“This was my second stay in Heron Lodge - visits three and four are already booked too.”
As someone who works a 68 hour week I get very little downtime so when I do I like to spend it away from home unwinding. I also have an aging Mum I get to spend very little time with throughout the year so when I go away, I like to take her with me. Spending quality time with her whilst I can is important to me. We’ve visited a lot of self-catering places in the past decade but as her vision has deteriorated to the point she is now registered blind, and her body has begun to cause her major ...
As someone who works a 68 hour week I get very little downtime so when I do I like to spend it away from home unwinding. I also have an aging Mum I get to spend very little time with throughout the year so when I go away, I like to take her with me. Spending quality time with her whilst I can is important to me. We’ve visited a lot of self-catering places in the past decade but as her vision has deteriorated to the point she is now registered blind, and her body has begun to cause her major mobility issues, a lot of places are hard for her to move around or appreciate her surroundings. Finding the Heron Lodge - there are three others onsite too which are identical - has been a wonderful thing. They are located in the perfect spot of Somerset. Within 90 minutes you can reach the Jurassic coastline of Dorset to the south, the incredible Dartmoor national park to your west, the Cotswold to the north, as well as Stonehenge and Avebury to the east. You can even make it to Wales in just over an hour. It really is the perfect location.
If you don't want to travel far and want to stay closer to the lodge you have the City of Wells and it’s beautiful cathedral; the cultural town of Glastonbury, the outlet shopping mall in Street, Cheddar Gorge and wookie hole caves on your doorstep. Weston Super Mare and Burnham on Sea are a short drive if you like seaside towns. If you’re into amusement arcades there are 2 small ones in Brean - there is a small fair next to one of them which is open weekends during the holiday seasons.
There are some lovely countryside walks to be had directly from the lodges themselves
If, like us, you don’t want to (can’t) go out and about often, or just want to spend quality time with your loved ones, you need never leave the lodge. The large patio area with table/chairs is great for sitting out and enjoying the fresh air, alpacas, sheep and cows in the connecting fields, the incredible views over the Somerset levels, and the abundant bird life. This patio area is level and easy for those less able to move around. There is also a bbq rack provided for you to use a disposable bbq on should you wish.
The hot tub is a definite bonus and due to the sturdy steps to enter is easy for the less abled to enter/exit. My Mum finds it really beneficial for her spinal arthritis. Large towels are provided for the hot tub.
Aside from how lovely they (the lodges) are - with views that go on for miles - they are great for the less mobile and visually impaired. With level entry and wide open spaces my Mum is able to navigate around safely and easily. On the occasion she needs to make use of her wheelchair there there is plenty of space in the lodge for her to do so. Having the downstairs bedroom makes it an ideal place for us to stay. It will be equally ideal for a family with children. I do believe one of the lodges (Swan if I am remembering correctly) does have stairs to access.
There is a double bed downstairs, as well as another room with bunk beds that would take a smaller adult, and a wet room with a toilet and storage for all your personal needs. The master bedroom upstairs has a large en-suite. All bedrooms have enough wardrobe/cupboard space for your belongings. A clean set of towels is provided in each bathroom, along with hand wash.
The kitchen is equipped with everything you could need.
The washer/drier and clothes horse is easy to use. There is an iron with ironing board and pegs provided too. You will need your own washing powder/liquid and fabric softener if you wish to use. The coat and shoe rack is right by the doorway so easy to access and there is a boot tray under for your muddy wellies if you need them.
All you need to keep the lodge clean whilst you are there - brooms, dustpans, mops and hoovers are available in the cupboard under the stairs. Bin bags, tea towels, washing up liquid and cleaner fluid are provided along with a couple of dishwasher tablets.
Jo and Neil appear to have thought about everything to make your stay as comfy and accessible as possible. They are also lovely and although (thankfully) we have never had to call on them during our visits, you know that nothing will be too much trouble for them, and they will go out of their way to do all they can to aid/assist you.
If you like aeroplanes and are there on a Sunday take advantage of being able view Neil’s sea harrier and discover its history. You can even sit in the cockpit if you so chose too.
The electric charge point - attached to the bin shed - is easy to use via the Monta app. It has two charge points and is a 22kwh charger - although most cables will only allow you to charge at 7kwh so allow for the time needed to charge when you plug in. Currently it’s charged at 60p kWh.
