New beginnings for 2011

We are in the process of redesigning the website to reflect the change of use for Exmoor House into a Country Retreat.

Five wonderful ladies are putting their heads together to come up with all sorts of interesting courses and workshops to help us grow in mind body and spirit and have a lot of fun on the way!!

Workshops awaiting scheduling are: Dowsing, following on from Energy Spirals, Art Weekend, 5 Rhythms Dancing, Craft Workshops, Yoga Weekend, Pamper/wellbeing weekends and many many more.

The big event to look forward to, is May Day, where we intend to throw open the grounds to all sorts of fun surrounding the Maypole. Food, music dancing, crafts - be there - be involved!!


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Contents:
  1. Being Green
  2. Local Events for 2011
  3. Access statement link
  4. Website link

1. Environmental Issues and being Green


What have we done at Exmoor House in an attempt to be Greener:
Were possible we purchase local supplies, such as sausages and bacon from the award winning butcher in the village. Eggs from local hens, together with local preserves, milk, butter and local mineral water.

Over 80% of the 100 plus light bulbs have been changed to low energy bulbs with the remainder being on dimmer switches or not in day to day use. We hope that guests will help us by switching off lights and television standby buttons when not in their rooms. Individual thermostats have been fitted to radiators so guests can control the environment in each room and when the weather permits we line dry laundry. The guest lounge has a log fire and in six years we have supplied the logs from the garden with the exception of three deliveries. The log store will once again be restocked from the garden this summer. All the guest rooms have showers which are far more water efficient than baths but for those who prefer there is a bath for guests use.

We recycle as much as possible and compost all organic waste. Jam jars are passed onto the Nuns at Lynton for reuse and any soft furnishing materials are given to the Porlock Visitor Centre where it is sewn into reusable shopping bags which they sell.

Although Porlock is not on a main line rail route it can be reached relatively easily by train to Taunton and then bus. The number 39 and 300 busses not only pass right by the house but they will also stop to let you off, just ask them to stop at Old Lane or Exmoor House. You may find the link to http://www.transportdirect.info/ useful when it comes to planning your journey.

Exmoor House is ideally located to allow our guests to enjoy the local area on foot, bicycle, horse or public transport. Bicycle hire and horse riding can be arranged locally, please see the links on the Things to Do website page. For walkers Exmoor is all around us with the South West Coastal Path and Coleridge Way being two very well known routes. For cyclists the roads are relatively quiet if slightly hilly and have been used in the South West stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race for the last three years. For mountain bikers there are miles of bridle paths.
We are trying our best to be Green and although we have done many things there are many more we would like to do if time and money would allow. In 2010 a vegatable and soft fruits area in the garden was established.

2. Local Events for 2011

The following is just the start, events will be added as they are finalised and details are available.

2011


FEBRUARY 2011

5th - 27th January -  Snowdrop Valley, The Badgeworthy Land Co.
For more information call 01398 323841, or email snowdropvalley@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk


MARCH 2011

5th January  - StarTrek, A charity night time walk around Exmoor, for orienteering teams.
For more information go to www.rotary-startrek.org.uk


19th - 20th & 24th - 27th January  - Spring Steam Gala, West Somerset Railway, Minehead.
For more information call 01643 704996 www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk