On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 March from 11:00 -17:00 it's Pre-Season Open Weekend at Castle Drogo. Normal admission charges apply. Take advantage of these special open weekends and visit the house and gardens before the season starts. Castle Drogo is about 17 miles from your self catering accommodation, on the edge of Dartmoor.
On Saturday 3 March you can take a guided walk around the parklands at the National Trust's Knightshayes Court (normal admission charges apply, but there's no extra charge for the walk). Knightshayes Court is about 25 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On Saturday 3 at 7pm and Sunday 4 March at 3pm and 7pm see the Streetz Dance Crew's Streetz' Best Bits at the Plough Arts Centre. Now entering its 5th year 'Streetz' are reprising some of the dances from their annual shows at the Plough plus some new surprises. All Tickets £6.00. The arts centre is in Torrington, about 13 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 6 March at 7.30pm find out about Life Behind the Lens with camera man Doug Allan at the Plough Arts Centre. Adventures, encounters and insights from the award winning cameraman whose TV credits include the epic wildlife series: Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Life, Human Planet, Ocean Giants and Frozen Planet. Join Doug for an unforgettable evening as he takes you up close and personal with the animals that live in the wildest places on earth. See amazing film footage on the big screen and listen to Doug's experiences of working with everyone from Sir David Attenborough to Ewan McGregor. Ask Doug questions about his wildlife experiences and chat to him about his extreme adventures. This will surely be an evening to remember. All tickets £15.00 01805 624 624. The arts centre is in Torrington, about 13 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 8 March at 8.00pm it's Open Mouth Poetry Night at the Plough Arts Centre. Totally acoustic poetry and music night. Local and not so local poets and songwriters share their love of waxing lyrical. A diverse evening's entertainment and a warm appreciative bunch! Ideal for first timers. Take something of your own or something you just happen to like. Be experimental. Be brave. All very welcome. For more info or to take part contact Mel 01409 211660. In the gallery £ Donations only. The arts centre is in Torrington, about 13 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 9 March the National Trust's Killerton House have 'drop in' garden walks with a member of the gardening team between 2 and 3pm. No need to book. Killerton is about 21 miles from your holiday accommodation.
On 9 March at 8.00pm catch Liane Carroll in Concert at the Plough Arts Centre. Having picked up just about every British jazz award going in the last few years, Liane Carroll has been hailed by critics and fans alike as one of our very finest jazz singers. She has worked with artists, such as Gerry Rafferty, Gerry Donahue, Long John Baldry, and Paul McCartney, as well as the fast soul outfit 'London Elektricity.' With her huge vocal range, prodigious musicality and an unerring sense of musical honesty, her live set is one of the most emotionally exciting to be found on the UK jazz circuit and covers a broad repertoire from the contemplative Tom Waits and Lauro Nyro, through to familiar jazz standards, as well as Liane's self-penned original material. Tickets Full £18.00 Concession £15.00 01805 624 624. The arts centre is in Torrington, about 13 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On Saturday 10 March you can meet a cast of characters from the 1883 who lived and worked on the National Trust's Arlington Estate. From gamekeeper to coachman they all have an interesting story to tell. Arlington Court is about 27 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On Saturday 10 March at 8.00pm join An Evening with Andrew Motion at the Plough Arts Centre. Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate (1999-09), introduces his eagerly awaited sequel to Treasure Island - Silver - featuring a cast of noble seamen, murderous pirates and tales of love, valour & terrible cruelty. He also reads from his latest book of poems, 'The Cinder Path' (Faber) 'Laurels and Donkeys' on conflicts from 1914 to the war in Afghanistan, his acclaimed autobiography 'In The Blood - A Memoir of My Childhood' and answers questions about his writing and the role of Poet Laureate. Followed by book signing. For adults and older children As judge for The Plough Prize 2010, Andrew will begin the evening by awarding the prizes to the winning poets who have travelled to The Plough for this special evening. (www.theploughprize.co.uk) Tickets Full £15.00 Concession £13.00 01805 624 624. The arts centre is in Torrington, about 13 miles from your holiday accommodation.
On 13 March at 8.00pm Lee Martin for Gag Reflex Management presents…The Boy with Tape on his Face. The silent show that is creating a lot of talk. Mime with noise, stand-up with no talking, drama with no acting. You'll laugh, you'll scream and ultimately you'll end up like The Boy - lost for words. As seen on ITV's Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford, BBC3s "Live @ the Fringe" and "BBC2's Comedy Prom" with Tim Minchin. 16yrs+ only. Full £13.00 Concession £12.00 01805 624 624. The arts centre is in Torrington, about 13 miles from your holiday accommodation.
