Wheatland Farm
home t. 01837 83499, email info@wheatlandfarm.co.uk, Wheatland Farm, Winkleigh, Devon, EX19 8DJ.
Devon self catering cottage and eco lodges
1 May Anyone for Croquet? If you have ever fancied learning the rules of the game, visit Castle Drogo on 1 May and have a free lesson with their resident expert. Normal admission to the property applies. This Devon national trust property is about 17 miles from your self catering accommodation.
On 4 May at 8pm it's Comedy Night at the Plough Arts Centre with Alex Horne: Seven Years in the Bathroom. Star and co-creator of BBC Four's comedy quiz show 'We Need Answers', award-winning comedian Alex Horne has established a reputation among critics, comics and audiences as a dthoughtful and original stand-up, writer and solo performer. 'Seven Years In The Bathroom' is the ultimate stat-based fun-packed thought-provoking experimental-and-sometimes-stupid comedy show in which Alex aims to recreate your entire life. That's right, he'll do everything you'll ever do but in one evening. So in an average lifetime you'll spend two years shopping, two weeks kissing and eighteen months looking for lost things. You'll also spend quite a while eating, queuing, crying and googling yourself. Alex is going to squeeze all those things into one show and it'll be tremendous. And very funny. So go along and laugh at your life. All tickets £13.00. Box office 01805 624 624. The Plough is in Torrington, about 13 miles from your self catering lodge or cottage.
What's on near our Devon self catering accommodation in May 2012
On 5 May there's a soap making demonstration at the National Trust's Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum. Normal admission charges, but free entry to demonstration in the education room where Devon soap maker Lynn Lewis will create her lovely smelling products. Plus buy some to take home. Arlington Court is about 27 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 5 May there's a 5km park run at the National Trust's Killerton House. No charge for the run, normal admission charge to the property. It's a family event for runners of all ages and abilities - not a race but a timed run organised and marshalled by local volunteers. Register at parkrun.org.uk/killerton. Start at 9am at the Chapel. Killerton is about 21 miles from your holiday accommodation.
Castle Drogo has a Children's May Trail from 5 to 7 May, 11:00am to 4:00pm. Normal admission charges for this National Trust property, plus £1.50 per trail. (Includes a prize at the end). Castle Drogo is about 17 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 5 and 6 May the Devon village of Clovelly has a Folk Festival, with well known local folk bands, buskers and Morris dancers at different venues throughout the village over the whole weekend. Tickets: Adult £15, kids £5 uner 7 years free Family (2A+2C) £35. Clovelly is about 30 miles from your self catering accommodation.
On 6 May the Cobbaton Combat Collection is having another annual Clearout from 9.00am - 4.00pm. This is a collection of memorabilia mainly from WWII housed in 2 large hangars. They say: "Following the success of last year's Cobbaton Clearout we have decided to run it again, this time on the early May Bank Holiday. We were very pleased with what we sold at our first Clearout, but perhaps not surprisingly we still have a few more bits we would like to move on. There were about 30 other stalls present, with some very serious trading taking place, so we anticipate many of these sellers will have a few more goodies to sell this year." Public entry to the sale is free. Cobbaton is about 16 miles from the cottage and lodges.
A bit closer to the farm, on 6 and 7 May there are self -guided Bluebell Walks at Chenson Farm, between Eggesford and Lapford, EX18 7LF from 2.00pm - 6.00pm. Entrance £1.50. Enjoy a stroll in 60 acres of ancient and semi-natural woodland and across open farmland when the woodland flowers, especially the bluebells, are at their best. Cream Teas, Sale of Art. Chenson is about 7 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 7 May Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum is going Victorian from 11-5. Be taken back into the glamour of the Victorian period. Room guides will welcome you in their lavish period costumes. Go along in your own Victorian costume and get a reduced entry fee. Arlington Court is about 27 miles from the cottage and lodges.
Also on 7 May at another Devon National Trust property - Killerton House - you can watch and enjoy a traditional Punch and Judy show in the garden. Normal admission charges. 2-4pm. Killerton is about 21 miles from your self catering accommodation.
From 10-12 May The Torrington Players present They Came from Mars and Landed Outside the Farndale Avenue Church Hall in Time for the Townswomen's Guild Coffee Morning - by David Mcgillivray & Walter Zerlin Jnr. - at the Plough Arts Centre. The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society tread the boards once again - this time taking on the sci-fi genre in another work of theatrical mayhem. The redoubtable Mrs Reece and her not-always-willing band of temperamental helpers will attempt to battle the usual elements of collapsing scenery, badly-behaved props, almost-remembered lines and unfortunate illnesses and accidents to bring you a night of completely edifying entertainment: possibly with the occasional useful cookery tip, holiday snap or fashion advice for the modern miss. Full £8.00 Concession £7.50 Supporter £7.00. The Plough is in Torrington, about 13 miles from the cottage and lodges.
