Thorncombe

West country holiday home sleeping up to 14 with indoor heated pool

Extras

Catering

Catering
Option 1: Flora Bartlett - florabartlett@googlemail.com
"I live locally and am a trained Leith's cook. I have been catering on and off for the last 15 years, the last 3 for sleeps12.com. We love preparing creative dinners, lunches, brunch, breakfast, buffets and all day packages to your individual needs as well as catering for Weddings.

We use friendly and attentive waitresses from the surrounding villages and come and make your event really special.

We believe passionately in the best ingredients and well cooked food. We try to keep food miles to a minimum and use the super local meat, vegetables and small suppliers; including organic beef and vegetables from my parent's farm.

We look forward to cooking and serving delicious food in wonderful surroundings."

Struthers Party - Brighton   "Flora catered for us on Saturday night (delivery menu) - food was very high standard, delivered bang on time and went down extremely well!!! Can't recommend her highly enough"

Gregory Party - London   "I just wanted to say a huge thank you for catering for us on Saturday. The food was totally yummy and I can't tell you what a pleasure it was to be able to sit back and enjoy dinner without having to worry about it. It made the evening extra special and we felt very pampered. Our bride to be is a huge foodie, she actually works for Gordon Ramsay and I know that she was very impressed with the food and she had a fantastic time, so thank you for your contribution to her special weekend."

Bleakley Party - Berkshire   "I just wanted to send a quick note to say Thank you, for a wonderful evening. Having booked it all over a year ago – I was hoping all went off smoothly, and I’m glad to say it did… The food was fantastic, you worked away without fuss, and Caroline was fantastic as a canapé host and waitress… everyone said how wonderful it was to have such fantastic food served, and not be getting under your feet whilst you were working. I do hope we weren’t awkward clients, and that we can avail of your services again sometime. Thanks again Flora, a fantastic evening."

Click on the links below to view menus and prices:
Option 2: The Two French Chefs - denisguillemin@yahoo.co.uk
"We are Patrick Robert and Denis Guillemin, The Two French Chefs. Using only the finest locally sourced produce, we are able to prepare a wide range of dishes in the kitchen of your holiday home to suit all tastes - whether for a sit-down meal, a buffet, or even a barbecue.

During the past ten years we have worked in several prestigious hotels and restaurants in the South West of England, including the renowned Bindon Hotel where we first worked together. It is the skills and expertise acquired in these 3 and 4 AA Rosette and Michelin Star establishments that we bring to your table."

Gilpin Party, Dorset - "The Two French chefs provided excellent, friendly service. All my queries were dealt with promptly and the dinner on Saturday was really exceptional"

June T - "Just a note to say thank you very much for an excellent meal provided for us on the 26th June and catering for our chaotic family. A good time was had by all. The food was excellent and service impeccable. Thank you once again for making our anniversary meal special"

Jo Holden - "I wanted to thank yourself and Patrick, for providing such a wonderful dinner for my birthday. I was completely bowled over by how professional Patrick and your fantastic waiter were - I literally did nothing bar hand the kitchen and the wine over to them. The food and service were first class and the kitchen was left spotless. I can't recommend you highly enough!"

Click on the links below to view menus and prices: Please note that for the catered meals, there is an additional cost of £50/night for waitress/waiter service if required
Option 3: Caroline Yates - caroline@goodcookco.com - www.goodcookco.com
"Having been a cook for a number of years in ski lodges, yachts and private estates I started a recruitment agency for cooks over 10 years ago. We specialise in finding cooks for private and commercial clients from dinner parties to full time positions. I am available privately to cater for dinner parties or weekends. I regularly cater for large groups and enjoy providing a tailor made menu for smaller groups (including children). With the abundance of fresh and local produce available in the West Country I like to source all my food locally with the support of my local suppliers."

Williams Party - "Lovely to meet you on Saturday night and thank you so much for the wonderful food. It was really delicious, everyone enjoyed it. Thank you for taking care of the extra bits such as champagne glasses and the cheese board, if we come again next year we will book you"

Taggart Party, London - "We had a catered dinner by Caroline at Good Cook Co - absolutely superb, we highly recommend. They were professional and discreet, friendly and polite and the food was delicious - you must try the canapes!!"

Price Party, Sussex - "Now that we are back in Sussex,having ha a thoroughly enjoyable week in Somerset, I would like to thank you for the wonderful dinner on Sunday. The menu, cuisine and service were second to none which made the event especially memorable for me, my husband and our friends."

Malins Party - Middlesex - "Caroline's catered dinner was the highlight of the weekend. It was fabulous not having to worry about anything. The minute she arrived she kicked me out of the kitchen."

