washing to be laundered. On the day of the annual fair and sports day in St Marychurch, Torquay, George drove a cart carrying a huge apple pie, drawn by two black donkeys wearing harness and reins decorated with plaited straw, around the town. The pie, oval in shape and aboout the size of a kitchen table, ended its journey at the fair and was eaten with cream. Today the Marldon Apple Pie Fair is considered by the Torbay community to be simply one of the best events in the local summer calendar; with various arena events, exhibition of craft activities and local artists in a large marquee, plus numerous side shows and stalls. They don't have any fishing holidays in Devon here, but with only 10 minutes to journey back to Newbarn Farm you will be able to soon see yourself sitting on the banks with rod in hand for some quality Fishing in Devon.

Fancy dancing in the streets...

The Torbay Carnival Week may just hit the spot. This year promises to be bigger and better than previous years. Running from Sunday 26th July - Sunday 2nd August, the 2008 celebrations mark 101 years of family fun on Paignton Green with the stunning backdrop of the South Devon coastline and Paignton Pier. Opening day starts of with the Riviera Classic Car Show and Town crier competitions. Monday gives way to Children’s day with fun for all ages ; Tuesday ends with a fantastic firework display to music at 9.45pm. Wednesday is Carnival Procession day with lots of fun races thrown in throughout the day. The second children’s day takes place on Thursday with live Night Music until 10.30pm. Plenty to keep the family entertained all day and every day throughout the week.Travelling time from Newbarn Farm is only 5 minutes, so you will be able to get some Fishing in Devon in before the fun kicks of at 9.30am on a daily basis.

And then there is…. .Bigbury-on-sea ......

The beach at Bigbury-on-sea is just fantastic – when the tide is out you can walk across the glorious golden sand to Burr Island – home of an exclusive Art Nouveau Hotel (very private) and a lovely pub which serves reasonably priced lunches. On the mainland the Venus café serves award winning hot and cold food and is fully licensed. Not only is this beach clean and tidy with warm clean sea it also offers a truly quirky form of transport which the children will just love. The sea tractor with enormous wheels will journey you to and from Burr Island when the tide comes in. Lots of fun for all the family! £4.50 for daily parking.

All this just a stone's throw away from your favourite Devon Fishing Holiday Cottage.

Top Quality Self Catering Cottages & Fishing

2009-07-07T19:17:00.003+01:00

http://selfcateringcottages.blogspot.com/google9ae923ee60002300.html

Hi everyone

Click on the catch report to open a larger version.

Fishing is still good even with the rain. The Carp are still rising during the day and are feeding on bread and dog biscuit from the surface.

National Fishing Week (24^th July to 2^nd August) will see Newbarn Farm opening it’s doors to all anglers and hopefully some new to the sport to host a match on every pool. The date for the extravaganza will be Friday the 31^st July. The following events will take place :-

Mirror Pool – Heaviest Carp.

Island Pool – Heaviest Perch or Barbel.

Willow, Lulu and Rosie – Heaviest Bag.

Lilly Pool – Heaviest Tench and/or Bream.

All participants to pay £ 6.00 for the day. Newbarn Farm will donate 60% of entrance fees to the Anglers Trust. Any new anglers or any angler bringing along a new angler will receive a free gift. Winners will also receive a prize. On the day we will have a raffle and other fund raisers too.

Start time will be 9:00am. Please call to book your space or take your chance on the day.

Keith Pope's catches over the last two weeks have been added to this weeks catch report as he seems to have found the magic bait, prawns. So come along and have a go yourselves.

Many thanks for all your continued support.

www.newbarnfarm.org.uk

www.newbarnfarm.com

The Fishing is hooing up at Newbarn Farm

2009-07-01T10:50:00.005+01:00

The carp league match is really hotting up with Jimmy Whack in the lead at the half way stage. Over 150lbs of carp were caught this weekend gone with Jimmy taking 8 fish to 13lb 12oz. Ian Robinson , photographed here, caught a lovely 20lb Leather Carp as well as a Mirror and Common to 15lbs.

My favourite catch was Richard Chesters 23lb 4oz Mirror from Hut 10. Pictured here with the boys looking on!!

This weeks lottery winner for a free day ticket is Luke Martin of Paignton, well done to him. His ticket can be collected from the Angling Centre.

The three musketeers from Paignton, Jonny, Matt and Mike all did a 36 Hour Session together bagging over 25 fish between them. To our delight the new Newbarn Farm Pineapple Citrus frozen boilies really came into their own and helped the lads reach this great catch of carp.

Will be back next week. Thanks for all your support.

Cheers,

Richard.

Newbarn Farm Angling Manager

Newbarn Farm offering some of the best Fishing in Devon and Great Fishing in Devon Holidays

Meet the Pigs at Newbarn Farm

2009-06-24T10:43:00.006+01:00

Meet Molly, Polly, Dolly, Jakers and Ferni!!!

Alas Ferni was a little shy for this photo shoot and decided to hide whilst his brother and sisters shone in the limelight, Jakers especially warmed to the camera! Saddleback cross with a large white these weaners have been with us now for seven weeks and will continue to flourish on the farm in the sun for another two months. We have a viewing platform for our guests to see and feed with scraps from the kitchen - they especially love potato and carrot peelings. Hopefully this week we will be extending their enclosure by fencing of the old quarry for them to explore and root up the delights hidden under the dense foliage there!

Just another delight to welcome you at Newbarn Farm and another string to our bow!

Newbarn Farm probably one of the best locations for Fishing in Devon, Devon Fishing Holiday, Fishing Holidays Devon, Holiday Cottages & Fishing, Self-catering Cottage & Fishing.

Visit our website http://www.newbarnfarm.com/ to find out why Newbarn Farm is the perfect choice for a self catering holiday in Devon and a great place for Fishing in Devon.

Newbarn Farm Selfcatering Cottages & Angling Centre

2009-06-16T19:26:00.002+01:00

Hi Everyone

I have added the latest catch report, spawning is coming to an end now so we should start to see some improvement.

Don't forget to have a look at the late availability page

http://www.newbarnfarm.com/late-availability.php

There are some great deals there, but you need to be quick.

Have a great week

Regards Simon

www.newbarnfarm.org.uk
www.newbarnfarm.com

Selfcatering and Fishing Catch Report

2009-06-03T18:13:00.002+01:00

http://selfcateringcottages.blogspot.com/google9ae923ee60002300.html

Hi everyone

Another week and another catch report. The carp are now spawning, or at least some of them are! Lets hope it gets over and done with soon.

The carp league boys broke last months catch with a total of 16 fish. Well done to them. Only 7 of the 8 lads fished as one was ill.

Paignton Sea Anglers (Freshwater Section) had a junior match and results will be posted next week.

Will be back next week.

Pet Friendly Devon Holidays

2009-05-30T15:55:00.004+01:00

http://selfcateringcottages.blogspot.com/google9ae923ee60002300.html

Hi Everyone

I have added the catch report and another picture of Casper

Have a look at the pet friendly page and see what you think.

Let us know if you would like any changes or anything we can add to help you.

Have a great time

www.newbarnfarm.com
www.newbarnfarm.org.uk

Fishing Holidays in Devon!

2009-05-26T14:16:00.002+01:00

Casper our celebrity Ghost Carp

Mirror Lake has been seeing a lot of action recently now that the weather is warming up with the prospect of summer being a reality rather than a hopeless pipe dream!

Jim McCourt from Paignton fished Hut 1 last week and using only luncheon meet caught a beautiful Mirror carp weighing in at 25lb 12oz. Over at Hut 3, Kevin Elliot from Torquay had taken a day off work to celebrate his 30th Birthday with a day of fishing! He caught two beauties both Mirror of 18lb 8oz and 16lb 8oz on sweetcorn, always a firm favourite!

Baz Hoskins another regular used tiger-nut Pop-ups and caught 16lb 12oz Mirror and another of 17lb 6oz in the margins over a bed of pellet and bird food!!!!

Mr and Mrs Lewis from Gloucester on a Devon Fishing Holiday for a week at Newbarn Farm spent the week fishing Willow and Lily with mixed bags of perch, rudd, roach, bream, tench and the odd smaller carp of over 20lb each per day. Citing that they had had a fabulous holiday they caught over 200lb of fish over a five day fish and will be returning next year.

Jim Pike our friendly electrician was fishing on Mirror only yesterday and what a glorious Bank Holiday we had here. Jim had a very pleasurable day in Hut 7, three Mirrors of 18lb, 16lb and 14lb plus a Linear Mirror of 12lb, one 6lb Ghost Carp and his highlight of the day catching Casper weighing at his best weight to date – 21lb. Jim is pictured here with his prize.

Newbarn Farm - probably one of the best Fishing Holidays in Devon

Fishing in Devon at Newbarn Farm

2009-05-16T19:33:00.003+01:00

Enjoy a rewarding day at this picturesque location in the Dart Valley

Pleasurable, rewarding angling for beginners and experts at our popular Fishing Holidays in Devon location.

Our lakes and ponds, set in the peaceful surroundings of the beautiful Dart Valley, offer some of the most rewarding and pleasant angling in the country.

Whether you’re a beginner, pleasure, or specimen angler, we’re pleased to welcome you. You’ll find expert advice and rental equipment at our Angling Centre – if you need tuition, all you have to do is ask. The shop also sells bait, tackle essentials, and laminated photographs of your catch!
Site Facilities

1. Shop – food, bait, tackle, tackle hire, tuition

2. Lake side Parking

3. Fishing shelters beside Mirror Lake and Willow Lake

4. Toilets - Gents & Ladies

5. Disabled access (limited – booking permitted)

Licence InformationA day licence permits you to use the lakes between dawn and dusk. The lakes are divided up to provide space for juniors, beginners, and experts. They’re stocked with carp (common, mirror, ghost & grass), tench, perch, roach and rudd, bream and eels. If you’re up for a challenge, come and see if you can beat our current record-holders!

The site consists of 6 lakes and ponds suitable for all ages and levels of experience.

Mirror Lake: This is the main carp lake, covering 1.25 acres with an island and underwater plateaus. Depths average 12ft and go to 14ft with shale sides and a silty bottom. There are 9 swims with huts plus other swims. The lake is stocked with 200 carp (from 7lb to 29lb), roach, rudd, perch (up to 3lb) and eels (7lb+). The best baits for carp are boilies, pellets, sweetcorn, and floating bread (a killer in summer!).

Island, Rosie and Lulu pools: These are small pools located near the car park, with depths of up to 6ft. They’re specially suited to the young or inexperienced carper, with carp averaging 2– 4lb. There is also roach, rudd, perch and tench to 2lb, great for the keen silver fish angler. The best baits here are sweetcorn and maggots.

Willow Lake: this pool is about 1/3 acre in size and has many carp (up to 18lb; averaging 6– 7lb), plus a few ghost carp (up to 18lb; averaging 10lb) and grass carp (to 10lb). The bottom is slightly silty with depths of 4ft – 9ft. There is also bream, roach rudd and perch in this lake. The best baits are luncheon meat, sweetcorn and pellets.

Lily Lake – this is a small lake, about ¼ acre in size, and predominately stocked with tench and bream (to 9lb). Roach, rudd and perch (to 3lb) can also be caught here. The best baits in here are pellets, bread and sweetcorn.

NEWBARN RECORDS

Carp: 29lb

Ghost Carp: 18lb

Newbarn Farm Cottages & Angling Centre

2009-05-08T09:58:00.010+01:00

Welcome to Newbarn Farm

Your piece of tranquility between Dartmoor and Paignton. 8 luxury self catering holiday cottages in South Devon.

What do you want from your holiday? Breathtaking views over a world-class national park? Activities for the kids? Bustling harbour towns or dramatic walking terrain? The sort of bed you’re thrilled to sink into? Newbarn has all this – and much more.

Why Newbarn? Situated between wild Dartmoor and the holiday town of Paignton, Newbarn Farm is the perfect base for exploring dozens of attractions. The farm really does have everything: glorious views, fresh groceries, barbeques, even a footy field – lots of special touches to make your holiday magical. Adults will love the breathtaking views and the Devon brownies; meanwhile, the kids are certain never to forget our trampoline!

What to expectAs you meander down the private drive to Newbarn, you’ll discover just how special it is – a haven you’d never expect to find just a stone’s throw from so many amenities. Newbarn is home to eight holiday cottages, each with its own character and charm. Renovated to a very high standard, your holiday cottage is equipped extremely thoughtfully.

What to do on your holidayExperience wild Dartmoor and enjoy Devon ice-cream in Paignton, or take a bird watching trip from the harbour. You can do nothing or everything from your holiday base at Newbarn.

AREA AND ATTRACTIONS
The fabulous English Riviera, commonly known as Torbay is crammed with gorgeous scenery, child-friendly attractions, and brilliant day trips to make your holiday a real success. Whatever you enjoy, you’ll find it here: from building sandcastles to walking in the wilderness, there’s an activity for every member of the family. Here are some of our favourite places to see when you’re on holiday at Newbarn.

Paignton
Think of this pretty holiday town and you might first think of Paignton Zoo. The town’s renowned attraction is multi-award-winning, most recently scooping South West Tourism’s Regional Attraction of The Year prize. It’s far more than just a zoo – this is a world-leading centre for research and conservation. 'The much publicised Tiger cubs are now growing strong and can be seen out in the enclosure now. Four bundles of cuteness! There’s plenty for everyone to enjoy – the zoo really is worth a long day out. If there’s time, make a stop at the sister attraction, Living Coasts, too.

