Family self catering holidays

Woodcombe is a perfect base for families looking to enjoy fresh air, the countryside and the beach in a safe environment with plenty to do on your doorstep.

The site consists of a 3 acre garden with six Lodge and two cottages with only one entrance a short distance up a quiet country lane. We are a 20 minute walk into Minehead with its seafront, beach, shop, pubs and restaurants while having the Exmoor National Park on our boundary with a wealth of walks from our front entrance.

The site has a games room, putting green, swings and a sandpit to keep everyone occupied while you get a few quiet moments to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the area and marvel at the fabulous views over Exmoor and the coast.

There is a fully equipped laundry and visitor information room and your hosts, while keeping in the background, are available for any more information, help or guidance you need.

Whatever your children’s ages you will find plenty to occupy them in this wonderful, peaceful area of Somerset.

THINGS TO DO

Minehead boasts a sandy beach front with a picturesque harbour at one end of the beach, flanked by thatched cottages, and two pleasant pubs nearby for that thirst quenching drink and Butlins and the Golf course at the other. There are any number of pubs and restaurants in Minehead centre. (20 minute walk/5 minute drive)

The beach beyond the golf course is open to dog walkers throughout the year. The West Somerset Steam Railway is just off the sea front, running regular trips to Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton and back, calling in at the seaside villages of Blue Anchor, Watchet and about 6 other villages along its 20 mile route. Get that ‘go back in time ‘ feeling with the steam filtering over your carriages.

Butlins at the far end of Minehead is a great place to visit for a day with the children, with a fun fair, swimming pools and flumes and lots more to entertain children. https://www.butlins.com

The Minehead Eye is based just behind the West Somerset railway station.

The Eye is an indoor skate park and also has a boulder climbing cave. It arranges all sorts of indoor activities and it is well worth checking out what’s on and timetable. https://www.mineheadeye.co.uk

Dunster, just on our doorstep, is a medieval village with a Yarn Market at one end of it’s high street, and Dunster castle standing majestically at the other. This is a National Trust property which is open to the public. Dunster has some delightful shops, a working water mill and plenty of excellent restaurants, cafés and pubs.

Englands tallest tree can be found just beyond Dunster following one of the tracks from Nutcombe Bottom, where there are a range of walks through the woods.

The picturesque villages of Selworthy, Allerford and Bossington with their thatched cottages are strung in a line to the west of Woodcombe. They feature a couple of lovely cafes for cream teas and light lunches among their thatched cottages.

The Exmoor Owl and Hawk centre is located between Allerford and Bossington with loads to see with displays regularly throughout the day. They offer light lunches and cream teas. Porlock and Porlock Weir are about 5 miles to the west of Woodcombe, with a very pretty harbour at the Weir, flanked by a hotel, cafe and pub for that well deserved refreshment. Climb the famous Porlock hill onto the moor or explore the wooded slopes overlooking the sea.

Tropiquaria Zoo and Adventure park is located about 7 miles East offering extensive play areas, a pirate ship, animal, snake and reptile experiences. https://www.tropiquaria.co.uk

Torre Cider Farm 5 miles east offers a chance to do some tasting and meet the local farm animals as well as enjoying a light lunch or cream tea www.torrecider.co.uk

Dunkery Beacon 1705 feet about 4 miles south west of Woodcombe is the highest point on Exmoor. You can walk or drive up to within a 20 minute walk to the top. Magnificent views over the moor and across Porlock Bay to the sea and over to Wales.

The Doone valley is set about 8 miles west at Malmsmead where the story of Lorna Doone was set. There is a lovely walk along the river and space for picnics and dam building. Cloud Farm offers horse riding and light lunches or you can mountain bike ride if you wish and there is a café in Malmsmead for light lunches and a beer.

Tarr Steps just beyond Winsford has an ancient clapper bridge over the river Barle and a pub/tea room with ample space for picnics and lovely walks along the valley.

Exmoor Safaris– there are a number of companies offering four wheel drive safaris to show you the real moor, find the red deer and Exmoor ponies and learn about the geology and heritage of the moors. Exmoor Safaris, Experience Exmoor and Red Stag and Barle Valley Safaris.

No 300 Bus Service This service stops at the bottom of our lane about 500m away and runs between Minehead and Lynmouth and will drop off or pick up anywhere along the route so is a useful resource for walkers who want to follow some of the South West Coastal path and other walks in the area. The bus is an open top in the summer months so gives some wonderful open views over Exmoor on its way. Not operating in 2020

Lynmouth and Lynton are a 40 minute scenic drive to the west following the dramatic North Devon coastline, with wonderful views over Exmoor and over the sea to Wales. The Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway connects the two towns down the 500 foot cliff separating them.

The Valley of the Rocks is a short drive or walk west of Lynton and is well worth exploring with its amazing views of the North Devon coastline and find the wild goats to which this valley is home.

Watersmeet and the East Lynn river south of Lynton is a delightful walk from Lynmouth or you can drive to a car park just above where the rivers join. There is a National Trust fishing lodge in the gardens offering teas and lunches. Explore the wooded valley with extensive walks all around.

