Emergency
Police, Ambulance, Fire: 999
Grid Reference: SS 834 299
Address:
Westermill Farm, Exford, Minehead, TA24 7NJ
Urgent
Taunton Hospital (A&E, Musgrove): 01823 333 444
- For directions, please click HERE.
Minehead Hospital (Day time only): 01643 701 701
- For directions, please click HERE.
Dulverton Doctor’s Surgery (Exmoor Medical Centre): 01398 323 333
- For directions, please click HERE.
Dulverton Veterinary Practice: 01398 323 285
- For directions, please click HERE.
Otherwise...
IF you need assistance, please just come down to the farmhouse and ring the bell.
Or... phone the farm house:
- Westermill Farm landline: 01643 831 238
Or... phone or text Oliver:
- Oliver's mobile: 07970 594 808
Whichever is easiest for you...
A. Drop by Reception... but we may not always be there
B. Phone or Text us at:
- Jill's phone: 07376 583 034
- Oliver's phone: 07970 594 808
C. Email us at: cottages@westermill.com
There are 5 cottages for rent.
Cottage arrival should be from 3 PM onward.
10 AM ... ideally for Westermill, but... later departures may be arranged by prior agreement.
There are wood burners in each cottage.
There should be a complimentary basket of fire wood in the cottage upon your arrival.
IF you require additional firewood it is for sale from Westermill Farm at £5 a bag — please inquire.
Always — exercise due caution around open flame.
IF you are not familiar with enclosed wood burning fireplaces ... we will be happy to show you how to start a fire with one match. [Hint: we use lots of kindling and Firestarters.]
Approved Fuels
- A bag / basket of logs and kindling (fire starters, paper and wood slivers) should be in the Cottage upon your arrival … if not please advise Jill or Oliver.
- Additionally, Westermill provides – at an advantageously competitive rate – kiln dried firewood and kindling for use in the Cottage Wood Burners, please talk to Jill or Oliver for resupply.
Wood: - While you are welcome to provide your own fuel please adhere to the following:
- Use seasoned hardwood logs (oak, ash, beech) with a moisture content of 20% or less.
- Avoid softwoods, damp wood, or freshly cut (green) wood as they produce excessive smoke and creosote.
Restricted Fuels
- Never burn treated wood, painted wood, plastic, or household rubbish.
Prepare the Firebox
- Westermill will clean the ash from the wood burner before your arrival.
- Future fires during your stay should only require ‘brushing’ any accumulated ash through the grate into the ash trap below the grate.
- Westermill will empty the ash trap after your departure.
- IF you are at all concerned about ash accumulation please contact Jill or Oliver.
Build the Fire
- Place 2–3 firelighters and / or crumpled newspaper on the grate.
- Add small pieces of dry kindling on top, creating a teepee or grid shape.
- Add a couple of small, dry logs on top of the kindling.
Light the Fire
- Open air vents fully for good airflow.
- Light the firelighters or paper.
- Close the door gently but leave a small gap to enhance airflow until the fire is established.
Maintain the Fire
- Once burning well, add larger logs and reduce airflow by adjusting the air vents to maintain a steady burn.
- Avoid overloading the stove with too many logs at once.
Regular Maintenance: Daily Use
- Future fires during your stay should only require ‘brushing’ any accumulated ash through the grate into the ash trap below the grate.
- Westermill will thoroughly clean the wood burner, grate and ash trap after your departure and before the arrival of the next visitor.
Fire Safety
- Keep flammable materials at least 1 meter away from the stove.
- Use a fireguard if children or pets are present.
Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms
- Westermill Farm Holidays has installed both Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms in all cabins with a wood burner.
- Both types of alarms are monitored according to national standards [see xxx link] nonetheless should you have any concerns whatsoever please contact Jill or Oliver.
Extinguishing the Fire in the Wood Burner
- Allow the fire to burn out naturally.
- Do not use water to extinguish the fire.
Emergency Steps
- In case of excessive smoke or a chimney fire, close the air vents, evacuate the cottage and...