In spring or summer, take a boat or fishing trip from the Harbour and look back on the picturesque south Devon coast, and (if you’re lucky) spot dolphins or birdlife. The more active will appreciate the wide array of watersports available from the Harbour, from diving to waterskiing.

Dartmoor
By foot or bike, Dartmoor is well plotted, with rural lanes, medieval ruins and more challenging slopes – free walking and cycling route maps are widely available (You could make use of our secure cycle storage with bike and boot cleaning facilities). A wilderness steeped in history with awesome Tors, a day not to be forgotten whether out for a quick stroll and a leisurely cream tea or something a little more strenuous sampling the wild bilberries as you go!

Further afield…
Travel from Newbarn in any direction and you will be rewarded with stunning landscapes and fresh experiences. Take a ride on the Paignton Steam Railway, where a restored steam train takes you along the coast to the estuary at Kingswear, the Round Robin takes you on a journey by rail, boat and bus through breathtaking natural scenery! You could board a connection and ride all the way to Plymouth, site of the world-famous National Marine Aquarium and classic Lido. Alternatively, why not ride at a more leisurely pace on a pony, seeing some of the most beautiful parts of Dartmoor? The possibilities are simply endless…

There is no other choice... Newbarn Farm is probably the best:

Fishing in Devon

Devon Fishing Holiday

Fishing Holidays Devon

Holiday Cottages & Fishing

Self-catering Cottage & Fishing

Praise Indeed for Newbarn Farm - The Devon Fishing Holiday Ultimate Experience!

2009-04-27T14:27:00.010+01:00

Comments for our visitor books confirm that Newbarn Farm is probably on of the best:

Fishing in Devon
Devon Fishing Holiday
Fishing Holidays Devon
Holiday Cottages & Fishing
Self-catering Cottages & Fishing

Just a few of our wonderful comments are listed below:_

"A fabulous cottage with brilliant views to the moor. Lots to do & see around here & swimming pool down the road is a real boon. Spotted the chickens!" Mark, Jo & Alex Courtney, Oaktree 14th - 21st February 2009 ”

"A wonderful surprise. New Barn is a real find. The welcome and accommodation first class. Yvonne and Simon bought their place 3 years ago and have turned into a holiday experiencing and discerning traveller would be thrilled to find. Congratulations". Liz & Jim Bennett. Oaktree 30th January - 1st February 2009

" Great welcome, lovely cottage. It has been a very enjoyable two weeks shame we have to go home. Thank you to Richard and other staff. WE WILL RETURN!" Mike & Helen Willis, Luke and Jake. Dartmoor View 18th January 2009.

"A fabulous find on the internet! With 2 young boys Newbarn was perfect for them and a firm favourite was the trampoline. Glorious sunny weather provided an added bonus but the steam engine from Paignton to Dartmouth with the bonus of a ferry ride would satisfy any young boy (& their father!) come rain or shine! Goodrington Sands was a lovely beach too. Thank you Catherine and Richard, particularly for your hospitality (yummy chocolates) and friendliness. We will surely be recommending our find to otheres ad also returning once number 3 makes their entrance!" Sam, Kate, Henry & Sam, Guildford, Surrey. Badgers Holt - 9th - 13th April 2009.

"What a beautiful place to stay! The cottage is perfect: spotlessly clean, well equipped, peaceful and with incredible views. The children loved the playarea and the sheep! Thankyou for such a warm welcome. This is a rare find, and we hope to return in the summer." Angie, Jon, Isabella and Alexander, Saffron Walden, Essex. Lambs Gate 21st - 23rd February 2009

'Richard and Catherine, Thanks for a lovely stay here in Lambs Gate. Everything was better than we could have imagined. Facilities were superb! We'll definitely be back in future and will be recommending to family and friends. Regards.' Nicole and Matt, Wiltshire. 12th Janaury 2009

'We have had a superb relaxing week, which started with a wonderful welcome from Richard. Accommodation is the best we have ever been in, thank you Richard & Catherine hope to be back next year.' Lynn, Tony & Chloe, Northampton. 18th - 25th October 2008. Buzzards Bough. 'Thankyou for my holiday love from Chloe xxx' Aged 4

'What a top spot! Exceptionally clean and well equipped accommodation amidst beautiful countryside. Bella & Polly (Westies) and I have enjoyed the walking as much as our native New Forest. Hoping to come again with family'.Anne Gimmler, New Forest. 12th-17th October 2008. Buzzards Bough.

'We've had a lovely week, Badgers Holt is beautifully decorated with everything we could possibly need and is ideally situated for exploring the area. Even the weather has been good to us this week, We can recommend 'Noah's Ark' & 'The Beefeater' for food and Dartmouth was fantastic as always. We will definitely be returning! Thank you' Mark, Karen, William & Abbie Gerrard, Asbourne, Derbyshire. 6th September - 13th September 2008.

'Loved the cottage, very quiet with stunning views. We have had a very relaxing two weeks. Darcey was crying last night she loved the cottage so much she doesn't want to leave! Many Thanks. The Nolans x' Karen, Dave, Audrey, Brad & Darcey, Warrington 9th - 22nd August 2008

"Had a lovely visit to Dartmoor, the scenery is truly Breathtaking. The weather has been good to us all week accept Friday but we were all snug inside our lovely cottage. Thanks Richard & Catherine" x. Diana & Jeff from Chester, 21st June 2008.

"First stay down here and absolutely loved it. The cottage was amazing and the scenery is beautiful. Had beautiful sunshine which made our visit to Torquay beach/harbour lovely! Will definitely return to Newbarn Farm. Thank you for a wonderful stay xxx". Sarah & Jay from Ashford, Kent. 8th June 2008.

"Had a wonderful stay in idyllic surroundings, far from the maddening crowd. A great base to tour Devon and visit our family. Hope to be back some day, but will be sure to tell everyone what a great place this is. Maybe try some fishing next time." John McElhinney, Papakure, Auckland, New Zealand. 1st August 2008

Devon Fishing Holidays

2009-04-26T17:18:00.003+01:00

Hi everyone

This is the latest catch report

Thanks everyone who filled in a report sheet

Regards Simon

www.newbarnfarm.com
www.newbarnfarm.org.uk

More than Just Carp Competitions!

2009-04-20T13:39:00.012+01:00

Self-catering & Fishing at it's finest

Here at Newbarn Farm we don't just pride ourselves on the quality of fishing at this beautiful location for Devon Fishing Holidays, nor do we just pride ourselves for the excellent Carp Competitions held on a regular basis, the last being the 24 hour Paignton Sea Anglers Association monthly Carp Competion which was held over the weekend. Commencing at 7am on Saturday 18th April the anglers made themselves at home on the banks of Mirror Lake for a 24 hour stint. Three fish were caught by club members and another four fish by Newbarn regulars who became 'honoury members' for the day!

The overall winner was Maurice Bulmer with two fish: A Mirror Carp weighing in at 17lb 2ozs and a Common Carp at 9lb 12ozs (a club record). Maurice took the overall pool money of £54 together with a bag of prizes donated by Newbarn Farm. Unfortunately Maurice caught his fish at night and no pictures were taken of the catch. Mike Wall caught the third fish from PSAA, a Mirror Carp of 18lb, setting another club record.

We pride ourselves too for the work you just don't see and probably are unlikely to hear about. Two years ago on a blustery cold summer's day we managed to raise £400 by hosting a Summer Fayre up in Home Field, this money was split with half going to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute here in Paignton and other going towards the local primary school to kick-start their healthy-eating kitchen.

During term time we have 12 -18 children from the YMCA, who care for these children who have been excluded from School for various reasons. These children either spend the morning Devon Fishing, a great way to try to get them to focus and concentrate more or they spend the morning helping us to create a nature trail through the small copse within the 42 acres of beautiful landscape housing our luxurious holiday cottages and fishing. And they love it!

Today I was approached by my youngest daughter's play group leader who has included the topic of fishing in her planning for this term. She has asked us if we would mind spending some time with the children to show them what fishing is all about. No doubt we will take a fish with us and some maggots which I am sure will fascinate the boys and make the girls squirm perhaps we may include a worm or two just for fun!

Both of us belong to various assocations which hold raffles for fund raising and yes you've guessed it we offer a day's fishing as a prize and more often than not this ticket for a day at Newbarn Farm a fabulous place for fishing in Devon is often chosen in preference to the finer wines on the table!

And that's just a little of what we do!

Self Catering Cottages and Fishing Catch Report

2009-04-13T11:00:00.006+01:00

Hi everyone,

Another week’s catch report from Newbarn Farm, Devon.

Great picture from Patricia!

More weight of fish this week but same number as reported last week, weird !!

Had our first of 8 monthly carp league matches this weekend gone. 24 hours and 8 anglers but only three fish. Tony Pellant and Jimmy Dowd shared the biggest fish prize. Some of these guys have never fished Newbarn so they time to get used to the fishing here. Temperatures were up and down so I’m sure that can’t have helped. Oh well they all said they had a good time and plenty of jovial banter went on.

Colin Barker wins the catch report lottery, he can collect his ticket from us at the angling centre.

See you next time

www.newbarnfarm.com
www.newbarnfarm.org.uk

Youngsters need Adventure

2009-04-08T15:44:00.004+01:00

'Children shouldn't be wrapped in cotton wool'

Youngsters need risky adventures says Sir Ranulph, he also has said that children are being wrapped up in cotton wool because teachers are scared of the 'blame- claim' culture. The explorer said teachers were so worried about being sued if pupils suffered accidents that they were put off arranging school trips. He said youngters should be encouraged to take part in the adventures enjoyed by children in the 1960s and 70s and agrued that 'negative connotations' had become attached to the word 'risk'.

The adventurer, who has led expeditions to the North and South Poles, said that learning about risk was as important as learning core subjects such as maths and English. He went on to say, 'Throughout my life, taking measured risks has proved of great interest to me. There have been times when taking some form of risk was the only way to overcome an obstacle and giving up would have been the only alternative. Another way of putting it - as with many avenues of life - is that it's only through taking a bit of a risk that you reap rewards.'

I couldn't agree with him more - children are no longer allowed to explore the parks, climbing trees and live out fantasy worlds in role play with their friends away from the watchful eyes of their parents. They no longer have the freedom to run 'wild' to experience life full on and yes Schools have so many procedures in place now it does prevent some preparing 'adventure' school trips.

Here at Newbarn Farm, a great Devon Fishing location and a haven for wildlife, we are creating a beautiful nature trail with the help of some 'excluded from School' children, once finished we hope these children will have a great sense of achievement, knowing that they are not only helping our wildlife but also creating a great 'fantasy' world for so many other children. As a young child with my brothers and sisters sometimes alone I was free to roam the woods and fields on my parents farm creating the most wonderful make believe fantasy worlds. Climbing trees, jumping across fast flowing brooks and running through dark forest floors riddled with rabbit holes and badger sets - you couldn't get much better. Alas for many of our children of today this can only be a fantasy world far beyond their reach!

Sir Ranulph went on to say that advertising 'encouraging everybody to attack with litigation anybody that could be blamed for anything' had ended the carefree culture of 30 or 40 years ago when schoolchildren enjoyed 'adventure outings'. His comments came as a survey of 400 teachers by school tour organiser the Education Travel Group found that four in ten teachers are put off from arranging visits because they are concerned about litigation.

So if your children's teachers are not prepared to take the risk why don't you open that world of fantasy and risk taking up for your children. A short break at Newbarn Farm, a stay in one of our self-catering cottages & fishing making a great base to explore the 42 acres of woodland and pasture we have here including that wonderful nature trail mentioned previously. Children of all ages will be able to drop into their own world of fantasy and take those measured risks as they play out those roles in this haven for adventure.

Who knows they may even want to try a spot of fishing here at probably one of the best Fishing in Devon locations. It isn't school but we can teach them how!

Stepping out from Newbarn Farm this spring!

2009-03-30T15:21:00.010+01:00

Here are just a few events taking place this April........Visit the tiger cubs at Paignton Zoo, this is a rare chance indeed to see such a truly moving sight. All four cubs have survived and thrived over the last six weeks although it was expected one could die. Their antics will be able to be viewed by a remote-control webcam which will cover the large public tiger enclosure plus a second installed in one of the dens can be viewed on a flat screen monitor set up by the tiger enclosure window showing live pictures from the cameras.

This system will go live at Easter when the cubs are due to make their first public appearance. Newbarn Farm offers discounted tickets for entrance to Paignton Zoo and her sister company Living Coasts in Torquay where a huge Golden Easter Egg Hunt will take place ove the Easter weekend. Children will be able to take part in this egg hunt with a difference; each day guests will have the opportunity to find ten silver eggs and one golden egg. Everyone who finds a silver egg will win chocolate mini eggs - however the lucky person who finds the golden egg will win the chance to feed the penguins on that day.

Over a Occombe Farm on Sunday 26th April there is rare chance to see the innermost planet Mercury and the ringed planet Saturn through a telescope with expert Chris Proctor. You will also explore the craters of a crescent moon and see the subtle but beautiful earthshine on the moon's dark side with a hot drink in hand!

