Visit South Devon is putting on an East Devon extravaganza for a select group of journalists between 18 and 21 June.  Just eight guests will be invited to join Visit South Devon for three days of thrills and spills, pampering and relaxation.

You'll stay in seclusion at Cranberries Hideaway; hit the heights on a sunrise balloon trip; explore the Exeter Canal on a serene SUP and kayak experience; clatter through the countryside on a quad bike; master the art of archery; speed along on a Segway safari experience;  discover Beer (finalist in Channel 4's village of the year);  explore a vast  'underground cathedral'; and dine in style.

Guests will stay style at Cranberries Hideaway (cranberrieshideaway.co.uk/) situated at Hills Farm on the Devon/Dorset border in the quiet village of Kilmington.

Dating back to 1251, when the original Hills Farm was built, Cranberries is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with breath-taking rural views, just a short drive from the drama of the Jurassic Coast.

Cranberries features seven 18th century self-catering stone barns.  It also has nine elegant guest bedrooms, which include a honeymoon suite, family suite and a mix of king and twin bedrooms, which is where you'll be staying.

Renovated using recycled materials and traditional building methods, the original beauty and character of the old stone barns is a joy to see, and a pleasure to stay in.

In addition to accommodation, Cranberries' Hideaway Spa allows you to indulge in a range of treatments including Elemis face and body therapy.

Cranberries has over 100 acres for you to explore, an outside play area for the younger guests, whilst adults can relax in one of the hot tubs or saunas.

Cranberries also offers a range of experiences including clay pigeon shooting, fishing along a one mile stretch of the Axe River, archery, horse riding and much more besides.  However, during your trip, we'll be taking you to Escot Park, where you'll experience an exhilarating quad bike adventure through East Devon's dramatic countryside featuring extreme terrain and woodlands.  You'll also be treated to an archery masterclass and Segway safari around the grounds of the park, all thanks to Devon Country Pursuits. www.devoncountrypursuits.co.uk

During your visit there will be free time too, allowing you to discover the delights of the Jurassic Coast or Blackdown Hills AONB.

On your very first night you'll be taken out to the 17th Century Old Inn www.oldinnkilmington.co.uk/ for a traditional, pub dinner, where you can enjoy a host of local ales, drinks and produce.  There's even a skittle alley!

On your third night, following your day out at Escot Park, you'll dine at Cranberries Hideaway in its purpose built on-site restaurant, set over two floors. The restaurant is glass fronted to make the most of the stunning views over the Axe Valley, and celebrates fine local produce.

The fun continues with an exceptional dawn flight in a balloon across East Devon, giving two of our lucky guests the opportunity to scale the heights and take in the captivating countryside in this enchanting part of East Devon.  Thanks to our friends at Aerosaurus Balloons (www.ballooning.co.uk), you'll rise up to 3,000 feet, where you'll be treated to unrivalled views and a glass of champagne.

For the remainder of the group, especially those who prefer a lie in, we'll be arranging a midday excursion with a sensational stand up paddleboard (SUP) and kayak experience on the Exeter Canal.  You'll join Sam McLure of Exe Adventures (www.exeadventures.co.uk/) who'll show you the tranquil art of paddling upright, taking in the raw beauty of the canal and surrounding countryside as you plough your way to one of Devon's finest pubs, the Turf Locks.  Here, you can indulge in a well earnt local beer or cider, and a bite to eat.

During your trip, you'll also get the opportunity to visit the tranquil fishing village of Beer, recent finalist in Channel 4's  Village of the year.   This enchanting traditional East Devon village, complete with thatched cottages, is one of the last fishing fleets in the UK, where the catch of the day is landed on the beach as it was over 100 years ago.  As Penelope Keith who hosted the Channel 4's Village of the Year competition, said:  Beer - “it sounds like something served in a pub – it's frothy, tasteful and so lovely it can make you unsteady on your feet.”

The village has plenty of colourful characters and a host of extraordinary traditions such as lace making, which was brought over by Flemish refugees.  The village also boasts the UK's first cinema Wurlitzer organ, which was brought over from the US in 1924.

