Blog

Wednesday 22 May 2013

TripAdvisor has recognised Green Gates Bed & Breakfast with a 2013 certificate of excellence.  This places Green Gates in the top performing 10% of all businesses worldwide on Trip Advisor!!!  Go Green Gates this is great news and we are very proud of the acheivement, thank you very much to everyone that has reviewed us,  Keep the reviews coming they are great and we love hearing from you.

Its shaping up to be a great bank holiday weekend here at Green Gates.  We have had a busy few weeks and its been great.  We have a new edition to Green Gates, its our lovely VW Campervan, a real old classic she is and is currently parked right next to the house so i can start work on getting her ready for the summer.  Pictures will come soon!

The Braunton Bank Holiday Fair is being held on the recreation ground next to Green Gates this bank holiday weekend, so come on down and take your chances with the coconut shy!

Tuesday 14 May 2013

Cant beleive how quick this year is going - we are already half way through May and its been a busy year so far.  We have had some lovely people come and stay with us.  New guests which its been lovely to meet and repeat geats its been great to welcome back and catch up with.  We recently had a house full of golfers who were playing in a golf tournament at Saunton Golf Club.  We have welcomed many walkers doing the South West Coast Path and of course when the waves are right many people taking advantage of how close we are to some of the best surfing breaks in England; Saunton, Croyde and Puttsborough.

I have just realised today that our Summer Special offer runs out in 2 weeks, so if you were thinking about coming down to North Devon but havent yet booked, now is the time.  Call today to take up our summer special offer of 3 nights for the price of 2, during weekdays.

The last bank holiday in May is almost upon us.  Lets hope its going to be another sunny one, here in Braunton so we can fire up the BBQ and hit the beaches :).

Monday 22 April 2013

What a weekend - the sun was shining for us all day saturday and I think I even got a faint whiff of BBQ's in the Braunton air.  

So with all of that sunshine I thought it a good idea to head down to the local car boot sale at Pottington, Barnstaple.  So we packed up the van after breakfast here at Green Gates and headed on down.  It was great fun!  We did quite well and I even managed to sell one of Dan's surf boards....ssshhhh dont tell him!  The weather didnt really shine as it did on Saturday but nether the less the people from North devon flooded in.  

So what is in store this week......Well I can tell you that we are busy, busy, busy this week and we are looking forward to the first guests of the week arriving later this afternoon....I best get baking cakes while baby Jack has his afternoon nap! :)

Monday 8 April 2013

And in the last few minutes before the race started we put on an extra bet for the Grand National.......Cappa Bleu

We didnt back the winner Aurorous Encore at a whoping 66:1 but we did have Oscar Time.  So we were all winners at Green Gates, our horses coming in 2nd, 3rd & 4th.  Not enough to retire on though so dont worry we will still be here to offer beautiful accommodation and serve delicious breakfasts, for anyone visiting Braunton.

And whats more its been another beautiful weekend here in North devon and the surf has returned with some lovely waves this morning for anyone brave enough to head to the water. 

Busy day at Green Gates today - lots of washing and Ironing as usual and our baby boy Jack (just 7 and a half weeks old) has his first check up today!

Saturday 6 April 2013

ITS GRAND NATIONAL DAY!!!!

Who are you betting on?  Here at Green Gates we are going for a variety...

Oscar time - because our dog is called Oscar

Imperial Commander - because Dan says this one is on form

Roberta Goldback and Tea for three for Aunty Sue who has come to stay with us for a few days

We will update you later if we win.....or will we be celebrating our win??? 

Sunday 23 December 2012

What a crazy day yesterday was.  We woke up to torrential rain and floods in Braunton.  Braunton was cut off as the roads in and out were unpassable and had been closed.  The water was waist deep through Caen Street and the Braunton Bridge at Score Farm was under alot of pressure - when we got there the water was already up to the top of the bridge!

Thankfully we had alot of help from the local emergancy services and water was being pumped from the streets by mid afternoon.  Not before there were people seen kayaking and paddle boarding down the street.  

