What does the average bonfire look like? Not like the amazing Shaldon structures that’s for sure! A Harry Potter themed bonfire looked almost too good to light last Saturday but the crowds loved it. A simply enormous fire on the beach at Shaldon and a great firework display let off from the point at Teignmouth. Very much a family vibe in the crowd with many Harry Potter at Halloween style outfits to be seen and lots of Halloween decorated gardens around the town. A very mild and dry evening: perfect!

Happy Halloween from Sandays

Paid a visit this week to Topsham and more specifically the RSPB reserve at Bowling Green Marsh. For some effortless bird watching this is the ideal place, with easy access and numerous species right under your nose!  Even if you just stop by for 10 mins you are bound to see loads of interest. Wonderful bird hide(s) with helpful identification posters and if the facilities are open you can even get a a cup of tea. There is something immensely peaceful about watching and listening to birds, it is very easy to get completely absorbed so that everything else on your mind fades into the background and time is suspended. 

Walking back into Topsham along the Goat Walk at low tide also provided the lovely sight of many Godwits industriously feeding in the mud.

There are so many flowers around in Babbacombe you would almost think it is still summer! Looking picture perfect this week with people strolling around and sitting in the sunshine. Berries and busy squirrels are signs of Autumn however along with some lovely colourful leaves here and there.

It is half term for some this week, but our local schools and perhaps the majority are off next week.
One double room available at Sandays from Wednesday 26th for 4 nights if you fancy a last minute break; come and see it all for yourself!

We have been having some glorious October days over this past week, lots of blue skies and sunshine. Although the daylight hours are getting shorter the beach is still seeing a lot of activity! 

Noticed this lovely addition to the Homeyards Botanical Gardens the other day in front of the castle folly. The detail on it is absolutely beautiful, really worth going there specifically to have a look. Hats off to the talented artists who created it. (Michelle Greenwood Brown and Alison Miles) to mark the centenary of the gardens.

As visitors to Teignmouth & Shaldon will know, there is a flourishing network of artists in the area. We are looking forward to TAAG (Teignmouth Arts Action Group) re-opening their refurbished centre in 2023 and have enjoyed popping into the Beachcomber temporary exhibition this year.

September has brought Autumnal changes to the weather but there is lots going on locally. Heritage Open Days are happening all week and over the weekend and there are some wonderful opportunities to see places or parts of places that are not usually open to the public. We went to a couple of events last weekend, one at the Devon & Exeter Institution in Exeter, and one at the South Devon Railway in Buckfastleigh, both free and very interesting & enjoyable.
Even more local to Sandays, Powderham Castle are open all week and running a special series of talks.
All details can be found at heritageopendays.org.uk

Devon Open Studios is also underway with many artists opening their homes and studios and larger gatherings of crafts in some venues across Devon. Look for the yellow signs when you are out & about.

It is the 2nd of September so Autumn is here, but what a lovely summer it has been. Today still felt like summer and we were out making the most of that warm sunshine well into the evening.
Thank you to all our lovely guests who shared a bit of this warm dry summer and we look forward to the Autumn months ahead.

The sun is shining as we enjoy the bank holiday weekend, with most enjoying the beach & sea as we head into the last week of the summer holidays. 

Lots going on locally including a regatta in Shaldon and a Go Wild Festival at Powderham to name but a couple. We will be heading to Jazz on the Quay in Exeter tomorrow, the last one of the summer.

Looking ahead, we have now taken as many bookings as we are able to for September, so barring cancellations our first availability is from Wednesday October 5th. We would love to hear from you if you are thinking of having a break in October. 

Dawlish Carnival has been active all week around the Lawns and this evening was the culmination with the traditional procession through the town. Perfect evening for it and people out in force lining the route from start to finish. Wonderful noisy atmosphere, lots of local groups represented and some really great costumes. Well done everybody, lots of fun for all.

We had an evening in Plymouth yesterday and watched the fireworks: wow! Perfect warm evening, 3 fabulous firework displays, very pleasant wandering around the Barbican & Hoe beforehand. There will be a further 3 displays tonight, Thursday 18th. It is the perfect place for a firework display, can be seen from just about anywhere on the waterfront with displays of colour in the water as well as the air. Great experience all round.

Teignmouth & Shaldon are popular destinations for Sandays guests and for us too, but getting there is equally fun. Today I hopped on the open top bus (No.222) here at the Warren heading to Teignmouth and from there the foot ferry across to Shaldon. Enjoyed a swim off the Ness beach, pottering around and various art venues in Teignmouth including of course the wonderful recycled art in the landscape trail along the promenade. Beautiful and thought provoking.

Wonderful weather and everything in full swing here at the Warren.

Barring cancellations our last availability in August is 17th/18th/19th/20th in our downstairs twin room.

£80 per night B&B for double occupancy.

Wonderful to have the Sidmouth Folk Festival back at full strength this year! The whole of Sidmouth seemed to be full of music & dance yesterday and they have had great weather all week. Perfect last evening for the torchlight procession and fireworks to round everything off.