Higher Riscombe Farm

This is what it looked like here this morning.  Now it's finally stopped snowing!

Firstly, I would like to welcome you to our blog.  I hope you enjoy the small renditions of what is happening up here on Exmoor.  I'll keep you posted about sporting events, activities and things to do on Exmoor as well as what is happening on the farm and with the Bed and Breakfast.

I look forward to offering you all a warm welcome now that we are open, so feel free to pop in and stay a night or two and enjoy some of what glorious Exmoor has to offer.

This week a new cycle route was launched on Exmoor, following the route of the Tour of Britian in 2007.

The 60 mile circular route encompasses the best that Exmoor has to offer, crossing the border into Devon and back into Somerset. 

The route can be done in one day for the more experienced rider or can be divided up into sections for the touring rider or family who want to experience more of what Exmoor has to offer, visiting sites of interest and staying in one of the many Bed and Breakfasts on route.  Higher Riscombe bed and breakfast is situated right on the route and we have excellent facalities for cyclists.

The route heads from Minehead towards Porlock and then onto Lynmouth, up through Watersmeet and on to Brendon Common.  The riders will then drop into the village of Simonsbath, Exford and Wheddon Cross, before climbing up to Ralegh's Cross for the long descent down Elworthy Burrows, the route will the take a path back to Minehead through Washford and along the A39.  Full details of the route and a downloadable map to your GPS can be found online at www.activeexmoor.com. 

I've become a friend of Local Food Advisor, we use nothing but local produce in our delicious breakfasts at Higher Riscombe.

This valley explodes with snowdrops and mystical feeling each spring. You can walk to Snowdrop valley from Wheddon Cross. You will pass by St Johns Church in the quiet little village of Cutcombe. Though it is easiest to access via the Snowdrop valley park and ride scheme.

This lovely little village as the name would suggest has been formed on a crossroads. Minehead to the south, Dulverton to the south, Taunton to the east and North Devon to the west. It is actually the highest village on Exmoor and an ideal centre for exploring hills and valleys. 

Buses will run from the Rest and Be Thankful car park every half an hour from 10:30am to 4pm with the last bus back from the valley at 4:50pm. For the comfort of all passengers only guide dogs and hearing dogs may travel on the buses.

The walking route into the valley will be waymarked with snowdrop symbols and visitors should wear appropriate clothing and footwear for winter walking.

Somerset County Council has announced a host of events and activities in Exford on 9 September to celebrate a spectacular day of excitement and entertainment when the world’s best cyclists, including British Olympic Gold medal winners, race through as part of the Tour of Britain.

In Exford, the entertainment will start in the morning when local people and businesses take part in a fancy dress cycle ride.  Lots of activities will take place on the village green, including a falconry display, live music, Exmoor ponies, a barbecue, skittles, bale throwing, an egg and spoon race, a photography competition and a display of international flags that will represent the 16 teams taking part in the race.  Exford School will also be getting involved and there will be two craft marquees with many more activites and things to see.

Exford is an ideal place to watch the cyclists mid-race, as they arrive from the direction of Withypool at around 12.45pm and head towards Wheddon Cross.

Further details about the events or more information about the race, including road closures, can be found by visiting www.bikesomerset.co.uk or www.activeexmoor.co.uk.

Exmoor's Golden Horseshoe endurance ride, which kicks off this weekend, is considered to be one of the toughest tests of horse and rider in Europe. It's just you and your horse over 100 miles of some of the most challenging terrain in Great Britain. All against the clock and your fellow competitors. Endurance riding (timed riding over long distances) is one of the fastest growing sports in Britain and, if you want to find out what all the fuss is about, you simply must trot down to Exmoor this weekend. Here at Higher Riscombe we are providing the 1/2 way stop for riders.   We are also already taking bookings for next years event so please feel free to drop in. 

Just a note to wish everyone a Happy New year!

It is a beautiful cold and frosty morning here on Exmoor and the sun is shining, what better time to visit!

I look forward to seeing you all return in the new year.

30th April - 8th May 2009

There are over 60 guided walks on offer throughout North Devon and Exmoor.

It is the 9th Festival attracting 100's of like-minded people.

Many of the walks are booking up fast so do't delay. 

www.walkingnorthdevon.co.uk

Many great novelists have based their romantic storylines in the West Country and Exmoor in particular is famous for being a favourite place of several romantic writers and poets. Coleridge, Wordsworth, Southey and Shelley were all inspired by the beauty and drama of Exmoor’s landscapes.

Exmoor was the setting for R D Blackmore’s novel Lorna Doone, an illustrious historical romance set in the backdrop of the Monmouth Rebellion in the 17th century during the reign of Charles II. The Doone Valley is a favourite local walk for those wishing to escape to the peace and tranquillity of an unspoilt and romantic setting.

1,000 cyclists are expected to meet on Exmoor on the 2nd of November as The Exmoor Beast rears its majestic head once again, in the last and most challenging cycling event of the season.

This is the second year that this super tough challenge has taken place on Exmoor, where keen cyclists can choose between two gruelling routes of either 100 kilometres or 100 miles.

There is still time to enter, for further details or to view the route map of the Exmoor Beast, contact Marcus Di Vincenzo on 01395 224 586 or visit www.exmoorbeast.org or www.activeexmoor.co.uk

The Exmoor Sale – Join in and get your Groats in April!

To promote Exmoor this April and help beat the credit crunch we have introduced our own currency, the Exmoor Groat.  Groats are free and available both online as well as in printed form to hand out wherever possible.

At Higher Riscombe Farm we are offering 20% of all accommodation for April.  Please email your enquiry to rachel@higherriscombe.co.uk with the word Groat in the subject line.

Terms and Conditions

1.    One Exmoor Groat per room per night.
2.    Groats may not be used in conjunction with any other offer.
3.    Download your Groat at http://www.exmoor.com/groats.htm or click here.
4.    Groats must be disclosed at time of booking.  
5.    Offer valid from the 1st – 30th April inclusive.

There are a variety of offers on activities, food & drink and attractions so make the trip to Exmoor this April.