Gaining new skills and experiences on land and sea in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is the theme for Autumn at the Budock Vean country house hotel on Cornwall's Helford River.

A series of seasonal breaks and guided activities have been devised by the hotel team with expert partners to make full use of the Budock Vean's impressive facilities, 65-acre river-side estate and surrounding coast and countryside – encompassing sports and activities, arts and wellbeing.

In early October Cornish Trails will put a group of runners through their paces on the tracks, trails and coastal paths surrounding Budock Vean, with guided runs on the North bank of the Helford, as well as the South accessed by riverboat from the hotel's private foreshore - all taking in flora, fauna and history along the way.

This first weekend of its kind from Budock Vean includes technical coaching by leader Austen Osborne and his team – tailored to the needs of the group – with options on yoga, open water swimming, golf and sports massage built into the itinerary.

Other highlights include artist Shari Hills guiding a small group of guests in the techniques of water colour painting and, new for this year, the Beginners' Bridge Break with popular teacher Jeremy Child taking novices through the devilish skills of the game.

Jeremy is focussing his course on the play of the cards and including elements of the bidding process, with a series of teaching sessions followed by supervised practice.

This Introduction to Bridge comes just after more seasoned players, guided by Bob Blackmore, enjoy the full Bridge Break - Budock Vean's most popular of mind-sharpeners at the centre of themed holidays hosted by the hotel for more than thirty years.

“Our position in this beautiful part of south Cornwall inspires people to try all sorts of activities,” says Budock Vean owner Martin Barlow, “and we're fortunate to have so many experts close at hand to share their knowledge with our guests in their various fields.

“We're well aware of the mental and physical health benefits, whatever your age, of learning new things - especially when they're experienced with other people and when you're immersed in fresh air and peace with unspoilt countryside and coastline all around.”

When bodies and minds have been fully stretched for the day, guests have full use of the hotel's facilities including the famous James Braid-designed golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool and hot tub-with-a-view – as well as the multi-award-winning restaurant and Natural Health Spa.

If libations are your thing then gin expert Catherine Murden has been working with the Budock Vean chefs towards a different kind of activity - an evening that pairs the best of the spirit with the finest local ingredients in a seven course taster menu known as the October Gin Dinner.

For full details of all Budock Vean's Autumn breaks and activities including dates, prices and bookings – as well as looking ahead to the hugely popular Open Water Swimming Retreat, the Writer's Retreat and Spring Wildlife Break visit www.budockvean.co.uk or call the team on 01326 250288.

ENDS

Notes to editors:-

• Photos of the Budock Vean, activities and surrounding countryside and coast free to use - high res images available at Dropbox https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/86ka8hr0r4c39zgr9pzii/h?rlkey=375hshv2tl9t6j16kvcn4sik8&dl=0 – many others available on enquiry.
• The award winning Budock Vean Hotel is an independent, family run, four star hotel with outstanding leisure facilities including its James Braid designed golf course, a spectacular indoor swimming pool with log fire, sauna, outdoor hot tub, spa, tennis courts, private foreshore with watersports and boat trips, plus a restaurant specialising in modern British cuisine using the best Cornish produce. The hotel's 65 acres of sub-tropical gardens running down to the Helford River are set amid some of the most beautiful natural coastal and river scenery in the country.
  For more please see budockvean.co.uk

Contacts:-

• Budock Vean Hotel – Sarah Ferrie - 01326 252112 - marketing@budockvean.co.uk
• Louise Midgley Communications – 01326 319884 / 07831 696093 - louise@midgleycomms.co.uk