Also on 10 May it's Open Mouth Poetry Night at the Plough at 8pm. It's a totally acoustic poetry and music event. 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.
On 12 May there's a 5km park run at the National Trust's Killerton House. No charge for the run, normal admission charge to the property. It's a family event for runners of all ages and abilities - not a race but a timed run organised and marshalled by local volunteers. Register at parkrun.org.uk/killerton. Start at 9am at the Chapel. Killerton is about 21 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 12 May Prom-Prom perform Munch & Crunch - Children's music and theatre at Fremington Quay, on Devon's Tarka Trail. Munch & Crunch is a show for 3-9 year olds and their families featuring songs, stories, magic, games and puppetry - all performed outdoors from of the back of a traditional gypsy vardo. Go along for fifty minutes of fun with Bunny and Beano. Little ones might even learn something about healthy living along the way! Prom-Prom specialises in developing British popular entertainment. Artistic Director Tony Liddington is a well-known theatre director, performer and broadcaster for Radio 4. Age Range/Suitability 3 - 9 year olds. Fremington Quay Cafe: Tickets £3(ad)/£2(ch)/£10(fam) - Tel 01271 268720 Shows at 2 and 3pm. Cover provided in bad weather. Refreshments available in cafe.
Further along the Tarka Trail, the Bandits are playing at Yarde Orchard Cafe on May 12. Supper and Bar from 6.30 pm Band at 8.00 pm entry £3 on the door. As ever, the presence of Big Al and the chaps make for a rollicking evening of fine songs, as eclectic as ever in both genre and era. Slap some mud on the wall, stand by your man and enjoy a good old bash. Yarde is about 16 miles from our Devon Farm.
On 12 May Characters from 1883 Come to Life at the National Trust's Arlington Court - From gamekeeper to coachman they all have an interesting story to tell. Normal admission charges apply. Arlington Court is about 27 miles from the cottage and lodges.
Also on 12 May there's Music in the Chapel at Killerton House from 11am-12.15pm. The chapel come to life with local singing groups at this Devon National Trust property. Killerton is about 21 miles from the farm.
And on 13 May Killerton House has a Hidden Garden Day. Discover areas often missed, go off the beaten track with activities, talks and walks and see the gardens like never before. Become a tree inspector and uncover the secrets behind the giants in the garden. Follow the bug trail, paint what you see at painting stop off points, get creative at the poet-tree and join in the story telling sessions. Talk to experts and find out more about trees and plants as well as learning about the garden's rich history. Runs from 11am-5pm normal admission charges.
Or try your hand at Woodland Sculpture at another Devon National Trust property: Lydford Gorge. 13 May 2012 12:00pm. Create fabulous wooden animal sculptures using wood and basic hand tools. Suitable for children aged 7 years and over. Price £2 per sculpture and normal admission charges. Lydford Gorge is about 20 miles from your holiday accommodation.
Later in the day, Mitch Benn & The Distractions are at the Plough Arts Centre, 13 May. From BBC Radio 4's Sony nominated "Now Show", BBC1's "One Show" and BBC1's "Watchdog" multi-award winner Mitch Benn and his band take to the road in a two hour show packed with new songs and old favourites including "I'm Proud Of The BBC" which reached No 11 in the Official Independent Singles Charts. Described by The Times as "the country's leading musical satirist", this is a show for music and comedy fans of all ages. Tickets Full £13.00 Concession £12.00 Supporter £10.00. The Plough is in Torrington, about 13 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 17 May Luke Wright's Cynical Ballads tells you eight caustic tales from broken Britain. Fresh from a spectacularly successful five-star, extended run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Luke Wright presents his darkly comic poems and bitingly hilarious tales of modern Britain. Luke is the resident poet on BBC radio 4's Saturday Live and has written two Channel 4 documentaries 'The Age of Love' and 'The Bed'. He will be working with students from Great Torrington School during the day. Tickets Full £9.00 Concession £7.00 Supporter £6.00 The Plough is in Torrington, about 13 miles from your Devon holiday accommodation.
