http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13445
As for the person who mentioned Sidmouth Folkweek - far too crowded already. If people can't get into the Anchor Gardens ceildhs, it has most definitely been overrun.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13445 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13415 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13415 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13375
An old Victorian building is set up a windy driveway and looks over acres of sculpture gardens. These are set to surprise and entertain and wandering down to the brook is a great way to work up an appetite for dinner/ breakfast. The art is inside as well, with a large purpose-built gallery and pictures and works throughout the hotel.

Food is simple, fresh, local and filling. And, best of all, it is very near to Saunton Sands, Woolacombe and Putsborough beaches.

Sometimes the hotel is booked up for weddings or for art conferences but it makes for a really unusual and reasonably priced stay.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13375 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13365
Order a tabla mixta and you won't need to eat any more, all night! If you want foodie souvenirs they also sell a wide range of local specialities, fresh and dried as well as wines and liqueurs. It is a surprisingly buzzy and friendly place and very popular with locals.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13365 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13363 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13363 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13359
If you fancy a wander around artist studios, a nibble on chunky farmhouse bread, or just to sit and watch the buzz do its buzzing, hop off the seafront, go straight on down the highstreet, take a right, then nip left.

Life has a rather colourful palette in Libra Court.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13359 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13357
I got up early one morning in April and walked through the woods below the hotel which were stunning in the light of early dawn. And sitting atop Hay Tor at 7am is simply breathtaking.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13357 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13353
Also the hotel at the top of the hill is beautiful and well worth a stop over.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13353 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13349
The food is tasty, coastal fair and the ambience is delightful. Additional plus is there is only one sitting making it ideal for an evening meal with family and friends.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13349 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13347
Take a boat trip, go mackerel fishing (on a mackerel pleasure trip as the sign used to have it) or buy fresh fish down on the beach. Get drowsy and happy in the cliff top garden of the Anchor Inn.

Go second hand book shopping in a hidden garage book shop (look for the sign on the pavement near the top of Fore Street), stock up on surf gear at Jimmy Green's or pick up some well-priced art at the Steam Gallery.

In the summer there's a regatta, but I've always preferred it a little out of high season, when you can enjoy the peace that fills this little town.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13347 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13332
Every minute you spend with the kind of quiet you will find there makes it worth the effort.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13332 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13331 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13331 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13315
Set in the wooded Dartmoor village famed for its Cleave, Lustleigh avoids the worst of the tourist influxes suffered by Widecombe and Haytor. Its thatched cottages centre around the church and its neighbour Primrose Cottage. As well as astoundingly good cream teas (served since the 19th century) the tea rooms also have an incredible selection of homemade cakes.

Work it all off with a walk along Lustleigh Cleave, a steep wooded valley through which the River Bovey bubbles.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13315 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13314
A tractor on stilts (seriously) ferries visitors across the waves to the now remote island. A happy couple of hours can be spent exploring the ragged coastline, excellent ale house and art deco Burgh Island Hotel.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13314 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13312
But for the first week of August every year it turns into a fantastic festival - traditional music from all over the world, dancers, singers, musicians, ceilidhs until the early hours of the morning.

It's really family-friendly, with loads of craft activities for kids, and lots of the young musicians now performing at the festival got dragged there by their parents as children, so there's a real cross-generation atmosphere.

Personally, I wouldn't miss it for the world - spending a week in seaside sunshine, in pubs and marquees, listening to some of the best folk musicians around...bliss!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13312 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13311
The accommodation provided was good enough but the home cooking is marvellous! He is a very enthusiastic guide - we probably wouldn't have seen half of what we did on Dartmoor had we just pottered around struggling to read maps or following some other prescribed routes.

He drives you back as well - thank God!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13311 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13310 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13310 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13000 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13000 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12989
It offers some spectacular walks and is home to a huge range of wildlife, not least its very own Exmoor pony.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12989 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12940
I dived with BSAC (the British Sub Aqua Club) after being recommended by a friend who told me that I could join BSAC no matter where or who I had originally trained with. After a few weekends in my local swimming pool refreshing my skills I finally was able two join my local BSAC branch who just happened to be planning their trip down to Plymouth a few weeks later.

The dive was great and it was such an enjoyable experience to spend a day with a group of active, adventurous people all around my own age and all on hand to support me with my dive.

Once in the sea the sunken Scylla was breathtaking. Although originally an artificial reef there is now an abundance of colourful, lively marine life at this site and I could have been entertained for hours. There was perfect visibility and I was able to spot sea urchins, reefs, corals, crabs and much much more. I’m not sure of all the correct names but it was definitely a bright and interesting show that was easily on par with the few dives I have done abroad in the past.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12940