The Dartmouth Food Festival is nearly upon us again (yes, it really has been a whole year!) so we thought we’d celebrate the countdown with some foodie-friendly blogs.

As it happens, tomorrow marks the start of British Cheese Week, which runs from 24 September – October 2, so what more of an excuse do you need for some cheese, crackers and a drop of wine this weekend?!

This great British cheese festival promotes the weird and wonderful cheese of our nation to the rest of the world.

Torquay is famous as Agatha Christie’s birthplace, but her summer home - Greenway, near Dartmouth is THE place for fans of the author to visit.

Nestled on a hill overlooking the river Dart, Greenway gives a fascinating look into the life and family behind the novels.  The property is now owned by the National Trust, and includes many of the family’s personal possessions and collections.

Agatha loved South Devon, and the family spent many a summer hidden in the peaceful grounds of Greenway. The stunning property boasts its own gardens, tennis courts, pool, air raid shelter and quay.

The Royal Wedding has us all feeling a little regal, so here’s an idea for a royal day out in Dartmouth – the Britannia Royal Naval College.

The prestigious college hit the headlines in 2008 when Prince William himself spent two months training there.

The imposing college has loomed above the historic town in Devon since 1905, and it’s still one of the greatest military academies in the world.

This year’s Dartmouth Comedy Festival was the most successful to date, and audiences enjoyed a programme of laughs throughout March – with the odd surprise along the way...

The Dartmouth Comedy Festival enjoyed a surprising start when the launch night was attended by Harry Enfield!

The mystery guest was finally revealed to the audience on the opening night when the auditorium was shown a film clip of him in action, before the festival patron introduced the comedian on stage in front of a delighted audience.

Just half an hour’s drive from Dartmouth you’ll find Totnes, a quirky and historic town in the heart of South Devon.

Totnes has a character all of its own, and its thousand year history and colourful atmosphere make it popular with visitors from all walks of life.

Explore the fascinating past of this rural town with a visit to its Norman castle, enjoy the local produce at the Elizabeth market or browse the cobbled main street and its unusual shops.

The Flavel Dartmouth and various other venues will host some of our best loved comedians from 9-12 March, as the Dartmouth Comedy Festival takes place.

 There will be a range of side-splitting events in Dartmouth during the festival, and tickets are on sale now.

 On Saturday 12 Chris Addison, star of Mock the Week and guest host on Have I Got News for You will impress with his acclaimed stand-up comedy at The Flavel arts centre.

Although the snow's melting and the Santa Express has chugged off into the horizon, the children who enjoyed the festive journey and panto this year will remember the experience for years to come...

Click here to read more about the fun aboard the Dartmouth Steam Railway.

The winner of the Blue Chip Holidays competition which was run at the Dartmouth Food Festival has been selected, congratulations to Mrs Mardon from Bath!

The lucky Mrs Mardon has won £500 off a stay in one of Blue Chip Holiday’s luxury self-catering holiday properties.

The competition was one of several run by Blue Chip Holidays during the Dartmouth Food Festival. 

The Dartmouth Food Festival is just around the corner, and visitors will soon be following their noses and heading down to the South West for the delicious event set for 19^th – 24^th October. As one of the main sponsors of the Dartmouth Food Festival, Blue Chip Holidays will be running a stand during the festival so keep your eyes open for us!

Dartmouth Food Festival

To mark its participation in this year’s Dartmouth Food Festival, Blue Chip is offering guests of its properties during the event the chance to win special tickets for related treats.

15^th September 1890 saw the birth of one of the world’s most celebrated authors. The mistress of mysteries, Agatha Christie, would have seen her 120^th birthday were she alive today. Instead, her life and works will be celebrated throughout her beloved English Riviera with Christie Week.

Christie Week

Christie Week has included many special events and activities themed around the author’s famous novels and characters, bringing old favourites such as Miss Marple and Poirot back to life.