However, one of its best kept secrets is its extraordinary underground quarry caves. First worked by the Romans, the quarry supplied stone for 24 cathedrals including Exeter and St.Paul's, parts of Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Hampton Court and Windsor Castle.  The sheer grandeur of the mighty halls, vaulted roofs and massive supporting pillars of natural stone are awe-inspiring and have often been likened to a vast underground cathedral.  Tours take place every half hour up to 2.30pm, and we have places reserved for you. http://www.beerquarrycaves.co.uk/

Itinerary for the East Devon Extravaganza:

Monday 18th June

• PM – arrive
• 7pm – complimentary dinner at the Old Inn

 Tue 19th June

• Balloon experience for two journalists: depart 5am – flight time from Jack in the Green, 5.30am
• Complimentary light breakfast for remainder at Cranberries Hideaway
• Spa experiences
• 11am – depart, traveling to the Swan's Nest in Exminster
• Midday-3.30pm: SUP and kayak experience along Exeter Canal (hosted by Exe Adventures)
• 45pm – free time to explore the local area and choose a place to dine for the evening

Wed 20th June

• 15am – depart
• 11am – activities at Escot Park, Devon Country Pursuits:
• quadbike safari
• lunch
• archery
• Segways
• 4pm – return to Cranberries Hideaway
• 7pm – Complimentary dinner at Cranberries' restaurant

Thursday 21st June

• Coastal walk at Beer (hosted by the Cranberries Hideaway team and Visit South Devon)
• Tour of Beer underground quarry
• Lunch in Beer or location of your choice
• 2pm – return to Cranberries Hideaway for fitness class/yoga
• 4 pm – Devon cream tea and depart

Please note – all journalists will need to provide their own transport to, from and during the press trip.  Meals that are provided include: dinner on the night of arrival at the Old Inn, breakfast on 19th June, dinner on 20th June and afternoon tea on 21st June.  Food is included up to the value of £20 for both dinners; drinks are not included.

To put yourself forward for the press trip, please contact Ewan Davy:  ewan@absoluteprandmarketing.com.  

We will require details of the publication, online outlet or broadcast organisation that you will be covering the visit for.  Full details of proposed coverage will be requested including details of social media postings during and after the trip, print and online articles, films and photography. 

Commissions must be in place in order to take up a place on the trip.  Priority will be given to national media outlets and bloggers/vloggers with large followings. 

Visit South Devon and its partners reserve the right to charge journalists for their trip should a commissioned piece fail to appear.

For more information on Visit South Devon visit: www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk

ENDS

Press Enquiries:

Ewan Davy/Rachael Whitson

Absolute PR and Marketing

Tel:  01392 680 740

Ewan@absoluteprandmarketing.com 

Notes to Editors:

About Visit South Devon

Visit South Devon is the official tourism body for the South Hams, Teignbridge, East Devon and Mid Devon; an area which encompasses some of the region's most dramatic and breathtaking countryside as well as miles of captivating coastline.  From Seaton to Exmouth, Teignmouth to Torcross and from Shaldon to Salcombe, this enchanting part of the world welcomes thousands of visitors every year introducing them to the delights and discoveries of this beguilingly beautiful part of the world. 

Visit South Devon works with tourism businesses and attractions in Mid-Devon, East Devon Teignbridge and the South Hams to help raise the profile of the area as a destination for both national and international visitors.  Its main aim is to increase the number of day visits, short breaks, longer holidays and business trips to South Devon for the benefit of the local tourism economy.

Visit South Devon is a Community Interest Company that exists solely for the benefit of the local tourism community. It is a public-private company limited by guarantee and not for profit – ensuring all revenue is put back into marketing initiatives for the area.

Visit South Devon's website www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk appears in the top search results for places to visit, things to do and places to stay in South Devon.  It provides an affordable portal through which local tourism attractions, food and drink and accommodation providers can promote their businesses.  Visitors can find B&B, hotel, guesthouse and self-catering accommodation directly through the site.  The website also provides comprehensive information on destinations to explore as well as places to dine, enabling visitors to build up an itinerary of things to do while on holiday in South Devon.

For more information about Visit South Devon, go to www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk or contact either Marketing Executive Anna Roach, or General Manager, Sarah Stride Tel: 01626 215293.