Activities
At The Brake
A helping hand with the apple orchard or vegetable garden is always welcome, or in the Summer everyone is welcome to join in on baking days round the cob oven for fun with dough.
'Make at The Brake' Days - see 'Courses and Classes' below
Outdoors & active
Jackson's Cabin and Jake's Place are very well placed indeed for beaches, from those suitable for surfing - Bantham Beach is 20min away - to those reserved for determined walkers who arrive on foot - Lannacombe is rugged and unspoilt, Mattiscombe has tremendous views. Blackpool Sands is popular with families - perhaps because of its organic café-restaurant and a beach shop that doesn't miss a trick. You’ll find keen fisherman down on Slapton Bay frequently and barbecues on the shore. As well as miles of coastal walks, Dartmoor, one of the most stunning parts of England, is just 40 minutes away. The River Dart Country Park is great for outdoor pursuits from rock climbing to kayaking. For those looking to do some serious climbing on the moors you can get in touch with the Rock Centre in Newton Abbot for lessons and advice. And for those who enjoy a bit of golf the Dartmouth Golf and Country Club is close. Or why not view Dartmoor from an epic zip wire or leap off a Tarzan Swing at Go Ape! Haldon Forest?
Places to visit
The South Hams is riddled with interesting little villages and fun days out. Here are just a few ideas of very individual, and beautiful, places to visit...
Totnes, a beautiful medieval market town
Dartmouth, on the edge of the river Dart estuary
Kingsbridge, a small fishing town on the river Avon
Kingswear, a stunning town opposite Dartmouth on the Dart estuary
Dittisham, a quaint village and idyllic haven on the river Dart
Rainy days
We know there are sometimes days when looks a bit grey out. So we suggest...
Woodlands Leisure Centre
Swimming at Dartmouth Golf and Country ClubPaignton Zoo
Arranging some art time in the studio or workshop
Arranging a cooking day in the cob kitchen
Courses & classes
You can learn a lot from a stay at The Brake. There is the opportunity to book a Creative Being program that incorporates all the different opportunities for learning provided by this small plot of land.Nick & Dolly will be running various courses and classes throughout the season - please enquire for details. Dolly says, "The foundation upon which we are creating our programs is the awareness that it is our hands that connect and allow us to express the natural creativity innate within us all. We will be facilitating these through the use of the studio, the workshop, the rocket stove kitchen, the cob oven, the garden and, of course, nature." 'Make at The Brake' Days - suitable for 2 people or a family of 3-4 (min 8 years old) Spend some time in The Workshop with experienced wood-smith Nick making your own personal knife or a simple greenwood stool. Greenwood involves creating a piece from the raw materials of branches or logs. If art's more your thing then try out The Studio with Dolly exploring mark making using a variety of art materials, instruments and techniques to create a series of abstract paintings and/or cards. Half day finishing at lunchtime is £80, a whole day is £180 which includes lunch (prices are for the whole family/group). You might want to mix things up and spend half a day in The Workshop and half a day in The Studio. Just ask Nick and Dolly for more info and to book.