Green Gates B&B escaped unscathed from the floods - fortunately we are higher than Caen Street.  Which was good as we ended up having last minute guests who needed beds as they couldnt get out of the village.

The community in Braunton certainly rallied together and sand bags were being filled through the night.  A facebook page was set up so everyone could keep up to date and respond to anyones cries.

The latest on the Braunton Flood Clean Up is that its been postponed until boxing day.  Keep checking the facebook page for more information.

Friday 2 November 2012

Well we have had an amazing week here in Braunton, with ever changing weather, one minute bright sunshine the next hail stones and back to bright sunshine, with some amazing rainbows inbetween.

Halloween was a great night with lots of children dressing up trick or treating, with a party on Saunton sands. unfortunatly there was a little rain but could not dampen the spirits. 

The South West Coast Path has been named as one of the top ten walks in the UK by Lonely Planet, amazing news and as it passes right by our door. Time to break out the walking boots.

Fingers crossed on the winter swell coming to the North Devon beaches.

Saturday 27 October 2012

Its the start of half term here in North Devon and it really couldnt have started on a nicer day.  We have beautiful clear blue skies and lots of autumn sunshine.

If you have nothing planned so far for Half Term come down to Braunton there is lots of things to do.  The halloween fun has already started - we have seen lots of freaky pumpkins on door steps.  We couldnt let Green Gates B&B be the only house without one, so we set to this morning and carved our very own.  Its not particularly scary - have a look at the picture and see what you think.

This weekend if you head over to Woolacombe there is a VW festival - The Final Fling - perfect for anyone wanting to gaze at some shiny classics or some totally awesome T's.  If you head to marine drive tomorrow you can catch the full throttle of the VW cruise.  

For people more into scenery and walking than pistons, there is an adventure walk round baggy point on the 28th (tomorrow).

Whatever it is your looking for we have it all in North Devon this October Half Term.  And if your looking for somewhere to stay look no further.  Check out our accommodation - click here 

Tuesday 19 June 2012

Last weekend was the Goldcoast Oceanfest in croyde with headline acts such as newton Faulkner and Ben Howard who both went down a storm, even if the arena was knee deep in mud. 

By the time saturday night arrived, everyone was so happy that not even the mud could dampen the spirits, people were seen mud sliding across the arena and there were even people wearing wetsuits all night....I think they had the right idea!!

Next years dates have already been confirmed 21st - 23rd June. Hopefully the field will have dried out by then!

And for tonight in the Euro 2012 Football we have England v's The Ukraine.  Kick off 19:45 live on ITV.  The final group D game.  If England wins tonight we can top the group but a draw will see us through. All bets are on!

The atmosphere should be electric in the Donbass arena, Donetsk and Roy Hodgson's men have it all to play for.  The England players look relaxed and so they should be with Steven Gerrard as captain and Wayne Rooney should be starting for them now his match ban is over.

Tuesday 5 June 2012

The Queens Diamond Jubilee weekend has been full of celebration.  Here in Braunton the streets have been lined with bunting and party fever has taken hold of everyone.  It may have been a little damp on Sunday for the flotila down the Thames and we certainly had our fair share of rain.  But with a few more gazebos than expected the celebrations went ahead.

The annual Braunton Village fair took place yesterday on the recreation ground just next to Green Gates B&B and it was packed.  The weather was beautiful all day and we saw all the local volunteers, stall holder and rotarians setting up from 8am.  The under 9's football tournament was a real crowd pleaser as was the giant inflatable slides.  Braunton village was heaving it was great to see so many people turn out for the annual event.  

Over in Bideford there was a parade on Bideford Quay preceeded by the firing of cannons from the old fort in Bideford, which I am sure you could hear in Instow!  The mayor turned out in all his finery and was followed by a series of marching men and women, from the St Johns Ambulance to the Majorettes.  

To make the most of the Sunshine we took the dog for a walk along Saunton Beach about 6pm and we werent the only ones.  The tide was high and the surfers were making the most of the last of the waves until their next day off or trip to the beach.