If cloudy on the night you will have the alternative of exploring the Occombe Farn nature trail on a dusk safari with bat detectors! Meet at the entrance to Occombe Farm Cafe at 7.45pm. Adult;£3.50 Children £2.50 - includes a tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Back in Torquay at the Princess Theatre, The Top of The Tots will be performing; ten years after bursting onto the scence, The Tweenies are back with their chart-busting new show!

'Top of the Tots' is packed with tot-tastic tunes. Their live performances have vowed over a million Tweenie boppers worldwide and, with a platnium selling single under their belts, get ready for the fab four to entertain you once again in their spectacular new theatre show. Get set to reach for the stars, sing along, dance in the aisles and find out why the Tweenies are still the ultimate Number One! Performances start at 11am or 2pm. Tickets form £12. Box Office:0844 847 2315.

Finally for early start this spring join the Dawn Chorus Walk & Breakfast in Haldon Park Wood on 2nd May - 5am - 9am. This will definitely be worth setting the alarm clock for! A two and a half mile walk around the forest (involving steep hills) will take you into the best areas for songbirds and you will also have a great chance to see many of the forest's shyer creatures such as the black fallow deer. Tickets: £11 per person includes a traditional English or vegetarian breakfast a the Forest's new cafe. Booking essentail: Forestry Commission: 0845 36 73787. And remember every day and every night if you wish you can fish on the banks of Newbarn Farm's lakes to your heart's content.

Newbarn Farm probably the best Fishing in Devon; Devon Fishing Holiday; Fishing Holidays Devon; Holiday Cottages & Fishing and Self-catering Cottage & Fishing.

Fishing in Devon

2009-03-23T12:44:00.005Z

Where in the World?

Where in the world can you glimpse the metallic blue shaft of a dragonfly hovering for their prey amongst the golden hue of gaint yellow water iris' adorning the perimeters of a succesful fishing in Devon lake surrounded by green pasture with the undulating rolling hills of the South Hams before you - countryside designated as an area of outstanding beauty?

Where in the world can you watch from afar the summer sun set behind eleven majestic granite tors of Dartmoor home to the Hound of the Baskervilles with peaceful early evening hot air balloonists floating efortlessly past as you sip your chilled wine drinking in the evenings promise of another lazy day ahead?

Where in the world can you fish for carp, roach, rudd, bream, tench and perch a stone's throw from your luxury self-catering cottage & fishing with every tackle and bait essential at hand should you need it and plenty of hot and cold drinks and snacks to keep the hunger pangs at bay?

Where in the world?

Newbarn Farm that's where. Newbarn Farm probably the best Fishing in Devon; Devon Fishing Holiday, Fishing Holidays Devon, Holiday Cottages & Fishing and Self-catering Cottage and fishing.

That's where!

Jeremy Fisher is Fishing in Devon!

2009-03-15T17:38:00.008Z

Nature at its Best

This morning Richard and I decided to take Verity and Imogen our 6 and 3 year old daughters for a walk through the copse here at Newbarn Farm. Richard has been supervising and working with a group of children and their carers from the YMCA every Friday morning since the beginning of January. He has set them a project of clearing a path through a wildly overgrown copse inhabitited by all types of wildlife. The intention is to finish with a clearly marked pathway through a beautiful copse literally bursting at the seams with nature's beauty, birdife nesting in the boxes which will be put up with even ones for owls, bat boxes, bumblebee dens, the list goes on but the wildlife I cannot wait to spot are the resident badgers. This copse is riddled with badger sets, this morning we saw their paw prints clearly and found a newly dug opening to one of the sets, the air nearby punctured by the smell of freshly turned earth. Marvellous.

Naturally the walk encouraged a mountain of questions from the girls about the birds and animals who lived in this magical place. Why have the woodpeckers made big holes in the trees? How do they do it? Where are all the badgers now? Is that a pond over there does it have frogs in it? Frogs I thought, early spring I thought, tadpoles I thought. Last year I was too late to collect frogspawn for the children to watch the egg morph into tadpole and eventually to a tailess frog. So after the walk through the copse we made our way down to Mirror Lake where a couple of local anglers were fishing in Devon.

We made our way to the far corner to the stream and sure enough there we found some frogspawn using a fishing net we harvested a little into a bucket for the girls and then meandered on around the edge of this great Devon fishing lake. It was here I spotted at first just one frog and then another and then so many more. The four of us spent ages watching these frogs and trying to find more. Many were sitting on the silty bottom by the fast growing bullrushes. And then Richard pulled a few out for the girls to take a proper look. It was when he did this that he saw an unfamiliar sight in the water. He asked me what I thought it was and I was pretty sure it was spawn not frogspawn but toadspawn - long stripes of about 8 inches long with eggs inside, almost like a string of black pearls.

So it would appear that Mirror Lake is home to hundreds and hundreds of toads, great apparently for keeping slugs down!

Richard has since taken the girls swimming, I chose to stay behind to write this blog (tomorrow I have such a huge work schedule to get through so doing this today will help), a few minutes ago I received a phone call from one of the anglers on Mirror Lake he had hired his tackle today and was ready to return it. Saving my unfinished article, I ventured down the steps from the Holiday Cottages down towards the Fishing in Devon Lakes. On my way I bumped into a gentleman staying in Oakrest (the largest of the self-catering cottages & fishing at Newbarn Farm) with his daughter and husband and his grandchildren. 'Out for an evening stroll' I greeted him with. 'Marvellous, absoultely marvellous' he said, 'the children have been catching frogs down there' he said pointing to Mirror Lake, 'they are so excited!'. 'Toads' I corrected him, 'We did the same this morning'. I agreed with him 'Marvellous'
Let's hope they don't see too many toads in this compromising position as our two did this morning. Some questions are harder to answer then others. Just ask the birds and the bees!

Those Yellow Flowers!

2009-03-10T09:38:00.009Z

Why are those Yellow Flowers There?

I had just picked my 6 year old daughter up from School the other day, we were driving back along the Totnes Road towards Newbarn Farm. The hedgrows for this time of year are typically flourishing with a golden glow - countless bulbs having survivied a harsh winter are majestically on show with a crowning glory of hundreds of tubular yellow flowers. My daughter found this a little odd as the trees are still in their winter state, barren and bare. Hence the question, " Why are those yellow flowers there?".

I explained that daffodils are a sure indication that spring is on it's way (at long last!); Snowdrops in January and early February often fight with the winter snow to capture the sun; catkins are a sign that the early spring lambs will be born soon and then the daffodils start to emerge as the temperature warms up and Easter is fast approaching. She was satsified with my answer.

Yesterday we saw blossom buds on the Oriental Damson tree and on the Apple tree on the banks just above Island Pool, another sure sign that spring is indeed on its way!

The mole activity in some of the fields is quite alarming - every morning fresh mounds in evidence of their growing numbers. Birds having paired up collecting twigs and grasses to line their nests and the fish are beginning to feed after a long cold winter.

Anglers on the banks at Newbarn Farm, an ever popular Devon Fishing Holiday site, have reported catches of up to 25lb (a 25lb Common was caught over the weekend one evening).

With the sun emerging and postive signs that spring is truly on its way - where better to watch nature adapt to the coming summer than on a self-catering holiday with fishing here at Newbarn Farm.

We are lucky! Living on site my daughter and her younger sister will continue to watch spring emerge and develop into summer in these beautiful surroundings. And they can ask as many questions as they wish on the changing scene unfolding infront of them!

Newbarn Farm: probably one of the best Fishing Holidays in Devon; Devon Fishing Holiday; Self-catering cottages & fishing; Holiday Cottages & Fsihing and Fishing in Devon

Courting Pink Wellies!

2009-03-03T11:41:00.009Z

Fashion over comfort!

Victoria Beckham never far from the front pages of the celebrity glossies or indeed the higher ranking fashion journals has successfully managed to ridicule herself in the full glare of the Paparazzi. Sporting a highly fashionable expensive pair of Christian Louboutin 'pumps', Posh clearly thought she looked the business. How wrong she was! Oh Dear, Oh Dear! Wearing the shoes at least two sizes too big, the outer arches of her feet were falling infront of her toe line, I'm very surprised she managed to walk at all! Now some may say that in the face of fashion this is acceptable - well just possibly on the red carpet but surely not on a day out with three young boisterious sons running around the Universal Studios in Los Angeles. Yep! The woman has clearly lost it! She should have been in casual shoes and a casual outfit, she obviously selfishly thinks far more of herself than those poor sons of hers. Flipflops, trainers or even a pair of pink wellies would have done.

Goodness knows what she would adorn on her feet should she ever grace the paths at Newbarn Farm, with gravelled pathways and the occassional muddy footpath. I'm sure a pair of Louboutin 'pumps' would soon loose their face value! A good pair of wellies or walking boots are needed on wetter days and a pair of flip flops fine for the hotter months. But maybe those here on a Devon fishing holiday would find flipflops a little flimsy on the banks of the Fishing in Devon lakes.

Actually we're not sure we would like the likes of Victoria Beckham visiting, we cater for those who appreciate their surroundings and know how to have a good time whether on a self-catering cottage & fishing holiday or not!

So don those pink wellies and let's be seeing you!

Newbarn Farm probably the best Fishing in Devon; Devon Fishing Holiday; Fishing Holidays Devon; Holiday Cottages & Fishing; Self-catering Cottage & Fishing

Fishing In Devon - Bucking the Trend!

2009-02-23T14:13:00.008Z

The snows gone! The Anglers are here!

I reported towards later end of January that at long last after a slow cold start to the year I had seen some decent catches to report from the banks of Newbarn Farm a lovely picturesque Devon Fishing Holiday Location. And I had:

"Oliver Denison from Newton Abbot graced the banks of Mirror on the Sunday, making his base Hut 5 he had a great session for this time of year. His first two Mirrors, 6lb and 8lb were each caught on a single boilie cast to the middle of the lake. Throughout the day he went on to catch another 7 Mirror carp - 19lb, 19lb, 18lb, 15lb, 11lb and 9lb - he certainly has bucked the trend of late - he is pictured here fishing again on Mirror at the later end of last year.

Two personal bests from Sam Blackman made for a happy man especially when he also won our catch report lottery for a free day ticket. From Newton Abbot, Sam's luck is certainly in at the moment; his personal bests were a first Ghost carp of 10lb and a 13lb Common, he also teased in a 12lb Mirror. He can collect his ticket from the office anytime!

Dan Woodward from Torquay caught a 18lb 8oz form Hut 9 on Mirror on good old sweetcorn! Rob Pebfold form Brixham caught a 13lb Common using Pineapple Pop-Up on a Zig Rig and Kevin Lock also from Torquay had two fair size Mirrors from Hut 8.

So maybe the fish are getting hungry now so come and try us out for some good carp and silver fishing."

Little did I know what was to come, I had packed my bags for two weeks in the sun on the shores of the Red Sea as fishing is not my only hobby - I love to dive too! Whilst I was basking in the sun the whole England was engulfed in an arctic flurry of snow and came to a grinding halt which included my much beloved Newbarn Farm, with it's inviting Holiday Cottages & Fishing.

But now with my return the snow dispersed and the sun shone once again over the banks of Newbarn Farm for some glorious fishing in Devon and once again I am able to report some great catches:

"During some extreme arctic weather conditions I oddly enough had very little to report on the fishing here at Newbarn Farm, however now that the temperature has increased drastically so too has the fishing news on the banks of our lakes.

I am often asked which is the best flavoured boilie to use on Mirror Lake and I will invariably say Pineapple and White Chocolate. Why? Because I see these two mentioned on catch reports so many times. And as the latest reports from the fishing on the banks here in Paignton this has proven to be good advice.

Mr Evans from Paignton fished from Hut 11 last week he caught a 10lb Common using a Pineapple boilie and Oliver Denison a regular from Newton Abbot gained a slightly heavier Mirror at 19lb 13oz from Hut 5 using a Pineapple Pop-up. John Taylor fished Hut 5 the following day and using the same bait successfully reeled in a 10lb Common. Based in Hut 6 next door, Richard Ward from Torquay followed suit and coaxed in a 9lb 5oz Common.

White Chocolate Boilies were Mr Evans from Totnes prefered choice, he managed a Common of 14lb and a Mirror of 16lb from Hut 8 and Elliot Fay from Paignton caught a 10lb 4oz Ghostie from the middle of the pond using boilies, folowed by a 11lb Common.

Nick Truscott had a lovely day towards the later end of the week, his best reward being this 17lb 5oz Mirror (pictured).

Up on Island Pool, Myk from Atherstone fished fro a mixed bag. His comment was, 'What a bag! Had a very enjoyable day!'. Not a surprising comment after catching a 3lb 8oz Barbel, 7 carp totalling 42lbs 11oz and 12 Roach tipping the scales at 8lb."

Richard Soley, Manager of Newbarn Farm

(probably the best Fishing in Devon; Devon Fishing Holiday; Fishing Holidays Devon; Holiday Cottages & Fishing; Self-catering & Fishing)

The Crafty Star of Fables living at Newbarn Farm

2009-01-26T18:54:00.012Z

A symbol of European literature for centuries, the Red Fox has appeared in countless Aesop's fables as the crafty and sly fox who always outwits everyone. To this extent this is true. The fox is very crafty; it has been hunted down mercilessly in English fox hunts, and shot just for its fur, and yet its numbers are not affected. It has managed to survive quite well in its country and town homes.