- Come to the farmhouse immediately...
- IF there is nobody at the Farmhouse... immediately contact Jill 123456789 or Oliver 123456789.
- IF You are unable to cantact Jill or Oliver — Call 999
You are welcome to bring your own…
- Sheets
- Duvet covers
- Pillow slips
Westermill Farm Cottages can supply the linen listed above for £10 per bed.
All the cottage beds are single — except for — Molinia which has one double bed.
An oven glove and bath mat will be provided.
Please bring your own…
- Towels and tea towels, etc.
I cannot reach the internet!
–> Please come by Reception and let us know.
IF you are bigger than the geese ... hold your arms outstretched away from your body and simply walk towards them.
They will back away.
IF you are about the same size as the geese ... say "Go away geese!" in your loudest voice.
AND ... hold out your arms as wide as you can.
They may not back away but you should feel better.
AND ... the geese will know that you mean business!
Because they have to be somewhere.
Hooting... likely owls.
Bellowing... likely cows, may be Stags in rut.
Roaring... possibly Exmoor Beast?
Only if you are staying in New Holly, in which case you may park right beside.
For other cottage visitors... you may "temporarily" park in the Gorse Cottage "lay by" to unload but then should repair your vehicle to the cottage parking area — see Cottage Diagram
Firstly, please have a look at either or both of these authoritative resources:
Visitor Exmoor the "official tourism site to Exmoor"
Exmoor National Park the other "official tourism site to Exmoor", see especially...
- Exmoor Explorers for 10 recommended walks
- Dark Sky Discovery Trail
Lynton and Lynmouth about 15 miles – directions
A couple of our personal favourites in Lynton and Lynmouth
The Victorian Portrait Company
Pannier Market in South Molton, Thursday and Saturday, about 16.7 miles – directions
Exmoor Stores in Exford about 2.2 miles – 01643 831 244 – all the basics... directions
Petrol Station in Wheddon Cross about 7.2 miles away – 01643 841 221 – FUEL plus all the basics and more... directions
SPAR in Porlock about 7.8 miles away – 01643 862 396 – a convenience store... directions
Co-op in Dulverton about 10.8 miles away – 01398 323 241 – full on grocery store... directions
The nearest petrol station is at Wheddon Cross about 7.2 miles – directions
The nearest pubs are in Exford:
The Crown Hotel in Exford about 2.2 miles – 01643 831 244 – directions
The White Horse Inn in Exford about 2.3 miles – 01643 831 279 – directions
However, there are several good pubs in the area – perhaps too far to walk to but well worth a visit:
The Royal Oak Exmoor in Winsford about 7.2 miles – 01398 323 241 – directions
Tarr Farm Inn at Tarr Steps about 7.6 miles – 01643 862 396 – directions
The Castle Hotel in Porlock about 7.8 miles – 01643 862 504 – directions
Woods Pub & Restaurant in Dulverton about 10.8 miles – 01398 324 007 – directions
The Black Venus Inn in Challacombe about 10.8 miles – 01643 831 279 – directions
The Bridge Inn in Dulverton about 10.9 miles – 01643 841 221 – directions
The George Inn in Brompton Regis about 12.7 miles – 01398 371 273 – directions
The Exmoor Pony Centre about 8 miles – directions
Burrowhayes Farm about 9 miles – directions
Brendon Manor about 11.3 miles – directions
West Anstey Riding Stables about 12.8 miles – directions
Far enough to give you time to get your sunscreen or wet suit on.
Actually there are several beaches 'nearby' but rather than list them ... please have a look at this Google Search: "Sandy Beaches near TA24 7NJ"
But ... you may well want to refine that 'search' for yourself.
No... well, “yes”... but it’s the roadway!
IF you do walk into Exford... walk in the middle of the road and wear bright colours during the day and reflective gear or head lamps at night.
Locals are very good at traversing this road... sorry to say but it's the "visitors" that need to be watched out for.