The October Half Term holiday always comes around surprisingly quickly and with September nearly upon us, now is the perfect time to start planning a family break. With countless activities and events, the picturesque, unspoilt area of South Devon is certainly worth a visit this Autumn.

October Half Term sees the return of the Dartmouth Food Festival which brings the best of local produce to Dartmouth for all to try. This year, the festival runs between 24th- 26th October and is perfect for a family trip out. The festival showcases the best that the South West has to offer, attracting leading food and drink producers offering tastings of their delicious award-winning products. Well-known local and celebrity chefs demonstrate their skills in the festival kitchens as well as running a number of workshops for you to get involved in throughout the week. There is plenty for children to do including biscuit decorating, so it is no wonder why this annual event is so popular with families. Even better, the festival is free making it a must on your list of things to do this October!

If you are looking for somewhere to stay during the food festival, Dart Marina is a short flat walk along the waterfront to the historic town. The Dart Marina development consists of luxury apartments and townhouses each offering parking and fabulous views of the river, as well as many offering complementary use of the fabulous Dart Marina Health Spa. With 16 of these spectacular luxury apartments, and a number of other Dartmouth properties available to book, Coast & Country Cottages are happy to help you with your search for somewhere to stay during the festival and the rest of the half term week. Visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk

Another event for families is the fantastic 'Jollyween' week at Pennywell Farm. This week at Pennywell, in Buckfastleigh, includes pumpkin carving, bats and owls. The event runs from 27th October to the 31st October and offers a more upbeat alternative to the usual Halloween celebrations. Contrastingly, Woodlands' all-weather theme park presents their 'Halloscream Week' during October Half Term which includes the new Scarecrows Horror Castle, Ghost Train as well as Revolting Bugs at the Zoo-farm and pumpkin carving.

Visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk or call Coast & Country Cottages on 01548 843773 for more information on Dart Marina and our collection of stunning properties available for a half term break in and around Dartmouth, Salcombe, and the South Hams coast and countryside.

21 Dart Marina – Now £1143 Was £1293, under £41 per person, per night

43 Dart Marina – Now £878 Was £978, under £32 per person, per night

Prices based on 4 sharing for a 7 night stay during October half term.