Deers Leap - Yurt in Somerset, United Kingdom
Deers Leap Yurt
- Yurt for 2 from £90 per night (read our low price promise)
- One double bed
Overview
The views from Deers Leap, over the trees and across rolling countryside and ancient woodland, are an ever-changing backdrop to a stay of beautiful peace and solitude. The mist rises in the morning as you wander across the grass to the shower with its gin bottle wall, the compost loo or the kitchen hut. You might see deer in the woods as you lie out on the deck for an afternoon nap and, as the sun sets, you can watch the stars come out as you sit round the firebowl or swing in the hammock. Nature follows you inside the yurt as well, where the hoots of owls and the night skies come drifting in through the stable door and the skylight. The wood-burner keeps the whole place cosy, so you can curl up in the big leather armchairs with a book, a glass of wine and a feeling of complete calm.
Owners Kate and Dave (along with their twins, friendly Springador Meg and pygmy goats) took over the house just visible at the bottom of the hill five years ago from Kate’s mother. They’ve taken every care to make your stay here relaxing and fun, from the creativity of the decor and the occasional snuffling visit from Meg, to the trails cut through the grass that lead you to the Quantock Hills without ever going near a road. Their on-site honesty shop can furnish you with a few essentials and treats and they can point you towards the local shops a couple of miles away or show you the great route to the lovely village pub, The Hood Arms, if you don’t feel like trying the firebowl cooking pot. They’ve also left bikes to borrow, books to read, board games to play and a few rope swings rigged up in the woods. There are hikes further afield and homely towns like harbourside Watchet or quirky Glastonbury to drop into, as well as the miles of trails that lead straight from the edge of the deck of this magically soothing space.
Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in: 4 pm
- Check out: 11 am
- Bring wellies or sensible footwear, walking boots, wet weather gear and torches
- The paths and steps around the yurt can be slippery and uneven, take your time. There are stinging nettles and biting insects, so wear the appropriate clothing. Ticks are sometime is the long grass, so the owners recommend sticking to the paths or wearing socks and long trousers
- A 5m bell tent can be hired to sleep an additional 4 guests priced at £50 for the tent per night. Two roll mats can be provided with additional guests needing to provide all their own bedding and towels. Please call 0117 204 7830 to enquire
- Initial supply of firewood provided with additional wood available at £5 per bundle
- Mobile phone signal. No WiFi
- Sleeping arrangements
- One double bed
Extra space available
Space for 1 child no charge. sleeping on a floor mat. Please bring all your own bedding
Cooking
- Double gas hob
- Fire pit with grill and tripod 15m away
- Cool box
- Fridge/freezer 150m away
Washing
- Compost toilet 20m away
- Solar and gas powered shower beyond the kitchen, 25m away
- Faith in Nature toiletries provided
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Wood-burner
- Bed linen and towels provided
- Solar powered fairy lights
- No plug sockets
Entertainment
- Backgammon set and Scrabble
- Binoculars
- Colouring and pencils
- Playing cards and plenty of books
- Radio
Getting there
Deers Leap Yurt, Willoughby Cleeve, Holford, Somerset, TA5 1SA
By car
Coming from Bridgwater on the A39
As you come to the village of Holford, past the 30 mile per hour signs, turn left just before The Plough Inn (first left as you some into the village). Follow this road until it splits in two by the thatched cottages, take the right hand fork signed Alfoxton. You will go around a tight right hand bend, as the road straightens out, you will see a track on the left. There is a car park here and a village green. Turn left onto the right hand track sign posted Hodder’s Combe (the green will be on your right, the car park on your far left) this is where the road gets rather bumpy (and muddy!) so please drive with care. Follow this track into the woods, you will go past a few houses on either side. After about 1/3 mile the track divides into two, keep right and follow the track down over a little bridge and up the hill (you will see ‘Deers Leap’ on the hill to your right hand side). Continue along the track until you see our house, drive around the big chestnut tree on the left just before our house and park in the allocated spot (signed) by the wheelbarrow in front of the greenhouse. Our house is called ‘Willoughby Cleeve’ and hopefully we will have arranged for key collection or to meet to take you up to the yurt and show you around.
Parking is at the bottom of the hill, near the main house. The yurt is a 5 minute walk along the track and up a few steps to the grass path which leads through the field to the yurt.
