Blue Slates Dartmoor Holiday Apartment

06/05/2024

A sunny bank holiday “hello” from Blue Slates 🌞. We have very few dates left now before the end of September so get in quickly before they all go!

18/04/2024

Someone recently told me that once you retire there are only nine months in the year. Well I haven't retired just yet but yeah, he's right, the older you get time really does play tricks, which why I'm wondering where the heck the last few months have gone since I last posted on here. The weather has been weird in a very wet way for sure over the winter but suddenly, that big yellow thing in the sky has made an appearance and spirits are being lifted. The rain, snow, wind, rain, whatever gets chucked at us, doesn't seem to bother our guests one iota. Blue Slates is busy as heck but we have some space left through the summer so get in quick if you want a cosy, comfy, totally laid back break. Our current guests have been to the beach today and had ice cream and paddled. Here are some Spring has sprung pics to share from the locale. The bluebells are just about to go crazy and everything's looking lush. https://www.blueslates.co.uk

15/01/2024

Just had a fab review from some guests who didn't travel very far but just wanted a complete break after a hectic Christmas and New Year. This is what they said:

Blue Slates is well situated being close to a small village and within walking distance of the local pub. The apartment is superb with beautiful furniture a luxurious bathroom and kitchen all fully equipped. For two people the accommodation is spacious. A welcome provisions pack including a Devonshire cream tea was awaiting our arrival. A very peaceful situation.

Viv is very helpful with local information about eateries. Interesting walks are available from the property across the moors of the National Park which suited us as we are keen walkers, however there are other interesting places to visit by car and information about these, together with local walks, are provided at the property. Viv is a very friendly host and the accommodation delighted us.

How lovely is that!

Check out the website for availability - it's filling up!

https://www.blueslates.co.uk/

07/12/2023

Well, where did 2023 go! I'm going to have to ask Santa to slow down the years somewhat. In the last twelve months, along with our lovely UK visitors, we welcomed guests from the USA, New Zealand, South Africa and Europe and were even offered a swap for an apartment in Paris which sounds like a jolly good plan to me. Bookings are coming in for 2024 and whilst we are looking forward to another busy year, let's just be in the moment for a minute and enjoy the stunning photos of snowy Dartmoor taken by Mark Shackleton just last week. Season's greetings to you all and all the very best for the New Year!

28/08/2023

Summer has been a blast so far (well, it was kind of a summer as June was overall pretty tropical so the rest doesn't count) . Our guests (and ourselves) got to experience a load of stuff that Devon and Cornwall has to offer our lovely visitors. There is far too much to list but here are some pics of some summer fun to be had in the locale. Eden Project - so worth a visit. Gaia Spa Boringdon - a total treat for mind, body and soul and the best afternoon tea around. The Farmyard Cafe for the best breakfasts and just a two minute drive away. Spirit Of Adventure for outdoor activities including family bush craft days. Sustrans to find details of Route 27 the wonderful bike and walking trail from Tavistock to Plymouth which can be joined from Shaugh Prior. Creamo's Ice Cream Club for a tip top ice cream and pastry experience after mooching in the pretty town of Ashburton.

We don't want to wish the season away but cosy days and evenings will soon be around the corner. We are busy in September but we have open arms in October for anyone wanting an Autumn break on beautiful Dartmoor. Each season is glorious here but there is something about the woody, smoky scents in the air and the stunning array of colour that makes this time of year so special.

Check out the website for availability in October and beyond!

24/07/2023

We have become experts in South West shower dodging these last few weeks but whatever the clouds are chucking at us we can always find a good spot to have a pint of something local and some great scoff. Our local The White Thorn Inn is back up and running under new management and what a fine establishment it is, serving local ales and a range of good home cooked food. We visited The Canteen at Maker Heights on Friday (menu in pics) which was superb. Did a 12 mile circular walk taking in part of the stunning The South West Coast Path and ended up at The Dock - Plymouth for a well deserved cocktail. There are a few dates left this summer (including the last week in August) so get in touch https://www.blueslates.co.uk if you fancy a well deserved break in a beautiful apartment in a fabulous part of the world!

02/06/2023

We have a new addition! Meet Del, the three foot tawny owl carved out of a chunk of cypress and who is now residing on the old willow in the front garden and keeping an eye on the gaff. Del was created by the very talented Dan Cordell Sculpture & Woodcarving and is a sight to behold. We'll let you know when the fairies move in.

Also, in case you didn't know, all our lovely visitors to Blue Slates Dartmoor Holiday Apartment can enjoy the log cabin, barbecue and wood fired hot tub wall, all of which are beautifully positioned to enjoy a Dartmoor sunset with a glass of something nice.

