Catering
As a mum of four small children, I realise that a self-catering holiday can sometimes be a busy time in the kitchen for the cooks in the family! Here at the Tree House, we have linked up with several lovely ladies to give plenty of options to make life a bit easier in the kitchen! After all, a holiday has to be a holiday for everyone!
Select Catering
We have teamed up with Gayla at Select Catering and are pleased to be able to offer a fabulous menu of both ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook delicious meals. Gayla is an experienced caterer and uses local, seasonal produce in her meals, wherever possible. Select catering will also, if you require, provide a fully catered service, where Gayla will cook and serve the meals in the Treehouse'
On receipt of the balance for your holiday, we send a copy of the Select Catering Menu, for you to be able to browse. If you require anything from the menu, simply pop a cheque in the post and the meals will be in the fridge on your arrival at the Tree House.
A sample of the menu... click here
Where to Buy Local Food
‘Food miles matter, because local food is miles better’.
The amount and quality of local farm shops and opportunities for buying local food is staggering! It really is possible to not enter a supermarket on a visit to West Hayes and still have some pennies left! In Somerset you can buy loads of great local food at really competitive prices!!
From The Producer! Source and Somerset Local Food Direct. Source is a wonderful, innovative co-operative of Exmoor and Quantock producers. It has been created to inform you about and to deliver quality local produce. Source has joined forces with Somerset Local Food Direct to enable you to order our great local food and have it delivered to the barn for your holiday, just like Tesco, only local !!!
On confirmation of a booking we send a leaflet about the service.
Taunton Farmers Market
Taunton has a wonderful, weekly farmers market. It is held in the High Street area of town, from 9.30 until 3.30 every Thursday. It is a large farmers market and many local producers regularly sell there.
Some highlights are Wallace’s venison, Tower Farms cheese, Common Loaf spelt bakery and a great organic fruit and veg stall. www.tauntontowncentre.co.uk
Wallace's of Hemyock
At the top of the Blackdown Hills, approximately a 30 minute drive from West Hayes Barn is Wallace's - an award winning farm shop and café/restaurant. In the shop you can browse a stunning selection of local produce, both day to day goods and luxury items. In the paddocks you can see the deer, bison and highland cattle that supply the meat for the shop.
We are hoping in 2008 to offer a fridge filling service with Wallaces - delivered and unpacked prior to your arrival at the barn! www.welcometowallaces.co.uk
The Fruit and Flower Basket
Barely 1.5 miles from the barn, close to the steam railway station, is this fantastic farm shop. Here you can buy local fruit, veg, deli and frozen items. They cook a lot of the produce on-site in their kitchens. Their homemade quiche is delicious!
www.thefruitandflowerbasket.com
Tower Farms
Visit the farm shop at Tower Farms Cheese producers and you can see and taste a wonderful selection of cheddars. The farm shop also sells the yummy Styles ice creams, recommended on any afternoon!
www.farmhousecheesemakers.com
Where to Eat
You do not have to travel very far from the barn to enjoy some fab food! There are many pubs, restaurants and take-aways, enabling you to eat wherever and whatever you wish.
Pubs
Here are selections of pubs which are recommended at the moment. Obviously owners and managers change from time to time, so feel free to ask us nearer to your holiday for recommendations.
The New Inn - Halse 4 mins walk
Our local in the village of Halse is a fabulous pub. With a contemporary, relaxing, convivial bar and a stylish restaurant. There is a small patio area and dogs/children are welcome. The New Inn is a great venue for a few drinks, a wonderful dinner or a relaxing Sunday lunchtime drink with the children! - www.newinnhalse.co.uk
The Fitzhead - Fitzhead 1mile / 20mins easy lane walk
Fitzhead is one of our neighbouring villages, another stunning conservation village with a great family pub.The Fitzhead serves good pub food at sensible prices and has a nice, large patio. www.fitzheadinn.co.uk
The Globe - Milverton 2 miles/ 1 hour hilly walk
The Globe is a great eating pub! It is the buzz pub of the moment! Serving great food in a calm bar and restaurant. It has more of a wine bar feel than other locals.
www.theglobemilverton.co.uk
Carew Arms - Crowcombe - approx 15 min drive
Crowcombe is another stunning conservation village, nestling at the bottom of the Quantocks. This thriving, large village pub has a lovely, child friendly garden with stunning views and a spacious skittle alley with a pool table. Both the bar and restaurant food is delicious.
www.thecarewarms.co.uk
Blueball Inn - Triscombe - approx 10 mins drive
Shortly before Crowcombe is another great pub at the foot of the Quantocks. The Blueball is a renowned award winning pub, serving delightful meals. The location is stunning!
www.blueballinn.co.uk
Rising Sun - West Bagborough - approx 10 mins drive
The Rising Sun is another super pub, in the foothills of the Quantocks. It has a lovely menu, no garden but delightful benches at the front of the pub on the lane.
www.theriser.co.uk
The Farmers Arms - Combe Florey - approx 5/10 mins drive
The Farmers Arms is in a great position, within sight of the West Somerset Steam Railway, perfect for trainspotters, young and old!!! It is a thatched pub, very family friendly, serving good pub food in a great spot.
www.farmersarmsatcombeflorey.co.uk
Restaurants
Taunton itself has lots of restaurants of all styles, nationalities and to suit all budgets. There are also a number of notable country house style restaurants in more rural locations. I have details of lots more in the barn or ask if you have any special requests. There are also a couple of great web guides to local restaurants:
www.thisissomerset.co.uk
www.sugarvine.co.uk
The Castle - Taunton 6 miles
This renowned restaurant and hotel is situated in a stunning building, indeed the old castle, in the heart of the town. The menu is fantastic, using local produce prepared by some great chefs. It is fairly formal, so don your best togs and book well in advance!
www.the-castle-hotel.com
The Sanctuary - Taunton 6 miles
This stylish wine bar style restaurant offers a great lunch and evening menu. The restaurant is in the heart of town, in a charming period building on a side street. The restaurant is both quirky and comfy, combining the best of both styles. The food is delicious, with scrummy puds!
www.sanctuarywinebar.co.uk
Podshavers - Nr Bishops Lydeard approx 3 miles
This is our fav restaurant! Situated in a simple barn, Podshavers (a cricket bat making term!) is a delight. Popular, you need to book well in advance, I believe is it one of the area's best kept secrets! It serves exquisite food in contemporary surroundings. The fish is fab!!
No website. Tel. 01823 433556
Clavelshay Barn - North Petherton approx 30 mins
This restaurant is in the stunning Quantock Hills. It is a great venue, either for a Sunday lunch or a dinner. Serving home grown meat and veg!
www.clavelshaybarn.co.uk
