Brook House is an ideal base for walking, cycling and sightseeing.

 

You can explore the quiet lanes and footpaths around the village by foot or bike, and enjoy the peace of the countryside and stunning views of the Blackdown Hills. We have maps and local information booklets on various walking and cycling trails, and places of interest around the area. We are also within 40 minutes drive of the south coast of Devon, with its various beaches, cliff-top paths, and pretty fishing towns and villages.

 

For the more adventurous, the small leisure airfield at neighbouring Dunkeswell offers many options for airborne activities. Try a lesson in flying, micro lighting or parachuting, or perhaps see the area from a hot air balloon.

 

If you love visiting gardens, many local enthusiasts open their grounds for the National Garden Scheme. The National Trust properties at Knightshayes Court and Killerton, both set in extensive gardens, are a short drive away.

 

Nearby at Sheldon there are coarse and trout fishing lakes. Successful fishermen and women can even have their catch smoked to take home.

 

Five miles north of Hemyock is the town of Wellington, which has won the ‘South West in Bloom’ competition four times in the last six years. Here you can find a variety of shops, a period Art Deco cinema, swimming pool and a recently rejuvenated park.

 

Wellington Monument, built in honour of the Duke of Wellington, is a major landmark in the area. The monument, which is 175 ft. high, is on the highest point of the Blackdown Hills and was built on the Duke's own land. The views from the Monument can extend across the Vale of Taunton to the Bristol Channel and Exmoor, and are well worth seeing.

 

In the tranquil village of Uffculme is Coldharbour Mill, a 200-year-old spinning mill. The 1821 High Breast Shot water wheel has been recently restored, and is the largest in the South West. The rare 1910 Pollit & Wigzell 300hp steam engine and Galloway Boiler are run on special ‘Steam Days’.

 

 

Take a pleasant seven mile drive east to the town of Honiton, famous for its lace industry. Along with a vibrant choice of cafes, pubs and restaurants, there are many interesting antique and rare book shops, making it a perfect place to spend a leisurely afternoon. Throughout the year, the twice-weekly market sees the main street lined with stalls offering local produce. During August the very popular Honiton show takes place.

 

Taunton, a twenty-five minute trip from Hemyock, is the county town of Somerset and is the home of the Somerset County Cricket ground. Twenty miles south is Exeter, the historic county town of Devon. Both cities offer good shopping facilities, museums, art galleries, theatres, restaurants, bars, cinemas and numerous leisure activities.

 

Other local places to visit are:

 

· Tiverton Canal, where you can drift down the canal on a horse-drawn narrow boat, or hire a rowing boat.

· Off-road 4x4 driving at the Land Rover Experience centre at Awliscombe.

· Go-kart racing at Dunkeswell and quad biking at Cullompton

· Diggerland, where children and adults can muck around on diggers.

· Sheppy’s Cider Centre and Rural Life Museum, offering orchard trails, a shop, selling award winning ciders.