Wade was an architect, artist, and poet but primarily a collector of beautifully crafted objects. As heir to his family’s fortune he was able to indulge his interest in craftsmanship and by the time he handed the Manor over to the National Trust in 1951, he had amassed 22,000 different objects. The collections were housed in the Manor house itself whilst Wade converted one of the smaller houses for his own use.

Snowshill is an old settlement, already in existence by the time of the Domesday Book. As you head down from the Manor, it looks like something from a picture book. Each side of the road is lined with beautiful, honey coloured stone cottages which look just as good on a cold and frosty morning as they do covered with blooms in summer.

A family run working honey farm based in South Molton first established in 1949, now it’s in third generation of beekeepers.

Wander around the Nectar Gardens, see millions of bees up close, visit the Honey Factory and take a look behind the scenes at the honey production areas.

The friendly Education Team are ready to guide you through your day and even open up a hive for you at one of the daily Beekeeping Demonstrations.

The unique hexagonal themed Nectar Gardens display thousands of bee friendly plants. Pop in for some lunch or a browse in the shop, there is a large restaurant offering delicious home cooked meals and light bites, sit back with a wine or a cuppa and relax with views of the gardens and bees.

The name Goose Fair probably came about as farmers brought their geese ready for fattening for Christmas, and the only other Goose Fair (in Nottingham) has a similar connection.

When the new calendar was introduced in 1752 the ‘loss’ of 11 days changed the date of the Michaelmas Fair to October 10th, and now the Fair is held on the second Wednesday in October each year.

Market traders come from all over the country to sell their wares and provide entertainment. Stalls and side shows are set up in the centre of the Town, and some 200 spaces are let by the Town Council for traders and community groups. A further 70 spaces in Bedford Car Park are let to members of the Showman’s Guild by West Devon Borough Council with the car park being shut for the whole Goose Fair week..

The more traditional side of Goose Fair can still be found at the Tavistock Livestock Centre. They usually hold an open day where you can see cattle, sheep and Dartmoor ponies, and enjoy the auction of live geese and poultry.

The house retains such a link to its past that even today it does not have electricity, so visitors are advised to avoid dull or overcast days!

Cotehele was the Edgecumbe family seat until the 17th century when they moved to Mount Edgecumbe, but the house stayed in the family until given to the National Trust in 1947.

The last owner was Kenelm, 6th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, whose son and heir, Piers, was killed in action near Dunkirk in 1940. The Earl considered Cotehele a memorial to his son, whose sword is on display in the chapel beneath a plaque in his honour.