Steeped with architectural beauty, pretty narrow lanes and natural elegance, Dartmouth is a jewel in the South West. Renowned for its boutique shops and galleries, delightful delicatessens, gourmet restaurants, harbour side and port it has something to suit every taste.

Ottery St Mary is renowned for its annual Carnival, fireworks display, the lighting of a monumental bonfire and the bearing of blazing barrels by men, women and children through the streets of this historic Devon town.  This year the Carnival takes place on 31 October, while the tar barrels will be blazing a trail up and down the streets of Ottery on 5th November.  

Last weekend Ewan Davy took some time out from managing Blue Chip Holidays' PR to go and visit the fantastic new apartments at Ocean View in Portland. Not only are they Blue Chip's first holiday apartments in Dorset, but they are also in a prime position for taking in all the action of the 2012 Olympic sailing venue.   Read on for Part one of Ewan's trip to Portland. 

 Dorset Revisited...

It must be well over fifteen years since I lived in the dramatic, beautiful and historic county of Dorset, just twenty miles or so from Weymouth. Despite spending the bulk of my childhood there and occasional trips to Weymouth and Chesil Beach, I'd never been to the Island of Portland, so when the opportunity arose to stay there, I leapt at it.

We packed up the family for a weekend away in Devon this past weekend and made a few notes of how it is a completely different experience from the peak of summer:

5 Reasons To Visit Devon in October.

Our Personal Beach

We stayed in a development of contemporary holiday apartments called At The Beach in Torcross. The quality of accommodation is up to Blue Chip's usual high standards and the location is as described - at one end of Slapton Sands within yards of the water. So on Sunday morning, we are sat on the breakwater with coffee and the occasional rambler for company. There was no wind - just the sound of the waves on the pebbles - very peaceful.

The Princess Theatre, Torquay are proud to be working with Blue Chip Holidays to enhance visitors stay in the Bay.

We have some fantastic productions coming up such as Joseph and his amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat from 1st - 6th September, Agatha Christie's Spiders Web from 14th - 19th September and Evita from 30th November - 12th December. Not forgetting our family favourite pantomime Cinderella from 17th December - 3rd January.

Catch a sneak preview of some of our fantastic productions on YouTube (Live Nation (Venues) UK Limited and the Princess Theatre is not responsible for YouTube content or any material encountered once you have clicked through to the YouTube website).

Last week, when the rest of the country was knee deep in snow, I was relaxing in luxury 'At the Beach' in Torcross and enjoying glorious blue skies. And no, before you ask, I hadn't fled for warmer climes!

It has been said many times that the South West of England enjoys a milder climate and last week it really lived up to its claims. Waking up to views along the amazing Devon coastline was enough to make any stress I'd bought with me vanish instantly.

We arrived on the Friday evening and I was immediately impressed with how easy access to our apartment was - excellent instructions by the owner. The apartments have been built inside the shell of an old hotel and while a contemporary style greets you instantly, the building still retains much character including a grand staircase in the communal hallway.

The attention to detail was consistent throughout, and the apartment we stayed in (No. 11) was welcoming and homely right down to the cushions and throws; so much so in fact, that we decided to stay in and watch TV on the large wall mounted TV!

Torquay has earned its title as ‘Queen of the English Riviera'. A cosmopolitan, vibrant seaside town, Torquay's palm-lined promenades, beautiful harbour and marina and wealth of quality restaurants, shops and boutiques make it an ideal destination for a family holiday. There's also plenty to see and do in Torquay...

Living Coasts
Living Coasts offers visitors the chance to take a journey around the coastlines of the world without leaving Devon! With a fascinating variety of coastal creatures from penguins and seals to colourful puffins and sea ducks, Living Coasts gives you a chance to get close to some of the world's most elusive creatures. Underwater viewing areas enable you to see seals and diving birds in their element.

Agatha Christie
It's not just famous landmarks you can visit in Torquay. One of the town's most famous residents, Agatha Christie is one of the most successful crime writers ever. Tours of locations that inspired this extraordinary woman are available throughout the year, including the Grand Hotel, Princess Gardens and the Pavillion. The tours are a wonderful way to transport yourself back to another era.

Torre Abbey
Torre Abbey is the oldest building in Torquay and has a history spanning over 800 years. Once the most important abbey of its kind in England, visitors can now explore the most ancient parts of the building and could even encounter the abbey's most famous ghost, ‘The Spanish Lady'. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, the abbey is a fascinating place to visit, particularly for history buffs.