On 14 March Castle Drogo have their Winter Warmer Wednesday - a two course lunch in the cafe for £12. Castle Drogo is about 17 miles from your Devon holiday accommodation. Ring 01647 433306 for more information.
On 16 March the National Trust's Killerton House have 'drop in' garden walks with a member of the gardening team between 2 and 3pm. No need to book. Killerton is about 21 miles from your holiday accommodation.
On Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 March from 13-15:00 children can paint a flower pot at the National Trust's Lydford Gorge and choose a plant to make it a Mother's Day gift. Event runs 1-3pm and costs £3. Normal entry charge also applies. Lydford Gorge is about 21 miles from your self catering accommodation.
On 17 March there's a farmers' market and local produce sale in the car park of the National Trust's Killerton House (about 21 miles from the cottage and lodges). It runs from 10:30 until 14:30. Market free, normal admission charges to the property.
Saturday 17 March is also Okehampton Farmers' Market from 09.00 in the centre of town. Sometimes small, sometimes larger it offers fresh local produces.
On Sunday 18 March there's a special 3 course Mothering Day lunch at the National Trust's Knightshayes Court stables restaurant. All tickets £15.95, no need to book. Knightshayes Court is about 25 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On Sunday 18 March from 12:00 - 15:00: there's a Mothers Day Lunch at Castle Drogo. Celebrate with Mum on her special day by treating her to roast lunch. Or why not spoil her a little with delicious desserts and cakes. Roast lunch from £9.50, vegetarian and children's portions available. Castle Drogo is about 17 miles from your self catering accommodation.
On Sunday 18 March between 2 and 4 discover the bizarre ways that women made themselves beautiful in the past with the House Steward at Killerton House. Find out about the mothers and children of the Acland family and the servants who looked after them on a Mother's day trail around the house. Killerton is about 21 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 20 and 21 March at 7.30pm the Plough Youth Theatre Juniors present Terry Pratchett's Johnny and the Dead Johnny Maxwell doesn't know why he can see the dead, but the dead are certainly going to make the most of it. With the news that the cemetery is about to be sold, the dead are not going to take it lying down. Instead they enlist the help of 12 year old Johnny and his friends to help stop their final resting place from being turned into an office block. And with Halloween just around the corner, there's no knowing what mischief they might get up to... Join Johnny and his friends (dead and alive) on this dark and comical adventure as we find that some things really are worth fighting for. "The living must remember, and the dead must forget". Tickets 01805 624 624. The arts centre is in Torrington, about 13 miles from your holiday accommodation.
On 21 March there's a Digital Photography Workshop at the National Trust's Castle Drogo from 10.30 until 4pm. Costs £35 (per person). Castle Drogo is about 17 miles from your self catering accommodation.
On 22 March at 7.30pm Plough Youth Theatre Seniors present After Juliet by Sharman Macdonald. In the wake of the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet, a tense truce holds between the Capulets and Montagues. While on the surface all appears well Rosaline, Juliet's cousin has only one thing on her mind; revenge! Distraught with the loss of Romeo, and enraged by Juliet's betrayal, she vows to reignite the feud and won't let anything get in her way. Amidst all this fury the Nurse and Friar stand trial as the courts try to establish who should be held responsible for the death of the star crossed lovers. If you've ever wondered what happened next, then this is a must-see. After Juliet was specially commissioned by the Royal National Theatre for the BT National Connections Scheme for young people. Full £7.00 Concession £6.00. Tickets 01805 624 624. The arts centre is in Torrington, about 13 miles from your holiday accommodation.
On 23 March the National Trust's Killerton House have 'drop in' garden walks with a member of the gardening team between 2 and 3pm. No need to book. Killerton is about 21 miles from your holiday accommodation.
On 23 March at 8.00pm Chris Farlowe & The Norman Beaker Band are at the Plough Arts Centre. In June 1966, during the week that England's soccer players won the World Cup, Chris Farlowe took the Jagger/Richards song 'Out Of Time' to the top of the UK singles chart. Chris Farlowe and The Thunderbirds were legendary on the sixties R&B circuit and although Chris only topped the charts once, he enjoyed a number of other hit singles including 'Think', 'Ride On Baby' and the hugely popular 'Handbags And Gladrags'. Chris' band is the five piece Norman Beaker Band. Norman Beaker has been at the forefront of the British Blues scene for the last three decades, playing with the likes of Alexis Corner, Jack Bruce, Paul Jones and Eric Burdon. BB King commented 'Norman is like a white Freddy King'....a compliment indeed. Tickets Full £20.00 Concession £17.50. The Plough is in Torrington, about 13 miles from your holiday accommodation.
