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.

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.

Good news folks - Devon's Pennywell Farm reopens for the year on 16 February - just in time for the half term break. The annual lambing special will be in full swing, so expect to see the newbies of the farm out and about enjoying all the new faces. There's something about meeting a new batch of lambs that really means winter's on the way out, so this is always a popular event.

It's not just the lambs that are new though. There's a new Goat-A-Rama that enables the resident goats to clamber and play, and visitors can now enter the enclosure and join them in the fun.

The infamous miniature pigs have been hard at work practicing their new show, and there will be a miniature pig race each day from 2.30pm. Speaking of miniature, the ponies will be offering rides in the centre of the farm every day - so the little ones will be in their element.

The Eden Project is now home to England’s longest zip wire, and visitors can fly their way above the attraction and enjoy the landscape from above.

The SkyWire enables visitors to soar above the famous Rainforest and Mediterranean Biomes, and if the skies are clear you’ll even be able to see the sea!

If you’re already visiting the Eden Project you can ride the SkyWire for an additional £5, and if you just want to enjoy the ride tickets are £10 each. You must weigh at least 80kg and no more than 18 stone to ride the SkyWire and it’s open daily until the 4 November.

A once-secret snowdrop spectacular hidden away in a secluded valley on Exmoor is now open to visitors who can use a special park and ride service from Wheddon Cross in Somerset to visit the Snowdrop Valley. 

Here many thousands of snowdrops are in full bloom and carpet the floor of this wooded wonderland.

On arrival at Wheddon Cross visitors can either walk the 1 mile to the valley, taking approximately 30 minutes, or travel on the special  Snowdrop Valley Bus.

If you live in Cornwall or Devon you can now make the most of the amazing Eden Project all year round with a locals pass.

The passes are available for all residents of Eden’s Cornwall and neighbouring Devon, and they’re just £5 for one year or £10 for two!

Just click here to apply for your pass online before 10 February.

Spring must be just around the corner as the Falmouth Spring Flower Show is set for 24 and 25 March.

The two-day event has been running for more than 50 years, and it sees the Princess Pavilions fill with beautiful displays of flowers, shrubs, cacti and much more.

The show is the perfect weekend activity for anybody with a passion for gardening, but it’s also a unique event for the whole family.

We think one of the best ways to explore the South West is to ditch the car, grab the family and hop on to bikes.

There’s so much countryside to enjoy throughout Devon and Cornwall that it’s a shame to see it through the car window, and the new online Adventure Cycle Map makes it easy to be car-free and carefree!

The map means you can plan cycle routes, levels and facilities to help you experience the region on two wheels.

As holders of a Green Tourism Gold Award, it’s no secret that we’re lovers of wildlife here at Blue Chip, and we’re even mentioned in Wild Cornwall magazine this week!

Page 22 of the Winter issue mentions Blue Chip Holidays as supporters of Cornwall Wildlife Trust, and we’re proud to help such a fantastic cause.

The Trust has dedicated 50 years to the protection of Cornwall’s varied wildlife so that we can enjoy it for generations to come.