We have some dates in July, August and October if you fancy a lux chillout in a beautiful part of the world. Check out the website https://www.blueslates.co.uk/ and availability calendar

09/03/2023

We've had some stunning sunsets of late. Unreal, saturated colours more reminiscent of Bali than Dartmoor. We are lucky in that sunsets can be viewed from Blue Slates patio and whilst we admit that It's currently a bit chilly for a G&T on the deck, balmy days are not far away and you too could be feet up, sipping a tipple and enjoying being bathed in the evening glow. OK enough of that; dates are getting booked up but we still have availability for a relaxing/full-on adventure in Devon. Take a look at the availability calendar https://www.blueslates.co.uk We aren't strict on Friday to Friday so if it's there and it fits in with you, give us a shout! Another thing to note is that our rates are the same all year round. We don't increase the tariff just because its a school or public holiday and returning visitors also benefit from 10% off. We look forward to hearing from you!

05/01/2023

Well Christmas and New Year went a bit of a flurry and all of a sudden here we are again looking forward to welcoming guests to Blue Slates in 2023. It might be a bit damp and chilly now but blue skies, balmy evenings and sunshine will soon return and if they don't, well you have the perfect place to just get cosy, curl up with a book or sit by a pub fire sampling the local ale. You can do as much or as little as you like and talking of returns, all previous Blue Slates visitors will get 10% off when re-booking :)

29/10/2022

A few more pics taken this last week of our beautiful location. The Garden House, Devon looks stunning with the acers showing off their autumn colours. Wembury Bay is always a treat for rock pooling, ocean swims, wave dodging and of course a tub of clotted cream ice cream at the cafe. Blue Slates is now on the accommodation list for Encounter Walking Holidays and we look forward to welcoming guests for overnight stays.

11/10/2022

It’s been a beautiful summer and it seems that all our guests have enjoyed long days with wall to wall sunshine. Now merging into Autumn we are still enjoying some beautiful weather and did a spectacular guided full moon walk around Sharpitor with Paul Rendell Moorland Guides Dartmoor Walks. Our Blue Slates season is almost over until next Spring but always message to check availability between now and then and we’ll see what we can do!

14/09/2022

Greetings from Devon where there is a palpable air of poignance and remembrance wherever you go, with people coming to terms with the loss of a wonderful woman, Elizabeth II. Here is a picture of the Queen's first visit to Devon in 1952 when she attended the Royal Agricultural Show at Stover, Newton Abbot. Rest in peace our beautiful Queen.

05/07/2022

July is upon us along with what looks like a decent spell of weather for the next couple of weeks at least. So far, all our 2022 visitors, including the four-legged ones, have had a ball here in Devon and we are looking forward to a busy September. There is just tons to do (or not to do) in this neck of the woods. We have the Sail GP again this month along with an Ice Cream and Bubbles Festival at Mount Edgecumbe. I'm hoping that's the Prosecco kind of bubbles. We have some dates available in August so have a look at the availability calendar https://www.blueslates.co.uk. A warm welcome and a relaxing break awaits you!

13/05/2022

It's that time of year when the bluebells in North Wood are breath taking. It's hard to capture the vast expanse of sweet smelling flowers in a photograph so you'll just have to come and see for yourselves! We have some availability in July and August so if you fancy a relaxing break in Blue Slates, our beautiful self-catering apartment in the lovely village of Shaugh Prior in South Devon near to the moors and sea and beautiful places to visit, take a look at the availability calendar and give me a shout! https://www.blueslates.co.uk

30/03/2022

We have been spoiled with stunning weather here over the last week or so. I wish it could stay like this every week with just a bit of convenient rain during the night to water the garden but hey, this is Dartmoor and we get whatever the Atlantic chucks at us so we are always prepared for a good time come rain or shine. Here are some pics taken over the last few days to whet your appetite. We have some availability in July, August and September so check out the calendar and get in touch! https//:www.blueslates.co.uk

23/02/2022

Greetings from a bit of a battered be-Euniced Devon but hey, warm sunny days are around the corner for sure! The walks close to Blue Slates have inspired me to paint few watercolours and together with some other local artists' work, these are now being sold as art cards to raise funds for Shaugh Prior Village Hall. Bookings are gathering momentum for 2022 so check out availability on https://www.blueslates.co.uk or message for more info.

