> BRITANNIA ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE

website: www.royal-navy.mod.uk

This magnificent building overlooks the River Dart and the sea, and is set in 126 acres of landscaped grounds. It is now the principal facility in the UK for the training young naval officers for not only the Royal Navy but also many other nations.

The stunning Edwardian architecture, internal and external, designed by Sir George Aston Webb, contain numerous beautiful features linking it to both Royalty and Admiralty. The Quarterdeck with its high vaulted ceiling, is surrounded by the-finest wrought ironwork of the Poop Deck gallery which leads to the Commodore's Flat containing a unique and complete collection of Second World War naval portraits by Sir Oswald Birley.

The Main Corridor, the second longest in Europe, takes you from the beautiful Chapel and its memorial side chapels at one end to the splendour of the Senior Gunroom (SGR) at the other. The hand-painted and gold leaf bosses of the SGR ceiling took seven months to complete and compliment the finest portraits of Admirals that line its oak-paneled walls. From the Lobby, the great doors open with views across the Bridge, Parade Ground, past the Flagstaff and to the mouth of the river with its castles and beyond to the open sea.

> TOTNES - GEM OF AN ELIZABETHAN AGE

website: www.totnes.com

Totnes in the 16th century became one of the 20 richest towns in the country, thanks to Dartmoor tin and the cloth trade. During this time many famous West Country seafarers like Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Francis Drake were frequent visitors to the town. Over 60 houses from this period, some with elaborately carved ceilings, remain in the main street. One of the most outstanding buildings is the Elizabethan Museum, a fine three storey property originally built for a wealthy cloth merchant.

During the Civil War, both sides used the town as a base, with Prince Charles, later Charles the Second, Oliver Cromwell and Sir Thomas Fairfax all coming here.

During 20th century, Totnes has sought to retain its beauty and character. The activities of the nearby Dartington Hall Trust have helped to make Totnes the diverse, forward looking community it is today.

> DARTINGTON HALL & DARTINGTON CIDER PRESS CENTRE

websites:

www.dartingtonhall.com and www.dartingciderpress.co.uk

Rich in history and set at the heart of a country estate, Dartington Hall was originally built in 1388 for John Holland, Earl of Huntingdon and half brother to Richard II.

In 1925 the estate was purchased by Leonard Elmhirst and his American wife Dorothy (the Whitney heiress). The Elmhirsts’ were dedicated to social work and the arts. The Great Hall and medieval courtyard were restored as part of their plans to rehabilitate the estate. Their work included the creation of a school, sawmills, textile mill, poultry department, orchards and cider-making plant, as well as studios and workshops for the performance and practice of the arts.

The gardens surrounding the Hall are wonderful and have been created around the original medieval tiltyard, where knights in shining armour once competed against each other for the amusement of the assembled company.

The buildings of the original cider-making plant adjacent to the Hall, have been used to create a unique visitor centre where traditional and local crafts, including the famous Dartington Crystal, can be viewed and purchased.

> COLETON FISHACRE - Luxurious Living of the Twenties

Coleton Fischare, an impressive home formerly of the D'Oyly Carte family of Gilbert and Sullivan fame, lies across the river from Dartmouth.

The house reflects the time of the English "Arts & Crafts Movement" which favoured the handcrafted in preference to the machine made, mass-produced. It delights with its feel of quality and attention to detail, but it is its setting that is truly breathtaking.

Perched high above the English Channel, the house is framed by a garden that falls steeply down to meet it. Rare and exotic plants bask in the very special microclimate.

> DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK

website: www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk

Dartmoor was designated one of the National Parks of England and Wales in 1951. It is a beautiful moorland landscape with wooded valleys and wind swept Tors. 368 square miles (953 sq. km.) in area, with about 33,000 people living in it, and where about 10 million visits are made each year. All the land is owned by someone and the public is able to roam freely on unenclosed, open moorland on both foot and horseback. There are also about 600 miles (966 km) of public rights of way. Dartmoor is a rich habitat for wildlife and has a wealth of archaeological remains.

> EDEN PROJECT

website: www.edenproject.com

NEW: Panoramic Virtual Tour of the Eden Project

A global garden for the 21st century and beyond, a dramatic setting in which to tell the fascinating story of mankind's dependence on plants and a gateway to a sustainable future. In this giant crater in Cornwall we bring the stories of our world to life. In the huge covered conservatories, or Biomes as we call them, you can visit the majestic rainforests, the Mediterranean, South Africa and California and in the Outdoor Landscape discover more about the plants and places that share our Cornish climate.

