Well ladies and gentlemen the results are out - The Radio Times have revealed their eight favourite beaches in Britain, so how did your favourite fare? Taking its inspiration from the BBC2 series Coast, The Radio Times has put together its favourite beaches for lounging, exploring and enjoying the scenery – and we have a selection of luxury holiday cottages close to two of the winners.

Newquay’s no stranger to the top of a beach poll, and the beautifully modest Crantock flies the flag for it at number one. Crantock is one of the quieter beaches in the Newquay area, and it’s just out of the way enough to avoid the crowds that its neighbours attract. If you park up in the National Trust car park at the bottom of Crantock village and make your way over the dune you’ll see just why it’s today’s number one.

The sprawling sandy beach feels miles away from anywhere, and it’s easy to spend hours enjoying the views without even realising it. You can even catch a ferry across the Gannel to Fern Pit and sample the fresh lobster before returning. We have Newquay holiday apartments within easy reach of Crantock Beach, and many of them welcome dogs too (don’t forget that Crantock Beach is dog friendly all year round).

There’s a special event coming to Somerset as the 150^th Royal Bath and West Show takes place between 29^th May and 1^st June.

A show’s got to be pretty special to run for 150 years, and this one’s still the biggest event in the county. Taking place at Shepton Mallet’s showground, the historic event will include fine livestock, motorcycle displays, local produce and a wide range of activities for the whole family.

The show has always attracted animal lovers and there’s no shortage of displays, competitions and chances to say hello to some of the South West’s four-legged folk. The programme includes the ‘Best in Show’ trials for livestock, a Fur and Feather zone where you can get up close to smaller animals and birds, falconry displays, heavy horses and show jumping.

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.

There’s an Easter Eggstravaganza on the horizon at Blackgang Chine, one of the Isle of Wight’s favourite family attractions. The 3, 4, 10 and 11 April are set to be all about chocolate at the family theme park, so if you’re staying in one of our Isle of Wight holiday cottages this half term you know where to go for some serious family fun.

The Easter half term should be about two things, lots of fun and lots of chocolate treats, and the Easter programme promises to deliver plenty of both. Chocolate-themed activities will include the chance to dip in to a chocolate fountain, blind tasting and some fantastic competitions with chocolatey prizes.

The island’s leading magician will also be boggling minds with his tricks and illusions throughout the week, and his grand finale The Great Escape will see him recreate a risky act of escapism 30 feet in the air. The fearless Aaron Isted will have his audience on tenterhooks – and the first to perform the daring act was Houdini himself, so don’t miss the excitement.

Enjoy Halloween in true Cornwall style at Halloweden. The Eden Project makes spooky fun with its wintry ice rink, magical crafts and Little Monsters’ Ball Halloween discos throughout half-term.

The whole family is welcome to the disco, and fancy dress is encouraged!

The Wishcraft tent will also be open for those who are brave enough to enter, and activities include potion workshops, wand decorating, storytelling, face painting and much more.

It’s all happening at Crealy Great Adventure Park this weekend, as there will be live shows taking place from Friday to Monday and an Easter egg hunt on Sunday!

Crealy is one of Devon’s favourite family attractions and it will be hosting a live show with Roary the Racing Car on Friday and another with Fifi and Bumble on Monday.

There will also be a Buddy Bear show throughout Easter, and they’ll all take place in the Showdome.

We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for a Junior Design Magazine Award in the Best Family Holiday category.

Our beautiful Brixham property Lynhurst has been nominated for the award by the magazine, and we’re very proud even to be on the shortlist.

Lynhurst is extremely family-friendly, with an outside child’s play area, indoor play room and toys.

A family from the West Midlands, got more than they bargained for on their recent trip to South Devon. Having had their home burgled the week before their Christmas holiday, the last thing they expected to find was a bag full of swag waiting for them in their Brixham holiday home. But that’s exactly what they got.

However, instead of a haul of stolen items the swag bag in question turned out to be a Santa’s sack stuffed full of Christmas presents that they’d won in a secret Santa sur-prize draw held by Blue Chip Holidays.  This case of karma turned out to be a matter of pure chance.

Who's finding January a bit of a long month? Well we've been making a list of our favourite things about the first few months of the year to get us out of the new year slump!

With beautiful Devon right on our doorstep we can't help but feel inspired by the many free and simple things to do at this time of year. 

Click here to read our top ten reasons to be cheerful!

We've chosen a winner for last month's writing competition, and October's winning piece is truly touching.

Jack Knights told of his holiday in Brixham with his brother George and their family, and it sadly turned out to be George's last. 

The family stayed in Moorings Reach, and enjoyed precious time together by the sea following George's diagnosis with a terminal illness.