By public transport
The nearest train stations are in Bridgwater (10 miles) and Taunton (13 miles). The closest bus stop is within walking distance, 1 mile away, on the main road A39. The owners can arrange collecting guests from the bus stop.
Food & Drink
At Deers Leap Yurt
Tea, milk, and a cream tea of scones, clotted cream and jam provided.
Honesty shop where guests can buy charcoal, firelighters, cider, organic apple juice, free range eggs, ice-cream, chocolate, crisps and any spare veg from the veg patch.
Local shops
The nearest shops are at Kilve (2 miles) and Nether Stowey (3 miles), both walkable but not really with groceries. Bridgwater has a full range of Supermarkets as does Minehead.
Places to eat
The Hood Arms (2 miles) - Lovely village pub, friendly landlord, serving great food, easy and great walk from the yurt.
The Bicknollar Inn (3 miles on foot or 6 by car) - Great pub, nice food, fantastic walk over the hills from the yurt.
The Carew Arms (3.5 miles on foot or 5 by car) - Another lovely old village pub that serves delicious food. Walking distance from the yurt over the Quantock Hills.
The Rising Sun (4 mile walk over the hills or 7 mile drive) - Fantastic walk over the hills from the yurt and serving great pub food.
Activities
At Deers Leap Yurt
There are glorious walks straight onto the Quantock Hills without needing to go near a road. The owner have two bicycles that guests are welcome to use. There is also an old tennis court, with balls and rackets.
There are two hammocks and several rope swings hanging from the ancient oak trees in the field, there are also a couple of golf greens in the field below should you wish to hit a few balls.
Places to visit
Places of interest nearby include Dunster Castle (National Trust), the Somerset Levels, Glastonbury Tor, Wells Cathedral, Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole, Taunton and the wonderful West Somerset Steam Train, also Cleeve Abbey, The Walled Gardens of Cannington and Hestercombe Gardens are all within easy reach.
The village of Nether Stowey has several shops, pubs, a butchers and cafe. Spend an hour or so at Coleridge Cottage, a National Trust house. The famous Coleridge way walk starts in Nether Stowey and runs through Holford, (practically past the yurt) onto West Somerset.
Holford is a beautiful village with a bustling village pub serving plenty of good grub and real ales. The Village of Kilve has a little shop and tea rooms and a great pub for food, and the geological beach there is fantastic for fossil hunting.
You can let the train take the strain if you prefer and climb aboard the West Somerset Stream Train, the longest standard gauge heritage railway in the country, go pony trekking in the hills or ride a donkey on the beach at Burnham-on-Sea or Weston-Super-Mare.
Wells Cathederal has a Wednesday market, and there are lots of great local village pubs and tea rooms to explore.
Glastonbury is a quirky little town and the Tor is a nice walk with great views from the top.
Minehead has a Friday market and some nice shops
Taunton Museum
Outdoor & Active
Walking and mountain biking in every direction from your door
Golfing at Cannington and Enmore
Horse riding / trekking at Crowcombe
Meet your hosts
Meet Kate & Dave
Kate and Dave have lived at Willoughby Cleeve as a family with their 10 year old twins, Billy and Grace, for the past 5 years, taking the property over from Kate’s parents who lived here for 40 years before that. Kate is a forest school leader and Dave is a plasterer, and they also run a holiday cottage ‘the Round House’ on their 17 acres of land.
Kate and Dave live on site at the main house called Willoughby Cleeve, near where guests park. They like to give guest the space they need to unwind and enjoy their holiday, however should they need any help or advice are always around. They have a rather friendly Springador dog called Meg, who may come and visit, a cat, 2 Pygmy Goats and lots of chickens.
Wildlife & Environment
The Quantocks is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and are Somerset’s unspoiled wilderness. Panoramic views lead you through coast, heath and Combe. Explore and you will find rocky Jurassic coastline, exposed heathland summits, deep wooded Combes, undulating farmland and attractive villages all within this protected landscape. Here, the open land is criss-crossed with footpaths and bridleways, including the nationally important Coleridge Way, where you can follow in the footsteps of the romantic poet or link to the South West Coast Path, great for exploring on foot.
Reached via an unmade track, this is a rural idyll and makes a perfect holiday hideaway for couples. Superb for mountain biking, walking, bird watching and horse riding, or just kicking back and relaxing, it really is a little slice of heaven.
