Tip Top,Tried and Tested!

    This is a superb little place to spend a weekend or longer.

 It has the English Tourism 5 Diamond rating, and a GOLD AWARD.

This "working farm"...although we saw no cows, just a horse and hens, plus the farm cats, is near the centre of Exmoor, just 9 miles from Minehead, and about a mile from Wheddon Cross, which is the highest village on Exmoor.

Dunster is about 6 miles away, where there is a beautiful railway station through which runs the West Somerset Steam Trains. 

 Bed and Breakfast at Little Brendon Hill Farm costs about £39 per person per night. 

 It is a non smoking place, and no pets are allowed. 

 On arrival, we were warmly welcomed, and immediately offered a pot of tea, which was served to us, with lovely shortcake biscuits, in the comfortable lounge.

 Evening meal was not available (but could be on request for larger parties).

 But the local pub called "The Rest and be Thankful", at Wheddon Cross, served very good value meals.                                     

    There are 3 ensuite rooms available...two being doubles, and the other a twin, which is the one pictured, and the one which I stayed in for two nights at the Easter weekend. Quite a spacious room, also with a sofa.

 Beds were very comfortable, and the room decor was excellent.

Tea and coffee making tray, remote control T.V. and hairdryer were all in the room. Luxury toiletries were provided in the bathroom.

A good full English Breakfast was served, at not too early an hour, with orange juice and also a choice of cereals or grapefruit, with tea or coffee and toast.

The dining room, which is off a very large luxury lounge, is overlooking the garden, where the odd hen was wondering about.

This is an ideal place to stay, if you want peace and quiet, and if you like a country holiday, rather than beach or in a town or city.

You need to have a car, for touring and exploring, and there is a lot to see on Exmoor.

Visit the web site for Little Brendon Hill Farm, for full info on accomodation and availability.

http://www.littlebrendonhillfarm.co.uk/

I am recommending it as being a TIP TOP place.

BRYHER is one of the little Isles of Scilly. 

   Not a lot of residents live there, and there is one hotel and two guest houses, as well as many self catering cottages/chalets and a camping site.

On arrival at Bryher, we were met by Mac (the proprietor) and his dog, and were taken to Bank Cottage by landrover.

This is the only form of transport on Bryher, as well as tractors and Quad bikes, as the roads are just sand tracks (see above picture.)

The lady of the house is Tracy, and she gave us a warm and friendly greeting, and showed us to our room.

There are five rooms....i.e.  3 twins,  1 double  and 1 single.  

 The twin room which we were in,  and the single has to share a bathroom, but the others have ensuite facilities.

TV and tea making trays are in all rooms.

Ideally, to enjoy your stay on Bryher, it should be dry and sunny, (it WAS, during our visit!), as most of the time is spent walking round and exploring the island, and taking in the fresh air. 

So don't forget to take some walking shoes, and a coat (just in case!).

There are white sanded beaches all round Bryher, and very likely, you will find that the beach is all yours.

 There are also some beautiful sunsets to watch.

A very peaceful and lovely place for a TIP TOP holiday.     

Tresco is another island, a short boat trip from Bryher, and really should be visited, especially to visit the absolutely beautiful gardens, where many tropical plants grow. 

The ferry crosses there regularly each day.  Also, the boats do trips to all the other islands on various days.

Visit the web site for Bank Cottage for full info at:-

http://www.bryher-ios.co.uk/BC/Bank_Cottage/bank_cottage.html

The meals at Bank Cottage were home cooked, and really excellent, and I made a note of each days meal, as follows:-

SAT.            Garlic pate with toast.

               Pork chop with carrots, cauliflower,

               potato croquettes and gravy.

               Blackcurrant topped cheesecake.

SUN.         Waldorf Salad.

              Roast beef, yorkshire pud,

              boiled new potatoes, sweetcorn,

              french beans and gravy.

              Fresh strawberries & clotted cream.

              (Alternative other fruit available.)

MON.        Large slice of Melon.

              Baked local cod, with chips & peas.

              Chocolate fudge gateau.

TUES.       Crispy Camombert.

              Cottage pie(served in individual dishes),

               brocolli & roast parsnips.

               Trifle.(No custard on it, and yummy.)

THURS.    Egg mayonnaise & garlic croutons.

                Shank of lamb, dauphanois potatoes,

                courgettes in tomatoes and onion

                with gravy.

                 Apple pie with clotted cream.

FRID.          Carrot & Tomato soup with roll.

                 Salmon parcel, boiled new potatoes,

                 asparagus and tartare sauce.

                 Brandied cherries with clotted cream.

Each meal was followed by a cheese board and biscuits, with a good selection of cheeses, then tea or coffee with mints was served in the lounge.

You will note that there was no meal on Wednesday, as this is Tracy's day off, so we ate out at one of the three restuarants on the island.              

HENWICK HOUSE

Situated in a lovely quiet spot with views of the Severn Valley and the Malvern Hills, at Callow End; 3 miles from Great Malvern; 2 miles from Worcester; about 10 minutes from the M5 and approx. 20 minutes car journey from Birmingham.

4 Diamonds English Tourism rating for bed and breakfast in this old Victorian house.

There are 4 bedrooms, very comfortable and fitted with quality furnishings. Each with tea making tray and ensuite facilities.

The lounge was available with TV and hot water in a flask to make tea or coffee.

A good full English breakfast was served in the dining room, around a large Victorian table.

A good friendly welcome on arrival, and a very pleasant stay, and recommended as TIP TOP.

We only stayed for two separate nights (breaking our journey to and from the Norfolk Broads), but this would be an ideal place for a quiet peaceful holiday.