Here at Newbarn Farm we have a resident red fox who often appears during daylight hours bold as brass ambling around one of our neighbours field which not only do we overlook but a large percentage of our lane runs alongside it! This fox we believe to be a dog fox because of his size - dog foxes tend to be a good 20% larger than the vixens. So regular are these sightings we have now named the field mentioned 'Foxes Field'. Many an angler on the banks of our ponds here on a Devon Fishing Holiday have caught delighted glimpses of our bushy friend. Guests staying in our self-catering cottages & fishing have also seen him taking a mid morning stroll across the field.

Foxes can potentially live up to 12 years of age, but few live longer than 3-4 years, especially in areas of high hunting presures. Hopefully our friend will then possibly surpass this as hunting is not a sport pursued in our locality - thankfully!

Red foxes will eat anything, as they are very versatile when it comes to diet. It is this reason that they are such successful predators. They are true omnivores, and will eat rodents, fruit, vegetatain, insects, human garbage and even young deer. Rodents and rabbits form the bulk of their diet - both of which are in high abundance here at Newbarn Farm, a popular Devon Fishing Holiday location. In the more urban areas of their habitat, they will scavenge on human refuse, and even eat out of pet food bowls left outside. Foxes hunt game by stalking and pouncing like a cat. They usually hunt in meadows, where their main prey, mice and voles live. With their incredible sense of hearing, they can locate voles and mice through the thick grass and even in their underground burrows. They wait until the mouse or vole comes above ground, then the fox jumps high in the air and pounces on its prey. To kill its prey, the fox severs the spinal cord with its teeth.They typically eat 1-2lbs of food a day. They will cache any surplus food near their denning area, to be eaten later. Here at Newbarn Farm, home of Holiday Cottages & Fishing in a tranquil oasis, we only know too well how the fox will cache food. Last year in early spring we unfortunately failed to lock in our free range chickens one night (all 9 of them!) - the following morning the coop was empty bar countless of feathers. Later that morning I saw twice a fox, probably the same one walking proudly by with one of our feathered friends in his mouth carrying it of to his den for a future feast!

But in recent months especially through the artic conditions we have had of late, my husband and I have forgiven our red friend for the massacre last spring. He has given us so much delight allowing us to watch him from afar and on a few lucky occasions from very near - staring each other out until he decides it time to trot off into the distance.

So next time you are considering a Fishing Holidays in Devon why not give Newbarn Farm a go you just may get a little more than you bargained for!!!!

Newbarn Farm - A Great Hideaway

2009-01-21T12:25:00.011Z

Wrap up warm and enjoy a few events taking place this month!

Newbarn Farm is really a great hideaway - tucked away from the main road, set high up on a hill-top within 42 acres of glorious woodland and pasture with the South Hams undulating countryside rolling out in front of you and the magnificent back drop of Dartmoor and her tors reaching out into the distance - who could ask for more? The makings of a delightful solid base from which to explore the surrounding area and take in just some of the outstanding events taking place within the locality. And if that doesn't take your fancy - the fantastic Fishing in Devon here at Newbarn Farm has picked up again after the recent harsh spell! Read on for more information.

On Thursday 29th January, Buckfastleigh Farmer's Market is an ideal opportunity to taste the delights of distinctive local foods and meet members of this friendly local community. One of the best in the area, it is distinct in its wide range of produce including: free-range home-reared beef, lamb, pork, poultry & game, meat pies, bacon & sausages, gammons; fresh local fish and smoked fish, shellfish, home produced fish based ready meals, fishcakes, West Country cheeses, goats & sheeps milk cheeses, butter and eggs; home baked fare, organic salad and vegetables; locally sourced vegetables; plants; venison; Luscombe cordials; hand crafted knitwear and Aloe Vera range products. So plenty to choose from and buy to savour the taste of Devon in the comfort of your luxury 4 STAR self-catering cottage (& fishing).

Proving that Spring is just a leap away, Pennywell Farm are opening their doors for the half-term week commencing Monday 16th February. Join the activity leader, Olly Lamb (yes, that's his real name) for a truly ewe-nique line up of activities, shows and dsiplays, giving the whole week a very special feel. Enjoy the new born lambs skipping about in the winter sunshine. Don't be sheepsish, there are plenty of lambs to cuddle and bottle feed in the main barn. Who knows, you may be lucky enough to see some lambs coming into the world. As well as lamb cuddles and lamb feeding, you can make your own baa-rmy lamb to take home as even the craft acitivities will take on a lambing theme. Every day the winner of a lamb treasure hunt wil win a giant cuddly toy sheepdog and there are some great fun facts to discover in the 'Did ewe know?' quiz. Entry for Adults £9.95, Children (3-16) - £7.95. And if you would prefer to be on the banks at Newbarn Farm doing a spot of angling on you Devon Fishing Holiday - don't worry there are plenty of lambs here too - frolicking in the winter sunshine!

And finally for a little night-time entertainment! Ladies dig out your legwarmers. Gents don your mullet wigs. A barrage of non-stop hits from the spectacular show, 'Pop goes the 80s'. Showing for one night only on Saturday 21st February at the Princess Theatre in Torquay (tickets from £12.50), the programme includes Gold, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Walk Like an Eqyptian, Rio, Livin' on a Prayer and Thriller to name but a few. With a sensational cast of West End singers, dancers and musicians, this fun filled night to remember will use dazzling laser shows and has enough lavish costumes to please any Material Girl. Celebrate this senstational decade, from the birth of Electro Pop through the age of soft rock to the flamboyance of the new romantics.

And all of this just a stone's throw from Newbarn Farm - a great hideway - probably one of the best Fishing Holidays location in Devon. And as promised earlier, this is the Fishing in Devon catch report for this week:

Oliver Denison from Newton Abbot graced the banks of Mirror on Sunday, making his base Hut 5 he had a great session for this time of year. His first two Mirrors, 6lb and 8lb were each caught on a single boilie cast to the middle of the lake. Throughout the day he went on to catch another 7 Mirror Carp - 19lb, 19lb, 18lb, 15lb, 11lb and 9lb - he certainly has bucked the recent trend of late - he is pictured here fishing again on Mirror at the later end of last year.

Two personal bests from Sam Blackman made for a very happy man especially when he also won our catch report lottery for a free day ticket. From Newton Abbot, Sam's luck is certainly in at the moment; his personal bests were a first Ghost carp of 10lb and a 13lb Common, he also teased in a 12lb Mirror. He can collect his ticket from the office anytime!

Dan Woodward from Torquay caught a 18lb 8oz from Hut 9 on Mirror on good old sweetcorn! Rob Penfold from Brixham caught a 13lb Common using Pineapple Pop-up on a Zig Rig and Kevin Lock also from Torquay had two fair sized Mirrors from Hut 8.

So maybe the fish are getting hungry now so come and try us out for some good carp and silver fishing in Devon.

Newbarn Farm: Fishing in Devon: Devon Fishing Holiday: Fishing Holidays Devon: Holiday Cottages & Fishing: Self-catering Cottages & Fishing

A Time to BOOK

2009-01-12T12:46:00.007Z

Timing is everything if you want to get the best deals this summer

Traditionally January and February are the prime booking months for summer holidays - and this year, as ever, wherever we go we are presented with images of sunbaked beaches and sunsets over palm enriched resorts. The tour operators and travel agents as usual are hitting us hard with their advertising and marketing campaigns, encouraging us to book now. But is that really the best plan? Isn't it better to wait for last minute deals?

Well some of you will be surprised to find that even in this dreadful economic climate the answer to this question is NO. Many have decided that a foreign holiday is off the agenda this year and quite rightly so - the pound being so weak against the euro and dollar would make foreign trips a great deal more expensive than previous years. So with financial imperatives taking the lead in the choice of a holiday destination many are deciding to holiday on home ground. Self-catering is a popular choice, cottages in national parks and prime coastal areas are quickly snapped up - especially quality ones. So that a UK holiday should be booked as far ahead as possible to secure a quality cottage especailly during the summer school holidays.

Here at Newbarn Farm, a very popular Devon Fishing Holiday destination we have had many enquiries and bookings from people who would normally holiday abroad but have decided a domestic holiday is the sensible choice with the pound's recent dramatic slump against the euro. With dozens of sandy beaches to choose from, heritage rich sites, designer shops, quirky tea rooms, fine dining and so much more on our doorstep our 4 star Holiday Cottages & Fishing make for a perfect base for that much needed week or fortnight away. And as I have just mentioned it will be cheaper than say renting a cottage in France or Spain, even eating out here is less expensive now. With the current exchange rate, prices for British travellers going to eurozone countries have risen 15% since laat summer and nearly 30% since summer 2007, making a week in the South West look much better value.

So pick up the phone to book your Devon Fishing Holiday for this summer to secure your quality self-catering cottage & fishing.

Note, however, that in these tough financial times, you really shouldn't have difficulty finding somewhere for an out-of-season short break. And here at Newbarn Farm we are open all year around not just peak season.

A recipe for a Wonderful Christmas!

2008-12-09T17:53:00.009Z

Sparkle this Christmas with Newbarn Farm's Recipe for a great Christmas

My husband and I went to see both of our daughters Christmas Navities today - both in different schools - so two productions to sit through - hankies at the ready (& I needed them!) - we both throughly enjoyed watching our daughters sparkle in their similiar roles as Christmas stars! (literally).

Well a little Christmas sparkle would be first of many ingredients required to make a truly successful Christmas, the remainder of the ingredients are listed in Newbarn Farm's (Fishing Holidays in Devon) recipe:-

Newbarn Farm's Christmas Sparkle

(Fishing in Devon, Devon Fishing Holiday, Holiday Cottages & Fishing, Self-catering Cottages & Fishing)

2. Order Turkey, Gammon Ham and any other meats required for your celebrations at least 3 weeks in advance.

3. Order all vegetables in advance - organic tastes better - splash out it's Christmas!

4. Buy all cupboard foods required with a good shelf live - at least two weeks in advance.

5. Buy bread and cheeses on Christmas Eve - plan to go early to avoid and use the 10 items till.

5. Plan your menus carefully and write down a time plan.

6. Make sure all presents are bought and wrapped at least one week prior to Christmas with name tags carefully secured on each.

7. Endeavour to have all Christmas cards written and sent out using 2nd class stamps at least one week before the last posting date.

8. Organise a trip to your local pantomine - a must for all the family.

9. Find your local crib service or carol service and ensure the younger members of your family or friends are treated to one - they love the magic it creates!

10. Let the children decorate the Christmas cake - they are more likely to eat it if they feel they helped make it.

Blend all the above together slowly and whole heartedly to make a Christmas to remember, incorporate slowly and in moderation beverages of your choice - allowing time to settle in between.

Sparkle this Christmas with Newbarn Farm's recipe (probably the best Fishing in Devon, Devon Fishing Holiday, Fishing Holidays Devon, Holiday Cottages & Fishing and Self-catering Cottage & Fishing)

Wild Times at Newbarn Farm!

2008-11-28T20:05:00.006Z

Winter's Wild Magic!

With the season of 'good will to all men' upon us - the fragance of summer meadows, the silent humming of the blue dragonfly, rabbits out for the evening nibbling away for late pickings long after the children have gone to bed and, well the many other wonders of nature that seem to be long forgotten as the nights have drawn in! - How we easily forget whilst sitting in the warmth infront of the open log fire or by turning the central heating up by one notch or two that nature forages on deep through the harsh winter months.

It was only yesterday, taking my two daughters to school that I again I witnessed a sight beyond by imagination! For roughly 10 days, we have seen a large bold dog fox ambling leisurely from our lane's hedgrows, slowly up the field, pausing, glaring nonchantly at our vehicle and then as bold as brass sitting down taking in the early morning sunshine. He simply does not move. We stay there as long as the clock allows us which unfortunately isn't as long as I would like - lucky if a minute doesn't pass by before I start thinking (too many times aloud!) s**t going to be late!!!!

Another regular sight, again often seen on the school run is a Buzzard or two perched on the fencing posts meandering up our lane. Heavy birds they almost seem to struggle to take flight when you disturb them, but my God when in flight they are truly majestic - and fortunately for us at this time of year we do see them on a daily basis. And believe me we are honoured! Where do these birds of prey go in the summer we never see them - we know they don't migrate.

Well it is simple - the summer is the land of plenty for our wildlife but come the winter months we are far more likely to see the wonders of our wildlife literally on our doorstep - and these creatures tend to be the the bigger mammals or birds not really seen by the naked eye during the season of summer Devon Fishing Holidays.

Newbarn Farm is a great Fishing in Devon Location any time of the year, but book during the winter months and you may find a little more than you bargained for!

Newbarn Farm is probably one of the best:

Fishing in Devon Holidays

Devon Fishing Holiday

Fishing Holidays Devon

Holiday Cottages & Fishing

Self-catering Cottage & Fishing

Holiday for FREE!!!!!

2008-11-19T14:33:00.005Z

FANTASTIC FREE HOLIDAY OFFER!

What's the Catch?

Queenie

That's the catch!

Book a holiday in one of our holiday cottages during this month November 2008 and most of December all the way through until the 20th. Should you book a full week we will give you free fishing, but for everyone staying for a short break or a week, we will refund the full cost of your holiday if you catch Queenie during your stay.*

Experience probably some of the best:

Fishing in Devon

Devon Fishing Holiday

Fsihing Holidays Devon

Holiday Cottages & Fishing

Self-catering Cottages & Fishing

* This only applies if Queenie is caught between the hours if 8am - 5pm, the catch needs to be verified by the duty bailiff. All other Newbarn Farm Terms, Conditions and Rules apply.