I hope you all had a great Jubilee Bank Holiday and lets hope we get some more surf soon!

Monday 28 May 2012

The UK's hotels and B&B's are rated among the best in Europe according to reviews site Tripadvisor.

The average Tripadvisor review rating awarded by travellers worldwide to UK accommodation in 2011 was 4.09 out of five, above the global average of 4.04, higher than major markets such as the U.S., France, Spain and Germany and much improved from a low of 3.48 in 2004.  Christine Peterson, president, Tripadvisor for Business, said 'In the last ten years, there has been a rapid increase in the numberof travellers posting reviews about where they have stayed.  But todays findings show the wealth of information now available hasnt just benefited other travellers, it has benefited the industry as well.  Hotel and B&B owners have, it appears, clearly been listening to the free feedback they have received, and used it to improve the service they provide.'

The figures also showed that UK B&B's outperformed hotels last year, with an average review rating of 4.47 versus 3.87.  Tripadvisor said this was becuase B&Bs consistently scored higher for service, attracting an average review rating of 4.59 in this category, coimpared with with 4.05 for hotels.

Other findings included that the five English counties with the highest average Tripadvisor accommodation ratings were: Cumbria, Cornwall, Northumberlan, Devon & Somerset.

Source e-tid 28.05.12

At Green Gates B&B are always so pleased to get Tripadvisor comments and if you want to make a comment please visit  TripAdvisor

Sunday 27 May 2012

What a glorious day we had in Braunton yesterday.  It reached the heady heights of 31 degrees and most of the country were basking in the May sunshine.  It was so nice to see so many people enjoying Saunton Sands, getting wet in the sea or having a very lively game of beach cricket!  Check out the picture on the right of the beach which was taken very early on on Saturday morning. 

After a busy morning in the B&B, we went for a bike ride on the Tarka Trail and headed over to Instow - the wind held us back abit as we cycled towards barnstaple but we had a well deserved Cider at the Instow arms looking over the beach towards Appledore.

Heres hoping that the lovely weather is here to stay, especially for next weekend - the Queens Diamond Jubilee Bank Holday Weekend.  Braunton will definately be celebrating with street parties and its very own village fair.

Friday 25 May 2012

The sun has really come out today!  Hooray!  And just in time for the weekend.  We have had a little bit of surf this week, which has been perfect - it was a long wait which is why so many people turned up on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday down at Saunton Beach.  Even at 6am in the morning there were at least 30 other people making the most of it.

I think its a definate BBQ and hammock weather type of day.....

Monday 21 May 2012

The Olympic torch passed right passed Green Gates B&B at about midday today.  I was waiting at the bottom of the drive with my flag in one hand and my camera in the other so we could capture the moment the Olympic flame went by.  

The flame had a shaky start to the day when it went out near Torrington.  Word had already got to Barnstaple about the mishap and there were a few delays but by the time the procession reached Braunton, they had made good time.  

The torch bearer above is Andy Seward who took the torch right into Braunton Village accompanied by a street lined with locals.  Sport has been Andy's life and at 67yrs old Andy now suffers quite badly from Parkinsons which has left him in a wheelchair.  Hard to comprehend when this is a man who has coached hundreds of children at football and even set up a sports institute in Papua New Guinea.

The well travelled Olympic torch has now made it to Taunton after a trip around the magnificent North Devon Coast line travelling through Ilfracombe, Combe Martin, Lynton & Lynmouth.  Only 67 days left until it reaches london for the Olympic Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Park, Stratford, London.

Saturday 19 May 2012

The bunting is up as Braunton gets ready for the Olympic Torch passing through.  On Monday 21st  May 2012 (day 3 of the 70 day event which sees the torch travel all around the UK), the torch will travel right past Green Gates Bed & Breakfast door as it heads through Braunton and onto Croyde. Come and join me to cheer on the England team.

Follow the route on the official Olympics website 

Olympic Torch Route