Marching into Spring.....

. . . 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

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

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!