Coles Lane
South Petherton
Somerset
TA13 5AF
A Victorian/Georgian farmhouse that has housed Shooters for 34 years. It is haunted by the ghosts of at least ten guinea pigs, 8 rabbits, ducks, and chickens.
It could have been the site of King Arthur's burial, the UK's Roswell, and a resting place of the holy grail, but we don't know.
The village of South Petherton, as you are doubtless aware, boasts the tallest irregular octagonal church tower in the UK.
Just off the A303, about an hour and half from Hook, two and a half hours from London.
Enjoy views of Stonehenge on the way down - probably for longer than expected as you crawl past in slow traffic.
There won't be any parking available at the venue, but parking is unrestricted in the village. You should find a space on Coles Lane, South Street or Hayes End. You're also welcome to drive up to the house to drop off camping stuff or whatever else before you park.
Nearest stations are...
Yeovil Junction (from Waterloo; about ~20 minute taxi or there is a bus service to South Petherton)
Castle Cary (from Paddington; about ~40 minute taxi).
Berry's Coach from London (Victoria Coach Station)... stops within a few hundred metres of the Coles Lane and is cheap, but takes a while and we've heard you get what you pay for!
Cycle? Walk? Ride your horse? Skate? Definitely a shout out in one of the speeches on offer for the most ridiculous mode of transport used!
There is a field at Coles Farm that will be dedicated to camping for the wedding - we hope to be able to fit in everyone who wants to be able to stumble only a few metres back to bed!
Just let us know in the RSVP form. Unfortunately, we can't offer space for campervans.
It would be worth bringing a head-torch or lantern.
There will be access to toilets through the night.
Sorry, but no shower facilities (if Matthew Shooter encourages you to go in 'the pool', say NO).
You are welcome to arrive in the morning on the Saturday to set up your tent etc.
If this is your plan, we would advise you book as soon as possible as there are not loads of options - the list below is not exhaustive, but gives you some ideas.
Local campsites (e.g. for campervans or just peace and quiet overnight)
West Down Orchard 22 min walk
Yeabridge Farm Hideaway Lovely looking glampsite, min 2 nights (20 min walk)
Southfork caravan and campsite Walkable may be a stretch for this - 1.7 miles with a chunk along a country lane with no footpath
*NEW* just opened glamping site Glamp Carp (run by the people hiring us a marquee - we have extra photos and info available if useful)
BnBs etc
Holm Seven rooms, expensive, but a nice place with great food (10 min walk)
The Brewers Arms Three rooms (10 min walk)
Maybe try a site like Vrbo to avoid using that better known site that seems to now have some links to emusk.
Please let us know if you decide on one of these options - we will look into coordinating a limited taxi service at the end of the evening to get people back to a couple of drop-off points.
Crewkerne (approx. 13 mins)
Smaller, nice town with a boardgame shop. Example option below.
Yeovil (approx. 17 mins)
Larger town, so should be more options available - some examples below. Train line from here directly back to London/Basingstoke/Reading.
Other
Lanes Hotel (15 mins, outside Yeovil)
Travelodge Podimore (12 mins, on the A303 back towards London)
Travelodge Ilminster (10 mins)
The Barrington Boar, Ilminster (11 mins)
White Hart Hotel, Martock (8 mins)
Hollies Hotel, Bower Hinton (5 mins)
Cricket pavilion, Comptom Durville (private hire, contact us for details - two night min)
As suggested above, maybe try a site like Vrbo rather than emusk friendly aribnb.
Just in case any of you are staying slightly longer, here are a few ideas of things to do and places to go in the area.
Recommended walks: Wayford Woods, Lewisden Hill, Ham Hill
Hire a paddleboard or kayak, or go for a walk or swim along the river parret (12 min drive - msg for more info in parking etc)
Visit Glastonury for new age shops, druid stuff, and great views from the Tor, ruined by an earthquake in the 1275CE
Buy famous cider from surly farmers at Burrow Hill cider mill
Visit the Jurassic coast where you can hire hammers on the beach, and might just find a piece of icthyosaur jaw lying in the mud (45 min drive)
Various National Trust properties
If you wonder into the village your food options are:
Holm (tasty and fancy boutique restaurant)
A nice cafe (which is never open)
Kebab shop
The Trading Post is a lovely (£££) farm shop, and has a cafe:
Surrounding villages also have pubs