The cricket festivals would not be possible but for the parents
who have encouraged their sons to play the game of cricket and
therefore Taunton is a celebration for the family as well as for
the individual player. We hope that you may be able to spend part
or all of the Festival in Somerset.
Taunton is perhaps the perfect destination for a hassle free festival.
The area is so easy to get to, that you will easily find welcoming
accommodation in town or village. Perhaps this brief guide will
give you some ideas to help you to plan your stay.
GETTING TO TAUNTON
A. Regular Inter City trains stop at Taunton station
B. Junction 25 of the M25 Motorway is close to the edge of Taunton
C. Other A class roads lead to Taunton if you wish to avoid the
Motorway.
D. You could of course arrive by canal barge from Bridgewater
!
THE TOWN OF TAUNTON
Founded in the 7th century by King Ina, the castle in the centre
of the town was the location for Judge Jeffries
" Bloody Assize" at the end of the Monmouth Rebellion
in 1685.
Taunton is now a busy market town, and the County town for Somerset.
The town is a lively centre, which has recently had many of its
pavements widened to make shopping an even greater pleasure. Taunton
rightly prides itself on its parks, gardens and leisure facilities.
The town is the home for Somerset County Cricket Club and within
the ground is the cricket museum, housed in an ancient and beautifully
converted barn.
A short walk from the Town centre is King's School.
KING'S SCHOOL and visiting parents
The school staff are used to welcoming cricket teams and they
enjoy providing lunch and tea for parents. Should you wish to
take lunch you must purchase a ticket at the tuck shop - price
£ 4.
Lunch is served in the main dining room and the self-service provides
an excellent array of hot and cold choices. Tea is served on the
lawns to all parents.
ACCOMMODATION
Taunton and its surrounding villages provide a good choice of accommodation. We have compiled a selection of ideas and included comments from parents who have stayed in Taunton in previous years. Please onte this is a very small sample of parents' replies - each year about 1,500 parents come to the Taunton cricket festivals throughout the summer holiday.
Should you need further information please contact the Tourist Information Centre 01823-336344.
1. OXENLEAZE FARM CARAVANS, CHIPSTABLE,WIVELISCOMBE.01984623427. Mobile homes in quiet secluded working farm. Indoor heated pool; games room; laundry. Lovely country walks £85 -380 per week.
2. GAMLINS FARM , GREENHAM, WELLINGTON 01823-672596 A tranquil site for 25 tourers. Electric Hook ups ; level pitches. Dogs welcome £6-£8 PER NIGHT
3. ASHE FARM CAMPING SITE , THORNFALCON, TAUNTON 01823-442567
Quiet, informal site, truly rural with lovely views. Level meadow
with 30 pitches. Dogs welcome. £4 per person per night;
£1 per child per night.
1998 Parents recommendation/ 2003 parents
recommendation
4. ANCHOR INN, HILLFARRANCE,Near WELLINGTON approx 4 miles
from the cricket Festival. 01823-461334
2 cottages to let; Caravan Club members only £4 per night
2000 parents stayed here and recommend
it .Excellent meals in the nearby public house/2003
parents stayed here - very good
1. HOLLY FARM, STOKE ST.GREGORY, TAUNTON 01823-490828
Traditional working farm in peaceful countryside. Four cottages
ranging accommodation for 4-6 people.
Week long stay £190-420 per cottage.
1998 Parents highly recommend Holly Farm/
2001 parents had a great time here/ 2003 highly recommended
2. BURNHAM ON SEA HOLIDAY VILLAGE , BURNHAM ON SEA 01278-783391
Approximately 17 miles north up M5
Caravan up to 4 people from £266 per week; Adult pass for
activities £24 ; children £12 pass;
1998 Parents found the village perfect
for all the family; safe to leave the wife and children all day
!
2001 Parents highly recommend for a family break
1. BRYNGWYN 15,WELLINGTON ROAD,TAUNTON TA1 5AN 01823-254953
10 mins walk town centre; CTV in all bedrooms; tea/coffee making
facilities; no smoking; parking at rear.