Lawfull-Brookes - Oxford- "We can't recommend Caroline Yates catering highly enough - fantastic food and service - we will be back.... thank you so much!!."

Allen - Worcester- "Caroline Yates provided an excellent meal in line with our expectations. The canapes were particularly notable."

Please click on my menus to see my style of cooking and prices - menus can be altered to suit any occasion.
Option 4: Your Very Own Chef - caroline@goodcookco.com - www.goodcookco.com -
If you want to make the most of your weeks holiday let us help by providing you with a cook. Our cooks can provide breakfast, lunch and dinner to enable you to go and explore the area or simply relax. By taking the catering off your hands you will all have more time together and be able to swith off from every day life to ensure you have a truly relaxing holiday. Prices start at around £125 per day.

Option 5: Thai Gourmet - www.engagingthailand.com
Provides a top Thai cuisine service delivered in your own home in the UK, cooked in your own kitchen. Genuine ingredients are cooked for you by superb Thai Chef Khun Pratuan to recipes drawn from her long experience and instinctive knowledge based on the traditional methods and dishes of her Mother and Grandmother.

Testimonials
"Highly recommend the caterers, the food was excellent and plentiful"
- Paul, Essex

"The catering was out of this world and made our celebration special"
- Jane, Wiltshire

Option 6: Rodney Scott - info@scott-catering.co.uk / www.scott-catering.co.uk

With over 15 years experience in the catering industry, our aim is to add to your holiday experience. We can provide for you in a number of ways, from reducing the pressure of organising and hosting an event, such as a dinner party to stocking your freezer with meals for the length of your stay.

Testimonials

Evans Party - "Rodney provided an outstanding customer services and great flexibilty about options, menues., Rodney went the extra mile and he also delivered beautiful truffles presented in an amazing bag with an angel figurine with 'Happy 40th' written on it. It was really a lovely touch, the kind of thing that makes all the difference:"

Boulton Party - "We had Rodney provide a catered dinner on Saturday night for our Hen Party - the food and service were absolutley fantactic and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. Would highly recommend!"

Baldwin Party - "We had Rodney Scott cater a meal for 11 of us, it was a real highlight to our stay and everyone enjoyed the meal. The service was slick, professional and exceptional. Everyone enjoyed the meal and the caterer was very accommodating even though we contacted him fairly last minute.

Andrews Party - "Rodney Scott catering - everything ran like clockwork and the meal was delicious"

Dinner parties

A meal delivered with heating instructions
Hampers for picincs
Special breakfasts
BBQs
Afternoon tea
We are a local business in Bishopswood, on the Blackdown Hills, and all our food is sourced locally where possible. We will happily provide friendly waitresses to serve, as well as do the tidying and washing up to make that special ossasion even more relaxing and enyoyable.

We guarantee to provide excellent food and excellent staff. The only thing we cannot guarantee is the weather!
COOK - Remarkable Frozen Meals

We have partnered with COOK in Taunton to make their fabulous frozen meals available to all of our guests.
For those of you that haven't come across COOK before, they make dishes using the same ingredients and techniques that you would use at home so everything looks and tastes homemade.
Once you have placed an order, they will deliver your meals to your holiday cottage in advance or on the evening of your arrival.

Wood Party - Middlesex - "Taunton cooks frozen ready meal exceptional can't recommend highly enough. Seven different meals for adults and children and not one could be faulted."

You can shop online at www.cookfood.net e-mail at taunton@cookfood.net or call the COOK shop in Taunton on 01823 323001.
Please note that there is a minimum order value of £30 to qualify for delivery.

Pampering

Pampering

Full Body Exfoliation using Pomegranate or Mandarin and Black Pepper Sugar Scrub with head massage - £30 APPROX 30 mins
A relaxing sugar scrub followed by either a pink grapefruit and shea butter moisturiser or mulberry and mallow moisturising souffle, leaving the skin smooth and soft, also inlcudes a head massage.
The above treatment with a facial is £50

Mother-to-be Package - £50.00 - APPROX 1 hours 30 mins
Pedicure - includes cuticle work, leg and foot massage, exfoliation and polish (Approx 45 mins)
File and Paint Hands (Approx 30 mins)
Head, neck, shoulder and face massage (Approx 20 mins)

Full Body Aromatherapy Massage - £40 - APPROX 1 hour
Full body massage with the added luxury of blended essential oils to suit your mood.

