This year's second colour supplement from West Country cottage specialists, Helpful Holidays, features 30 self-catering properties many with stunning coast or country views, increasing their portfolio to over 635 special places to stay. Sleeping from two to nine guests, weekly prices range from £258 for an autumn break on Dartmoor up to £3,073 for a stunning house with river views and a private quay in south Devon during the summer; pets are also welcome in many.

Highlights include six stunning contemporary cottages and apartments sleeping from four to five at Gara Rock with panoramic sea views on a spectacularly sited new cliff-top coastal development near East Portlemouth, south Devon; all have shared use of an on-site restaurant with those stunning sea views and extensive leisure facilities, including an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool.

Other places with great watery views include two houses sleeping six and nine further west along the Devon coast at Newton Ferrers, while at Mawgan Porth on Cornwall's Atlantic coast is a stylish split-level house for five looking across the sandy beach and out to sea. For lovers of fly-fishing, two smart, period cottages sleeping up to six owned by the country sports Arundell Arms Hotel in Lifton, west Devon have use of its private, 20 mile stretch of riverbank. Larger families can book a big, comfortable country house for nine within easy reach of the seaside resorts of Torquay and Paignton, while those wanting to escape from urban life can stay in a detached lodge for seven set in 1½ acres of riverside meadow on the Devon and Somerset borders.

Everyone taking a break with Helpful Holidays will also receive a free 'What shall we do today?' booklet containing 86 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 has won a Silver British Travel Award for two years in succession in the Best UK cottage/self-catering booking company category.

Pick of the Best

Stunning big house for nine with panoramic river views and private quay

Superbly positioned above the river Yealm in the south Devon sailing centre of Newton Ferrers is Elphinstone (L180), a large, split-level detached, south-facing house, with superb panoramic river views from almost every room. Glazed doors lead out from the living area onto a veranda, paved terraces and a big river-facing deck, ideal for watching passing river life from inside or out, while below the garden is a private quay. Inside the smart décor and furnishings are of the highest quality with relaxing colours, good fabrics and stylish artwork. Prices start from £1,187 (£132 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 L180.

Spectacular sea views in south Devon

Six stunning contemporary cottages and apartments with panoramic sea views are now available at Gara Rock, a spectacularly sited new cliff-top coastal development in south Devon. Sleeping four to five guests, they have shared use of an excellent on-site restaurant, café, indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and landscaped gardens. Once the dramatic site of a coastguard's station, Gara Rock is situated in a remote but magical spot around 1½ miles eastwards along the coast from East Portlemouth; far away from the pressures of everyday life. It's in a brilliant position to explore the South West Coast Path, while a footpath also gives easy access to the secluded coves of Seacombe Sands and Rickham Beach below for sunbathing, swimming and surfing. Prices at Gara Rock start from £522 (£131 per person) per week; pets are welcome in selected properties. For details, see pages 11-13 of the colour supplement or visit www.helpfulholidays.com and search for refs L166 - L171.

Devon cottages for fly-fishermen

Two smart, period cottages owned by the renowned, country sports Arundell Arms Hotel in Lifton, west Devon, have use of its private, 20 mile stretch of fly fishing Tamar riverbank (tuition and equipment available). Cottage guests are also most welcome in the hotel's elegant restaurant as well as the smart bar and cosy pub; its chefs will even prepare your catch of the day for dinner in the evening. Sleeping four guests, Fisherman's Cottage (J40) was once the village police house. It adjoins the hotel, while Church Cottage (J39), which has space for six and an open plan living/dining/kitchen area, is across the road by the village church; pets are welcome at both. Prices start from £315 (£79 per person) per week (fishing and country sports extra by arrangement). For details, see page 8 of the colour supplement or visit www.helpfulholidays.com and search for refs J39 and J40.

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

Pat Edgar, PR Matters                                            
Tel: 01494 764932

Mobile: 07836 786043 

Email: PRMatters@dsl.pipex.com