Single 15 Double £30
2. DENEHURST, 133 HAMILTON ROAD, TAUNTON TA1 2EP 01823-257200
Close to the town centre; TV; parking ;E £15-19.99 F Under
£15
3. HEATHERCROFT, 118 WELLINGTON ROAD, TAUNTON 01823-275516
Close to town centre; tea/coffee making facilities; h/c in all
rooms; parking; Single £15; Double £17.50 pppn
4. BEAUFORT LODGE 18 WELLINGTON ROAD, TAUNTON 01823-326420
Spacious Victorian house offering friendly b & b near town
centre. Single £30; Double £25 pppn
5. FURSDON , 88 GREENWAY ROAD, TAUNTON 01823-331955
Delightful Edwardian House within walking distance of the town.
All rooms with colour TV, tea/coffee making facilities ; En suites
available; comfortable family rooms; car park; brochure available.
D £20 -£24.99
6. YALLAND FARMHOUSE; STAPLEGROVE, TAUNTON 01823-278979
1 Mile from town ; comfortable with en-suite facilities; delightful
Grade 2 listed building
£26 single ; £24 pppn Double 2003
parents stayed here - very good
7. FORDE HOUSE , UPPER HIGH STREET, TAUNTON Mr. Mrs Naylor
01823-279042
£50 B & B per night Double
1998 2 sets of parents stayed here ;
their comment was " excellent "/ 2003 parents stayed
here - very good
8. ORCHARD HOUSE, FONS GEORGE, MIDDLEWAY,TAUNTON,SOMERSET TA1
3JS 01823351783 Pauline Young e-mail mailto:orch-hse@dircon.co.uk
web www.SmoothHound.co.uk/hotels/orchard2.html
1999 parents stayed here and highly recommend
it
9. HILLVIEW GUEST HOUSE, Bishops Hull Road, Bishops Hull , Taunton
TA1 5EG Jenny and Alan Morgan 01823-275510 Friendly family accommodationin
attractive village offereing en-suite or shared facilities.
2000 2 sets of parents stayed here and
recommend it
10. LITTLE GABLES 218 Staplegrave Road, Taunton TA2
6AL 01823-284936 margaret and Norman Humphreys
2000 parents stayed here and recommend
it /2003 parents stayed here - very
good
B and B ACCOMMODATION OUT OF TAUNTON
1. THE MOUNT, BISHOPS LYDEARD, TAUNTON TA4 3AN 01823-432208
Comfortable and charming Georgian period residence in a picturesque
village.
£17.50 pppn
2. THE OLD RECTORY THURLOXTON, TAUNTON 01823-412686
Lovely house in beautiful surroundings ; traditional English cooking
E £15-19.99 F Under £15
3. LONGALLER MILL BISHOPS HULL, TAUNTON TA4 1AD 01823-326071
Set in a tranquil backwater yet only 2 miles from Taunton. En
suite guest room overlooking cider orchard
E £15-19.99
4. HIGHER DIPFORD FARM, TRULL, TAUNTON 01823-275770
Three miles from Taunton; dairy farm with accommodation in the
600 years old farmhouse.
All bedrooms have ensuite facilities; home cooking washed down
with cider.
£30 single; £23 to £30 pppn double
2000 Parents comments "Excellent
food and family accommodation - wonderful people"/2003 parents stayed here - very good
5. SPRINGFIELD HOUSE , WALFORD CROSS, WEST MONKTON, TAUNTON
TA2 8QW
Mrs Pamela Akers 01823-412116
A country house set in its own grounds of 2 acres. All rooms en
suite; tea and coffee making facilities; t.v.
Double room occupancy per person £19.50 ; child £10;
single room £27.50
1998 Parents highly recommend Springfield
House
6. THE SPINNEY, CURLAND, TAUNTON 01460-234362 email : bartlett.spinney
@ zetnet.co.uk
hhtp://www.somerweb.co.uk/spinney-bb
In 1999 we had many parents and some siblings staying with us
for the cricket festival. We know King's College very well as
we are guardians to overseas students that attend the college.
We do have our own website. This explains about us and The Spinney
and also gives directions and prices. The addresss is www. somerweb.co.uk/spinney-bb
Our prices for this year are £42.00 - £44.00 per room
for two people sharing, including breakfast. Children 3 -9 years
£10.00 sharing with parents 10 - 15 years £15.00 sharing
with parents. Evening meal for adults is £12.50 per person
for two courses including coffee. It is very important that parents
book as soon as they can as last year many parents
were disappointed.