Newquay is considered to be one of the top tourist destinations in the UK, and has developed a rich and vibrant diversity of attractions to entertain visitors both young and old. Although perhaps best known for its outstanding beaches, Newquay offers much more than just sand, sea and surf. Here is a top ten of Newquay's attractions to keep you amused and entertained during your stay in this glorious part of the British Isles.

Fistral Beach
Fistral Beach is Newquay's premier attraction and the surfing capital of the UK. Its sandy beach is ideal for a family day out and the water is warmed by the Gulf Stream. Some of the top UK surfing schools are located here, but even if you only want to enjoy the magical sunsets to be seen from the stunning North Cornish coast, Fistral Beach is an ideal location.

Lappa Valley Steam Railway
Originally opened in 1849 as a mineral line from Newquay to East Wheal Rose, the Lappa Valley Steam Railway became part of the Great Western Railway's Newquay to Chacewater branch line. Offering a delightful ride on a narrow-gauge steam train through stunning Cornish countryside, the railway is a must-see attraction for anyone enchanted by the age of steam.

Blue Reef Aquarium
The Blue Reef Aquarium gives visitors the chance to get close to some of the ocean's most spectacular inhabitants. The heart of the aquarium is a huge tank with an underwater walkway, where visitors can watch the sub-aqua ballet of marine life all around them. A fascinating day out for everyone.

Brixham is situated in the heart of the English Riviera and is regarded as one of the brightest jewels of the Devon coast. The town is still a working fishing port, with the largest fishing fleet in the UK. The catch is landed on the harbour and sold to top restaurants across the country. Because of its reliance on the sea for much of the town's income, Brixham is justifiably proud of its fishing industry, and this is reflected in some of the town's restaurants.

Brixham is small and clusters around its all-important harbour, making the atmosphere friendly and cozy. Winding lanes and pretty streets are lined with independent shops and boutiques, offering visitors a rich shopping experience. If you're staying in self-catering accommodation, Brixham offers you the very best of Devon's wide variety of local produce; from Devon Ruby Red beef to locally grown vegetables and of course, very fresh fish!

Because of its popularity with visitors from all over the world, Brixham has a wide range of places to stay, from luxury hotels to homely bed and breakfast accommodation. There are holiday camps for those who prefer to stay under canvas or in a caravan, with easy access to all the amenities on offer and the wonderful surrounding countryside to explore. Holiday cottages are available all year round, enabling your family to stay in a comfortable environment at a time that suits you.

The maritime theme continues with the attractions available in and around Brixham. The Golden Hind Museum Ship has been based in Brixham since 1963 and gives visitors a chance to experience life aboard Sir Francis Drake's famous ship. The ship is a full sized, accurate replica of the original Golden Hind and gives you a fascinating insight into life aboard a ship in the 16th century. The ship runs events and special entertainment for young and old alike, including the chance to rub shoulders with pirates and brigands!

With over 700km of coastline and 300 beaches, Cornwall is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK. The county caters particularly well for those looking for self-catering accommodation, with hundreds of cottages, barn conversions and town houses available all year round.

St Ives from the air
St Ives is considered to be one of the premier destinations in Cornwall. Its breathtaking setting and legendary special ‘light' have made the ancient fishing port a magnet for artists and craftspeople for centuries. But art isn't the only attraction to St Ives. Its location makes it a perfect base for exploring the beauty of south Cornwall, the Atlantic coast and the sandy beaches that surround the town. Cottages and town houses in St Ives provide a warm, homely atmosphere for self-catering holidays, and the amenities are plentiful and of superb quality. There are also plenty of activities to keep both young and old occupied - from a round of golf to surfing, walking, riding and diving. Although St Ives is still home to a small fishing fleet, many of the boats have now been replaced with pleasure boats, which can be chartered for a spot of deep-sea fishing or a gentle cruise around the coast.

The labyrinth of lanes give visitors the perfect chance to explore galleries, boutiques and shops selling locally made crafts, and delicatessens can provide the self-caterer with some of the choicest selections of local produce. If you fancy a break from cooking on your self-catering break, St Ives also plays host to some superb restaurants, all serving the very best in Cornish cuisine.

Padstow is located further up the north Cornish coast and is another fishing port with a long and diverse history. The home of smugglers and fishermen, it still holds on to traditions that go back to pre-Christian times. The May Day celebrations are famous, and visitors are welcome (although you have to be born and bred in Padstow to take part in the dancing). The picturesque village tumbles down the rolling hills to the port, where the fleet can still be seen bringing in the catch in the early morning. Padstow has a rich selection of self-catering accommodation, from small fisherman's cottages perfect for a romantic weekend break for two, to larger conversions for family or group holidays. The north Cornish coastline is dramatic and rocky, but there are sandy beaches for families to enjoy just along the coast.