Full Body Swedish Massage - £40 - APPROX 1 hour

Back, Neck, Shoulder, Face and Head Aromatherapy Massage - £30 - APPROX 30 mins

Back, Neck, Shoulder, Face and Head Swedish Massage - £30 - APPROX 30 mins

Manicure or Pedicure - £25.00 each - APPROX 50 mins
This includes a foot or hand massage.

Facial - £35- APPROX 45 mins
Calming and relaxing Dermalogical treatment which includes a face and head massage.

Full Body Massage and Facial - £65 if booked as one treatment - APPROX 1 1/2 mins

Back, Neck, Shoulder Massage and Facial - £50 if booked as one treatment - APPROX 1 hr

Indian Head Massage - £30 per treatment - APPROX 35 mins

Reflexology - £30 per treatment - APPROX 45 mins
- Pamper Workshop
All timings are approximate and can be tailor made to suit your requirements.

From 1st January 2011 a £5 travel charge will be made for each therapist.

Please contact Sarah on sarahpike100@aol.com

can thoroughly recommend Sarah and the Pampering Ladies. - Mrs Nicholson

"Ladies really enjoyed this. Very professional, punctual & polite." - D Hayward-Bradley

Activities

Horse Riding

Click here for a list of local riding/trekking centres
Golf

While on your holiday, what better way to unwind and take it all in than a relaxing round of golf? There are three golf courses in the vicinity. Set against the glorious backdrop of Taunton's surrounding countryside, you can take in the scenery and enjoy an exhilirating game at the same time. So remember to bring your clubs.

Oake Manor Golf Club - 01823 461993
Vivary Golf Course, Taunton - 01823 333875
Taunton Vale Golf Club - 01823 412880
Lyme Regis - http://www.lymeregisgolfclub.co.uk/ - 01297 442963
Windwistle - http://www.windwhistlegolfclub.co.uk/ - 01464 302 31
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Shaldon Shooting School is set in a deep valley on the edge of Exmoor. We offer coaching for individuals or groups of up to 30 people. No experience is necessary, all ages and abilities are welcome. We supply all the equipment you will need, and plenty of instructors so you are not waiting too long for your turn. We even send someone to meet you so you don’t get lost in the lanes on the way! Lunch can be arranged in a great local pub.

www.shaldenshootingschool.co.uk

Tel: 01398 331021
Birds Hill Days - Activities in the Country
A unique opportunity to experience country activities on 170 acres in one of the most beautiful settings within Exmoor National Park. Activities include clay shooting and pistol shooting or archery and laser clay shooting which can be done on-site if there is room.

www.birdshilldays.com
Langford Lakes
Langford Lakes offer four lakes (Carp/Mixed/Roach and Perch) set in 30 acres of Nordman Fir Plantation. An ideal spot for beginners and the more experienced angler.

www.langfordlakes.co.uk
Essential Adventure
Leading provider of outdoor pursuits, adventure sports and team building throughout Devon and the South West. Activities include kayaking & canoeing, climbing & abseiling, coasteering, mountain biking, bush craft, caving and more...

www.essential-adventure.co.uk
Bike Hire
Bikes can be hired from:

Kings Cycles in Wellington or Taunton. Cost is approx. £15/day but please phone for quote. Discounts available on larger bookings. Phone Wellington 01823 662260 or Taunton 01823 352272 and it is recommended that you book in advance.

Abbotshood Cycle Hire. 07958 916165 / 07904068555 and leave a message or e-mail: abbotshood@halberton.org
Links to other local activities you may enjoy

Abbbey Burton - Clay Pigeon Shooting

Abbey Burton Clay Shooting

Welcome to Abbey Burton Clay Shooting. I offer professional coaching in Clay Shooting, Game Shooting and Archery to individuals and groups of all abilities, whether you're an experienced shot looking to have their technique fine-tuned or a newcomer to the sport looking to develop skills for safe and accurate shooting, all our welcome.

I am a fully qualified CPSA Coach, CPSA Safety Officer, Level 1 Archery Instructor and also a Great Britain competitive shot with many awards to my name at the age of 24.

www.abbeyburtonclayshooting.co.uk - 07789 480298 or e-mail on abbeyburton@hotmail.com

Child Care

Babysitting & Child Care

Our fully qualified carers offer both babysitting and child care services. These are available by booking in advance. Pre-book for your stay!

Roundoak Childcare
- Cache Level 3
- CRB Enhanced Clearance
Tel: 01823 666895

Malins Party - Middlesex - "Having Dawn help with the kids really helped the ladies relax during their pampering."

Entertainment

Private Cocktail Bartender
Hire your own private cocktail bartender for your celebration.