There is a wonderful selection of British wildlife right on the doorstep and staying at Deers Leap Yurt you are in the perfect place to see it all. You are almost certain to see deer whilst staying here, either in the field or whilst walking in the woods. Don’t be alarmed if you hear the stag, he has a rather loud bark! Badgers are also about, you don’t often see them but they love digging up the field. There are sets behind the yurt and across the track opposite the Round House. There are also Quantock ponies and cattle roaming free on the hills, the foals are adorable.
Buzzards nest in the woods behind the yurt and you often hear and see them soaring overhead, you will see bats and swallows swooping around at dawn and dusk. Foxes are shy but ever present (as you will gather from the elaborate defenses around our chicken run!) Listen out for the cuckoo calling and if you are very lucky you might glimpse a kingfisher down by the stream. There are owls nesting in the woods behind the yurt so you may be fortunate enough to see them during your stay.
Where possible Kate and Dave have lovingly built structures from reclaimed wood and materials, Kate's favorite being the gin bottle wall in the shower! They are as environmentally friendly as possible and provide guests with eco friendly products (Faith in Nature shampoo, conditioner, hand wash and washing up liquid) and have a composting toilet.
Our guests say...
Amazing in every way. The location, the hosts, the facilities were all perfect we had an amazing weekend :) the yurt was completely on its own and private, there was walks everywhere, the yurt its self was homely and pretty and very comfy. The shower was made into a tree and felt incredible! We saw lots of deer too and the views were stunning. Perfect hideaway from the world :)
28/09/2018Jenny
A 5* yurt, that felt completely away from it all with the most beautiful surroundings. Our stay was just bliss. From the deer that visited morning and night to the every last detail, carefully thought out to make your stay a wonderful, comfortable, cosy haven. The location was perfect for walking and we wanted for nothing. Idyllic...
24/09/2018Claire
Wonderful stay in a beautiful location. The Yurt is well sited and constructed containing everything you will need for a relaxing break.
19/08/2018Colin
We had a great time! Kate and Dave were so welcoming and the yurt was even better than we thought it would be! Great attention to detail in the yurt and all the other facilities. Wish we could have stayed longer.
06/08/2018Jonathan
We had such a lovely stay in the yurt thanks to Kate and her family. The views are outstanding and it's such a peaceful site. Being able to relax in the hammock in the evening sun whilst spotting the deer in the woods was perfect. After filling up on the feast cooked on the fire pit that evening , being able to lie back in the cosy yurt looking up at the stars and listening to the owls topped off a idyllic break away.
12/06/2018Rhiannon, Canopy & Stars
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Booking Terms
Canopy & Stars low price promise
Book with us in confidence knowing you won’t find that place cheaper elsewhere. All of the prices we display are set and matched by our Owners. (In this world of foreign currency, we do have to say 'subject to exchange rates' for some of our European places.)
What does ‘from price’ mean?
Our ‘from price’ is based on a four night stay in low season and designed to help you to compare different prices across our collection. Some of our Owners vary their nightly rates and check in days throughout the year, so it may differ from the rate quoted below the calendar. It is quite common (although by no means universal) for places to charge a little more in peak season or for shorter stays, to cover changeover costs. Consider booking longer stays during the cooler months if you’re looking for the lowest nightly rates.
Agency Terms & Conditions
Except where otherwise specified, we Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd Company No 09088366 of Merchants House, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RW act only as an Agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. Sawday’s Canopy & Stars is part of the Alastair Sawday’s Group of Companies. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into or for any services or arrangements you purchase (“Booking(s)”) or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking. For all Bookings, your contract will be with the supplier of the Booking in question, and in most cases this will be the owner of the property you’ll be staying at (“Owner(s)”). When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner of the Booking. Your Booking with us is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any specific booking conditions of the relevant Owner(s) you contract with. The Owner’s booking conditions may limit and/or exclude the Owner’s liability to you.
You may decide to make more than one Booking with us at the same time. The price charged in total for more than one Booking will always equal the prices charged separately for each individual Booking. All Bookings are available to be purchased separately at the same price as they are when more than one Booking is made. This means that any multiple Bookings do not constitute a package as defined in the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
By making a booking, you agree that:-
- you have read these Agency Terms & Conditions and agree to be bound by them;
- you consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
and
- you are over 18 years of age and where there may be age restrictions in place, you declare that you and all members of your party are of the appropriate age.