Wimbleball Lake is set some 8 miles South East of Woodcombe offering everything you would like to do on water with windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, fishing and there is also a range of land based activity with cycling, archery, climbing and a high ropes course. https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/Pages/Site/activities/Category/wimbleball-lake

There is superb provision for the disabled as well https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/access-for-all

Doniford Farm Farm shop, café, Meerkats and much more lies on the coast just beyond Watchet and is a small centre some 300m beyond the Doniford station on the steam railway. www.donifordfarm.co.uk

Hinkley Point Visitor Centre – FREE ENTRY
Open Mon-Thurs 09.30-17.00 & Fri 09.30-16.00. 
Located at Cannington Court, just outside Bridgwater, explore how electricity is created in a fun and interactive way.  Construction site tours bookable in advance. See here for more information.

Fishing

Fly fishing

  • Reservoirs Wimbleball 01398 371460 or Clatworthy 01984 624658 7 to 8 miles inland
  • Fishing lakes at Burton Springs near Bridgwater 01278 732135
  • River fishing brown trout, grayling and salmon on the River Barle near Dulverton, River Exe
  • Exebridge near Dulverton 01398 323008 or River Lynn between Brendon and
  • Lynmouth 08708 506506 (Watersmeet & Glenthorne fisheries)

Coarse Fishing

  • Lakes- Trinity water near Bridgwater 01278 450880,
  • The Sedges Near Bridgwater 01278 445221
  • Summerhayes fishery Nr Bridgwater 01278 451043
  • Langford Lakes coarse fishery Langford Budville Nr Taunton 01823 400476
  • King Stanley Pond, Norton Fitzwarren Nr Taunton 01823 271194

Sea Fishing

Minehead has a variety of fishing opportunities both for high and low water beach angling and angling boats for charter. The fishing is seasonal with different offerings dependant on the season with some of the best cod fishing in the country in the autumn and winter season.

There are several angling boats available for charter which can be found on https://www.charterboats-uk.co.uk/port/minehead/ for trips from 4 hours to all day 8 or 10 hour trips.

The local fishing shop West Coast Tackle situated right on the quay can prove a good base for information and contacts.

Crabbing in the harbour is also great fun and tackle can be picked up very cheaply at the tackle shop.

Kilve Beach is our version of the Jurassic coast at the coastal end of the Quantock Hills about 14 miles from Woodcombe along the A39. Turn right just after the Hood Arms. Fossil hunting along the beach can be rewarding.

Horse Riding

  • Horner (3 miles West of Woodcombe) 01643 862463
  • Allerford (2 miles west of Woodcombe) Exmoor Riding 01643 862816
  • Knowle riding stables (2miles south of Dunster) 01643 841342
  • Brendon Manor Farm (Doone Valley 4 miles west of Porlock) 01598 741246
  • Quantock Trekking exploring the Quantocks on horseback 01823 431713 www.quantocktrekking.co.uk

Exmoor Pony Centre Ashwick, Dulverton gives everyone the chance to meet the ponies, ride them, learn about them, enjoy parties if you plan ahead and generally enjoy being amongst them. 01398 323093 www.exmoorponycentre.org.uk

Clay Pigeon Shooting

Fancy an hour trying out clay pigeon shooting under the guidance of a highly experienced instructor as a group or on your own. How about a days Simulated Game Drive experience for groups of up to ten or just a one to one lesson. Call Matt on 01398 328035
http://www.shootingschooldevon.co.uk/

ARCHERY AND AIR PISTOL SHOOTING

For groups you can arrange a half day or day trying your skills at Archery and or Air Pistol Shooting on site guided by fully qualified instructors. This can be organised by prior arrangement with the owners by Country Sports and Events at www.countrysportsevents.co.uk

ASTRONOMY AND THE DARK SKIES

Hire a telescope for use on site or at the local recommended viewing points or organise a session with an astronomer to help guide you who bring their own telescopes.www.darkskytelescopehire.co.uk/exmoor-dark-sky-experience/

Cycling

The area has opportunities for all types of cycling whether you are following the track of the Tour of Britain, seeking quiet lanes to potter along or ride your mountain bike over the extensive range of bridleways.

You will find lots of information on the internet on the Exmoor Cycle way, Exmoor Adventures, the West Country Way

Cycle Hire

  • Pompys (across the road behind the railway station and past the Minehead Eye) 01643 704077
  • Exmoor Cycle Hire 01598 753967
  • Tarka Trail For a full day out with the family with your bikes there is a 30 mile level track following old railway lines near Barnstaple. Cycles can be hired localy if you wish. https://www.devon.gov.uk/tarkatrail

Cycling within the Exmoor National Park

On Exmoor itself there are over 300 miles of way-marked bridle paths and forest tracks suitable for mountain biking;

The Exmoor National Park produce 3 “Bike It” leaflets, each featuring a number of different grade routes at a specific location: Dunster, Wimbleball, Holnicote Estate North Hill.

These are available from Visitor Centres and the Information Centre in Dulverton – (01398)323841 telephone credit card payment accepted.

Lists of cycle routes can be found on

Golf

Apart from the Woodcombe putting green for those seeking a more professional approach to the game. There are a number of golf courses in the area.

Houses & Gardens

Details can be found under our Country Escapes/Walking feature

Further afield

  • Bristol Zoo
  • Cheddar Gorge
  • Wookey Hole
  • Longleat

https://www.britainsfinest.co.uk/attractions/search_results.cfm/searchregion/South%20West%20England