Premier Devon welcome awaits rugby fans as London Irish take on the Exeter Chiefs
London Irish rugby fans can expect a premier welcome when they visit Devon as their team takes on the Exeter Chiefs on Saturday 23rd October who have been newly promoted to the rugby Premiership. www.visitdevon.co.uk/rugby. The General Manager of Visit Devon Rosie Bates says that visiting fans will receive a warm Devon welcome to the city: “There is a real buzz about the Exeter Chiefs being in the premiership and we are looking forward to welcoming supporters of London Irish. Their fans will find that Devon has a wide range of exciting places to stay and to visit. Exeter will not disappoint as a vibrant city with a great reputation for fine restaurants and lively bars where fans can either celebrate or drown their sorrows.” Supporters from the Reading based rugby club may wish to extend their stay in Devon which has much to offer rugby fans, their partners and families. Rugby fans wanting to enjoy a weekend to remember with a little luxury waiting for them after an afternoon of exciting rugby would be advised to try Exeter’s outstanding hotels such as the Mercure Southgate Hotel www.mercure.com or the Abode Exeter the Royal Clarence Hotel, England’s oldest hotel which is located opposite the medieval grandeur of the city’s great Cathedral. Enjoy a glass of bubbly in the Champagne Bar or a meal at the award winning restaurant of Michelin starred Chef Michael Caines. www.abodehotels.co.uk/exeter. Or why not try the Queen’s Court Hotel with its city centre location which is an ideal destination for fans wanting a stylish hotel with easy access to all that Exeter has to offer. www.queenscourt-hotel.co.uk. Many of Exeter’s hotels have some great deals for visiting rugby fans, the Gipsy Hill Hotel at Pinhoe is set in three acres of landscaped gardens and is close to the city centre and the Sandy Park ground, Gipsy Hill is an ideal post match retreat. Supporters staying at the hotel can enjoy the offer of a free half bottle of wine per person in the Lawns Restaurant. There are also free soft drinks for children. www.gipsyhillhotel.co.uk. The sixteenth century coaching inn, the Globe Hotel at Topsham near Exeter is offering free bike hire from the Route 2 Café Bar &Cycle Hire for eco minded fans who want to get to Sandy Park hassle free. www.globehotel.com. For more ideas on hotels and B&B’s in Devon please visit www.visitdevon.co.uk . Partners or young families travelling with London Irish fans who do not want to watch the game will have much to entertain them. Shopping at Exeter’s premier Princesshay retail development has 60 shops including top designer names along with fabulous restaurants and bars. Darts Farm at Topsham is within easy distance from Sandy Park where dedicated foodies can indulge in the best of Devon food and drink, luxury home and lifestyle products and a first- class café and deli. www.dartsfarm.co.uk Or why not enjoy lunch and a garden tour of the spectacular grounds of Gidleigh Park at Chagford near Dartmoor. The Head Gardener, Andrew Brimblecombe will escort you through the beautiful gardens decked in autumn colour before lunch in the Michelin 2 star restaurant. www.gidleigh.com or Tel: 01647 432367. As the weekend coincides with October half term there are many spooky Halloween events being staged in Devon which will keep the children enthralled. Children are invited to explore under Exeter’s streets at the city’s famous underground passages as part of the Witches, Wizards & Gory stories guided tour. (October 23—31st October). They are asked to discover ingredients for magic spells as part of a special competition where they can win many fantastic prizes. www.exeter.gov.uk/passages. Halloween down on the farm, with tractor rides and a barbecue will be on offer at West Down Farm at Ide just three miles from Exeter at their Apple and Pumpkin Day. The Living Coasts innovative zoo and discovery centre at Torquay’s harbour side is offering rugby fans £1 off the entry fee for adults and 50p off for children, students or senior citizens on the production of Exeter Chiefs match tickets on entry to the attraction. www.livingcoasts.org.uk. For more information on all there is to see and do in Devon, along with places to stay, go to www.visitdevon.co.uk. Rugby fans who love and appreciate their food will not be able to resist the Dartmouth Food Festival October (20-24th). Some of the UK’s best known chefs and Devon’s finest food producers will be on hand to provide a hedonistic display of delicious food tastings, workshops and demonstrations. www.dartmouthfoodfestival.com. About Visit Devon Visit Devon is the destination management organisation responsible for promoting Devon to the world. The organisation acts as a voice for tourism in Devon and its aim is simple - to increase the number of visitors to Devon by promoting the county as a year-round destination for business or leisure. The organization brings together, adds value to and enhances the work and activities undertaken by the six Area Tourism Partnerships across the county. Visit Devon is committed to growing the tourism sector sustainably, increasing the skills within the industry, and raising the quality of the visitor experience. Visit Devon is a public-private partnership limited by guarantee. The not for profit company comprises nine member organizations including the six Area Tourism Partnerships (The Heart of Devon, Visit Plymouth, North Devon+, The Dartmoor Partnership, The English Riviera Tourist Board, and Visit South Devon, Devon County Council, The Devon Association of Tourist attractions (Data), and Devon Farms. Visit Devon is the trading name of Destination Devon Ltd
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