Devon Holidays, B1393, Chudleigh (2026)

23/06/2026

🐾 Looking for the perfect dog-friendly day out during your Devon holiday?
Swipe to discover our Top 5 Dog-Friendly Beaches Near Finlake 🌊☀️

18/06/2026

🌲✨ FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND ESCAPE – LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY! ✨🌲
Due to a cancellation, Bracken Lodge at Finlake Resort & Spa is available this weekend at a fantastic reduced price!
🏡 Bracken Lodge
📅 Friday 19th June – Monday 22nd June
💷 ONLY £437.75
🔥 Over £200 OFF the normal price!
Treat Dad to a relaxing weekend away in the heart of Devon’s beautiful countryside.
✨ Self-Catering Lodge
🌳 Beautiful Woodland Setting
💦 Outdoor Swimming Pool
🌊 Indoor Water Park
🛁 Adults-Only Spa & Treatments Available
🎣 Fishing Lakes
🎉 Activities & Summer Entertainment
🥾 Woodland Walks & Nature Trails
🍽️ On-Site Restaurant & Bar
✅ Best prices guaranteed when you book direct
✅ Family-friendly holidays
✅ Perfect for couples, families & fishing breaks
✅ Great base for exploring Devon’s beaches & attractions
📞 WhatsApp Amy: 07884 426875
🌐 https://www.devonholidays.co.uk/bracken-lodge-finlake/
⚠️ One lodge. One weekend. First come, first served!

17/06/2026

☀️ LAST SUMMER SLOTS REMAINING – BE QUICK! ☀️

Looking for a Devon getaway this summer? We still have a limited number of breaks available, but they’re booking fast! 🌳🏡
✨ Self-Catering Lodges & Cabins
💦 Outdoor Pool
🌊 Indoor Water Park
🛁 Hot Tubs
🎣 Fishing Lakes
🎉 Activities & Summer Entertainment
🐾 DOGS GO FREE THIS SUMMER!
Use code: DOGS4FREE

✅ Best prices guaranteed when you book direct
✅ Family-friendly holidays
✅ Beautiful woodland setting
✅ Perfect for couples, families & fishing breaks

📞 07884 426875
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.devonholidays.co.uk

Don’t miss out on your summer escape – book today before the last available dates are gone!

DogsGoFree HotTubBreaks FishingHolidays SummerHoliday StaycationUK DevonDaysOut HolidayDeals BookDirect UKBreaks WoodlandRetreat

19/05/2026

If you worked this out… it’s probably your sign to book a holiday 😎☀️
Lucky for you, we’ve got you covered 👀🏖️
📍 www.devonholidays.co.uk
📧 [email protected]

11/05/2026

Reliance Retreats Named Best Holiday Let Management Company 2026!

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Reliance Retreats Limited (incorporating our training name Devon Holidays) has been officially recognised in the LUXlife Resorts and Retreats Awards 2026 as the "Best Holiday Let Management Company – UK."

While we are incredibly proud of this title, what makes it truly special is how we got here: the nominations came directly from our guests—those who have stayed with us in the past and those who have already booked their future getaways in your beautiful homes.

When Jason founded Reliance Retreats, his mission was to be "small enough to care, yet big enough to deliver." This award serves as a powerful endorsement of that mission. For our guests and valued homeowners, this recognition offers three key benefits:

• Boosted Visibility: LUXlife is a global authority in luxury travel. This win puts Reliance Retreats (and by extension, our properties) in front of a discerning audience looking for the best the UK has to offer.
• Enhanced Guest Trust: Guests feel more confident booking properties managed by an award-winning team.
• Proof of Performance: This wasn't a judged entry we wrote ourselves; it was a result of numerous guest satisfaction submissions. It proves that the care we take in maintaining our guests and our managed holiday homes, managing guest relations is setting the gold standard in the UK.

A Heartfelt Thank You
To our owners: thank you for trusting us with your homes. This award is as much yours as it is ours. Your commitment to maintaining high-quality retreats allows us to provide the "exceptional experiences" that guests are so clearly raving about.

To all our guests
Thank you for completing your property reviews and sharing your satisfaction. This means alot to every one of us, as we strive to make your stay with us, the best possible.

As we move through 2026, we remain dedicated to filling the "potholes" of holiday management and ensuring the our guests and owners are looked after.

10/05/2026

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝: 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐭𝐬 𝐉𝐨𝐲𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐧

On Sunday, 10th May 2026, communities around the world will pause to honour the joy, potential, and rights of the youngest among us on Children’s Day. Though its observance dates vary across countries, the essence remains the same: a heartfelt celebration of children — their laughter, their dreams, and their fundamental right to a safe, healthy, and happy life.

But how did this global day of recognition begin? And how does a place like South Devon, known for its strong sense of community and family-friendly values, embrace this special day?

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🌍 The Origins of Children’s Day

Children’s Day was first established internationally in 1925, during the World Conference on Child Welfare held in Geneva, Switzerland. Delegates from 54 countries gathered to discuss the welfare of children — a topic gaining global urgency in the wake of World War I. The outcome of the conference was a shared understanding: the world must protect its most vulnerable citizens — its children.

