Pootle through the high-hedged Somerset lanes and turn off down the drive to Jays Roost, to your journey’s end and where your luxury large group holiday begins.
House 1:
Go in through the hall and put your bags down. On the right is Bedroom 1, with room for 4; it’s access friendly and has an ensuite wet room. Then there’s a utility room with laundry facilities, a cosy snug that doubles up as a playroom, a loo, and the well-equipped kitchen. To the left of the hall leading round to the kitchen is the large open-plan living room and dining room with ramped access and doors to the garden.
Upstairs a wide landing takes you to Bedrooms 2-6. All beds at Jays Roost have zip and link beds that can be arranged as super kings or twins, all have ensuite shower rooms except Bedroom 3 which uses the family bathroom. Bedroom 2 is another room that can sleep 4, so it’s great for a family; floor to ceiling windows take full advantage of the far-reaching views.
House 2:
It’s reverse living here with Bedrooms 8-10 and a family bathroom off the hallway on the ground floor. Bedroom 8 has an ensuite shower room, Bedrooms 9 and 10 share the family bathroom. Off the end of the hall there’s a covered area with a dog shower.
The entrance to the house is upstairs, with level access from the ground floor; off the hall is a loo, and making the best of the unspoilt country views, a spacious open-plan kitchen and living room. To one end doors open to a balcony with steps down to the garden. Off the living area is Bedroom 7 with an ensuite shower room.
Outside
The gardens and the grounds beyond are captivating, with so much to discover. Sit at the Giant’s Table on the terrace and the outlook is so lovely; amble around and you’ll come across places to sit quiet and places to play, with a wooden fort, a climbing frame, a trampoline, a nest swing and a whizzy roundabout. It’s a brilliant garden for hide and seek!
A few strides across the lawn is the spa hall where the heated pool, hot tub and sauna are all yours and only yours for the whole of your stay. At the front of the house is the covered play area with table football, table tennis and giant Connect 4. And then there are fields and woodlands on the farm to explore, all ripe for adventures; think fun on the log swings, den building, paddling in the stream, bug hunting, wildlife spotting and picnics. Fun with a big fat capital F.
Local Area
We’ll forgive you if you don’t really want to go out, but if you change your mind there’s much to see and do in this little corner of the world. Have a quest in the Quantocks, an exploration of Exmoor, see the beauty spots, the moors where red deer roam free and wild ponies feed. Spend a day by the sea at Blue Anchor or Minehead, have a ride on a horse drawn barge along the canal at Tiverton or hire Canadian canoes and take to the waters under your own steam.
Get behind the wheel of some serious earth movers at Diggerland Devon, get your scruffs on and attempt The Bear Trail near Cullompton, take a tour of the Victorian country house at Knightshayes (NT) and see how Somerset’s famous brew is made at Sheppy’s Cider.
No matter what you do and where you go, even if you stay put at Jays Roost, there are good times to share, memories to treasure.