Enhance your holiday with our unique concierge experiences in the South West

Try something a little bit different on your next staycation

If you’re hoping to make your next trip to the South West truly unforgettable, look no further than our top seven unique concierge recommendations. From Segway excursions to scuba diving and everything in between, our in-house concierge team have researched, recommended and organised it all.

To inspire you ahead of your next break, we’ve compiled some of our more unusual concierge requests and one-of-a-kind experiences to try across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.

Go llama trekking in the countryside | Dorset

One for lovers of the great outdoors, a laid back afternoon walking the local llamas of Dorset could be just what you need to unwind.

With experiences available through Dorset Alpaca Walking and Walking With Llamas, families will love meeting and greeting the unusual residents and taking them on a stroll around the countryside. Opt for an early morning amble across the fields at Peak Hill or enjoy a lazy afternoon stroll, stopping to graze and admire the incredible views along the way.

If you’d like to stay a little longer, there are meet and greet or half day experiences available throughout Dorset, where visitors are invited to feed, groom and even try an agility course with the llamas – sure to be a hit with the children.

Cook on the coast path with The Family Foraging Kitchen | Cornwall

Based on the Rame Peninsula in South East Cornwall, The Family Foraging Kitchen run a series of foraging walks throughout the year. Encouraging locals and visitors alike to explore the hedgerows, rockpools, estuaries and cliff edges in search of fresh ingredients, it’s a hands-on way for keen foodies to get to know the local area.

Bespoke private bookings are available for families and groups, with a personal guide on hand to help you find and pick everything from botanicals to edible seaweed. You can choose where you forage and you’ll receive recipe cards on how to prepare your produce – you’ll even get a live cooking demonstration while you’re out and about.

What’s more, a percentage of profits go towards free wild food walks and cookery classes for those experiencing food poverty, so it’s a great way to enjoy a wholesome day out while giving back to the local community.

Capture precious holiday memories with a family photo shoot | Devon

© Jade Nott Photography

Something to look forward to whatever your age, booking a photo shoot with a local photographer is a wonderful way to remember your South West staycation.

With some fantastic packages on offer, Devon-based photographer Helen Lisk organises beautiful family shoots, often venturing across the border to capture special Cornish holidays too. Whether you’ve got a specific location in mind and want to let the children run free on their favourite beach, or you’d prefer a private shoot in your holiday home, the shoots are as flexible as they are fun.

Sessions with Helen usually last two hours and choosing to have your prints framed and mounted will be the perfect way to look back on fond holiday memories, from romantic honeymoon stays to multi-generational get-togethers.

Book a jet ski safari tour | Dorset

Thrill-seekers rejoice: what better way to explore the world-famous Jurassic Coast than with a jet ski safari tour? Combining all the twists and turns of a watersports adventure with incredible views across Dorset’s most spectacular landmarks, a session with Jurassic Jet Ski Tours is far from a typical day by the sea.

Qualified instructors will guide you out of Weymouth Harbour and onto the water. Whizzing past Durdle Door, you’ll have plenty of chances to stop and take in the view along the way. Keep an eye out for dolphins as they dive beneath the waves, go solo with your own jet ski, double up with a friend or plan a special day out with a bespoke group package. Perfect for special occasions, there’s jet ski training for beginners and wetsuit and life jackets are all provided.

Bring your binoculars for stargazing on Exmoor | Devon and Somerset

With some of the darkest skies in the country, Exmoor National Park is a prime spot for stargazing. Awarded Europe’s first international dark sky reserve back in 2011, visiting this South West beauty spot will reward you with incredible views across the cosmos. Favourite locations for a night beneath the stars include Wimbleball Lake, Haddon Hill and Anstey Gate, where on clear nights, most astronomical sights can be seen with the naked eye.

For keen stargazers, telescopes and binoculars are available for hire from all National Park Centres, located in Dulverton, Dunster and Lynmouth, along with guided walks and expert advice from their knowledgeable staff.

Our concierge team would be happy to arrange a stargazing experience for you during your stay at Upcott Farm in Dulverton. With two brand new hot tubs, it’s the perfect rural setting for stargazers, complete with endless countryside views and firepits for marshmallow toasting.

Add Bodmin Jail’s re-opening to your calendar | Cornwall

Set to reopen on 1st October, Bodmin Jail is back with an all-new look and an experience more haunting than ever. Having undergone an £8.5 million regeneration, the highly talked-about site will feature paranormal tours, cinematic visuals and an immersive ‘Dark Walk’ experience, brought up to date in the 21st century.

Unlock Cornwall’s history with a tour around the jail’s original naval wing, take a glimpse into the administration block and feel the chill as you step inside the UK’s only working execution pit. Those easily frightened can find refuge at the all-new wine bar or book a table in The Jolly Hangman restaurant, which offers a whole range of family favourites on the menu, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten and dairy-free options.

Try the Great Wood volcano walk in the Quantock Hills | Somerset

Pack your walking boots and set off in search of an extinct volcano in the Somerset countryside. An easy circular walk set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Quantock Hills, the Great Wood volcano walk promises an extra special stomp through the woods.

Starting off from Seven Wells car park near Crowcombe, the three and a half mile route passes through pretty bridleways, luscious fields and open parkland, before leading you along the volcanic track from the Quantocks’ very own extinct volcano. If you’re walking with younger children, there’s an optional shortcut to cut the route by half a mile, passing down through the valley as Douglas Fir and Sitka Spruce trees tower overhead.

If you’re planning an autumnal getaway or looking forward to a 2021 retreat, browse our portfolio of incredible holiday homes across the South West. From Cornish beach houses to cosy Somerset farm stays, enjoy our inclusive concierge service with every booking.