The Canopy & Stars online booking system enables Guests to make Bookings 24 hours a day. A Booking is confirmed on receipt of a 25% non-refundable deposit for all Bookings with check in dates of more than 10 weeks away. For all Bookings that have a check in date of less than 10 weeks before check in, payment for the Booking will be required in full and the entire Booking will be non-refundable. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. When using the online enquiry form, for those Properties without online booking, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the Booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm). Online or email enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment. Therefore, if possible, we do recommend that you book on the Canopy & Stars website using the online booking system.
1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a non-refundable deposit as required by the Owner of the Booking in question (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in).
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This booking confirmation will normally be sent out within 24 hours in the case of email and seven working days in the case of post, and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your booking confirmation within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Where a deposit has been paid, full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in date and a reminder will be sent to you two weeks prior to this date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your reponsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If we have been unable to take payment after two weeks of the balance due date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who may cancel your Booking.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Alastair Sawday’s Publishing Co. Ltd who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation and Amendment by You
2.1 Any cancellation or amendment request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within one working day of receipt. You are also advised to confirm all changes to our Customer Services Department by calling 0117 204 7830. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Amendments and cancellations can only be accepted in accordance with the booking conditions of the Owner of your Arrangements. The Owner may charge the cancellation or amendment charges shown in their booking conditions (which may be as much as 100% of the cost of the Arrangements and will normally increase closer to the date of departure). The Owner may charge cancellation or amendment charges in accordance with its own booking conditions, however for the sake of convenience only, we have outlined the Owner’s charges at clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that these are the Owner’s own cancellation and amendments charges, not Canopy & Stars’, and therefore the Owner may vary their charges as they wish, without notice to us. The correct charges will be notified to you at the time of your cancellation or amendments.
2.3 Owner’s General Cancellation Charges:
2.3.1 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your deposit being forfeited, as all deposits are non-refundable.
2.3.2 All monies paid for a holiday (deposit and balance) are non-refundable within 10 weeks before check in date.
2.3.3 Cancellation of any holiday after it has been paid in full and at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, will result in forfeiture of your deposit (or an amount equivalent where one was not paid as the holiday was paid in full) and the balance being returned to you.
2.3.4 Cancellation insurance is available but will be a third party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way.
2.4 Owner’s General Amendment Charges:
2.4.1 Alterations to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time alterations will be treated as cancellation. All alterations are subject to availability and may incur a £30 adminstration fee.
2.4.2 Differences in the total amount payable resulting from alterations will be refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price and paid by you in the case of increases in price.
Special note: Generally Owners will charge the above cancellation and amendment charges, however we must stress that these are a guide only and charges may differ from those shown here depending on the Owner. The exact charges will be notified to you by the Owner at the time of cancellation and/or can be found in the Owner’s own booking conditions which are available from the Owner on request.
3. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Arrangements or to cancel them. We will also liaise between you and the Owner in relation to any alternative Booking offered by the Owner but we will have no further liability to you.
4. Complaints
Because the contract for your Booking is between you and the Owner, any queries or concerns should be addressed to them. In the event that you have any complaint about your stay, please notify the Owner as soon as possible. If you don’t follow this procedure there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and so make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that amount of compensation you may be entitled to may be reduced. Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also contact us as we appreciate all feedback. It’s important to us and the Owner to know that you’ve enjoyed your stay or if anything could have been improved.
5. Pricing
Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices.Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
6. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you;
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured ad so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded;
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
7. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
8. Pets
Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply.
9. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price.
10. Visa, passport and health requirements.
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the Arrangements you chose to purchase. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday.
11. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance you purchase is adequate and appropriate for your particular needs. Please read your policy details and take them with you on holiday.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of booking is permitted.
14. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
15. Your Responsibilities
Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their property. You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners will also require damage deposits. You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Any refund for so doing will be at the entire discretion of the Owner. In addition, the Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
17. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
18. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
Amazing in every way. The location, the hosts, the facilities were all perfect we had an amazing weekend :) the yurt was completely on its own and private, there was walks everywhere, the yurt its self was homely and pretty and very comfy. The shower was made into a tree and felt incredible! We saw lots of deer too and the views were stunning. Perfect hideaway from the world :)
28/09/2018