Sunny summer offers on cottages and late August availability

Helpful Holidays, the award-winning West Country agency, reports a bumper summer with crowds flocking to the South West to enjoy a staycation in the sunshine.

There are still some lovely cottages available, perfect for traditional bucket-and-spade seaside adventures and 'Swallows and Amazons' fun in the sun, and some unmissable discounts.

For big families, it's not too late to book a week away at one of Helpful Holidays' big houses with space for Granny and Grandad, aunties and uncles and cousins too.

The Manor House (F59) on Exmoor accommodates 18 (plus pets) in nine bedrooms with nine bathrooms. It's set in lovely countryside with a pub to escape to round the corner. Available for the rest of August from £2941 (from £164 pp) per week.

Available from 26th August is Battisborough House (L35) in South Devon for 34 guests, once a boarding school and now an amazing house with plenty of space to spread out over nine bedrooms, plus six acres with tennis court, footbal field and woodland for den building. £4666 (from £138 pp)

Lower Wadden Farmhouse (G190) for 14 is set in East Devon countryside and is also available from 26th August, just right for the last week of the school holidays. There's an exciting range of activities to enjoy on the farm, including clay pigeon shooting, amphibious vehicles and archery, and a private hot tub, games room and trampoline. £3300 (from £236 pp)

For smaller familes, there's a wide choice of welcoming cottages available for the last week of the school holidays, many with special offers making them easy on the pocket.

Apartment 13 (L538) at Burgh Island Causeway is brilliantly positioned beside the beautiful sandy beach at Bigbury-on-Sea in South Devon with excellent sea views and use of indoor pool and leisure centre. Accommodates four; 20% off week commencing 26th August, now £1434 (from £359 pp)

Bowbeer Barn (A212) on Dartmoor also offers 20% off for the week starting 27th August. Guests are welcome to wander the farm, and there's lovely riverside walks (with a family-friendly pub to stop off at) nearby. Sleeps 4 (plus pets); now £608 (from £152 pp)

In Cornwall, 2 Water Lane (Q34) is situated in the popular town of St Agnes, close to the sand/surf beaches of Trevaunance Cove and Chapel Porth. It's now available for the week commencing 27th August with a 20% discount, accommodating six at £947 (from £158 pp)

To view Helpful Holidays' portfolio of over 700 places to stay sleeping two to 47 guests in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, visit www.helpfulholidays.co.uk or call 01647 434063 for a free brochure.