About Pen Mill Farm:
The village of Penselwood was a major city of Britain during the 8th century though this is hard to imagine as it is now a rural community with only the sound of animals to keep you awake at night. Originally the mill made ticking for mattresses and the course of the old water aqueduct can be seen in the fields. Close by is Egbert's Stone where Alfred the Great gathered his troops before his important victory over the Danes.
The farm has been in the family for nearly 50 years and is farmed organically with hedges laid in the traditional style. At present we have horses, sheep and cattle - not to mention the free range chickens which wander everywhere - even the lane! Organic eggs available. PYO blueberries have just been planted and should be available summer 2009.
What To Do:
The 9 hole Bullpits Golf Course is just over the river. All our guests are welcome to play and you will be lent clubs. A good introduction to the game for young members of the family.
Riding is 10 mins away at nearby Pevlings Stables, Horsington. Bring your horses on holiday and enjoy the superb hacking in the Stourhead Woods and on the downs. It is possible to ride for a whole day rarely crossing a road. Quality stabling and grazing available.
A popular day out is to hire bicycles and cycle along the flat towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canel. This easy ride takes you past the brightly painted barges and good pubs for a refreshing drink.
We can also arrange coarse fishing on the nearby lakes at Stourhead or clay pigeon shooting at Wood Farm, Mere.
Peter and Sarah are keen gardeners and are happy to advise on the local gardens to visit and specialist nurseries nearby
More To Do:
Wincanton Race Course is close and a great family day out. Winner of the Small Race Course of the Year Award with steeplechase and hurdling courses.
The Stour Way (runs from Christchurch to Stourhead) and the Monarchs Way run through the farm and are very popular with serious walkers. For the less energetic there are lovely walks over our 150 acre farm or nearby National Trust land on the Stourhead estate.
As Penselwood is such an unspoilt corner of Britain, the wild life is amazing. We have reports of visitors seeing kingfishers, buzzards, nuthatches, green (but in Somerset we call them 'yaffles') and spotted woodpeckers, barn owls, ravens, badgers, foxes and many deer including muntjac, roe and fallow. There have also been sightings of otters.
Clay pigeon shooting and coarse fishing is available nearby.
Other Activities:
clay pigeon shooting, coarse fishing, paint balling