Three options available:

Personal Cocktail Bartender - A personal bartender to come to your home and make cocktails for you
and your guests

Personal Cocktail Bartender and a Butler in the Buff

Cocktail Clinic - A personal fun training session to teach you about cocktails and how
to make them.

Contact TheBartender on 0117 941 5825, email info@thebartender.co.uk or go online at www.thebartender.co.uk for further details and prices
Bouncy Castles
Activity Bouncers for Hire

Bouncy Castles, Pole Joust
Sumo Wrestling, Ball Pools

Ideal for all ages!

Phone 01823 451157 www.activitybouncerstaunton.co.uk
Portrait Photographer

HOW THE PHOTO-SHOOT WORKS – Emily Fairweather Photography

My shoots are generally informal and fun! A typical shoot will take around one and a half hours. Normally I ask you to wear simple clothes that are very ‘you’. Please try to avoid white tops and dominant T-shirt logos though.

I will produce natural black and white images and vibrant colourful photos in a rustic setting that we’ll choose together. Please let me know if you’d like me to bring any props to create a specific atmosphere to your photographs : eg bunting/vintage suitcases/bubbles.

For a family gathering I normally do a large family portrait like the one below; then individual family groups, plus all the children together as in the image opposite. These are all Sleeps 12 gatherings.

All my products are bespoke, being hand produced to the best quality.

OPTION 1 - PHOTO-SHOOT, 10x8” MOUNTED PRINT & 5 JPEGS

£125 Weekdays/£175 Weekends.

Includes Emily for 11/2 hours, editing of 70-100 images, hosting of these on a private gallery on Emily’s website, a 10x8” mounted hand-finished print & 5 images of your choice as high resolution Jpegs. All images available to buy as various options - please see menu below.

OPTION 2 - PHOTO-SHOOT, 2 x10x8” bespoke prints & 50 Jpegs

Weekdays £249, Weekends £325

A perfect present for an anniversary or Hen! Included in this option is 1 1/2 hour photo-shoot, editing of 70-100 images, hosting of these on a private gallery on Emily’s website and a disc with 50 edited images as high resolution Jpegs for you to reproduce as you like. Also included are 2 x 10x8” prints.

MENU

PRINTS– All Emily’s prints are on art-quality paper and hand produced at a professional laboratory to the highest standard. They can be made to any size. Prices : 5x7” = £15, 10x8” = £25

ALBUMs

Stunning 11X13”, 30-side (approx 50 images) hard-backed photo album £225, extra double page spreads available at £20 each. Luxury leather albums made by hand with engraved names made to order. Prices start at £500.

CANVASES Bespoke hand-made at Emily’s laboratory, available any size.

Prices from 12x8” , 20x16”, 24x36” = £125, £175, £250.

JPEGs - 50 edited high resolution jpegs £185, 100 edited Jpegs £250.

FRAMED PRINTS I have a bespoke hand-made framing service. Each image is mounted in luxury deep white mounts and the frames are made from natural hard wood, finished in white/black or oak. These may be made up to any size to suit your walls. All prices below include prints.

5X7” (actual size 9×11.5) = £150

8X10” (actual size15x13) = £200

10X15 (actual size 13×18) =£275

Signing Frame – 19x23” Perfect for a hen or birthday girl – large black wooden frame with bare mount for everyone to sign around a 10x8 print from our shoot. £175 including print.

To view Emily's style of photography click onto her website http://www.emilyfairweatherphotography.co.uk or call her on 01984 667 281/07958 763029 or email : emilyfairweather@btinternet.com
Rescued Memories
Rescued Memories is a small Company based in Somerset. It specialises in the production of digital audio biographies for individuals. In essence we produce a professionally recorded and edited CD of the customer telling the story of their life in their own words.

A PERFECT GIFT!

www.rescuedmemories.co.uk
Cupcakes and Cookies
Have fun making decorations for cupcakes and cookies. Suitable for the complete novice or the more experienced.
Make decorations for cupcakes from butter cream icing to sugar paste butterflies, snow flakes, shoes, roses and many other flowers and shapes.
Ice and decorate cookies from dresses and cakes to farm animal shapes.
All equipment supplied and 6 cakes, lots of flavors to choose from and 2 cookies ready to go.
Just bring an apron and some imagination!

The party will last approximately 2 hrs (may be longer) and cost £20 per person. Min of 4 people please.
Please call Jackie on 01823 672817 for more details or facebook "cakes Jackies cakes"
Dance
Dance workshops and performances with dance professional Karina Gracia.

Looking for something different to add a little excitement to your stay?

