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Knightshayes Court |
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Victorian country house with richly decorated interiors and fine
garden.
Begun in 1869, Knightshayes is a rare survival of the work of designer
William Burges. The interiors combine medieval romanticism with
lavish Victorian decoration, and the
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and billiard rooms, elegant boudoir and drawing room all give an
atmospheric insight into the grand country house life which revolved
around the Heathcoat-Amory family. A recently opened room shows
original Burges designs including furniture and wall-paintings.
The celebrated garden features a water lily pool and topiary, specimen
trees, rare shrubs and delightful seasonal colours. Attractive woodland
walks lead through the grounds. Click
to visit the official website... |
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Killerton House |
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Fine 18th-century house with costume collection, hillside garden
and estate. Built for the Acland family in 1778, the house is
furnished as a comfortable home. The Paulise de Bush collection
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costume
is displayed in period rooms. There is an introductory exhibition
in the stable courtyard, a substantial Victorian laundry and interesting
chapel. The garden was created in the 1770s by John Veitch, one
of the greatest nurserymen and landscape designers of his day. It
features rhododendrons, magnolias, herbaceous borders and rare trees,
as well as an ice house and early 19th-century rustic-style summer
house known as The Bear's Hut. The surrounding parkland and woods
offer a number of beautiful circular walks giving access to the
2500ha (6100 acre) estate, and there is also a discovery centre
offering varied activities.
Click
to visit the official website... |
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West Somerset Railway |
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Enjoy 20 miles of glorious Somerset scenery as the train gently
rolls back the years on its journey beside the Quantock Hills to
the Bristol Channel coast. |
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Just
sit back in your seat and watch the steam and the countryside drift
past the window.
Click
to visit the official website... |
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Exeter Balloons |
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A flight of fancy becomes a reality. A flight in a hot air balloon
is a totally unique experience. Many people view balloons with mystique
and curiosity; what is it like up there? What can you see? What
about the landing? Is it cold? Exeter Balloons will give you the
answer...
Click
to visit the official website... |
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Dunster Castle |
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Ancient castle with fine interiors and sub-tropical gardens.
Dramatically sited on a wooded hill, a castle has existed here since
at least Norman times.
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The
13th-century gatehouse survives, but the present building was remodelled
in 1868-72 by Antony Salvin for the Luttrell family, who lived here
for 600 years. The fine oak staircase and plasterwork of the 17th-century
house he adapted can still be seen. There is a sheltered terrace
to the south on which tender plants and shrubs grow, and beautiful
parkland in which to walk. Dunster Castle is home to the National
Collection of Strawberry Trees and Britain's oldest lemon tree.
Click
to visit the official website... |
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Exmoor National Park |
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Exmoor is one of 13 National Parks in the United Kingdom that are
specially protected as our finest landscapes and an important part
of our national heritage. The park contains a variety of magnificent
landscapes. |
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Although
it is one of the smaller National Parks (693 km², 267 sq. miles)
the central plateau of open moorland is remote and spacious. To
the north the moorland terminates in towering cliffs above the Bristol
Channel. Rocky headlands, steep wooded ravines, plunging waterfalls
and jumbled heaps of fallen rock make this an area of outstanding
scenic beauty.
Click
to visit the official website... |
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Four Pounds Fishery |
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Carp and coarse fishing at its Devon best.
A mature fishery with fish of outstanding quality, colouration and
size, set in 12 peaceful acres of glorious Devon countryside.
Click
to visit the official website... |
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Stuart Line River Cruises |
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With Stuart Line Cruises you have the chance to cruise the calm
River Exe for approximately 90 minutes or extend your time with
us and enjoy viewing the historic Jurassic Coastline with full commentary
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informative
2 - 3 hour trip.
Click
to visit the official website... |
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Great Programs near The Swan Hotel |
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The Swan Hotel is conveniently located for a number of atttractions
in Devon and Somerset. Even if you are on a business journey there
is some stunning scenery nearby in the Exe Valley between Bampton
and Tiverton and over the Brendon Hills between Bampton and Taunton.
Exmoor National Park is only a ten minute journey away as is
Wimbleball Lake, both ideal venues for a brisk walk and some fresh
air! Wimbleball also offers sailing and fishing where tuition can
also be arranged. Nearby are the Coarse Fishing lakes at Four
Ponds, Shillingford where you are assured of a warm welcome
and great entertainment both for the experienced angler and beginner.
There are a number of National Trust properties nearby including
Dunster Castle (30 mins) Killerton House (40 mins)
and Knightshayes (15 mins) all well worth a visit and all
with their own unique styles. Tiverton has its own castle
and museum as well as the usual attractions of a market town including
the Panier Market and Flea Market (most Mondays). The North Devon
Coast is only a 40 min drive away (also a good bus service) with
the town of Minehead, the harbours at Watchet and Porlock
the most sought after and Linton and Lynmouth, Clovelly and other
small coastal villages all within an hour or so of Bampton. Minehead
lies at one end of the picturesque West Somerset Railway which
runs regular services to and from Bishop's Lydeard, Nr Taunton with
some quaint stops on the way. If you are interested in Antiques
the town of Honiton, also famous for its lace, is well worth
a visit. The County towns of Exeter and Taunton are
both within an hours journey time by car or bus and offer extensive
shopping. You can watch County Cricket at Taunton(Somerset
CCC) and admire the Cathedral and University at Exeter. There
are also regular National Hunt Race meetings at Exeter, Taunton
and Newton Abbot and in the spring (February thro' into June) many
local point -to-point meetings.
Please ask the Hotel reception for details of these and many other
attractions, local gardens etc; opening times, location and accessability
- we will be pleased to help you enjoy your visit to the area as
well as your stay at The Swan Hotel. |
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