On 18 May there's Live Music and supper at Yarde Orchard Cafe on the Tarka Trail. Matt Trengrove
is returning to Yarde Cafe for what promises to be a vibrant solo set. Matt was a skilled and powerfull presence as part of the legendary "Freeborn Men" duo with Al Mitchell on many memorable evenings at Yarde. Matt's engaging manner, passion and highly skilled musicianship combine to offer rich interpretations over a range of genres as well as his own heartfelt compositions. Supper bookings from 6.30 pm (01805 601778) Matt from 8 pm. Yarde Orchard is about 16 miles from your self catering accommodation - ask us for detailed directions from the farm as it can be tricky to find by car.
On 18 May at 8pm Lúnasa are at the Plough. Internationally acknowledged as being the finest traditional Irish instrumental band of recent times, and one of the hottest Irish acts around today, Lunasa's inventive arrangements and bass driven grooves are steering Irish acoustic music into surprising new territories. Their recordings have been hailed as some of the best and most important world albums anywhere, while their blend of intelligence, innovation, virtuosity, and passion has brought them to the forefront of Celtic music. Tickets Full £16.00 Concession £14.00 Supporter £12.00. The arts centre is in Torrington, about 13 miles from your self catering accommodation.
If that's got you energised, there's a 5km park run at the National Trust's Killerton House on 19 May. No charge for the run, normal admission charge to the property. It's a family event for runners of all ages and abilities - not a race but a timed run organised and marshalled by local volunteers. Register at parkrun.org.uk/killerton. Start at 9am at the Chapel. Killerton is about 21 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 19 May have a go at Recycling and Revamping your Clothes from 10:00 - 16:00 at Moretonhampstead on Dartmoor. Transform your outdated or discarded garments into glorious and glamorous apparel; create bags from swatches of material; and re styled favourite items of clothes to give them a more contemporary look with the help of Angharad Barlow, a talented Devon costume designer who trained at the London College of Fashion. Bring along any old and unwanted clothing to swap with others on the day too. A great way to recreate your summer wardrobe. For all ages! Cost full price £27.00/Concessions £18.00(Benefits/Students) £13.50 (Child 10-14yrs) (Includes use of sewing machines, threads and other items). Venue Green Hill, Moretonhampstead. For details and to book visit contact Katheryn Hope 01647 440775. Moretonhampstead is about 20 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 19 May at 8pm Dave Gorman's Powerpoint Presentation is at the Plough. Following a sell-out autumn 2011 tour, the man behind 'Are You Dave Gorman?' and 'Googlewhack Adventure' has announced extra dates due to popular demand, including one in the intimate splendour of the Plough Arts Centre. Always one of comedy's most innovative thinkers this genre stretching performer is back… and for this brand new show he's formed a double act… with a projector screen. And they'd like to show you their powerpoint presentation. Cast your powerpoint prejudice aside, it's not just for business meetings (some bullet points will be used). Tickets £21. The Plough is about 13 miles from our Devon cottage and lodges.
On Sunday 20 May at 11:00 the National Trust have a Bee Day in the Orchard at Castle Drogo. Explore the orchard and learn about the Castle Drogo bees. Normal admission charges apply. Small charge for some activities. Castle Drogo is about 17 miles from your holiday accommodation, on the edge of Dartmoor.
On 25 May at 8pm there's folk music at the Plough in Torrington when Peggy Seeger performs. Peggy is Pete Seeger's half-sister and Ruth Crawford Seeger's daughter; her first life partner was the English songwriter Ewan MacColl, who wrote First Time Ever I Saw Your Face for her and to whom she bore three children. (She has eight grandchildren). She is an outstanding multi-instrumentalist and known for her excellent renditions of Anglo-American folksongs and for her activist songwriting, especially in the field of feminism. Her best-known pieces are Gonna Be an Engineer and The Ballad of Springhill. The latter is rapidly becoming regarded as a traditional song. Tickets Full £17.00 Concession £15.00 Supporter £12.00. The Plough is about 13 miles from our Devon farm.
On 26 May there's another chance to stretch your legs in a 5km park run at the National Trust's Killerton House. No charge for the run, normal admission charge to the property. It's a family event for runners of all ages and abilities - not a race but a timed run organised and marshalled by local volunteers. Register at parkrun.org.uk/killerton. Start at 9am at the Chapel. Killerton is about 21 miles from your self catering accommodation.