On 24 and 25 March you can take your bike to the National Trust's Killerton House (or book and hire one of theirs) and explore two new family cycle tracks, taking you around the historic parkland and to the 200 year old Clyston Mill in Broadclyst. Killerton is about 21 miles from the cottage and lodges. Open 11-16:00. Normal admission charges.
On Saturday 24 March at 8.00pm it's Comedy Night with...Mrs Barbara Nice at the Plough. Housewife Superstar in 'Hiya and Higher'. Mrs. Barbara Nice - Stockport mother of five - is worried that we are living In a world of ever diminishing friendliness where we keep our selves to ourselves, heads down afraid to catch anyone`s eye. She wants us all to stand proud, be open and look the world right in the eye - or we won`t feel the benefit! Expect a friendly, inclusive atmosphere with home truths, great timing and unique comic insights into the human condition. Barbara Nice is the comic creation of Janice Connolly - 'Holy Mary' from Channel 4's acclaimed 'Phoenix Nights' TV series. Tickets Full £10.00 Concession £9.00 Supporter £8.00. The Plough is in Torrington, about 13 miles from our Devon farm.
On 25 March at 3:00pm Plough Youth Theatre Seniors present After Juliet by Sharman Macdonald. In the wake of the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet, a tense truce holds between the Capulets and Montagues. While on the surface all appears well Rosaline, Juliet's cousin has only one thing on her mind; revenge! Distraught with the loss of Romeo, and enraged by Juliet's betrayal, she vows to reignite the feud and won't let anything get in her way. Amidst all this fury the Nurse and Friar stand trial as the courts try to establish who should be held responsible for the death of the star crossed lovers. If you've ever wondered what happened next, then this is a must-see. After Juliet was specially commissioned by the Royal National Theatre for the BT National Connections Scheme for young people. Full £7.00 Concession £6.00. Tickets 01805 624 624. The arts centre is in Torrington, about 13 miles from your holiday accommodation.
On 30 March the National Trust's Killerton House have 'drop in' garden walks with a member of the gardening team between 2 and 3pm. No need to book. Killerton is about 21 miles from your holiday accommodation.
On 30 March Planet of Sound returns to the Plough and so do Tankus The Henge! They captivated the audience in September 2011 with their upbeat, uplifting, all round entertaining, music to dance to. With much more to be confirmed this will be another night of assorted sounds from far and wide, as well as the very best pick of local music makers. Standing Gig £7.00 in advance, £8.00 on the door. Doors 7.00pm. The Plough is in Torrington, about 13 miles from our Devon farm.
On Saturday 31 March at 8.00pm catch Neil Innes: Short Stories and Tall Songs at the Plough Arts Centre. Best known for the cult classic 'The Innes Book of Records' and his collaborative work with Monty Python, The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and The Rutles, Neil performs a wry, poignant, humorous and topical one-man show, spiced with anecdotes of his life and times in the worlds of media and show business. This solo shows tickles the emotions with a potent mix of fine musicianship and enlightened lyricism, packed with sharp observations celebrating the absurdities of modern existence. Tickets Full £14.00 Concession £12.00 Torrington is about 13 miles from our Devon farm.
Wheatland Farm
home t. 01837 83499, email info@wheatlandfarm.co.uk, Wheatland Farm, Winkleigh, Devon, EX19 8DJ.
Devon self catering cottage and eco lodges
What's on near our Devon self catering accommodation in March 2012
On 2 March the National Trust's Killerton House has 'drop in' garden walks with a member of the gardening team between 2 and 3pm. No need to book. Killerton is about 21 miles from your holiday accommodation.
On 2 March at 8.00pm Phil Beer, patron of the Plough Arts Centre, is performing there. Phil Beer is the multi-instrumental half of the west country's award winning acoustic duo, Show of Hands. With a professional career of over 36 years, Phil has a great deal of material to draw on for his solo appearances, which are an eclectic mix of traditional tunes, covers of Springsteen or The Hollies, together with his own compositions and songs from his contemporaries. All are songs and music of memory and significance sung in the subtle and melodic Phil Beer style and interjected with musings and amusings to an almost personal audience. It is a treat of past and current favourites from one of the most popular musicians on the acoustic circuit. Tickets 01805 624 624 Full £14.00 Concession £13.00. The arts centre is in Torrington, about 13 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 3 and 4 March it's snow drop weekend at the National Trust's Killerton House, about 21 miles from your self catering accommodation. Plant a memory and leave a lasting tribute to someone special by planing snowdrops in the chapel grounds at Killerton. Take a trowel and the family to help the gardeners create a carpet of snowdrops, which will return every year. Normal entrance, snowdrops to plant cost £1. Runs from 11:00am to 16:00.