1998 ; 1999 and 2000 parents highly recommend
The Spinney/2003 parents stayed here - very good
7. TILBURY FARM, WEST BAGBOROUGH, TAUNTON 01823-432391 B and
B DOUBLE £22-25 PPPN
AA Inspector's Choice B & B for England 1996
We stayed with Mr. and Mrs. Smith to
plan the1999Festival. Superb position in the Quantock
Hills. Oak beams, inglenook fireplaces and flagstone floors. Excellent
breakfast. Well worth the 20 minute drive out of Taunton.
2000 2 sets of parents highly recommend
Tilbury farm/2003 parents stayed
here - very good
8. BASHFORDS FARMHOUSE, WEST BAGBOROUGH, TAUNTON 01823-432015
Bashfords which is close to
the Rising Sun Public House. The festival Planners can recommend
the Rising Sun food for an evening meal ( need to book.) 2000
prices for Bashfords are now:
Ensuite double - £ 45.00 per night Double
with private shower - £ 40.00 per night
Twin with private bathroom - £ 40.00 per night Single
occupancy supplement - £ 5.00 per night
Please note new email address : charlieritchie@netscapeonline.co.uk
and web site : http://members.netscapeonline.co.uk/charlieritchie
I hope that plans for this years festival are going well - hopefully
we may get lucky with bookings!!
1999 parents Highly recommended/2003
parents stayed here - very good
9. LOWER FARM, THORNFALCON, TAUNTON 01823-443549 Mrs
Doreen Titman 2000 prices B and B per night double £50;
single £30
2000 parents comments " Beautiful
friendly people . Excellent accommodation"/2003
parents stayed here - very good
10. COMBE COTTAGE, CROWCOMBE,TAUNTON TA4 4AA Vicky Smith 01984-618414 A little way out but worth a visit
11.THE BLACK SMOCK INN STATHE,BURROWBRIDGE,TA7 0JN 01823-698352
Robin and Daphne Horsham
2000 prices Double en-suite £21 pppn ; Single £25
pppn ; Double shared facilities £16.50 pppn; Single shared
facilities £20 pppn
2000 Parents stayed here and highly recommend
it
1. ROAD CHEF LODGE TAUNTON DEANE MOTORWAY SERVICES M5 1 MILES
N JUNCTION 26 01823-332228 Just a few minutes from central Taunton
2000 parents can recommend it but would
point out that it is a bit noisy and is not licensed./Parents
stay here each year
2. TRAVEL INN 81 BRIDGWATER ROAD, TAUNTON 01823-321112
Overnight accommodation at only £36.50 each ; breakfast
£5.45/ Parents stay here - each
year
3. HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS, BLACKBROOK BUSINESS PARK, TAUNTON 01823-624000
Mon to Thurs £47.50 per room per night ; weekends £35
per room per night
1. CORNER HOUSE HOTEL and RESTAURANT, PARK STREET, TAUNTON
01823-284683
** with excellent restaurant; licensed bar; large car park;
Single £52 Double £37 pppn
1998 Parents - a). thoroughly recommend
it b). recommend it although it is rather expensive ,
and the disadvantage is that they do not do Half Board ( Table
d'Hote ) The a la carte menu is also expensive
2. MERYAN HOUSE HOTEL, BISHOPS HULL, TAUNTON TA1 5EG 01823-337445
Comfortable country house hotel; peaceful village surroundings
1994 winners of the RAC award for the best small hotel in the
South West of England
£45 per Single Room ; £58 per double room inclusive
of breakfast
1998 Parents recommend staying here
2000 3 sets of parents stayed here - quiet; £60 for 2 b
and b; excellent breakfast; very comfortable
3. COOMBE HOUSE HOTEL, HOLFORD, BRIDGWATER 01278-741382
** AA/RAC 17th century house in romantic and beautiful surroundings;
indoor heated pool; tennis court;
rooms en-suite and breakfast - Standard £33; Superior £40
1998 parents disappointed with an hotel
in central Taunton ( NOT listed in our selection ) moved after
one night to Coombe House. The hotel is the furthest from King's
School but the parents state that the drive- each day - was well
worth it.
Of course you could have a week's holiday in your own area
without your son !