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DIRECTIONS
A303 to The Spinney
At the roundabout at the end of the Ilminster by-pass follow the A358 Taunton sign. Take the second turming to Bickenhall on the left.M5 to the Spinney
Exit Junction 25 (Taunton). Follow A358 Ilminster sign. At the Thornfalcon traffic lights go straight on. After two miles take the Bickenhall Lane on the right.A358 to The Spinney
Continue along Bickenhall Lane. At the T junction turn left. Continue on this road until you reach Neroche Parish Hall on the right. At the hall turn left to Curland. Go through the village and keep the telephone box on your left. Go straight up the hill for 400m. Take the first left turning. The Spinney is the first house on the right.Taunton to The Spinney
Take South Road (past VW/Audi dealer). Cross over M5 and take first left towards Chard and Staple Fitzpaine. Continue on this road. After about five miles you will see The Greyhound Inn on your left. Take the second left turning after The Greyhound (signposted Curland). Take the first right just past the equestrian centre. The Spinney is the first house on the right.
Our Locality
With the attractive county town of Taunton at its heart, our part of Somerset is known regionally as Taunton Deane and locally as Neroche. Steeped in history, mystery and legend, from King Alfred to the Monmouth Rebellion, our locality is surrounded by some of the most attractive scenery in Somerset. To the south of Taunton Deane are the Blackdown Hills with their beautiful beech trees and to the north lie the Quantock Hills, famous for their herds of wild deer, ponies and Longhorn cattle and, of course, their breathtaking views. To the west the gently rolling Brendon Hills merge with the dramatic beauty of Exmoor and to the north east lie the Somerset Levels and Moors, one of the most important areas of "wetland" left in Europe famous for wild birds and Glastonbury Tor.
Glastonbury Tor
As well as all this beautiful and fascinating scenery, our locality boasts a wide variety of activities and attractions, so there are many things to do and see from The Spinney, in fact there are too many to detail so we will include some of the things that our guests have enjoyed and one or two new ones but if you would like to find more, please look at www.visitsomerset.co.uk
Things to do
Touring
Situated in the heart of Somerset, The Spinney Bed and Breakfast is an ideal base for daily excursions to many wonderful places. We have Exmoor to the north west, Glastonbury and Wells to the north east, Lyme Regis and the Jurassic coast to the south east and Dartmoor to the south west, each within easy driving distance.
John will happily suggest itineraries and hand drawn maps with fascinating places to visit en route that you might otherwise miss
Selworthy Green
Lyme Regis
Walking
To add to the countless wonderful country walks in our area, the first Herepath Trail around Staple Fitzpaine will be formally opened on May 10th 2008, part of a 40 km network of connected multi-use trails (you do not have to walk it all!) to allow people to explore and enjoy the diversity of the north Blackdown Hills landscape. Herepaths" - the Old English word for "peoples paths" were originally important military trackways during the ninth century. The trails are designed to be used by walkers and riders, with some sections suitable for use by those with restricted mobility. You do not need to use the car, just walk from the house up to Castle Neroche. To find out more about Neroche look at www.nerochescheme.org
Curland from the Herepath Trail
Cycling
There are many cycling and mountain biking routes in Somerset and at The Spinney we are able to offer secure overnight facilities for your bikes. For further information about cycling in Somerset look at www.visitsomerset.co.uk/bikesomerset
PS If you are planning to walk or cycle from Lands End to John O' Groats (or vice versa) The Spinney Bed and Breakfast offers a good night's rest. (Packed lunches available).
Birdwatching
We have many species of birds in our own garden close to the house and within easy driving distance lie RSPB reserves at West Sedgemoor and Ham Wall on the Somerset Levels and Moors, a world-renowned bird watching area.
Somerset Levels
Family History
When researching, a number of our guests stay at The Spinney when visiting the Public Records Office at Obridge on the outskirts of Taunton. Further details www.somerset.gov.uk/archives
Cricket
The Spinney B&B is a convenient base for enjoying Somerset county cricket at the county ground in Taunton or the junior county cricket festival held annually in July/August at King's Taunton.
Somerset County Ground cricket
Places to Visit
Within easy driving distance of The Spinney Bed and Breakfast, there are numerous places of interest to visit such as:
- The Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton: www.fleetairarm.com
- Haynes Motor Museum at Sparkford:www.haynesmotormuseum.com
- Somerset Rural Life Museum
- The Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre at Stoke St Gregory: www.englishwillowbaskets.co.uk
- Longleat near Warminster: www.longleat.co.uk
- The West Somerset Railway at Bishops Lydeard www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
Steam train
- Taunton Flower Show in August: www.tauntonflowershow.co.uk
- Perry's Cider Mills at Dowlish Wake near Ilminster: www.perryscider.co.uk
- Gardens
Within easy driving distance of The Spinney there are many beautiful properties and gardens to visit such as:
- Forde Abbey www.fordeabbey.co.uk
- Hestercome Gardens Taunton: www.hestercombe.com
- Knightshayes Court
- Killerton
- Barrington Court
- Stourhead
- Montacute House. NT
As mentioned earlier, these are just some of the many things to do and see in our beautiful and peaceful part of the world. Why not come and see if you can find some more?
Links
- Going to North Carolina? Try The Red House Inn Brevard NC (Ann's son's family B&B) It's great! www.brevardbedandbreakfast.com
- Bonners of Ilminister: Award winning butchers. www.bonnersthebutchers.co.uk
- Styles Farmhouse Ice Cream of Exmoor. www.styles-icecream.co.uk
- Tower Farms Somerset. Award winning handmade cheese, butter and cream.
- www.towerfarms.co.uk
- Waterside kitchens: www.Watersidekitchens.co.uk
- The Cook's Shop Taunton and Exeter: www.justaddfood.co.uk
- King's Taunton www.kings-taunton.co.uk
- Everything Exmoor is a free encyclopedia, built by the community and business of Exmoor offering information on every aspect of life in the Exmoor National Park. It gathers knowledge of Exmoor in one place and signposts readers to web sites containing more detailed information.
Exmoor ponies on the Quantock Hills
