From a film star goose to surfing winter waves or carols in candle-lit forests - something different for visitors to Devon this Christmas

Christmas and a fat juicy goose are a seasonal combination that visitors to Devon may be expecting served up to them in a county that provides the ultimate package for all the senses. But one goose that wont be cooked in Devon this Christmas is Gideon, soon to be star of the new Steven Spielberg film War Horse, and currently resident at Two Bridges Coaching Inn (www.twobridges.co.uk) at the heart of Dartmoor, where a three night Christmas break (complete with film star slightly prone to hissy fits) can be had for £550. With a unique combination of both stunning coast and countryside, Christmas and Winter time is the ideal season to experience Devon with family or friends. For large extended families or friends wanting to get together, Redland House nestling in to the North Devon hillside overlooking Instow Bay is the perfect solution, sleeping 22 in the lap of luxury with a dining room that seats 24 complete with roaring log fire. With access to outside caterers and a huge choice of local pubs and restaurants no one needs to be slaving over a hot stove. Check out: www.redlandhouse.co.uk . Christmas calories can be burnt off with a cycle along the Tarka Trail or hiring some wet suits and catching some winter waves on traditional Devon made bellyboards. Sally Parkin, who runs the Original Surfboard Company explains, “It’s simple and very sociable type of surfing that everyone can do from age eight to eighty! It’s a great thing to do as a family – all you need is a board and a full wet suit for winter – after that it is free in the sea! www.originalsurfboards.co.uk . To get in the Christmas spirit, take a Sail with Santa and experience a festive cruise along the River Exe complete with hot mulled wine and warm mince pies: www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk or head for Haldon Forest where you can join in with Christmas carols and a choir in the perfect candlelit setting: www.haldonforestpark.co.uk . The ever popular South Devon Railway will be running its “Santa by Steam” package beginning with “Carols Down the Line” on 7 – 9 December. Booking is essential, more details on dates and times throughout December from: www.southdevonrailway.org . Santa pops up all over Devon and even finds time to visit the donkeys at the Sidmouth based Donkey Sanctuary – visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk for dates and times. He appears again at Crealy Great Adventure Park (www.crealy.co.uk), near Exeter with real live Nativity animals in his own Winter Wonderland and also at Pennywell Farm where visitors can book to join the Pennywell animals for a Nativity Play (www.pennywellfarm.co.uk booking advised). The sounds of Christmas are also in abundance with Handel’s Messiah performed by the Exeter Choral Society on 8 December at St James Church, Exeter – tickets from exeterchoral@talktalk.net and a host of other Christmas concerts and services set in the decorated gothic splendour of Exeter Cathedral throughout December – visit: www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk . If all that noise gets too much, you can always spend Christmas in the garden - the quintessential garden of RHS Garden Rosemoor where guests can unwind in peaceful surroundings staying in the Rosemoor House apartments with the unique opportunity to explore the garden at your leisure. Check out: www.rhs.org.uk for more details. Note to Editors: We have a limited opportunity for Christmas photoshoots in the next few weeks. Contact us for further details if you want to stage photography for a Devon Christmas at some of the fabulous properties available in the county for December 2010. 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.

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