Holidays in the winter - crazy or not a bad idea after all?

Welcome to our first blog. It’s a bright and crisp morning; walking down the quiet lanes and returning home to the smell of just baked bread and roasted coffee has prompted me to answer one of the most frequent questions that we get asked.

Do guests holiday in the winter? For me this is the perfect time to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. It might not be suitable for everyone, but you’ll be surprised at what you can see and do during the winter months here.

One of the best sights of the winter, I think, is the deer. They’re so gracious and are often seen on the top fields overlooking the guest house. During the early mornings it’s not uncommon to see them heading across the bridge and along the country lanes, taking shortcuts from one field to the next to graze and take refuge in the woods.

Johnny Kingdom, the BBC wildlife presenter, is a familiar face in the local pannier market and has recently broadcast “A year on Exmoor” and “Year with the Birds”. He certainly knows the best places to visit on Exmoor if you’re interested in any type of wildlife.

Another bonus is the traffic - well, lack of it! If you like the open roads and the feeling that virtually nobody exits but you, then this is definitely the right time of year to visit.

I love visiting RHS Rosemoor around this time of the year. Apart from the amazing gardens and 65 acres of woodland, they also hold many special events throughout the year and if you’re planning to liven up your veggie plot or need some vital tips on rose pruning, then these special events are waiting for you throughout the winter months. I’ll be there at the front of the queue with pen and pad in hand! Our vegetable plot was good last year, you can really taste the difference from shop bought produce and we hope to continue using our own fruit and veg in our menus in the coming months. Oh, you can visit Rosemoor for free on 4th March 2011 with the early spring plants in bloom it will look fantastic.

After a day out, probably one of the best things to come back to is the burning log fire warming the large guest lounge, often missed out on summer visits. You can literally smell the burning embers coming from the chimney which greet you as you drive up the winding lane to the house. Maybe its the combination of the cold outside and the knowledge of returning to a glowing fire that gives you that satisfactory feeling of home.

Those of you who enjoy the odd bit of star gazing may be lucky enough to see meteor showers in the clear winter night skies which are surprisingly frequent, due to little pollution and no obscurities from a city skyline.

Lastly it would be sacrilege not to mention the food we have on offer.
I love using quality, local produce, available in abundance no matter what season. Bringing them together and creating wholesome food that fills the soul is so satisfying, especially when guests demand the recipes before leaving. Winter gives me the opportunity to offer dishes that you don’t generally get to see during the summer months.

Autumn and winter offers so much and hopefully reading this blog has answered the question. We are open all year round and many people who enjoy the above have found Sampson Barton the ideal place to relax and unwind.

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