The Brits love a good moan!

2008-11-10T13:47:00.007Z

The Traits of our Nation!

Recent research has shown that as a nation we are proud to be British - more than two-thirds of 5,000 adult respondents said they felt honoured to be part of this country. This poll was devised to pick out characterisitics - good and bad - that define the national character.

Our obession with the discussing the weather came top of the list, chosen by 58% of those polled. More than half said we are the politest nation when it comes to queueing and 48% considered sarcasm as our highest form of wit. At number four was our liking for watching soap operas, fifth was getting drunk, and sixth was our love of a bargain. Rounding out the top ten were nosy curtain twitching, having a stiff upper lip, being addicted to all televsion and finally, moaning!

In essence this was the outcome of the poll: THE TRAITS OF THE NATION:

1. Talking about the weather

2. Queueing

3. Sarcasm

4. Watching soaps

5. Getting drunk

6. A love of bargains

7. Curtain twitching

8. Stiff upper lip

9. Love of all televsion

10. Moaning

11. Obsession with class

12. Gossiping

13. Traffic obesession

14. Enjoying other people's misfortune

15. Never complaining

16. Cheap holidays

17. Working long hours

18. A soothing cuppa

19. Meat with two veg

20. Bad dancing

21. Uncomfortable talking about emtions

22. Clever sense of humour

23. Obsession with property values

24. Pandering to political correctness

25. Road rage

26. Weight worries

27. Wanting a good tan

28. Being proud of where we live

29. Not saying what we mean

30. The ability to laugh at ourselves

Here at Newbarn Farm, a great Fishing in Devon location, we can relate to this poll. Unfortunately our rather wet unrelenting summer with washed out BBQs didn't do to much for the moral of those fishing in Devon on our lakes. OK those not put of by our miserable British summer actually caught rather well and we often overheard later on in the day those who had opted to stay in our self-catering cottage & fishing gossiping about the antics of day ticketers.

On many occasion we have had visitors arriving after a tedious journey through appalling traffic conditions and reports of the most unorthodox behaviour by fellow motorists, exhausted by these antics they are releived to find their self-catering cottage (& fishing) already stovcked with tea bags, sugar and a cool jug of milk for that much needed soothing cuppa! Those who need something a little stronger could opt for some of our local cider, but would have to watch out as it is quite strong and we wouldn't want them joing the 'newts' in our lakes now would we?

Once here on their Devon Fishing Holiday our guests can catch up on all their favourite soaps or indeed any of their favourite programmes as all our self-catering cottages (& fishing) have freeview televsions, not forgetting to close their curtains. Afterall with so much to do in the area - do they really want to let their neighbouring tourists to know their viewing habits!

Newbarn Farm probably the best Fishing in Devon; Devon Fishing Holiday; Fishing Holidays Devon; Holiday Cottages & Fishing; Sel-catering Cottage & Fishing.

FREE FISHING FOR OUR GUESTS!

2008-10-31T15:08:00.007Z

Newbarn Farm is offering FREE Fishing - yes that's FREE Fishing for our guests!

This year Halloween marks the end of our busy season, since the onset of the early Easter Holidays this year we have had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people who chose Newbarn Farm, a great Devon Fishing Holiday location for their holiday. With our self-catering cottages & fishing being fully occupied for many of those months.

Although we do have the odd group in each week now until 29th November - this is undoubtedly the quiet season, hence the cost for renting one of our 4 star luxury cottages is at low season prices. One week for example in Poachers, a beautiful cottage with two foot stone walls with far reaching views of Dartmoor to the North and to the South views of the Farm's fishing lakes costs only £260. And what's more from now until 20th December we will throw in free fishing for the entire week for anyone who books a full 7 days in one of our Holiday Cottages & Fishing.

FREE Fishing for all Newbarn's Fishing Guests - to qualify just book a full week's Devon Fishing Holiday in one of our self-catering cottages & fishing anytime between 1st November 2008 and 20th December 2008.

An Award for World Class Service

2008-10-24T14:48:00.005+01:00

Just one year ago!

Last year all of us here at Newbarn Farm took part in a training programme called the 'S Factor', which focuses on customer service, although only taking a day of our time - it really made us think about the difference individuals can really make to another's experience! Not long after we were aproached to enter 'The South Devon Excellence Award' for 'World Class Service'.

We entered and attended the award ceremony and became the proud winners of 'The South Devon College World Class Service Award'.

This is our winning entry:

'Newbarn Farm Cottages & Angling Centre

When my husband and I look back to when we first took over the management of Newbarn Farm, we realise just how much we have enhanced our customers experience here. This is not just by improving the appearance of the property inside and out, considered to be an obvious by us but also by looking that little bit deeper into the way that all that needs to be accomplished within the working day, and the recognition by the Newbarn Farm team that the customers expectation is paramount to success and that this success is governed by the face of Newbarn Farm.

Richard and I have made some comprehensive changes, such as a very useful Information Book for the cottages, Guest Questionnaires, a much improved booking system, informative stylish brochures teamed with colourful corporate stationery and the list goes on. All intended not just to upgrade the cottages but to enhance the customer experience. Much of this was in the pipeline when Richard participated in ‘The S Factor – World Class Service’ project. Small but effective changes took place thereafter which made a difference.

We collated not only the Party name for each cottage for our ‘Saturday changeover list’ but also first names plus ages of children together with the registration of cars, so as a car drives up the driveway we are immediately able to tally the two. On welcoming these guests we can then greet them by name and include the children; ‘so you must be Amelia (aged 3) .....’ Taking this further we printed up welcoming cards with beautiful natural images taken on site – in these we can welcome each individual by name, something all young children love – almost magical, as if the Newbarn fairies write in them overnight!

We have Visitor Books which we encourage our guests to write about their stay at Newbarn Farm and indeed South Devon, anything actually. The Guest Questionnaires are not printed and updated just for effect – if something is wrong we act upon it – not later – but now. We had one last year who ticked the box for ‘service’ and ‘staff’ as poor with a foot note stating that this was for the fishing and a further comment ‘Getting information out of the boys at the fish hut was like pulling teeth’. Not long after we held a much needed Staff Meeting not to reprimand the Staff but to lead the way in Customer Service and to encourage them to understand why we/they are here in these roles. Sample testimonials from the Visitor Books were read out all with excellent reference to Richard and Catherine but not one could be found applauding a member of our staff. We explained that although we manage the business it is actually normally the staff who act as frontline, are seen and interact with the paying guests in the flesh far more than us and are therefore indeed the face of Newbarn Farm.

Literally one week later, Jonny who had been awarded the ‘Employee of the Year’ accolade (introduced as a new incentive for motivation and confidence at the meeting) was left a £10 tip from an impressed Angler suffering from arthritic hands – Jonny helped him throughout his stay setting up. Slowly good and some excellent comments started filtering in from our guests and day tickets about members of our team.

Jonny, 15 (works school holidays and weekends) sat in for ‘The S Factor – World Class Service’ this August, although a little shy he took it all in and commented that he found the forum very useful. For Jonny being aware of peoples body language is paramount and feels that he has learnt to use his to portray a friendly and approachable nature making our guests feel welcome and looked after. He has also endeavoured to take customer service that little bit further with regulars at the waters’ edge – getting to know a little more about them, friends, families - engaging in relevant conversation – making them feel special.

Darren our Angling Manager attended the S Factor course back in May – he immediately felt more confident when talking to guests and felt far more at ease when asked about local places of interest, being from Brixham he knows the area well and was unaware that suggesting ‘what to do’ could add so much more value to the customer holiday. He states that he feels he can really make a difference by ‘Making their stay a lot more enjoyable by providing them with 5 STAR treatment’.

Our cleaning staff joined Jonny in August for the S Factor forum and although they felt it was not really for them as rarely do they have contact with our guests, they have said ‘Now we have seen how others here work and understand their roles it makes us work together as a team and the course helped us to understand the customer needs’

And what a difference in some of the comments we have seen in our visitor books 18/08/2007, ‘Beautiful Cottage. Beautiful Location. Beautiful people’.
29/09/2007, ‘Thank you Catherine & Richard & all the staff for their smiles & friendliness. See you all next year. Roll on 2008’. 13/10/2007, ‘A super cottage very well equipped far better than expected, must be one of the best locations. A genuine warm welcome from all the staff. What more could anyone ask?’
28/08/2007, ‘I really like it here and the weather is great, the fishing is really good and I really like the trampoline and Badgers Holt, I had fishing lessons. Darren and Jonny taught me and all the staff are really friendly’ Tom aged 10.

We still have so many more projects in the pipeline, but most importantly we know that our staff are beginning to believe that they can make a difference just by sporting a smile, being friendly and thinking a little more about what they do and indeed why they are doing it. And with a good percentage more of repeat business coming in for next year we must be doing something right!'

With such an accolade and our continued efforts to strive for further excellence we here at Newbarn Farm believe that we have earned the right to be able to say that we are probably the best loacation in South Devon for the following:

Fishing in Devon

Devon Fishing Holiday

Fishing Holidays Devon

Holiday Cottages & Fishing

Self-catering Cottage & Fishing

Join in the Spirit this Autumn!

2008-10-17T14:22:00.011+01:00

As the nights draw in – venture forth into the depths of the unknown……..

Spend some magical autumn evenings under this night sky here at Newbarn Farm ( a great Devon Fishing Holiday location) and enjoy just a few events taking place this month!

Spooky Halloween Week of Horrors! Monday 27th October to Friday 31st October

The Wicked Witch of the Woods will be making a spellbinding appearance at the Halloween Thriller at Woodlands on October 26th. Don’t just come yourself and have a wild, wicked time bring Ghoulish Dads, Ghostly Mums and dastardly friends they’ll have a betwitching time as well. FREE pumpkins & carving, workshops, Trick or Treat, Fiendish Beasties and a Ghost Train. All taking place at Woodlands Leisure Park, Devon TQ9 7DQ. Open daily from 9.30am.

And, as the witching hour draws near join The Haldon Rangers for a feast of scary stories around a campfire in the forest! Why not get into the spirit of the event and come in fancy dress? Prize for the under 15’s. Well behaved (and quiet!) dogs welcome. Friday 31st October: Time: 6pm – 7.30pm and 8pm – 9.30pm. £5.00 per person, includes warm fruit punch. Booking essentail. Forestry Commission: 0845 3673787.

Firework Festival – Galactic Wars. Saturday 1st November

On November 1st the famous Woodlands Fireworks Festival heralds the biggest themed bonfire yet. Expectations will be at fever pitch as Spangles the Clown and Benco march with flaming torches to light the 40ft Galactic wars bonfire. The leaping flames will light up the stalls and games as the Jazz Band gets everyone’s feet stomping. Spangle’s and Benco’s clever comedy act will entertain the crowds. Woodlands Leisure Park, Bonfire lit at 6.30pm, fireworks blast off at 7.15pm.

Leaving the flames & ghouls behind you, join a calming Bird Watching and Wildlife Cruise. Saturday 15th November

Ideal for those interested in our feathered friends! This cruise includes a full commentary from an ornithologist throughout the cruise on the different species including Egrets, Herons, Peregrine Falcons, Kittiwakes and Avocets and also their habitats, breeding, feeding and behaviours of the thousands of birds on the Exe Estuary and East Devon Coast. The vessel has an open top deck and an enclosed and heated lower deck. Toilets and disabled access is available as well as a refreshments bar selling hot and cold drinks including homemade soups and snacks. Advance booking is strongly recommended for this popular cruise. Please note that due to the length and nature of this cruise it is not recommended that you take young children. Fare: £15 per person. 01395 279693.

Flashdance - The Musical. Monday 17th November – Saturday 22nd November

Sparks will fly this year as the World Premiere production of FLASHDANCE – The Musical explodes onto the stage. Set in Pittsburgh USA, Flashdance tells the story of 18 year old Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, whose dream is to obtain a place at the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy. Full of pulsating, raw energy and with breathtaking choreography by Arlene Phillips (Strictly Come Dancing, Grease, Starlight Express, Saturday Night Fever), FLASHDANCE – The Musical promises to be the theatrical event of the year – so take your passion and make it happen!

Tickets from £12.50 - £29.50. Box Office: 0844 847 2315

And for a spot of fishing Newbarn Farm offers probably some of the best coarse fishing in South Devon, six fishing lakes and ponds to choose from. Just a gentle stroll from your four star luxury self-catering cottage & fishing, or for those laden down with plenty of fishing gear you could just pack in the car and drive to one of of water side car parks - what more could you ask for? A great Devon Fishing Holiday.

Fishing Holidays in Devon - look no further than Newbarn Farm Cottages & Angling Centre
Posted by Newbarn Farm Cottages and Angling Centre

Eggs are flying!

2008-10-09T11:25:00.015+01:00

Sales of eggs at Tesco have risen by six per cent in the last week!

This very recent increase in demand for the egg apparently is not due to a nation wishing to have a few sunny side up on a Sunday morning - no something a little more sinister is happening with potentially life-threatening results.

Ever since Charles Saatchi, the Art Dealer procalaimed he had lost an larming 5 stone over a period of nine months on a diet consisting entirely of eggs and nothing more, it looks like a good percentage of those desperate overweight 'sheep' out there wish to follow his example, albeit a bad one! So they have been flocking to their supermarkets and clearing the shelves of copious amounts of eggs.

