You can also find out more about the following:Old English called it “the land where the summer people live”, because locals would descend to the Somerset Levels when the winter floods subsided. Somerset still has seasons that are felt, as Sophie Brendal, Panu Long, and their children discovered in 2022 when they moved to Thornfalcon. Their farmstead is located 15 minutes from Taunton. They are constantly on weather watch and tending to their vines. (Panu is a winemaker with a background in drinks) as well as harvesting the garden every day. Also, they are busy making plans for their 150-year-old apple press.
On their 40-acre (16-hectare) property, which sprawls over woods, orchards, and vines leading to a lake fringed by reeds, they’ve also built a few guesthouses. You can sense the arrival of summer when you walk around the site at the end May. The water lilies are in full bloom, and the nesting bird is guarded closely by its mate. Sophie says, “The eggs will hatch soon, and she’ll later teach the cygnets how to fly before taking them to the Somerset Levels.”
The Vine Hut is surrounded with wildflowers and overlooks rows of champagne grape varieties. The nature inside is equally enveloping. Nasturtiums grow over the bedroom wallpaper and a bunch of homegrown, large peonies sits at the dining table. The interior of the Lambing Shed is covered in band-sawn wood planks, and the headboard on the bed is painted apple blossom. In front of the family’s blue lias stone farmhouse is the two-bedroom Coach House, filled with antiques and beautiful textiles, which hint at Sophie’s years spent among pattern and design as a director at the V&A. A vardo Gypsy Wagon with floral-patterned ceiling is the latest addition to the family’s cabins. It can sleep two children.
As the sun slowly sets, I return to the lake. Mr Swan remains on guard in case I feel like taking a dip. Instead I sit in the wooden sauna – the big picture window frames the scene as swifts dip, and the mental ticker tape of to-do lists begins to melt away. The hot tub is outside, too. And nearby, an old boathouse has been transformed into the wild therapy room. Gemma, a local therapist, works on me as bird calls float in from the water. Both cabins feature outdoor baths, but the best spot to watch the sunset at the Vine Hut is from a pair adirondacks chairs.
In the kitchen with its green walls, I prepare breakfast using blue-shelled Legbar chicken eggs. The Thornfalcon farm can deliver a fresh box of produce to your cabin, or Sophie and Panu have plenty of suggestions for nearby restaurants, including roasts in the Dinnington Docks Something smarter is at the Barrington Boar. After that, I walk through the village to Thorn Hill. It is known as “the clump”, because of its wooden top. Baby bunnies dart out from the hedgerows. The Quantock Hills are surrounded by a patchwork of green. There are other walks from the door, looping round through the village of North Curry – where you can pick up a duck sausage roll at the Bird in Hand The pub is currently undergoing a reopening, and serves street food and pints from a converted cart outside. A little further away, explore Cothelstone Hill and look for bronze age burial sites, Exmoor ponies, or hire paddle boards. Somerset Boat Centre Bridgwater-Taunton Canal Float.
Later that day, I met Buc Dennis and his family at their home. Dennis Chinaworks An old stable block is located outside Shepton Beauchamp. It’s open Monday to Friday (and weekends upon appointment). Buc’s mom, Sally Tuffin (a former fashion design who is now in her eighties), has hand-drawn patterns for vases and bottles that can be purchased by visitors.
The Temperleys are not the only family-friendly creative hub around. Burrow Hill Cider Farm. Outside, the familiar Glastonbury Cider Bus is parked, with the pumps on. Local families set up picnic blankets under the apple trees and are entertained by food trucks, circus troupes and other entertainment. Mary Temperley’s is located across the yard. Make store There are also baskets from Ghana and Suzanis made in Jaipur.
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Sophie and Panu are also bursting with ideas. Sophie said, “When I had long Covid and was ill again, creativity and making helped me,” as she pointed out a needlepoint frame that she had made in one of our cabins. In the summer of this year, there will be wine and cider available. Beekeeping courses, lavender fields and art workshops are planned. You can immerse yourself in the atmosphere and take as much as you want. It’s a place to be inspired or to sink into a slower pace of life, or to try to find the balance between both.
Accommodations are provided by Thornfalcon Winery & Press: Coach House Sleeps Five from £125 a night; Vine Hut The Lambing Shed Sleep Two-thirds of the population are able to vote. from £170 a night, and the Gypsy Caravan an extra £70 a night (all two nights minimum), thornfalcon.com. Train travel is provided by Great Western RailwayDirect trains from London Paddington to Taunton, gwr.com.