That same year, Turkey also declared April 23rd as National Children’s Day, further strengthening the idea that children deserved their own day of recognition. Over time, different countries adopted their own dates for observance, with the UK most often marking it in early May. In 2026, it falls on Sunday, 10th May — a perfect spring weekend to celebrate in the outdoors.

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🎈 Why We Celebrate

Children’s Day is about more than balloons and sweet treats — it’s a reminder that:
• Every child has the right to education, play, and health care
• Children deserve to grow up in safe, nurturing environments
• Society benefits when we invest in the wellbeing and future of our young generation

It’s also a day to let children simply be children — to laugh, explore, create, and feel celebrated for exactly who they are.

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🌿 How South Devon Celebrates Children’s Day

South Devon, with its rolling hills, seaside villages, and close-knit communities, is the perfect place for families to celebrate Children’s Day. The region is naturally geared toward children, offering countless ways to enjoy the outdoors, learn something new, and share joyful moments.

Here’s how you can embrace the day in South Devon:

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🐾 1. Family Adventures at Pennywell Farm or Buckfast Butterfly Farm

Pennywell Farm near Buckfastleigh is a haven for little animal lovers. Children can hold fluffy rabbits, feed lambs, and enjoy tractor rides, all while learning about farm life.

Nearby, the Buckfast Butterfly Farm and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary offers an enchanting experience where kids can walk through tropical butterfly houses and watch otters play — a magical blend of learning and wonder.

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🌊 2. Seaside Fun at Dawlish Warren or Blackpool Sands

A bucket and spade, a pair of wellies, and the wide open beach — the simplest ingredients for pure happiness. South Devon’s beaches offer safe, clean, family-friendly stretches of sand, perfect for Children’s Day picnics, sandcastle competitions, and shell-collecting.
• Dawlish Warren is ideal for younger families with gentle surf and a nature reserve.
• Blackpool Sands, near Dartmouth, offers crystal-clear waters and activities like paddleboarding or beach volleyball.

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🛤️ 3. Ride the South Devon Railway

All aboard for an unforgettable journey! The South Devon Railway, running between Buckfastleigh and Totnes, is a hit with children and parents alike. Riding the steam train through the Dart Valley countryside is like stepping into a storybook.

Pair it with a visit to Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, just next to the station, for even more family fun.

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🎨 4. Arts and Crafts in Totnes or Teignmouth

Several towns in South Devon host craft markets and creative workshops throughout spring. Children’s Day is a great opportunity to nurture a child’s creative side — whether it’s pottery painting, storytelling sessions, or DIY nature crafts.

Totnes, known for its artistic soul, often runs community-led events in its parks and squares. Check local listings closer to the date for family-friendly offerings.

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🧺 5. A Devon Holidays Family Staycation

Families staying at Devon Holidays in Finlake Resort & Spa are perfectly placed for a Children’s Day getaway. With indoor and outdoor pools, play parks, bike hire, and nature trails, everything you need for a weekend of family joy is right on your doorstep.

The peaceful setting also allows time for those slower, meaningful moments — family breakfasts on the lodge deck, roasting marshmallows under the stars, and laughing together as the kids splash in the stream.

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🌼 Children’s Day Traditions You Can Start

Want to mark the day in a more personal way? Here are a few simple traditions you can adopt:
• Write a “letter to your future self” with your child
• Plant a “kindness flower” and talk about helping others grow
• Let the kids “be in charge” for the day — choosing activities and meals
• Create a scrapbook page each year to remember how they celebrated

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💬 Final Thoughts

Children’s Day on 10th May 2026 is a chance to pause and celebrate the small things — a giggle, a muddy pair of shoes, a wide-eyed look at a butterfly’s wing. In South Devon, where nature and community are strong, it’s easy to find space to reconnect with what truly matters.

Whether you’re spending it at the beach, on a farm, in a forest, or relaxing in a holiday lodge, remember: this day is about making children feel seen, heard, and valued.

Because every great future starts with a joyful, kind, and curious child — and South Devon is the perfect place for them to grow.

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Written by the team at
https://www.DevonHolidays.co.uk
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09/05/2026

Local Grinch spotted in his natural habitat (a high-tech Devon Holidays sleigh). 🎄⚡️
The "Big Boss" was out in the company car today, scouting for more holiday homes to... ahem... "supervise." He claims he’s just spreading the word about Devon Holidays, but we’re pretty sure he’s just enjoying the instant torque of the Model 3 while looking for the best spots to hide all the roast beast. 🍗
He’s grumpy, green, and has a heart two sizes too small—until he sees a property booking. Then he’s all smiles.
If you see this car silently gliding through Hampshire, Berkshire, Devon and beyond, don't worry - your Christmas is safe. Your vacation plans, however, are about to get a serious upgrade.
Don't be a Grinch. Book your escape at:
👉 www.devonholidays.co.uk
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08/05/2026

𝐕𝐄 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐧

On 8th May 1945, after nearly six years of global conflict, the war in Europe came to an end. Britain, and the world, erupted in a wave of jubilant celebration. But as the bunting fell and the last notes of “We’ll Meet Again” faded into memory, communities across the country were left to reckon with the long shadow of war. In South Devon, a region that had been both a haven and a frontline support network, VE Day marked a deeply emotional turning point – one filled with both celebration and solemnity.

