Stringent new regulations and a demanding checklist mean it’s more difficult than ever for Britain’s beaches to receive a Blue Flag Award, but that didn’t stop Torbay in South Devon, Poole and Bournemouth in Dorset and the Isle of Wight cleaning up with four each for 2013.

The beaches have met the tough new EU standards to achieve the award, which represents excellent standards of cleanliness, convenience and safety, and they’ll be flying their flags with pride this summer. So, if you’re booked to enjoy a stay in one of our Isle of Wight holiday cottages, Torbay properties or Dorset pads then check to find your closest Blue Flag beach.

In Bournemouth Alum Chine, Durley Chine, Fisherman’s Walk and Southbourne joined the UK’s Blue Flag beaches while Poole’s winners were Canford Cliffs, Sandbanks, Shore Road and Branksome Chine.

There was a new arrival causing hearts to melt at Paignton Zoo last week, as the attraction's Bornean orangutan, Mali welcomed her baby.

Mother and baby already have access to the Ape Centre so lucky visitors will be increasingly likely to spot the cuddly pair throughout the summer. The baby is the first orangutan to be born at the zoo since 1997, and the birth last Thursday has excited keepers as well as visitors.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park Director of Operations and Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment said “We are absolutely thrilled that our years of patience have been rewarded and that Mali is proving to be an excellent and attentive mother. The babies are such enchanting and vulnerable looking creatures that you can’t help but want to do something to save orangs from extinction”.

The Robin Hill Spring Garden Show is one of the Isle of Wight’s leading events and it returns on 27 and 28 April.

Ok, it’s officially time to get into the spirit of spring, and the Isle of Wight does it in style with this annual gardening-themed event. Thousands of visitors flock to the beautiful Robin Hill Adventure Park and Gardens every year as they transform to showcase the very best of the island.

Visitors can enjoy local foods, displays, cookery demonstrations and wine tasting – and there’s always a chance to pet some of the island’s animals at this family day out. Newport’s Robin Hill arena will be packed with hundreds of stalls, a mini petting farm and it’ll even welcome the Isle of Wight Chainsaw Carving Championships. We have Isle of Wight holiday cottages available and you can save 15% when you arrive on or before 27 April – perfect timing to enjoy the show.

Take advantage of a family discount when you book a unique Falmouth sightseeing tour with AK Wildlife Cruises. AK Wildlife Cruises operate small boat trips to help visitors get up close to Falmouth’s impressive coastline, and guests of our Falmouth holiday cottages can enjoy a discounted trip for 8 (a full boat) for just £300.

Captain Keith heads all cruises, and his knowledge and experience ensure that passengers won’t miss a thing along the way. Choose from four or three hour boat trips, and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, porpoises and a huge range of sea birds. The dolphins in particular always delight passengers, and if they like the look of the crowd they’ll follow the boat along.

AK Wildlife Cruises also offer a family discount ticket which offers a great saving for a party of 4.

• On 4 hour trips enjoy family ticket for £135
• On 3 hour trips enjoy a family ticket for £110
• On the all day trip £245

Family discounts mean a party of four can enjoy great savings on various boat trips from Falmouth, and each tour will be taken by the experienced Captain Keith, who will make sure you don’t miss a thing along the way. There’s also a snack and a free hot drink for everyone during the trip.

For those who have an interest in various sailing boats, military vessels, and cruise liners, Falmouth has a great variety of the above to offer you. From its traditional working boats, to modern, visiting cruise liners, AK Wildlife Cruises makes the most out of viewing these vessels.

AK Wildlife Cruises is a family based company and it specialises in taking out small intimate groups twelve months of the year to see this part of Cornwall and the glorious coastline and marine wildlife that is on offer. There are no two excursions the same and one never really knows what you will see next, as anything including basking sharks can pass through this area any month of the year.

The waters of Exmouth become a flurry of activity at this time of year, as thousands of wintering birds arrive at the Exe Estuary to enjoy the warmer climate.

Better yet, there are regular Exe Estuary cruises throughout February that mean visitors can get a great view of the new arrivals from the warmth and comfort of a covered boat. Stuart Line Cruises operate bird watching boat trips guided by a leading ornithologist to help passengers enjoy the influx of bird species without missing a thing.

Each cruise lasts between 2 and 3 hours, and the boats have indoor and outside seating, toilets and a refreshments bar. Passengers can even enjoy some homemade soup during the journey so they can watch the scenery pass by in style. Recent cruises have spotted common seals, Sanderlings, Cormorants, Spotted Redshank, Goldeneye and many more impressive arrivals.

BBC 2’s Stargazing Live is back for January 2013 and it’s coming to the Eden Project.

The fascinating programme (hosted by Professor Brian Cox and Dara o Briain) will be studying the night skies of Cornwall for an episode to be filmed on 8 January, and tickets are free for anyone who fancies going along.

The event will take place between 6.30pm and 9.30pm and there will be family events arranged by local astronomy societies.

Anybody wandering along Torquay’s seafront today would have been greeted by the peculiar sight of giant model gorillas steaming across the bay on the Greenway ferry.

The gorillas are part of a Paignton Zoo project to mark its 90^th anniversary, and they’ll be painted by local artists and displayed at various locations around the bay next summer.

The life size models will form a fascinating art trail around Torbay and Exeter, and their bright decoration will be sponsored by local businesses.

Missed out on the Olympics action? Well there’s another chance to see Bradley Wiggins doing what he does best next month as he rides through North Devon.

The champion will be cycling for Team Sky in the Tour of Britain, and stage seven of the tour starts in Barnstaple on 15 September.

 Stage seven will end in Dartmouth on the same day, so don’t miss the chance to cheer the Tour de France and Olympic champion on during his time in Devon!

The Independent has called it ‘jaw-dropping’ and it’s even more spectacular for its setting amidst the unique biomes.

Celebrate the Eden Project’s tenth birthday with a stunning circus specially adapted for performance in the Eden Projects famous biomes.

Nofitstate present Labrinth from 29 July – 29 August, and it will be performed across the site with a stunning finale in the Big Top!

Visitors to Agatha Christie’s rural retreat can now arrive in style – aboard a steam train!

The infamous Greenway near Dartmouth has its own steam train station – Greenway Halt - for 2012, and it runs from Paignton and Dartmouth.  

The station is part of the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company line.