Art: just as you wouldn’t expect it from Classic Cottages

Aug. 2, 2011 - PRLog -- The South West is known for its eccentricities. Anywhere that hosts a World Stinging Nettle Eating Championship and a Dorset Knob Throwing Contest has to be at least slightly off the wall. And no less in its art. Here there are no rules and it often involves having a go yourself. Free from the shackles of urban convention, inspiration comes from the sea, the soil, the sun and the wind.

Classic Cottages reveals the greatest arty experiences in the region on its Classic guide, where Classic’s local experts offer an array of fascinating ideas about places to go and things to do in the South West. The region’s art highlights include:

Cornwall

Kestle Barton Gallery is an ancient farmstead converted into a gallery and sculpture garden. The current exhibition, In Abundance, centres on the delights and downfalls of gardening and horticulture with the more unusual categories including ‘Wilt and Decay’, ‘Glut’, ‘Weeds’ and ‘Earth’. Stay on site at Kestle Avallen (sleeps eight), an extraordinarily spacious property, finished to an exceptional standard, with private garden and space for ball-games in the neighbouring fields. £81 pp for a week’s stay arriving 30thh September.

At St Kew Pottery you can give pottery, still life or life drawing classes a whirl with potter Jon Whitten (collections in Europe, Japan, New Zealand and the US). Specialising in contemporary, wheel thrown pottery, there’s a large collection on display and available to buy. Stay on Jon’s farm at The Granary (sleeps six) near pretty Port Isaac. The spacious, reversed level, environmentally friendly barn conversion has slate floors and exposed scissor beams. £111 pp for a week’s stay arriving 10th September.

Devon

Experience Damien Hirst's foray into the food world at 11 the Quay. The waterfront tavern in the Victorian seaside resort of Ilfracombe is filled with Hirst's creations. Little Bessemer (sleeps two), two miles away, is a snug cottage in the heart of Berrynarbor village, which gave the world Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men. It has a delightful garden with a stream babbling by at the bottom. £177 pp for a week’s stay arriving 24th September.

Otterton Mill is an altogether alternative experience. Visit resident artists at work in their studios and take part in a number of courses such as bread making, rag rug making, felt making and bushcraft. There is also a famous bakery and shop full of superb local produce here, and a fabulous restaurant. Sandy Cross Barn (sleeps six) is a comfortably furnished, gated Grade II Listed property with free swimming, tennis and gym use at a nearby leisure complex. £86 pp for a week’s stay arriving 24th September.

Somerset

On the beach at Weston-super-Mare is the astounding Sand Sculpture Festival taking the humble sandcastle to high art as sculptors use 400 tonnes of sand to create their masterpieces (runs until 4th September). Holiday en famille at Poole House (sleeps 12), an elegant Grade II Listed village property with playroom, games room, library and large garden with children’s slide. £212 pp for a week’s stay arriving 6th August.

The Willow Man Sculpture is Serena de la Hay's famous 12 metre high willow man who salutes you on the M5 near Bridgwater. He's the largest willow figure in the country, possibly the world. Be near him at Court Cottage (sleeps four), a brand new and already popular addition to the portfolio. Near to Taunton, but in a village below the beautiful Quantock Hills, this is a secluded holiday home with a good-sized garden. £195 pp for a week’s stay arriving 19th August.

Dorset

South West Artwork CIC is dedicated to providing and promoting contemporary art in the South West. Making use of historic venues and unusual spaces - a church, an old pumping station, a reclamation yard - an eye-popping show of contemporary art has been created. Enjoy some downtime à deux at The Well-Beloved (sleeps two) a stylish cottage on the Isle of Portland, with romantic roll-top bath, second-floor snug, sea view and exhilarating strolls aplenty. £278 pp for a week’s stay arriving 6th or 20th August.

Acquire a new skill at Burngate Stone Carving Centre on the Isle of Purbeck (not a true island, but a peninsula). There’s expert tuition offered here - for adults and children - in the obvious, plus liming, printmaking, embroidery and letter carving. Stay at Brook Cottage (sleeps six), a picture-book Grade II Listed property looking onto the National Trust’s Corfe Castle. £127 pp for a week’s stay arriving 3rd September.
Please note: all prices are based on maximum capacity.

For more information and to book one of Classic Cottages’ coastal and country properties across Cornwall, Dorset, Devon and Somerset call 01326 555 555.  

To help plan your visit to the South West, with plenty of ideas of places to go and things to do suggested by Classic’s local experts, visit http://www.classicguide.co.uk

Ends
2 August 2011                

Press: For further information and high-resolution images contact Stephanie Reed at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email s.reed@travelpr.co.uk

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