Increases portfolio to over 635 West Country properties

The latest colour supplement from West Country cottage specialists, Helpful Holidays, features 43 self-catering properties many with stunning coast or country views, increasing their portfolio to over 635 special places to stay.

Sleeping two to ten guests, most are new to Helpful Holidays. Weekly prices range from £228 for an autumn break in South Devon for two, up to £2,212 for a stunning, contemporary seaside house at Croyde, North Devon for 10 during the peak summer season; pets are also welcome in many.

Other highlights include a recently renovated Victorian house for 10 above Dulverton on Exmoor and a large family house for nine near the south-eastern edge of Dartmoor. For smaller families there's a pretty thatched cottage for six, also on Dartmoor, and an upside-down cottage for four with very stylish interiors in South Devon.

Everyone taking a break with Helpful Holidays will receive a free 'What shall we do today?' booklet containing over 80 money saving vouchers for use at a huge range of leading visitor attractions throughout the West Country. It also gives information on local farmers' markets plus recommendations for the best beaches, coast and country walks, places to eat and quirky events.

For a copy of the new supplement and the main brochure call Helpful Holidays on 01647 434063; or search, check availability and book online at www.helpfulholidays.com.

Helpful Holidays is a recommended provider by Which? travel, having come top in their members' survey for 2012 and 2013, and won The Sunday Times 2013 travel editor's choice award. In addition it won the 2013 British Travel Award in the Best Cottage/Self Catering Booking Company with between 600 and 2,000 rental units (UK properties); this followed a Silver British Travel Award for the two preceding years in its category.

Pick of the Best

Smart contemporary house for 10, 500yds from sandy beach at Croyde

Just 500 yards by footpath from the sandy beach and an easy stroll of the shops/pub at Croyde, North Devon is Beachwalk (ref K40), a very stylish, contemporary house for 10. Large light rooms and fresh white décor with splashes of colour make this a stylish yet relaxed holiday home. A wall of folding glass doors opens out from the spacious kitchen/dining room to the enclosed garden with its sun deck and lawn; on the first floor above floor-to-ceiling glazed doors open to a decked balcony from two of the bedrooms, all with stunning long country views. Graded 4.5 stars, prices start from £779 (£97 per person) for a week's stay. For details, see page 10 of the colour supplement or visit www.helpfulholidays.com and search for ref K40.

Home-from-home family house for nine, south Devon

Sleeping nine, Plumtree Cottage (ref B24) is set in two acres of enclosed garden in a peaceful spot on the edge of Abbotskerswell, midway between the south-eastern end of Dartmoor and the South Devon seaside resorts of Torquay and Paignton. Extremely comfortable and well-equipped, the large four-bedroom family house has an own home feel with good sized rooms, smart fabrics/furnishings and lots of pictures. The prettily furnished living room and dining room have oak floors, beams and French windows to the paved terrace and garden, while the large kitchen is the hub of the house with its central island, breakfast area and doors to a snug/study/play room. Graded 4.5 stars, prices start from £551 (£61 per person) for a week's stay. For details, see page 16 of the colour supplement or visit www.helpfulholidays.com and search for ref B24; pets welcome.

Ancient thatched and detached beamed cottage for six, Dartmoor

The Old Forge (ref A203) a centuries old, pretty thatched and detached cottage for six is just 150 yards from the pub and shop in Ilsington on the south-eastern slopes of Dartmoor, Devon. Sleeping six, it has good sized rooms with polished wood floors and rugs on the ground floor; the upstairs bedrooms have high apex beams and sloping eaves reached by a narrow staircase. This is a real 'chocolate box' cottage with pretty countryside/church views from the first floor. Graded 3.5 stars, prices start from £364 (£61 per person) for a week's stay. For details, see page 21 of the colour supplement or visit www.helpfulholidays.com and search for ref A203.

Stylish, newly converted upside-down cottage in South Devon for four

A mile from Aveton Gifford in South Devon and tucked away 300 yards down a tree-lined track is The Gallery (ref L191), a very stylish and newly converted former barn now sleeping for four. Designed upside-down with the lofty living room on the first floor to take advantage of the long, rural views, it has contemporary furnishings with original paintings and photographs. Bright and airy in summer ad cosy in winter, this cottage has wonderful walks from the door while the coast and beaches are within easy reach. Graded 4.5 stars, prices start from £404 (£100 per person) for a week's stay. For details, see page 19 of the colour supplement or visit www.helpfulholidays.com and search for ref L191. 

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For press enquiries, images and a copy of the new supplement please contact:

Pat Edgar, PR Matters                            Tel:      01494 764932 / 07836 786043

Brambling House, 7 Finch Lane               Email: PRMatters@dsl.pipex.com             

Little Chalfont, Bucks HP7 9NE                February 2014