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“Let us not forget for a moment the toils and efforts that lie ahead…”

When Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed the nation at 3pm on VE Day, his message struck a careful balance between triumph and warning. “We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing,” he said, “but let us not forget for a moment the toils and efforts that lie ahead.”

For communities in South Devon – from Torquay and Teignmouth to the smaller parishes of Dartmoor – these words would soon prove hauntingly accurate.

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The Celebrations: Dancing in the Streets and Hope in the Air

The initial hours of VE Day were filled with unrestrained joy. Town squares filled with families waving flags, makeshift street parties broke out across hamlets, and church bells rang out with renewed energy. In places like Totnes, Kingsbridge and Dawlish, people danced in the streets, hugged strangers, and sang into the night.

Devon’s evacuees – children who had spent much of their young lives far from their families – joined in with local families who had become surrogate parents. For many of these children, VE Day was their first real taste of peace, but it also marked the beginning of another transition: the uncertainty of going home.

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Farewell to Refugees and Evacuees: A Bittersweet Departure

South Devon had hosted thousands of evacuees, refugees, and military personnel during the war. The quiet countryside and coastlines had provided some respite from the devastation of city bombings. Children from London, Coventry and Portsmouth had lived in Devon homes, attended Devon schools, and even adopted the accent.

With the war in Europe over, many of these children began the slow journey back to their families – or what was left of them. Some returned to find bombed-out streets or missing parents. Others, torn between two identities, found it more difficult to leave than they had imagined. In towns like Ashburton and Bovey Tracey, emotional goodbyes unfolded as host families bid farewell to the children they had come to love as their own.

There were also Belgian and Polish refugees and displaced military personnel who had lived and trained in Devon during the war. Their departure left gaps in the social fabric, a strange quietness after years of shared struggle.

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Grief Behind the Bunting: Losses That Couldn’t Be Celebrated

Churchill’s speech acknowledged the pain lying beneath the surface: “We must remember the task which lies ahead. Japan, with all her treachery and greed, remains unsubdued.”

While VE Day marked the end of conflict in Europe, many families in Devon were still waiting for loved ones to return from the Far East. Some never would. Nearly every village in Devon had suffered losses – sons, brothers, fathers who had not come back from France, North Africa, or the Pacific.

In Newton Abbot, a widow recalled celebrating the end of the war “with tears in my eyes and a photo of Tom on the mantelpiece.” The relief of peace was tangled with the ache of personal grief.

Churches across the county held special services in the days that followed VE Day, not only to give thanks, but to remember those who had paid the ultimate price.

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Rebuilding the Home Front: The Post-War Challenge

Once the parties ended, South Devon, like the rest of Britain, faced the daunting task of recovery. Food rationing continued – in fact, it didn’t end until 1954. Building materials were scarce, jobs were hard to come by, and many returning soldiers struggled with both physical and mental injuries.

South Devon’s farmers were exhausted. The wartime “Dig for Victory” campaign had turned many village greens and gardens into food plots, and the land had been pushed to its limits. Machinery was worn, manpower was scarce, and the agricultural economy needed investment.

In the larger towns, the return of demobbed soldiers created a housing shortage. Prefabricated homes began springing up in areas like Paignton and Ivybridge, while local councils scrambled to provide housing for growing families and war widows.

The tourism industry – long a mainstay of the South Devon economy – slowly began to reawaken. But with trains still packed with returning troops and transport infrastructure stretched thin, it would be years before South Devon returned to its pre-war leisure rhythm.

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A New Dawn: From Wartime Community to Post-War Unity

While the immediate post-war years were filled with difficulty, they were also rich with unity and resilience. The war had forged bonds across classes, regions, and nations. Communities that had once been insular became more outward-looking. The shared trauma had created a kind of kinship, and for South Devon, this meant stronger local ties and a deeper sense of collective identity.

Village halls continued to serve as social hubs, hosting dances and film nights. Schools, once filled with evacuees, adapted to post-war educational reforms. The seeds of the National Health Service, founded in 1948, were already visible in the local clinics and first-aid posts that had become wartime necessities.

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The Legacy of VE Day in Devon

VE Day in South Devon was a moment of euphoric relief, a communal exhale after years of anxiety. But it was also a sobering milestone – the beginning of a new chapter rather than the end of a story.

Today, the legacy of that day lingers in the plaques on war memorials, the stories handed down through families, and the collective memory of a county that gave so much, held so many, and rebuilt with quiet determination.

Winston Churchill’s words still resonate: “Advance Britannia! Long live the cause of freedom! God save the King!” For the people of South Devon, VE Day was not only a victory – it was a vow to remember, to rebuild, and to honour the past with every step into the future.

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Written by the team at
https://www.DevonHolidays.co.uk
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Devon Holidays

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