I have to say I am very surprised that his 'slightly more' famous wife, Nigella should have allowed it - famed for her over the top sickly recipes - where even the simpliest of soups doesn't escape lashings of something incredibly sweet and a huge pot of double cream! Surely a household where 3 teenage children reside, the example set by these two high prolific characters has been far from responsible if not barbaric.

Nutritionists have been horrified at the Saatchi egg diet, which raises cholesterol dangerously and can damage the liver and kidneys. Despite the drwabacks, however, thousands of shoppers are apparently following his example - let's hope that doesn't stretch to their children!

Here at Newbarn Farm we have seven rescued battery hens who now live a life of luxury compared to their former years. We are blessed at the moment to receive a daily offering of three or four eggs. We tend to keep them for the weekends for our guests to buy to enhance their country holiday experience whilst staying in one of four star luxury self catering cottages & fishing. Far tastier than their supermarket counterparts these eggs fried up with some locally bought bacon and organic tomatoes from Riverford make a great start to the day for some great fishing in Devon on one of the farm's six coarse fishing ponds. A great Devon Fishing Holiday location.

But I guess now we will limit the weekly purchase of eggs to 6 for a couple and no more than a dozen for a large family group. We would hate to think that we could contribute to a guest's poor health simply by offering them something so natural! Unlike Nigella we believe in our responsibility we have to our guests - not only making sure that they have the best Devon Fishing Holiday they have ever had but also to make sure we adhere to Health & Safety.

Newbarn Farm - always working to make our Self-catering holiday & fishing bigger and better!

It's All Gloom and Doom - or is it?

2008-10-03T13:42:00.013+01:00

The media is full of it - you can't turn on the television without being hit with it - all the newstands have it staring at you in the face - the radio is full of it - when will it end?

If like me you are sick and tired of hearing about all the gloom and doom - 'THE CREDIT CRUNCH' - apparently has just got worse! Well it has. Spiv City traders have been short-selling our lives and now we're all billions of pounds in debt. And it's raining again - after the dullest summer for bloody years. But hang on......there are plenty of things we can enjoy that don't involve costing the earth, in fact some don't cost a penny!

1. Understand the credit crunch is no walk in the park. So why not take a real walk in the park instead. This year, after all the rain we've had over the past few months, it's going to be a dazzling autumn.

And it certainly is here at Newbarn Farm - a great Devon Fishing Holiday Location

2. On your walk in the park, why not watch children play their impromptu football games? Often more entertaining than their professional counterparts. Or just watching children at play - scrunching the autumn crisp leaves with their boots, trying to catch them as they drop from the branches their home for the summer!

Watching children fishing in Devon, catching their first fish is priceless

3. The hedgerows are full of juicy blackberries, the summer having delayed the harvest, but it has also plumped up the fruit. Just grab a plastic container from the kitchen and before too long you will have collected enough berries, a free gift from nature to make delicious blackberry & aple crumble or pie or the more adventurous, blackberry jelly. Yum!

Plenty of juciy balackberries just waiting to be harvested from around our lovely fishing lakes in Devon

4. Share a bath - just as we are advised to in the Seventies to save the gas/electricity bill. After all, austerity is meant to bring people together....

We have installed some great contemporay bathroom suites into our self-catering cottages & fishing this year - why not check them out....

5. Already gas and electricity are becoming toxically expensive, to use the latest buzz word, so go to bed earlier and cuddle up.

Newbarn holiday cottages & fishing have recently been refurbished with very cosy but contemporay furnishings. The bedrooms are very welcoming and cosy!

6. Book a holiday at Newbarn Farm, secure one of our 4 STAR luxury self-catering cottages with fishing and spend your days watching the rare Black Fallow Deer in Haldon, walk the nature paths and locate some spectacular pieces of local art. Drive to Dartmoor and blow all those cobwebs and financial concerns away by scaling the tors and treking over this breathtaking Erica ladened National Park.

Newbarn Farm not only provides excellent Holiday Cottages & Fishing but is situated in a prime location of 42 acres of pasture and woodland with the most spectacular far reaching views of Dartmoor.

7. With the frosty, clear nights just around the corner you can enjoy one of nature's most wondrous freebies. Just look up and enjoy the sight of a thousand twinkling stars.

Set high up on a hilltop, Newbarn Farm boasts spectacular far reaching views but one of the best is the night sky on moonlit clear nights with the stars twinkling high up over the Farm's Fishing in Devon lakes - which twinkle back!

Animal Magic in South Devon

2008-09-26T13:30:00.006+01:00

Two Tall, leggy females are setting pulses racing in South Devon

Paignton Zoo is reportedly one of the best if not the best zoo in the United Kingdom, and yesterday it got even better. Female giraffes have returned to Paignton Zoo Evirmomental Park for the first time in two years - to the interest of resident male Yoda. Thanks to a local newspaper, 'The Herald Express Kizi Fund', helped raise £7,453 towards bringing giraffes back to Paignton Zoo after a fire in February 2006 killed three animals, including a week-old baby.

So the two females, three year old Janica, from Duvrkralove Zoo in the Czeh Republic and Sangha (two and a half), from Liberec Zoo in Slovakia, join four year old Yoda, who arrived in Devon in September 2006. Yoda was born in November 2004 and he came from Denmark, usually male giraffes are solitary creatures for at least part of their lives, but I'm sure Yoda will be just as pleased as the rest of us to see his new girlfriends!

Here at Newbarn Farm, a great Devon Fishing Holiday location, we often advise our guests that visiting Paignton Zoo is an absolute must whilst staying in one of our 4 star self-catering cottages with fishing - and now with the additional attraction of three giraffes interacting with each rather than just Yoda on his own plus the opening of the fantastic crocodile swamp this summer - what more could you ask from a great day out. With the discounted tickets we can let you have - you will be able to see our three adopted animals - Yoda being one, the rare Red Panda and the gorilla, the other two - and the gorilla can look pretty fiercesome at times!

So if you are an animal lover with a fishing hobby - there is no better place to be than 1.5 miles away from Paignton Zoo staying in one of our self-catering cottages (& fishing) on your Devon Fishing Holiday with six Fishing in Devon lakes to choose from on a daily basis.

I'm sure Yoda, Janica and Sangha would love to see you too!

Balmy September Evenings!

2008-09-19T18:12:00.009+01:00

At long last not a cloud to spoil the view!

Last night Richard and I invited two of our guests on the fourth visit here at Newbarn Farm for a drink after dinner. He was sporting a rather red face after spending most of the day fishing in Devon on the banks of Island Pool (enjoying the coffee brought to him by the friendly bailiff at two hour intervals. And no he wasn't embarrassed about his tardiness (they were only 10 minutes late) or by hitting his head on the door frame on his way in - being a retired copper of an exceptional stature. He was just plain old sunburnt and rather pleased about it and who wouldn't be?

After months of torture, painfully waiting for a summer to begin, enduring the 6th wettest August since records began (according to provisional figures) - allowing just a thimble full of sunshine - just 115.9 hours over the entire month. By 2nd September the weatherman were full of gloom and doom about this month after in their eyes a false start at on the first day of the month. But 'Thank God' how wrong they all have been. We have a summer at long last.

Over drinks she enthused about a stroll she took mid afternoon with her book to the bench up in Home Field to enjoy the glorious sunshine and the spectacular view of Dartmoor (more to see from this vantage point in probably one of the best Devon Fishing Holiday locations). Glancing up from her book she was shocked to see a hot air balloon floating effortlessly by and so very near and in her words she then 'spotted another emerging from the old Oak up there almost as if the tree was giving birth!'

This a sight not uncommon to us, though alas this summer there have been few and far between - but these guys are certainly making up for lost time. In total six sailed past yesterday surveying the 42 acres of Newbarn Farm home to eight luxury four star self-catering cottages with fishing!

Today as been such a great day - with the children both at School I threw myself into work - writing this blog being one of my many tasks for the day. I felt fantastic even though one too many last night should have put a halt to that. But with sun high in the sky and not a cloud to spoil the view I felt as though I was walking on air and so too did everyone around me. All of our guests just couldn't believe how lucky they are and all have said they are certain to return in the near future.

The children's sunflowers have even flourished these last few days as if to say ' as far as were concerned this is our summer and we had to wait a long time to come out, but hey it was worth the wait!'

When the sun shines in this country you can get no better - it really is great!

Beautiful sandy beaches!

Holidays in England are great espcially Fishing Holidays in Devon!

So let us cherish the next few weeks destined to be an Indian Ssummer of balmy September evenings.

Hold on to that to that sunny thought!

Newbarn Farm, Fishing Holidays in Devon, Devon Fishing Holidays, Self catering with fishing

Albeit late but here comes 'Summer'

2008-09-10T14:18:00.016+01:00

A break in the rain clouds and blue skies! Great news for those anglers taking Fishing Holidays in Devon!

Listed below are just a few of the things you could do here in South Devon with 30 minutes travelling time from Newbarn Farm - probably the best Self-Catering Cottages with Fishing in the area!

For those who enjoy mystery, murder, chills and thrills - you'll love the production of 'And Then There Were None' at the Princess Theatre in Torquay, with performances showing from 15th September through until 20th September. It will have you gripped in your seats and curling your toes with fear! Keeping on the Agatha Christie trail why not enjoy a cruise from the quay at Torquay to Greenway (nr Brixham - a famously unspoilt Devon Fishing Holiday harbour town), followed by a guided tour of the famous writer's garden, with tea to follow.

For those wishing to get back to nature and enjoy some simple food preparation why not make the most of a FREE experience at Follaton Arboretum in Totnes - meet there Sunday 21st September, for a morning of harvesting Autumn Berries, followed by plenty of earthsome cooking in the afternoon. Learn new skills by making autumn produce for Trees for Health and sample some delicious deserts!

For more food try out The Abbfest - the Abbotskerswell Beer and Food Festival taking place from Sunday 21st - Tuesday 23rd September. In addition to being able to sample over 100 beers and ciders - all produced in Devon, 50 local food producers will be displaying their produce on the 22nd and 23rd - with plenty of traditional fayre. There will be free food tasting and cookery demonstrations by some of the best local Chefs, including John Burton Race.

And for a little adventure, take the minibus safari with the ranger into the depths of Haldon Forest, then walk over rough terrain in places - to see and hear the rut of the rare Black Fallow Deer, seen in the picture here. This will be followed by a well deserved full breakfast at a local establishment (vegetarian option available). £15 per person, an early start at 6.30am on the morning of Saturday 11th October.

And for a spot of fishing Newbarn Farm offers probably some of the best coarse fishing in South Devon, six fishing lakes and ponds to choose from. Just a gentle stroll from your four star luxury self-catering cottage & fishing, or for those laden down with plenty of fishing gear you could just pack in the car and drive to one of of water side car parks - what more could you ask for? A great Devon Fishing Holiday.

Fishing Holidays in Devon - look no further than Newbarn Farm Cottages & Angling Centre

Passport Not Required!!!

2008-09-04T10:16:00.011+01:00

Break the Mould Next Year!

More of us are trading in our annual fortnight abroad for a credit crunch-busting holiday nearer home. And for some it has surprising rewards!

Many families are used to travelling to exotic locations, luggage overflowing with summer's latest wardrobe carefully purchased for a fortnight in the sun, sipping rose with toes dipped into the swimming pool gazing at the rich and chic, in a location just to die for! Many of these holidays costing a family of four in the region of £5,000 if not more. Last year many would have thought well our house earns more than that for us every month, we can afford it! The good times were rolling, you worked hard, you deserved a grand holiday!

How different many of us feel now. One such family swapped five star luxury in the South of France for crab sanwiches and sandcastles on a English beach. She described her holiday as truly horrid. Mortifed by being out of clean clothes on the fourth day - worse still by having to wear last year's wardrobe and not even being able to show of newly bronzed limbs, being the colour of vanilla ice-cream! Having had to cook most nights - no swanky restaurants here, she blew a fuse and demanded to decamp to a hotel. He husband persuaded her to see it out which she only agreed to do after the children pleaded with her 'can we stay' - they were having fun! She resigned herself to the perils which awaited her - but they didn't come. Resigned to the fact that she had to stay put - things suddenly became easier. She stopped worrying the children didn't have clean clothes. They didn't care and what point - rolling around in the long grass and mud, collecting shells and building grubby sandcastles on the beach. Soon she didn't care. A new regime emerged: trip to the cove, ice cream, crabbing, crab sandwiches made by the man who caught them that morning, fishing at the Devon Fishing Holiday place. These simple, happy things - sandcastles, the joy of jumping icy crashing waves on a summer's day - are the stuff of childhood memories!

Dig back into your memory banks and re-discover those exciting holidays you experienced as a child, drinking hot soup from a flask on a cold summer's day - after making that determined swim in the sea, sandcastles and fishing trips to Devon. This is the stuff that memorable childhood holidays are made of - the simple life.

Here at Newbarn Farm, probably the best Devon Fishing Holiday you could have whilst staying in one of our self-catering cottages with optional fishing. Beautiful beaches just a stone's throw away - not just one but five within 2 miles to choose from. Pay £2.80 to park your car by the Mill Pond at Stoke Gabriel, watch the children crabbing in these beautiful serene setting whilst you sit back sipping coffee, feed the ducks and watch the cormorants dive for their prey. Just £2.80 for the whole family - the children will love it and want to stay all day.

