A stylish and upmarket conversion of old willow barns with five star comfort. Walnut Arbour sleeps up to 14, and is situated on the Somerset Levels, an area of outstanding walks and wildlife. This is a lovely house to escape to with friends or family, with something for everyone. Indoor pool and luxury spa hot-tub, a superb games room with a slate snooker/pool table, table football and Sky TV. There are beautiful spacious living areas with slate flooring throughout, and a woodburner for the winter. The large, well-equipped kitchen has a Rangemaster, though you can always arrange to have meals cooked for you by good local caterers if you prefer.
The booking price includes all fuel, logs for the fire, as well as toiletries in the bathrooms, bath towels and robes, baby accessories, swimming towels and a basket of seasonal local produce. The house is only half an hour from the beach, and is available for short breaks year round as well as longer holidays.
The whole of the ground floor living area has beautiful slate flooring. The large, L-shaped kitchen has an American fridge and freezer, Rangemaster, dishwasher, microwave and a dining room with a large oak table seating 14. Off the kitchen is a separate utility room with a washer/dryer machine.
The living room has a woodburning stove, 42@spmol@ flat screen TV with Sky, and a DVD recorder/player.
All six bedrooms have been decorated with great attention to detail and comfort. Five can have double or twin beds depending on your preference. Two have extra single beds in them and there's also a regular double. Crispy linens, fluffy towels and cosy bathrobes are all provided.
Two bedrooms are on the ground floor, sharing a large family bathroom, and are therefore suitable for our younger or older visitors. The other four are on the first floor. Two of these have ensuite bathrooms, and two share.
The beautiful old Linhay Barn is a self-contained entertainment area with a heated pool and a spa hot tub. There is also a games room with a quarter-size slate snooker/pool table, table football and a TV for game consoles. The barn is heated throughout the year, so you can use the pool or spa with snow lying outside. It is glazed entirely across the front, with French windows opening onto an outdoor eating area. Flanked on two sides by barns, this is a perfectly sheltered area for group meals and barbecues.
The whole garden is enclosed, providing privacy and a safe environment for small children.
The list of facilities is pretty comprehensive, and the owners will do their best to ensure your group has everything it needs. Items not already mentioned include a cot, a 42” TV with Sky Sports, TVs in bedrooms and various services you can pay extra for (pampering, country pursuits etc). Therapists can come to the barn so your group can enjoy body massages, aromatherapy, reflexology, hairdressing etc on site.
Walnut Arbour is in the hamlet of Curload on the edge of the Somerset Levels, about eight miles east of Taunton. Half a mile away is the village of Stoke St. Gregory, which is at the centre of the withy (willow) beds. North Curry conservation village is 1.5 miles away, with numerous listed buildings, a general store, post office and pubs serving excellent food.
Sainsbury’s and Tesco can deliver to the house, as can Somerset Local Produce. It’s six miles to the nearest large supermarkets. Taunton has a great farmers’ market every Thursday.
Airport: Bristol (30 mins)
Station: Taunton (10 mins)
Walnut Arbour is close to many year-round attractions, such as West Somerset Steam Railway, Fleet Air Arm Museum, Dunster Castle, Montacute House, Wooky Hole, Glastonbury, Bath, Bristol, Lyme Regis, Exmoor and the coast.
The barn is 50 yds from a drove road running alongside the Rive Tone crossing the Somerset Levels, which provide miles of gentle undulating countryside for walking and cycling. It is perfectly possible to explore using these drove roads and extensive footpaths, and leave your car behind.
Local attractions particularly suitable for children include steam trains through the Quantocks to the seaside, Cheddar Gorge and Caves, Hayes International Motor Museum in Sparkford with a themed adventure playground, Tropiquaria adventure and animal park, Peat Moor Centre, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Horse World (near Bristol) and Crealy Adventure Park.
Taunton is the nearest big town, with everything from first class cricket and theatre to quality shops and good restaurants.
From £1,600 - £3,500 per week, S/C
Short breaks year round, from £1,200.