At Fern Tor you can have a holiday or break just relaxing with us in our 12 acres of grounds or you can explore the beaches, moors and other attractions of the North Devon Coast, Exmoor and Mid Devon.
The three twin and double rooms in our newly built guest annex
all have en suite bathrooms - with both bath and shower, and also have tea
making facilities, radio and television and a hair dryer. The ground
floor double bedroom has its own entrance onto the patio garden.
The twin room is on the first floor,
as is the large double room,
which has its own adjoining private lounge/children's room .
The double beds are all king size - 5 foot wide in the ground floor room
and a gigantic 6 foot in the first floor double room. The large first floor
double can also be let as a twin room.
On chilly days the house is warm and comfortable as there is full central heating to all rooms, and for that extra cosy feeling, we have a log fire in the lounge. We have information, guides and maps of the surrounding area, and have compiled a number of suggested walks and drives in the area . An extensive library of novels and reference books is also available.
Our 5 acres of culm grassland which follows the Little Silver River has been awarded a Countryside Stewardship grant, and is rich with wildflowers. The flowers and the butterflies change throughout the spring and summer, but are particularly beautiful in spring. Below are some bluebells and wild garlic.
We have a species list drawn up by English Nature and the Devon Wildlife Trust, if anyone wants to go exploring. The remaining land we use for our many rescued animals and growing organic fruit and vegetables.
At Fern Tor we aim to provide gourmet vegetarian and vegan meals using home-grown organic produce when available. There is a varied and interesting menu for the evening meal - including non-dairy calorific puddings if desired, and also for breakfast, when you could have a large veg(etari)an 'fry-up'while watching the many birds which visit us.
Jane is a Cordon Vert trained cook and will happily cater
for special diets on request. Dining is at separate tables, and when the
nights are long, by candlelight Packed lunches can also be provided.
Our guests have raved about our meals, both quality and quantity - you won't go hungry at Fern Tor! Below are some examples from our breakfast and dinner menus, and Jane is trying new ideas all the time - including new versions of our renowned FernBocker Glory! ( Our regulars need not worry, for the original is still on offer!).
We normally serve breakfast between 8 and 9 AM, other times by request. Besides a selection of fresh and cooked fruits, dry cereals, including home-made granola, there is a full cooked breakfast available. It includes: tomatoes, mushrooms, beans, potatoes, free-range eggs (from our own rescued hens), vegan 'sausages' and home-made bread and 'bacon'. Porridge is also available, as is scambled tofu and vegan pancakes with maple syrup, and a Fern Bocker Breakfast! Click here for a full Breakfast Menu.
For the evening meal, normally served at 7 PM, we offer a varied and interesting menu using organic veg and our own produce wherever possible. Because of our size, there is a fixed menu each evening. Please let us know in advance of any likes and dislikes as well as any special dietary requirements. Starters include pea soup and olive/spring onion and cannelli bean/sun dried tomato dips with crudities. Main courses include a Mediterranean tart and aduki bean pie, and puds include apple and pear crumble and a banana and mincemeat tart. Custard, ice cream and soya cream are offered where appropriate. There are also some sticky puddings and the "wicked" FernBocker Glory in the repertoire. For those of you who can't eat all of our huge dinners, we offer the increasingly popular option of a 2 course dinner, if booked in advance.
Some recent menus, all suitable for vegans:
caponata
spinach, fennel and tofu galette
apple and pear crumble
garlic mushrooms
cabbage parcels on a bed of red peppers
FernBocker Glory
olive/spring onion and cannelli bean/sun dried tomato dips with crudités
and toasted home-made bread
casserole with dumplings
mango mousse
minted pea soup
stuffed aubergine
sticky apricot pudding
Much of our organic veg is sourced locally, coming from
Riverford Farm
in Devon.
We are not licensed, but you are welcome to bring your own wine
and beer at no charge. We are now offering a selction of organic non-alcohilc
drinks at the evening meal, including red and white Amé, and ginger
beers, apple and pear juice and sparkling elderflower bubbly from
Luscombe Farm
in Devon.
There is a tea/coffee tray in all the rooms, and home-made scones and a pot of tea are offered on arrival.
Guests are asked not to smoke in the house. Children and pets are welcomed, but read our animals page first.
For an alternate review of Fern Tor, read Kamy Cunningham's
review
in Animalprints.
Updated on 21st April 2007