The Area - EXMOOR say no MORE!
Exmoor is the place where the moor meets the sea and in it and around the
fringes there is something to satisfy everyone. Timberscombe is within the
Exmoor National Park in an area of outstanding natural beauty and in easy reach
of the sort of places dreams are made of.
First
and foremost there is Exmoor itself, with its breathtaking scenery and abundance
of flora and wildlife, with each season capturing a new magic. Also conveniently
situated around Exmoor there are some great hostelries in idyllic settings. If
you like to walk, ride, or just look, Exmoor is the place for you.
On
the coast we can start at Watchet, with newly completed marina and steam
railway. This runs from Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton, to Minehead, where Exmoor
first meets the sea. Minehead with
its amusements arcades and Somerwest World is in complete contrast to Exmoor,
but just walk from the high street onto North Hill and you are in a different
world (no wonder so many people retire down here). If you want to have a day off
from your children, Somerwest World, on the seafront at Minehead, is a must,
providing entertainment and amusements all day long. Day tickets are excellent value.
Along
the coast is the town of Porlock with its infamous hill, and then over the moor
on one of the most scenic routes anywhere is Lynmouth and Lynton, famous for
it’s floods, but now recovered and picturesque. Next we have the Valley of the
Rocks and Heddon’s Mouth, with a compulsory stop at the “Hunter’s Inn”.
Suitably refreshed, Ilfracombe and the surfing beaches of Woolacombe are next,
just over an hour’s easy drive from Timberscombe.
I
could go on. I probably will when I see you, but suffice to say there are days
out aplenty and if you do not want to get in the car and are feeling energetic,
then the walking and riding are tremendous, starting virtually from the door.
The house itself enjoys very pleasant gardens and our woods come down to the
rear of the property, where you can enjoy an early morning stroll. Take care
however, if you bump into a mad woman running around the woods and doing
strenuous exercises, it’s my wife. (If you bump into a man doing the same, for
sure it will not be me).
We
have 17 acres of land, about half-and-half grazing and woodland. The Great House
is at one end of the land with our house at the other, and the stables in the
middle. We have a Shetland and a pony which roam the woods, horses and ponies
who roam where they can, and a couple of dogs. Scooter, an old lady now, who
will chase sticks, albeit very slowly, and Minkie (a cross Jack Russell – have
you ever met one that isn’t?), who will chase and bark at anything all day.
Timberscombe
Timberscombe is a pretty little
village in an idyllic location inside the Exmoor National Park, about two miles
from the heritage village of Dunster, and three miles from the coast.
The Lion Inn probably offers the most interest to guests at the Great
House, with good food and a friendly landlord. Teams from the GBH have often
visited on quiz nights, though as they are usually on Tuesdays, it’s only the
longer staying guests. The school hasn’t been used though the very well
equipped children’s playground in the village has, together with the football
pitch. Timberscombe will always provide a team to take on one from the GBH.
Activities
For
those people who want a fairly active holiday there are opportunities to enjoy
most pastimes, from the obvious walking and riding to golf and tennis. Clay
pigeon shooting is also available locally. Most watersports are available at
Wimbleball Lake, which is about ten miles away and provides excellent fishing,
sailing, rowing and wind surfing, with a nature reserve as well. Sea fishing is
also available with boats operating from Minehead. If you are interested in any
particular activity and let us know beforehand, we will try to make arrangements
on your behalf.
Inactivates
Here
we can almost certainly be of help, advising you of the best places to be
inactive in.
Bugs
All
newcomers to the area tend to get badly bitten by the Exmoor bug to which there
is no known antidote; this has the effect of making them come to Exmoor for
their holidays year after year after year.