meadow snow surfing

 

Surf the slopes at Whitechapel this Christmas/ New Year.. Last winter we cut the fin of an old board – it was fast, even on the easy slope of the meadow behind Barton House!..

We had loads of snow last year and we we’re able to tow guests into Whitechapel from the main road with the old tractor and have mulled wine and log fires waiting for them! and within half and hour guests we’re out sledging in the sun!

We still have availability in Grooms and Cartwheel Cottage  for  Christmas and New Year breaks.

Prices includes free logs and kindling, you have control of the temperature controls, no electric meters! and off course there’s the hot tub and sauna.
Expect to find a Christmas hamper with mulled wine, mince pies and Devon clotted cream  waiting for you this year under the tree! (and the usual tea,coffee,milk and biscuits.. )

The cottages have had a face lift over the past two years. A new wood burner has just been fitted in Cartwheel Cottage, and both cottages have stylish supplementary heating installed and have been re-insulated  and new 32” LCD TV’s added. Oh don’t forget there’s WiFi now in our guest office.

Special offer
Short break 3 nights 470  to 570 per week inc……Special break Christmas and New Year £880.  BOOK BEFORE NOVEMBER 6th  get £100 off prices Special offer quote ‘mincepiesandfries2011′ when booking. STOP PRESS Barton House is now fully booked for both weeks..

 

bell tent camping amongst the apple blossom

 

Its been a great season this year, we have had two big events hiring the whole farm, a wedding and an international family gathering.  We have been able to provide camping too, to help out with the aid of two lovely canvas bell tents, which can sleep 2-6 people with their own cooking and toilet facilities

The games barn and health suite went down well with being able to provide a big communal party space and the new courtyard garden is a great place for a big BBQ and outdoor celebration.

Grooms Lodge Upgrade.

Last year the lovely old saddlery has had a new kitchen and bathroom with underfloor heating, new windows and hard wired fire alarms and literally stuffed the roof space with insulation.
This winter we have replaced internal doors with safe and sound and fire doors.  Also we have removed the electric coin  meter, so all heating and electric is included and extra heating installed  in the bedrooms so you can truly have a cosy winter break with heat when you want not when the night storage heating dictates!
In the Garden
We have just pushed the wheel barrel away from the garden, marking the completion of a few changes to the garden which includes BBQ area with seating and garden furniture.

Cartwheel Cottage Upgrade

Like wise we have removed the coin meter and installed funky new convectors in the bathroom and the twin room, totally refurbished the master four poster bedroom with atmospheric up lights, sound proofed and insulated the walls, floors and ceiling too and redecorated. Oh also we purchased new sofas..
In the Garden
There is also a new south facing garden with access to the new courtyard garden, which includes garden furniture and BBQ !

Its been an colourful Autumn this year, with a few crisp mornings of frost
I walked down to the lake this morning, paddle in hand dog at foot, The mist was  still hanging on woods and over the lake, Swans are still here.. ( may be they’ll stay for the winter this time)

I bought a new boat last week, a solo, light weight ‘Old Town Pack’, (not pictured here though), Its light as a feather and a delight to paddle. Hope to get on to The Barle this year and maybe the Dart too.

The new website is now launched just needs a few tweeks, any feed back is most welcome…
Come paddling

Chris B

the first snow

Finally summer is here, our new ‘sheep’ dog (very spoilt pet) is finding it hard to cool down this morning, having spent most of her life so far being wet or  jumping around in the snow..

Things are going well here at Whitechapel getting ready for the summer season, upgrading the cottages here and there, planting up the new courtyard garden (pictures and blogs to follow at some point).

This morning  the nesting goose has just hatched her eggs and the goslings are taking their first walk in the meadow.

Anyway this is the first proper blog, I thought I might post something before I get cleaning for the  morning changeover.

testing tweet feed chris has started the new whitechapel blog linking facebook and twitter