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Our cottages are located in the Chew Valley, south west of Bath, in between Bath, Bristol and Wells, giving easy access to these wonderful cities for culture and nightlife. The valley is a particularly lovely area, characterised by pretty villages, lakes at Blagdon and Chew Valley, and The Mendip Hills (an area of outstanding natural beauty) providing a stunning back-drop as well as a location for lots of outdoor activities from pony trekking to mountain biking, clay pigeon shooting and bushcraft/wild food. Some activities are provided by our own company, and we use other carefully selected local providers, many of whom are friends as well. We have some great packages that are unique to our guests that we guarantee you can't get elsewhere.

  BATH

Bath and the surrounding area is packed with things to do. A UNESCO world heritage site, Bath is bursting with fantastic architecture. There are great places to eat, drink and generally have a great time if you're a bit of a foodie. Bath's Thermae Spa is located in the heart of Bath and is the finest religious spa in Northern Europe, built 2000 years ago around the country’s only hot springs. In summer there is nothing quite like going punting down the river for something completely different!

From cocktail bars to comedy clubs to an ice bar, Bath has a great choice of nightlife for the more discerning hen group.

 

 

 

BRISTOL

Great nightlife, lots of culture and history make Bristol a fantastic destination. For real relaxation, why not enjoy a boat cruise along Bristol’s ancient harbour or float above the city in a hot air balloon? Bristol plays host to a huge range of events, festivals, fairs, displays and exhibitions throughout the year such as the Bristol Harbour Festival or The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

From the boutique stores and arcades in elegant Clifton Village to the funky, retro shops on Park Street, Bristol has an incredible variety to choose from when it comes to shopping. Bristol’s latest development, Cabot Circus, provides over 120 shops, 25 new restaurants and a 13-screen Cinema de Lux, bringing Bristol right up into the list of top 10 UK shopping destinations. Well known for its friendly and buzzing nightlife, Bristol has lively bars and clubs but for a more sophisticated evening, why not take in a show at the Bristol Hippodrome or enjoy a live performance at Colston Hall?

 

MENDIP HILLS


The Mendip Hills is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, acknowledged as one of Britain’s finest landscapes, and specially protected and managed. http://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk. From 'top of the world', huge panoramic views across the Bristol Channel and Somerset levels, to stunning vistas through deep, forested combes. Home to numerous Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s), and bordering some of Britain’s most important wetlands, The Mendip Hills has something for everyone, and awaits your discovery…

This unique landscape contains some of the oldest hills in Britain, formed at the same time as the Alps in Europe. It is one of Britain's richest and most fascinating sites of pre-history and archaeology. The Mendip Hills contain signs of some of the earliest human occupation in Britain, and are home to Neolithic henge monuments, Bronze-age barrows, Iron Age hill forts & evidence of extensive Roman occupation. There are many sites of special scientific interest (SSSI's), designated for their rare and important flora as well as the unique geology of the area, Cheddar Gorge and Caves being of particular note.

The highest point on the Mendips, Beacon Batch on the top of Blackdown, can give a feeling of true wilderness and isolation without ever being too far from civilisation. Wildlife abounds, watch as Kestrels dive into the heather to catch their prey and Buzzards circle high overhead on thermal air currents. From Ashcroft House, Blackdown provides an ever-present back-drop, swathed in purple heather in the spring, and sometimes snow-capped in winter. Deer and wild ponies are silhouetted against wonderful summer sunsets. Blackdown affords remarkable 360 degree views across the Severn Estuary, and both Severn Bridges to Wales, across the Somerset Levels and Moors to the Quantock Hills, Blackdown Hills, Chew Valley & Blagdon lakes and Cheddar Gorge.

 

WELLS

The City of Wells is just 15 minutes from our properties and is not to be missed! It is Britain’s smallest city and is home to one of the loveliest English Cathedrals, featuring the finest medieval statuary in the country (603 figures of kings, princes and nobles). We love the mechanical clock inside the cathedral. There are numerous other historical buildings, including the Bishop's Palace, which is still home to the Bishop of Bath & Wells. If you’ve seen the movie ‘Hot Fuzz’, you’ll recognize much of Wells, as it was filmed here!

Wells also has a bustling market, normally held every Wednesday and Saturday morning, and numerous lovely shops. The Cathedral hosts many concerts and events, and it’s well worth checking out the web site to see what’s going on. A visit to Wells isn’t complete without lunch at ‘The Good Earth’, this wholefood café serves excellent food. It has been our firm favourite for many, many years and always gets rave reviews from our visitors and guests.

 

 

GLASTONBURY

Glastonbury Tor rises dramatically from the flat landscape of the Somerset Levels, close to the town of Glastonbury, to a height of 158 metres (525 feet). The Tor is topped by the tower of a ruined 15th-century church (St Michael's). The hill and its approaches are owned by the National Trust, and offer free public access, but visitors are advised to walk there from the town centre, or to take the 'Tor Bus', due to parking restrictions around the site. Views from the summit are stunning in all directions. History, myth and legend surround the Tor. Dark Age and Saxon remains excavated here suggested that it was once a Saxon fortress, or perhaps an early Christian hermitage.

Close to the foot of the Tor are the Chalice Well Gardens, a lovely place to stop and relax, have a wander around, contemplate life the universe, etc! There is also a font with water from the ‘Holy Well’, the spring, where you can collect water to drink. We also like the Rainbow’s End café, it serves good value and very tasty vegetarian food.

SPECIAL OFFERS!

 

Book a mid-week hen stay from just £45 per person for 2 nights. Arrive Weds night after work, and enjoy two full nights accommodation. Thursday is a great night for going out in Bristol, Bath or Wells. If some of your party can't make it until Thursday night, it's still affordable for them to come and stay for one night.

Book a one-day wild food foray, bushcraft day or mountain biking and save £10 per person off your accommodation price.

   

Give us a call to discuss how we can help you organise a fabulous weekend! Check to see if your date/s are available!

Contact: Adrian Boots. 01761 463356. Click here to email us.

   

 

Bristol Airport B & Bs - click here to visit the Bristol Airport Bed & Breakfasts web site

Walk the Mendips - click here to find out more about wild food, bushcraft & natural history on the Mendip Hills

Somerset Holiday Cottage sleeps up to 15 - click here to find more about renting this cottage for a fantastic family holiday

Bike the Mendips - click here to find out about guided mountain biking on the Mendip Hills

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