24/01/2022

Well good morning y'all! We've been enjoying a cosy winter in Devon but for the optimists, spring is around the corner and there will be warmer climes ahead. It is also said that a pessimist is never disappointed so happy days for everyone! Each month has its own beauty in the South West and the photos here have been taken locally over the last couple of months. St Edward's church in Shaugh on a misty morning; a double rainbow nearing Shaugh Beacon; the moors from North Wood; a Downderry sunset; Otto on a windy Seaton beach and Bertie on the look out in West Down. Bookings for '22 are being made as we speak so check out the availability calendar on the Blue Slates website https://www.blueslates.co.uk.

14/12/2021

Wishing you all the best for Christmas and every good wish for 2022. We have enjoyed meeting every one of our guests in 2021 and look forward to greeting old and new visitors next year. It’s been a pleasure!

04/10/2021

Autumn is upon us after a fabulous summer filled with contented guests who have gone home, judging by the lovely feedback, fully relaxed and refreshed. We have a couple of dates left later this month for a mid-week and a weekend break and then we are taking November off to get a few jobs done around the house. There are also some dates in December if you fancy a crisp, Christmassy few days away. We have now started taking bookings for 2022 and more details can be found on the Blue Slates website https://www.blueslates.co.uk or just send a message and we'll be happy to help.

03/09/2021

03/09/2021

We are so thrilled and excited to have been shortlisted for a Producer Award 2021 with Food Drink Devon.
The awards ceremony will be on October 4th, a black tie event hosted by Oz Clarke MBE.
A huge thank you to everyone for your continued support.
Also congratulations to our amazing suppliers .honey

27/08/2021

Hi everyone. We have unexpected availability from tonight for seven nights. Please send a message if you need more details.

22/08/2021

It’s been a little while since our last post but we’ve had a crazy but fab few weeks with family visiting. We’ve been out somewhere almost every day and it is just so lovely how many things there are to see and do in this neck of the woods. I’ll be posting a few recommendations over the next week or so.

We had a delicious brunch at The Orchard Kitchen before heading off to the Butterfly and Otter Farm Buckfast which in itself is a little taste of the tropics inside even if it’s not quite so tropical outside. Heading back to the Prior, we stopped off at Dean Court Farm Shop for some local supplies including some delicious Luscombe Drinks. Visitors can pre-order from Dean Court Farm Shop which is a short detour off the A38 and is also great for a pit stop lunch. All good stuff.

16/07/2021

......and this is the link to the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix website https://sailgp.com/races/great-britain-sail-grand-prix-event-page/ Have a great sunny weekend!

Powered by nature.

16/07/2021

https://www.mba.ac.uk/about/we**am Take a look at the Marine Biological Association we**am where you can see the boats competing this weekend in Great Britain Sail Sail GP.

Our view from above and below Citadel Hill. The Marine Biological Association is located at the Citadel Hill laboratory looking out over Plymouth Sound. In conjunction with Plymouth University Marine Institute we also look out into the underwater world of Plymouth Sound. Why not enjoy this view as a...

12/07/2021

We are steaming through summer and despite July having a bit of a soggy start, our guests are having a relaxing time here at Blue Slates. Our neighbouring cows, sheep and Kevin the wandering cockerel have been a bit vocal on occasion but our current visitors say it makes a wonderful change from Deliveroo mopeds and London traffic.

Being Dartmoor, it's best to come prepared for sun and the wet stuff and of course, whatever the weather and whatever the time of year, you will always have a comfortable, cosy and relaxing apartment to come back to after the day's activities.

The sun is due to make an appearance for the next few days so hopefully the barbecue will be fired up and the drinks will be chilled on the deck. We are fully booked until the end of September but have availability from the beginning of October for an autumn break. Check out the website for availability https://www.blueslates.co.uk

03/07/2021

Greetings from a different part of the country! This is Victoria Park (Vicky Park or the People’s Park to the locals) and close to where I have been staying for the last few days. It is the third largest park in London with 218 acres of uncultivated green space. Just as the People’s Park serves the folk of east London as a breathing space and green escape for the area’s inhabitants, our Dartmoor is beautiful, wild, and full of incredible places to explore. The granite forms that were produced over 300 million years ago and us humans have shaped it over the last 10,000 years to make Dartmoor into 365 square miles of wonderful landscape, full of varied habitats, from wooded valleys and haymeadows to magnificent mires and the wild open moor. We have availability in October for a fabulous Autumn break. https://www.blueslates.co.uk.

14/06/2021

We have had some lovely reviews since we opened the doors to Blue Slates. This is what one guest had to say: "Just a thank you for a truly wonderful stay. Blue Slates is an absolute haven and such beautiful accommodation. I can't believe how different I feel after a few days. We miss it already and would love to come back"

Thank you to our fab guests 😍