Karina offers excellent fun workshops in Flamenco, Bollywood and Samba dance. Ideal for hen nights, birthday parties and team building classes alike, Karina caters for any ages and group size including personal tuition and childrens’ workshops.

All three dance forms are passionate, colourful and enjoyable to learn and karina tailors each class according the groups requirements. You will be given a copy of the music on cd.

Flamenco classes have the option of being accompanied by a professional flamenco guitarist, which can then include a flamenco performance.

Karina has a flamenco company, 'Luna Gitana’ with two guitarists, singer and further dancers; available for private parties and public events. A performance can be followed by a workshop for the audience if required.

Price guide for workshops £6 per person per hour, (minimum charge of 10 people), workshops 1 hr, 1 ½ hrs, 2 hrs. Fuel charge may apply, depending on location. All sleeps12 properties are covered. Additional charge for guitarist if required; prices for Luna Gitana performances by enquiry.

Karina is a very experienced dance teacher, teaches weekly private classes in Devon & Somerset, daily in local schools, and performs regularly throughout the South West.

Please contact Karina Gracia -

07813 990937

01823 674157

danceflamenco@live.com
Face Painting
Amy Simmonds is Cheekaboogie Face Painting

Cheekaboogie use only Snazaroo hypoallergenic water based face paints which have been fully dermatologicaly tested. They are skin friendly, non toxic and easily removed with soap and water.
Cheekaboogie has full public liability insurance

Contact Amy on 01823 669307
Crafty Hen Parties
The Crafty Hen

The Crafty Hen offers fun craft workshops delivered by professional crafts people for hen parties. Our flock of friendly tutors will help you make many things to use and wear, perhaps even for the wedding or hen weekend.? We tailor your workshops and parties exactly to your needs and the group requests. We come to your accommodation and provide all materials and equipment as well as expert tuition.

We can offer sessions in making garters, nipple tassels or customising knickers. There is also a range of jewellery making workshops to choose from; including tiaras and hairpins, cocktail rings, textile corsages and accessories. You can even make your own bunting, why not work together and use this to decorate your wedding.? With some of our workshops we can offer vintage options, you can incorporate vintage fabrics and antique lace into your creations.?

For more information please visit www.thecraftyhen.co.uk or email info@thecraftyhen.co.uk, or call 0117 939 5203
Pot Doodles

Pot Doodles has gone mobile. Welcome to Pot Doodles the "paint your own pottery experience" that has now gone Mobile! At the end of 2008 we took our fantastic Pot Doodles "Paint your own pottery experience" MOBILE. Rather than you come to us we now come to you in our unique "Doodle Van". Pot Doodles will visit your home, school, club, hall or other venue for:-

Birthday Parties For All Ages!

Hen Parties

potdoodles.co.uk

Food

Places to Eat at The Combes
The Farmers Arms, less than a mile away. Great home cooked food. 01823 432267. www.farmersarmsatcombeflorey.co.uk

The Rising Sun, less than a mile away. Gastro Pub. Wonderful village pub, great food. 01823 432575. www.risingsuninn.info

The Blue Ball Inn, lovely pub with garden. 01984 618242. www.blueballinn.info

The Carew Arms, lovely pub with garden. 01984 618631. www.thecarewarms.co.uk
The Local Food Company
Buy organic local food and have it delivered to your door.

www.thelocalfoodcompany.co.uk

Travel

Taxis
- Max's Minibus Hire - Taunton Mini Buses - www.tauntonminibuses.co.uk or tel 01823 257180 (14, 16 & 21 seater buses available)
- Knight Brothers Travel Ltd - www.knightbrotherstravel.co.uk or tel 01823 442205 (15, 16, 18 & 24 seater buses available)
- Monument Mini Cabs, Wellington - 01823 66 44 44
- County Taxis, Wellington - 01823 666333
- A1 Taxis, Taunton (next to railway station) - 01823 332211
- A CABS (Taunton) 01823 241124 or 07900 900093 a_cabs@aol.com www.a-cabs-taunton.co.uk
(It is recommended that you pre-order taxis in advance).

General

Somerset Studio Flowers

Flowers delivered to your holiday home for that special occasion. Contact Micky on 01823 400816 to discuss your requirements.
For links to Tourist Information and details of areas of natural beauty within Somerset go to the following
Bloomin Lovely

Based in Wellington, we can arrange for Flowers and Balloons to be at the property for you on your arrival. We offer a range of beautiful hand tied bouquets, stunning fragrant traditional style bouquets, pretty basket arrangements, but to name a few. Please phone 01823 661000 to order. www.bloomin-lovely.co.uk

Sleeps12.com