Watching children fish for the first time is fantastic - some may want to play with the maggots a little too much, others will not touch and insist on using sweetcorn as bait - but when they catch their first fish - and hey it doesn't matter that it weighs less than your little finger - they treat it as though they just caught a Sail Fish - notriously difficult to catch! They will be so excited. Jumping on the trampoline in the playarea everyday will be a must for them - pleading with you at breakfast for five minutes trampolining everyday!

Feeling the pinch - leave the passport in the filing cabinet at home - a few hours in the car - Newbarn Farm calls - great Holiday Cottages with fishing - give your children a holiday to remember - keep it simple - and they will remember it more!

Newbarn Farm - Fishing in Devon; Devon Fishing Holiday; Fishing Holidays in Devon; \holiday Cottages & Fishing; Self-catering Cottage & Fishing.

Suddenly it's good to be British!

2008-08-22T14:23:00.004+01:00

Good reasons for being British today

The Olympics 2008

Crikey who would have thought it? Ever the pessimist, Britain is actually doing rather well - no lets rephrase that 'Bloody brilliantly'. How many medals - 4 golds and 2 silvers today - but hey who's counting now? Once the gold-ometer shot past the magic number of 15 (Antwerp, 1920), there seemed little point. Excluding London in 1908, when the Games dragged on for six months and Britain provided half of the competitors and 56 golds, Beijing is our most successful Olympics.

Spare a thought for Sebastian Coe. The chairman of the London Organising Committee stood in front of the podium for the women's 400 metres medal ceremony with a look on his face that said: 'How do I follow this?' At opening ceromony I turned round to my husband and said ' There is no way on Earth the London Olympics are going to be anywhere near as awesome as this!'
Behind him with a gold number 16 around her neck was Christine Ohuruogu, born and bred not a mile from the Stratford nucleus of 2012. A delicious omen, not a burden, we hope.
In the weeks leading up to Beijing, officials at Team GB downgraded medal expectations from 40-plus to 35. When Ohuruogu left the stadium, the total had hit 33. Five days of competition remain. Who knows where this will end?
In Atlanta only 12 years ago, Sirs Redgrave and Pinsent won Britain's only gold of the Games. Now the world is a different place. The iron curtain has gone, taking the Soviet Union and all her medals with it. Russia languishes on a mere ten gold medals. Who'd have thought it, Britain thrashing the Kremlin? So at long last we can stand tall and be proud of our Olympic success.

Not only as a nation are we basking in the glory of Olympic success we are suddenly and rather unexpectedly basking in glorious bright sunshine, a delight we now as a nation fear has abandoned our shores and is just as likely as any success in Beijing ! There is nothing greater than England on a summer's day with a gentle breeze rustling through the trees and hedgerows, lifting the soul of the land, the grass every shade of lustrous green rippling softly under the gaze of the sun overhead in the cornflour blue hue of the sky. And there is nowhere better than gazing across Dartmoor, taking in this spectacular panoramic view from the perimeters of your luxury four star self-catering cottage and fishing here in South Devon at Newbarn Farm. Probably one of the best fishing in Devon locations and one of the best Devon Fishing Holiday to be had in the South West.

Trains & Boats & Planes & Fishing in Devon

2008-08-14T20:24:00.008+01:00

August the month of the Regatta & so much more
Spectacular entertainment for sailors and non-sailors alike - let's not forget the guys fishing in Devon – and the appearance of some familiar visitors overhead!

Ocean BMW Torbay Week 2008. Friday 22nd – Wednesday 27th August 2008

This is an exciting NEW event replacing the three existing Torbay regatta’s (Torquay, Brixham & Paignton). That means lots of good racing and plenty of shorebased excitement for visitors and spectators too! The setting couldn’t be better either, with the large sheltered bay providing fantastic sailing conditions in a climate that is noted as being much warmer than the rest of the UK. (I guess that's why most of you have chosen a devon Fishing Holiday).There will be plenty of live music at the Harbourside, including the Beach Boys Tribute Band, ‘Good Vibrations’. An all day Pirate day on Bank Holiday Monday promises to provide fun for all the family, organised by the Brixham Buccaneers ending with a fantastic firework display at Corbyn Head, Torquay and finally The Red Arrows will close the event with a stunning air display.

Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta. Thursday 28th – Saturday 30th August 2008

The Dartmouth Regatta provides probably the most enjoyable entertainment throughout South Devon’s calendar! In a glorious setting over 200 crafts from Yachts to Dinghies compete in over 15 sailing events, local rowing clubs compete in Eights, Fours and Pairs fighting it out over the testing course. The Regatta committee have managed to put together one of the best public air displays in Europe – The Red Arrows will be performing on Saturday, The Typhoon, Lynx Pair, Merlin and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will all be putting on shows through the week. Plus Treasure Hunts, Regatta Rock, Crab Fishing Competitions, Children’s Fancy Dress Competition, Firework Displays, Tug of War and so much more! An ever popular event make it stress free by taking the Steam Train from Paignton Station to Kingswear where you’ll pick up the passenger ferry for the short cruise to Dartmouth passing the HMS Argyll, a Type 23 Frigate, the Regatta Guardship. Crikey so much to do but I bet the keen fishermaen amongst you will still set up a rig for a late evening fish when back at your self-catering cottage and fishing back at Newbarn Farm!

And for a spot of light entertainment……..Open-air cinema Hairspray. Thursday 21st August 2008

Skylight cinema is screening Hairspray on the beach! Enjoy this iconic movie under the stars. Get Ready for something big! Pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad teaches 1962 Baltimore a thing or two about integration after landing a spot on a local TV dance show. Come with your friends, or the whole family. Half the fun is bringing your own seating ... so relax on your bean-bag, picnic blanket, deckchair, pillow or even a hammock! Arrive from 20.40, film starts at 21.00 on Blackpool Sands. A great night's entertainment - exhausted from your hectic day of relaxing what better than heading back to your perfect holiday cottage (and fishing if you feel like it!) - Newbarn Farm!

All the above events are within easy reach of Newbarn Farm Cottages.

And now for some really good news…… we have availability for week commencing 23rd August 2008

Buzzards Bough – 2 bedrooms – sleeps 3 - £725
Dartmoor View – 3 bedrooms – sleeps 6 - £1200

Newbarn Farm - the best fishing in Devon (probably), the best Devon Fishing Holiday (probably) and the best Self-catering cottages and fishing ( you've guessed it - probably). But we believe it! So come and give us a try - you will have a ball - you not the fish!

The Perfect Holiday Now & Way Back Then!

2008-08-06T14:34:00.007+01:00

Come to Devon

Back in the mid thirties this great thick tome was produced, titled The Come to Devon Guide it had some 400 pages or so packed with information, photographs, maps and everything else that may help a holidaymaker ....price 6d (92p in today's money). Eileen Egbeare, former mayor of Ashburton, amateur historian and preserver of Devon dialect and traditions discovered this little gem.

With no date visible on the book cover one can only assume from the pictorial and editorial content that it must have been the 1935 edition, described as 'the organ of the Come to Devon Association'. No doubt the ancestor of the present day Tourist Boards, at a time when every city, town and holiday village in the county combined to advertise their charms together.

Babbacombe was doing a UDI in those days and had its own page, inviting visitors to stand on the Downs 'and inhale to the full, the invigorating air blowing uninterrupted from the Channel'.
Torquay's list of attractions included the medical, electrical and Turkish baths with their famous sun lounge, fitted with Vita glass and complete with modern apparatus for violet ray treatment. The finest in England, it claimed.

Those were the great days of the railways. The Torbay Limited Express left Paddington at noon each weekday and did the 200-mile trip in 210 minutes. Monthly return tickets cost a penny a mile third class, with an extra half penny a mile first class.

The great Bernard Darwin reviewed the golf courses and said the view from Little Haldon — now called Teignmouth — compared with the view from Mont Agel behind Monte Carlo. There was a list of all the hunts in Devon — 13 Fox, nine Harriers, three Otter, three Foot Beagles and one Stag — with the days when they met.

Helpful tips for sun bathers who were advised to stop their ears with cotton wool coated with cold cream. Not every day was hot and sunny, even then. Another chapter advised: “If you get blue after bathing or suffer from lassitude, consult your doctor.”

The Come to Devon Association had its office in Cathedral Yard, Exeter, and offered to book accommodation for visitors at any hotel, boarding house, farm or camping site, 12 pages of them, without charge.

Well 70 years on and the Steam Railway still exists but has long ceased to ferry passengers from Paddington, sticking to the coastal tracks in and around the bay - but a great day out nonetheless. Great days to be has on the beach and not always crowded as the picture belows depicts taken only three weeks ago at Goodrington Sands - though I'm not sure I'll be stuffing my ears with cold cream and cotton wool.

For great views just two miles out of the bay at Newbarn Farm, a great self-catering cottage & fishing location, at the top of our Top Field there is a truly spectacular 180 degree panoramic view taken in far reaching Dartmoor, extending right around to the heights of Wellswood in Torquay to the blue waters of the bay. And right down in the valley before you the wonderful Fishing in Devon angling lakes sit. So no need to travel the 8 miles to Old Haldon (Teignmouth) for dramatic views!

And some of the enchanting images below - all taken on site at Newbarn Farm have certainly stood the test of time! They would in fact make great book covers - now what about a title?

A Tranquil & Peaceful Haven

Newbarn Farm's Great Devon Fishing Holiday

'Oaktree Summer Memoirs'

The Rogers account of Summer Fishing Holidays in Devon

And lastly

'Night Fishing in Devon'

an honest account of a great holiday staying in luxury holiday cottages with fishing

A Perfect Recipe for a Great Summer Holiday

2008-07-30T12:39:00.007+01:00

A Great Summer Holiday

Ingredients

For your base you will need:

* Your loved ones (keep the numbers to a minimum of 8) or a selection of your closest most reliable friends *Well behaved pet (optional) * A four star luxury self-catering cottage (& fishing!) * A sprinkling of sunshine * One pre-ordered Taste of Devon Hamper

For your filling pick three or more of the following:

* Fishing in Devon

* Lazing on the beach

* Uninterrupted 22 miles of coastal paths

* Steam Railway

* Woodlands Theme Park

* Historic Elizabethan Totnes Market

* Two on-site play areas

* Dartmoor

Method for Base

Carefully introduce your family or loved ones to the idea of having a holiday together. Once agreed, slowly add one by one your family members or friends into the four star self-catering cottage (& fishing!). Do not stir, allow to settle. Once settled you may add your well behave pet to the mix. Do not stir. Leave to chill!

Take one large pre-ordered Taste of Devon Hamper to the kitchen of your self-catering cottage (& fishing!) - divide the contents. Place the Newbarn Farm scones, clotted cream and strawberry preserve on plates. Keep the rest back for later use in the week.

Take your now chilled family or friends to the garden sprinkle liberally with sunshine and add your Devon cream tea to the mixture. Sit back and enjoy!

Now you have successfully prepared your base you can add slowly any of your chosen fillings as the week progresses. Do not add too quickly or more than one at a time as this could ruin the taste of your base! The Fishing in Devon makes an excellent filling so too does the lazing on the beach!

This recipe was produced by Newbarn Farm, a great Devon Fishing Holiday location which offers luxury four star self-catering cottages & fishing.

Oh my! It really is Summertime!

2008-07-23T11:33:00.007+01:00

School's out for Summer

Last week I responded to an article I had read in the media - only 162 days to go to Christmas! Today I am sitting in the office with an empty 'blog' screen facing me - I feel uninspired! This will be the last day for six weeks in which I will be able to sit here in solitude - my peace and quiet, the call of the telephone being my only distraction. In an hour I will have to down tools, grab the car key and dash into town to collect my youngest daughter from Nursery, later at 3.oopm I will be standing outside the School gate waiting for my eldest to vacate the Reception class for the last time.

Back in 1972, I recall leaving School for the summer holidays with recurring lyrics racing through my head and like many at the time would often burst into song with utter delight at the prospect of so many weeks free from the education system.

Released back in 1972, Alice Cooper's 'School's out for Summer' was an instant hit. Cooper has said he was inspired to write the song when answering the question, "What's the greatest three minutes of your life?". Says Cooper: "There's two times during the year. One is Christmas morning, when you're just getting ready to open the presents. The greed factor is right there. The next one is the last three minutes of the last day of school when you're sitting there and it's like a slow burning. I said, 'If we can catch that three minutes in a song, it's going to be so big'". and he was so right!

Well we got no choice

All the girls and boys

Makin all that noise'

Cause they found new toys

Well we can't salute ya

Can't find a flag

If that don't suit ya

That's a drag

School's out for summer

School's out forever

School's been blown to pieces

No more pencils

No more books

No more teacher's dirty looks

Well we got no class

And we got no principles

And we got no innocence

We can't even think of a word that rhymes

School's out for summer

School's out forever

School's been blown to pieces

No more pencils

No more books

No more teacher's dirty looks

Out for summer

Out till fall

We might not go back at all

School's out forever

School's out for summer

School's out with fever

School's out completely

A great song!

Well it's not Christmas (not yet! Only 155 days to go!), so gifts are not required to satisfy the 'greed factor'. But with plenty of days to fill, hopefully whilst the sun shines - remember Fishing in Devon at Newbarn Farm doesn't cost the earth and is an inexpensive way to occupy the kids whilst they drink in the gallons of fresh air!

And for those who haven't as yet booked that much awaited Summer Holiday we can offer luxury four star self catering cottages & fishing for families from Saturday 23rd August.

