'Early-Bird Winter Offer ' If you're arranging a Winter celebration, there's 15% off house rates on any dates between 1st Nov 2012 & 31st March 2013! (excl.Christmas/New Year & any special offers.)
A wonderful Victorian country house in Somerset set in landscaped grounds of 23 acres, which makes a fabulous setting for a house party. Built in the 1800's for a gentleman JP, it has grand but supremely relaxing and immaculate reception rooms, 12 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms (4 ensuite), a natural pond with an island gazebo to greet guests as they sweep up the drive, and all the facilities necessary for a big gathering, wedding or conference.
Widcombe consists of a main house and an adjoining cottage, which together can accommodate up to 24 in comfort. The grounds are spectacular and lend themselves to a range of country pursuits (archery, fishing, clay shooting to name but a few), so your group can stay and play without ever having to leave site. To the west is woodland featuring many rare and specimen trees. You will also find a two-acre spring fed fishing lake, which borders onto a newly planted cider apple orchard. This is Somerset, after all!
Homely and historic, with atmosphere and antiques, are all adjectives used by previous guests to describe the Grange. The décor is absolutely faultless, a happy marriage of calm colours, sunny aspects, antiques and modern accessories, halogen lighting and so on. The dining room has a massive wooden table seating 24 comfortably, and patio doors opening out into the courtyard for summer evenings; in winter it glows with candles and chandeliers. In the living room the log fire will be laid ready to put a match to when you arrive, surrounded by huge, sumptuous sofas.
The Grange kitchen is the kind we would all like at home, lined on three sides with duck-egg blue painted wooden cupboards, enough granite workspace to prepare food for an army, a big cooker and a central island and table. An additional Keepers Kitchen just makes the living even easier. There’s a Den nearby where children can relax with books, films and toys. And at the end of the day, everyone can soak in generous baths and sink into thick white duvets in huge bedrooms with names that evoke country life - Dovecote, Gamekeeper, Woodcutter, Woodpecker, Kingfisher and Drake.
The main house has 7 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms (3 en suite) and the cottage has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms (1 en suite). The cottage is 15 metres from the main house and is located within a walled garden containing the swimming pool. All rooms look out onto the estate.
Besides the outdoor heated pool there is croquet, boules, a barbecue and a fishing lake. Inside all the usual TVs, DVD player, sound system etc.
The newly refurbished coach house now houses a great games room with table tennis, table football and a small snooker table.
Archery, clay shooting, pistol shooting and fishing are all available on site. Everything gets booked through the Big House Company (see below) and all tuition and equipment is then provided by their rangers.
Widcombe is ideal for small training events/ meetings and team building. All AV equipment etc can be arranged. Internet access: wifi.
Weddings: The house is licensed for civil weddings with outdoor and indoor ceremony areas for up to 150-200. A full wedding service is offered, including catering, marquees, florists etc. There is parking space for up to 80 cars.
On the Blackdown Hills, in an area of outstanding natural beauty. About two miles from the village of Blagdon, which has a post office and pubs, and four miles from the pretty market town of Taunton.
Airport: Exeter (25 mins)
Station: Taunton
This is the heart of Somerset’s cider apple country. The countryside is outstanding, with various English heritage and National Trust houses and gardens open to visitors. Widcombe is 40 minutes from the north Somerset/Devon coast where you’ll find perfect surfing beaches and lots of surf schools/wet suit hire outlets etc. Taunton is the local market town. Rural pursuits such as horse riding, off-roading and fly fishing are all available very close by.
Weekends (2 nights):
April: £4,250
May-Sept: £4,950
Oct-April 2013: £4,250
Weekends (3 nights):
April: £4,750
May-Sept: £5,500
Oct-April 2013: £4,750
Midweek's (2 nights):
April: £2,850
May-Sept: £3,150
Oct-April 2013: £2,850
Extra nights: £850
Weekly:
Dec-March: £4,950
April: £6,750
May-Sept: £7,250
Oct-April 2013: £6,750
Christmas 2012/New Year 2012 6 nights: £7,850
Two night stays or more.
Special offers may be available for late availability, please check website for details.