26 May is also Comedy Night at the Plough from 8pm with Jon Richardson: Funny Magnet. Due to an overwhelming public demand, the brilliant Jon Richardson is back on tour and back at The Plough. The new host of Channel 4's Stand Up For The Week, team captain on 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and best-selling author will be discussing the everyday items that have a profound effect on his outlook. Funny Magnet sees Jon working his pessimism with some hilarious consequences, and as always with his loveable vivacious delivery. All tickets £15.00. The Plough is about 13 miles from the cottage and lodges.
Vintage motocycles your thing? Don't miss the Vintage Motorcycle Rally at the National Trust's Finch Foundry nr Okehampton on 26 May at 11:00. A free display of some of the best vintage motorcycles in the area in the grounds of this Devon National Trust property. Entrance to Finch Foundry at normal admission charges. Finch Foundry is in the village of Sticklepath, about 15 miles from the cottage and ldoges.
Also on 26 May there's live music at Yarde Orchard Cafe when Simon Ellis offers a unique and inventive evening of song, storytelling and guitar entitled "Ghosts and Legends" at 20:00. Firmly rooted in Devon's rich seam of mythical and mystical traditions, Simon's songs and tales are truly glorious entertainment. Yarde Orchard is about 15 miles from our Devon farm - ask us for detailed directions if you're going by car.
On 26 and 27 May there's a Swishing event at the National Trust's Arlington Court from 10.30 to 4pm. Revitalise your wardrobe by taking your old clothes along and swapping them for something new. Plus try your hand at creating new clothes from old, and pick up tips on refreshing your image. Arlington Court is about 27 miles from your holiday accommodation.
And there's a Classic Car Day on 27 May at Killerton House from 10:00. Normal admission charges to this National Trust property apply. Killerton is about 21 miles from our Devon farm.
On 27 May at 7.30 The Toy Hearts are at the Plough. The Toy Hearts play country, bluegrass and western swing music with the kind of style, passion and absolute commitment that has made them one of the country's finest live bands. Led by three members of the Johnson family The Toy Hearts are completely immersed in the magical music of the American south, so much so, in fact, that they recorded their most recent CD in Nashville under the watchful eye of Grammy nominated producer David Mayfield. Brilliant musicianship and stunning stagecraft combine to leave audiences gasping for more. Full £10.00 Concession £9.00 Supporter £8.00. The Plough is in Torrington, about 13 miles from your self catering accommodation.
From 26 to 28 May the Devon village of Clovelly has a Celebration of Local Ales and Cider at the Red Lion and New Inn bars. (This is a private village and there's an admission charge). Enjoy a range of tasty local brews. These unique local ales and ciders are not industrially manufactured, but created with passion by small North Devon breweries. So raise a glass to support North Devon's brewers and cider makers. Clovelly is about 30 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 29 May 7.30pm Studio Theatre present When We Are Married by J B Priestley at the Plough Arts Centre. The Halliwells, the Parkers and the Soppits are gathered to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary but all is not as it should be… The three couples, respectable pillars of society, are shocked to discover that the parson who conducted the wedding ceremonies was not authorized to do so. Pandemonium breaks out as these upright Victorian citizens believe that they have been "living in sin" for 25 years…. Tickets Full £10.00 Concession £8.00 Supporter £7.00. The Plough is in Torrington, about 13 miles from your holiday accommodation.
On 31 May at 11am and again at 1.15pm Cube Theatre present Pinnochio a new adaptation by Ben Oldfield at the Plough Arts Centre. It's the classic story of one puppet's quest to become a real boy. Along the way he falls in with an assortment of colourful characters, who all try to lead him astray- but in the end courage and love will see him through. Cube's enchanting new adaptation delights children and adults alike. It is a captivating tale, featuring spellbinding puppetry, original music, and a bundle of laughs! Meet the puppets after the show! The show has been created for a family audience, with children from 5-11 years. Full £6.00 Concession £5.00 Supporter £4.50 £4 School Groups. Family tickets available. The Plough is about 13 miles from our Devon farm.
Also on 31 May at 8pm Cube Theatre present Wooden Heart - A new play by Jon Welch at the Plough. A young woman attends her first ever audition. But entering the flat where the audition is being held, nothing is as she was expecting. A witty and deeply moving play set before, during and after WW2 in both Italy and New York. The play charts the evolving relationship between an Italian immigrant and a brash American teenager. Combining electric dialogue with a stunning soundscape and audio-visual effects, Wooden Heart moves from a hilarious first meeting to a heart-rending story of a broken man's obsessive search. A tale of something lost and something to be found. Tickets Full £10.00 Concession £8.00 Supporter £7.00 Pre-show two course Italian meal for £12.00