'School's out for Summer', make the most of your 'Devon Fishing Holiday'

Only 161 days until Christmas!!!!

2008-07-16T12:31:00.019+01:00

It will be the season to ex-ter-mi-nate

Sorry to the bearer of bad news, but there really are only 161 days until Christmas. Though most of us would prefer to ignore this fact, as most of us are still looking forward to our summer vacations, especially those venturing south for a fabulous Devon Fishing Holiday; the toy stores have other ideas!

Hamleys has already compiled a list of the products that will be top of our children's wishlists this year. First is a Dalek voice-changing helmet from the Doctor Who range, guaranteed to make even the sweetest child sound like a murderous robot for £39.99. The very little ones are expected to hanker after a high-tech version of the Teletubbies doll, which was a top-seller ten years ago. The £39.99 'Dance With Me' Teletubbies blink, giggle, dance and make a'parp' sound when knocked over and a happy 'whee' sound when picked up.

Quite an expensive headache if you ask me, and joy of joy more plastic to break, trip over, clutter up the lounge & worst of all the constant pleads for yet more batteries to make the damn things work! Why as a nation do we do this to ourselves? And what's more over and over again each year!

So why not break the mould this year? A little peace would be a worthy reward. For those with children , boys and girls alike - a fishing rod & reel with some fancy looking floats would make a great gift with some pre-paid day tickets for your local coarse fishery and for those in the Southwest where better than Newbarn Farm, a prime place for Fishing in Devon. A new hobby which can be fulfilled with spending very little and what's more just think of the fresh air the children would be taking.

For those who have let go of the magic inspired by Father Christmas - a holiday in a one of Newbarn Farm's luxury four star self catering cottages (& fishing) over the Christmas holidays could just be the ticket.

And for us grown-ups, why we don't need an exuse - do we? A great gift for a loved one - a short break or a full week's holiday. Just wrap up one of our brochures and place it under the tree - they'll be delighted not to recieve yet another pair of slippers or a perfume from the shelves of that corner pharmacists just down the road!

And if Christmas really does seem a lifetime away - too far away to start making plans and drawing up copious lists, there's no harm in treating yourself and your loved ones with a short Devon Fishing Holiday in one of luxurious self catering cottages & fishing. Go on spoil yourself.

A summer buzzing with activity!

2008-07-09T12:13:00.009+01:00

Living Coasts are opening a new exciting 'journey' on July 16th. Easily located in Beacon Quay right on the harbourside in Torquay, 'The Roots of the Sea' promises you a journey into the roots of a mangrove forest here a Living Coasts. See stingrays, upside-down jelly fish, dinosaur crabs and lots more.

And then on Saturday 26th July, the famous Marldon Apple Pie Fair takes place. Travelling time to this fair from your self-catering cottage & fishing at Newbarn Farm is approximately 10 minutes. In loving memory of a George Hill who died towards the end of the 19th Century, the Marldon Apple Pie Fair began in 1955. George Hill used to travel weekly to market in Torquay on a donkey with panniers full of apples. On his return the panniers would be full of washing to be laundered. On the day of the annual fair and sports day in St Marychurch, Torquay, George drove a cart carrying a huge apple pie, drawn by two black donkeys wearing harness and reins decorated with plaited straw, around the town. The pie, oval in shape and aboout the size of a kitchen table, ended its journey at the fair and was eaten with cream. Today the Marldon Apple Pie Fair is considered by the Torbay community to be simply one of the best events in the local summer calendar; with various arena events, exhibition of craft activities and local artists in a large marquee, plus numerous side shows and stalls. They don't have any fishing holidays in Devon here, but with only 10 minutes to journey back to Newbarn Farm you will be able to soon see yourself sitting on the banks with rod in hand for some quality Fishing in Devon.

Torbay Carnival Week this year promises to be bigger and better than previous years. Running from Sunday 27th July - Sunday 3rd August, the 2008 celebrations mark 100 years of family fun on Paignton Green with the stunning backdrop of the South Devon coastline and Paignton Pier. Opening day starts of with the Riviera Classic Car Show and Town crier competitions. Monday gives way to Children’s day with fun for all ages ; Tuesday ends with a fantastic firework display to music at 9.45pm. Wednesday is Carnival Procession day with lots of fun races thrown in throughout the day. The second children’s day takes place on Thursday with live Night Music until 10.30pm. Plenty to keep the family entertained all day and every day throughout the week.

Travelling time from Newbarn Farm is only 5 minutes, so you will be able to get some Fishing in Devon in before the fun kicks of at 9.30am on a daily basis.

For those who enjoy a little open air theatre, the Dartmouth Shakespeare Company are putting on a production of The Tempest, with seating in the car park at Dartmouth Castle with the performance taking place on the grassy banks in the historic ruins of the old fortalice. Why not arrive early, find a convenient parking space and have time to look around, there are a number of short walks in the immediate vicinity and picnic areas. Bar opens at 7pm. Family tickets 2 + 2 - £30.00, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - £10.00. Friday and Saturday performances - £12.50. Tel: 01803 834224. Travelling time from Newbarn Farm is 25 minutes, so one the curtain comes down it won't be long before you are back in your very comfortable self-catering cottage & fishing.

And…. .Bigbury-on-sea

All this just a stone's throw away from your favourite Devon Fishing Holiday Cottage.

Feeling the Pinch!

2008-07-02T10:07:00.006+01:00

Tightening Belts

Consumers are tightening their belts as they battle with the credit crunch, according to a CBI survey published today.

Service companies are suffering their worst period for seven entire years, with business falling over the past three months at a time when costs have risen rapidly. Professsional services companies - such as lawyers, artitects, IT companies, accountants and head hunters - fared a little better - they continued to grow but at well below previous levels.

In a nutshell, we as a nation are reining in on spending on leisure, entertainment and eating out. This has had a devasting impact on the tourist industry, not only are major tourist attractions showing a fall in entrance numbers, but restaurants are suffering too.

Here at Newbarn Farm, a great Devon fishing holiday location we have maintained the same numbers on our banks as last year. Surely this must be a reflection of the quality fishing in Devon we have on offer and that you really don't have to 'break the bank' to enjoy a day participating in your favourite sport - a mere £7.00. Yes only £7.00 for a full day!

Sadly some of our luxury 4 STAR self-catering cottages (& fishing) are potentially looking empty next week, which is crazy as a good percentage of the nation has decided not to take that last minute holiday as means of 'tightening their belts'. Well that needn't be the case!

Here a Newbarn Farm, we beleive that we are probably in one of the best locations for exploring all that South Devon has on offer and probably provide the finest self-catering cottages for those much wanted fishing holidays in Devon.

We are feeling the pinch too - so we are offering some great last minute deals for that South Devon Holiday:-

Poachers - sleeps 2 - w/c 5th July - only £360

Pheasants Hide - sleeps 2 - w/c 5th July - only £360

Oaktree - sleeps 2 - w/c 5th July - only £400

Buzzards Bough - sleeps 3 - w/c 5th July - only £400

Anglers Rest - sleeps 4 - w/c 5th July - only £475

Oaktrest - sleeps 10 - w/c 5th July - only £1000

Just call 01803 553602 for a fabulous late getaway from 'feeling the pinch'.

Believe me it will be worth it!

Summer in South Devon

2008-06-25T12:03:00.009+01:00

With so many things to do within the locality of Newbarn Farm - probaly one of the best Devon Fishing Holiday locations - it can be difficult to decide what to do whilst on holiday here. Well obviously not difficult for the keen angler who wishes to make the most of the quality self-catering cottage and fishing here at Newbarn Farm, but for those who unlike these members of their family would rather do a little something else!

To cross this divide we try on our day off take time out and sample some of the many Tourist attractions so we can recommend by first hand experience 'what to do'. One of our favourites for all the family is the Round Robin trip - a fantastic day out - picking up an open double decker bus from Paignton Bus Station, you will travel along the back roads to the Totnes Steamer Quay, taking in the glorious scenery of the South Downs, you will even pass the driveway to Newbarn Farm on route (you could even join the Round Robin here) just a short walk down the lane from your Devon Fishing Holiday Cottage. Once at the Steamer Quay in Totnes you will start the second leg of your journey, a fabulous, leisurely cruise up the River Dart, passing Sharpham Vineyard and the Mill Pond at Stoke Gabriel (a beautiful backdrop for crabbing) plus the opportunity to spot some wonderful bird life.

You will eventually find yourself heading for Dartmouth, famous for amongst other things the Royal Navy College (Prince William's home for the moment) and John Burton Race's 'New Angel' Restaurant (open for lunch). Here you will be able to spend as long as you wish browsing the shops, crabbing, lunching or just taking in the ambience of this lovely historic naval town. A quick jaunt on the passenger ferry across the river to Kingswear finds you at the old Train Station where the Steam Railway will journey you around the coast back to Paignton, passing Broadsands and Goodrington Sands on the way.

A perfect day out! Even better to finish the day off with a BBQ in our Garden Field and if the guys are still enjoying their fishing in Devon on the banks of one of Newbarn Farm lovely lakes, you could even give them a wave with glass in the other hand!

Devon Fishing Holidays, if you know what's good for you

2008-06-18T21:50:00.009+01:00

Reason to be cheerful part 1

A great looking chicken
not bird flue stricken
will soon be finger lickin

New fishing houses
Not for girls blouses
You can see who wears the trouser

Fishing in Devon
Truly fishing heaven
what lucky swim seven?

Self Catering Cottages and Fishing
All the peace you could be wishing
wild, no time for super landscaping

The bluebell line is wishing

Holiday cottages and fishing

A family holiday you should be angling

Have a great summer

www.newbarnfarm.com

www.newbarnfarm.org.uk

Fishing Holidays Devon Tale

2008-06-15T11:31:00.004+01:00

Hello everyone

Got an excellent catch report listed below, followed by a nice little story, no good turn is left unpunished!

Click on the picture to enlarge

Fishing Holidays Devon Tale

As the end of the day approached and the sun thought about making its lazy way to bed. The birds were idly stretching out their feathers and lounging about, singing their last few twitters of the day. Even the insects were tiring of their incessant buzzing, buzzing that turned to buzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. The sun arced across the holiday cottages and fishing became the most important task of the day.

Darren decided the best way to end a British summers day, no it wasn’t raining, was to tackle up and spend a few pleasant hours experiencing Devon fishing holidays on Mirror Lake. What a perfect way to shrug off the rigours of the day, rest those tired muscles and driiiiiiiiift into another world. Recharge those batteries with Fishing in Devon power!

Darren is keen to improve his personal best, 18 lb at the moment, not at all shabby, although he has always said that it’s the sport that really gives the pleasure and many smaller fish can fight just as hard and provide as much, maybe more sport than some of the larger fish. But there is still that little nagging feeling in the back of the brain, that longing, the unfulfilled dream that stirs him on to pursue the larger stock that the selfcatering cottages and fishing centre has to offer.

Dreams of Queenie 27 + pounds of Capacious Carp, his Moby Dick, the whirring of the reel as it screams around, spewing line out towards his catch. But then it will be, when it will be. Darren hasn’t caught Queenie yet, but skill will out in the end.

He has his dreams of pub speak down the local, when you open your arms as wide as they will go, your fellow drinkers cry “how big!” then tales of the ones that got away and the ones that didn’t, all lubricated by a particularly nice Theakstons Old Peculiar.

This evening Darren was joined by a young lad at the lakeside, Robert McCloud, he was only versed in the sport of sea fishing, you know that’s when you stick a shark on an anchor, attach it to a 100 tonne cable, throw it over the side of the boat and winch it up every once in a while, to see if you have caught anything. If you catch anymore than 3 fish the European fishing police won’t let the Brixham fishing boats out for 6 months.

Robert and Darren were chatting about things fishing, enjoying the evening air, the plaintive call of a skylark and generally putting the world to rights, when Darren saw that quiver of the float.

Was it about to happen? were man and fish about to do battle?

A hush descended on the two fisherman who immediately, mutually understood the importance of the event, another little bobble of the float, were they into the fish or was it just sucking on the bait, was it looking up through the water at them, teasing them, cocking a snook, waving a defiant fin.

Then the float plunges, ripples of water fan out as if crying an early warning, Darren strikes, he’s on the fish, it tears off across the lake, the rod bends to take the strain and the line creaks, Darren starts the sport of bringing it in.

Now Darren is a selfless soul, full of the milk of human kindness, or is that the Theakstons again? He knows how much fun Robert can have coarse fishing, what a perfect time to introduce another youngster to its finesse over the bludgeoning tactics of Sea fishing.

He hands over the tackle to Robert and talks him through the delights of playing the fish in, trying to keep the line tight keeping the barbless hook engaged, drawing the fish in, slowly but surely, gently does it, slowly slowly catchee monkey, The rod bends and whips, the line shrugs off water like a wet dog shaking, musically protesting the strain.

And indeed Robert has made the paramount sterling effort, guided by his mentor, with beads of perspiration on his brow, Robert has brought it in to the landing net.

Now Darren is not a fellow known to use expletives, but you could understand his position, for Robert now has a personal best greater than Darrens and has now also caught Queenie 27 pound, “hows about that then guys and gals”

Darren looks like a man who has “lost a pound and found naff all”

Robert is “as happy as deaf man going to his mother in laws” and applauds the self catering cottages and fishing.

You can rely on Fishing in Devon to add that extra sparkle