Open from 10.00am until 4.30pm with last admission at 3.00pm.
These opening times are in operation until 24th March 2002.

Opening hours from March 27th 2002.
10.00am - 6.00pm last admission 5.00pm.

> PAIGNTON AND DARTMOUTH STEAM RAILWAY

website: www.paignton-steamrailway.co.uk

Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway is the holiday line with steam trains running for seven miles in Great Western tradition along the spectactular Torbay coast from Paignton to Churston and through the wooded slopes bordering the Dart estuary to Kingswear. The scenery is superb, with seascapes right across Lyme Bay to Portland Bill on clear days. Approaching Kingswear is the beautiful River Dart, with its fascinating craft, and on the far side, the olde worlde town of Dartmouth and the famous Britannia Royal Naval College, Butterwalk, Bayard’s Cove and Dartmouth Castle.

Luxury dining train available.

> REDLAP HOUSE

Surrounded by sub-tropical gardens in a beautiful and tranquil setting of eight acres in a valley running down to the sea. Redlap dates back to the 17th century, and was a hive of activity during the Napoleonic wars (1805-1815).

After playing host to its share of smugglers, Redlap was home in the pre-war years to the actor and impresario Cyril Maude, who with the D'Oyley Cartes across the river in one direction and Agatha Christie in the other, no doubt had their own share of a different kind of excitement and intrigue!

The gardens have been featured in 'Gardens Illustrated' September 2001 and Vogue Living August/September 2000.

Redlap offer the very highest standards one would expect when visiting a private country house.

For more information on how your visit can be exclusive and tailor made, please contact Sandy Conner: sandymconner@aol.com or Bob Harrison, Director Cruise Operations, Destination Southwest.

> SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY

website: www.southdevonrailway.org

Step back to an age that has long since disappeared. Steam trains, railway stations that offered an air of excitement, the start of an adventure.

The South Devon Railway offer a wonderful opportunity to travel in the carriage used by Queen Victoria, carriages that met the Ocean Liners. This is a unique and exclusive excursion. Light refreshments or lunch can be served as you travel from Staverton Station along the hidden valley of the River Dart to Totnes to disembark at Buckfastleigh Station.

> THE SECRET SEASIDE GARDEN

website: www.blackpool-sands.co.uk

A short drive from the historic port of Dartmouth and a small green door hides a forgotten world which today is coming back to life.
A host of rare and unusual specimens, many from the Southern Hemisphere, have found a home here.

Varieties of Leptospermums and Callistemons. Embothriums, Olearias and Pittosporums.

In the Spring of 2000. Sir geoffrey Newman Bt. set about the restoration of the garden established in 1896 by his ancestor, Robert Lydston Newman, Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, on land which had been in the family for almost 100 years.

> BICTON PARK BOTANICAL GARDENS

website: www.bictongardens.co.uk

Set in the tranquil Otter Valley, Bicton Park Botanical Gardens are among the most beautiful of Britain's world-renowned gardens. The historic importance of the gardens has already been recognised by English Heritage, which has registered them in its highest, Grade 1, conservation category.

For cruise ship passengers the narrow gauge train can be yours exclusively for a 25-minute journey. Capable of taking a maximum of 90 passengers it is a journey that gives a complete overview from the great lake to the Hermitage Station.

There can be further time to reflect, visiting the Country side Museum, the Palm House dating from c1825, rare conifers, trees of the Shogun, St. Mary's Church, the gift shop, the Orangery restaurant and the stunning blend of colour and formality in the Italian Garden. There is a wealth of interest for both the professional and amateur gardener….or for the armchair enthusiast.

Bicton Park Botanical Gardens are located some 10 miles (16 kms) south east of the Cathedral City of Exeter M5 junction 30 with ease of access from Torbay, Dartmouth and Plymouth.

> DARTMOOR GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

website: www.dgcc.co.uk

Dartmouth Golf and Country Club situated just four miles from the historic town of Dartmouth, offers unrivalled facilities; an 18 hole Championship golf course and 9 hole Dartmouth course, driving range, leisure suite including swimming pool, steam room, sauna, spa, gymnasium and health & beauty treatments, pro shop, bar and restaurant plus a large function room licensed for civil weddings.