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Steps Farmhouse

Steps Farmhouse is a 16th Century former farmhouse in the hamlet of Bilbrook in a rural location on the A39, 3 miles from Dunster and 5 miles from Minehead. The coast is 2 miles away at Blue Anchor Bay and the historic port of Watchet is 3 miles away. The West Somerset Railway runs close by with stations at Blue Anchor and Washford which is also home to the railway museum.

For a weeks holiday, a quiet weekend or just an overnight stop you can be assured of a warm welcome at Steps Farmhouse.

Enjoy the charm of West Somerset and its varied attractions including Dunster, Lynmouth and the Doone Valley. Take a trip back in time on the West Somerset Steam Railway or for the walking and cycling enthusiast, Exmoor and the surrounding hills have an abundance of footpaths and bridal ways. Books on walks & detailed maps of Exmoor and Quantocks are available to borrow.

For walkers, Steps Farmhouse backs onto the Brendon Hills forming part of the Exmoor National Park. There is a public footpath from the drive which takes you out into the surrounding farm land.

Just a mile away at Washford, you can visit Cleeve Abbey and Torre Cider farm where you can taste Somerset cider straight from the barrel. You can hop onto a steam train at Washford station or visit the museum. Children will love to see the animals at the Tropiquaria and its adventure playground.

Exmoor is a truly wild and beautiful landscape. The National Park covers 267 square miles and spans the Somerset and North Devon border. Exmoor has a wide variety of dramatic landscapes from small farms to open moorland sweeping up to high cliffs with panoramic views, to coastal walks along the South West Coast Path with spectacular scenery.

Natural woodland covers one tenth of Exmoor, mostly in the valleys and is home to England's largest herds of wild deer and Exmoor ponies. There are many species of birds as well as a host of other wildlife.

Exmoor offers something for people of all ages and interests. It is the perfect place for a walking, riding or cycling holiday with over 680 miles of footpaths and bridleways to explore.

The National Park Authority has a program of guided walks, or you can go to one of the Visitor Centers for maps and information.

Dunster is 3 miles away and is often referred to as the 'Jewel in the Crown' of Exmoor National Park. The village is overlooked by the famous Dunster Castle, and is full of medieval buildings and thatched cottages. Wander through the old streets and you will find a wealth of interesting historical buildings including the Yarn Market, a medieval dovecote, tithe barn, a working watermill, and St George's Church which has the longest Rood screen in England.

Visit the Dolls Museum or walk up to the folly on Conygar Hill. There are many listed buildings in Dunster, from the large merchant houses in the High Street to the more humble homes of the former medieval woolen workers in West Street, making Dunster one of the most picturesque villages on Exmoor.

Minehead is approximately 5 miles away it has a long stretch of sandy beach and a picturesque harbour. The wide sandy beach is easily accessible from the newly enhanced promenade, which runs along the whole sweep of the bay.
It is also the terminus for the West Somerset Steam Railway which recently invested in a turntable. You can now watch two men turn the 60 ton engines for the return trip to Bishop's Lydeard.

You can buy a day tickets for Butlins' Holiday Camp, see a show at the Regal Theatre, or have a go at putting on the green in Blenheim Gardens, which are famous for their floral displays. Play golf at Minehead & West Somerset Golf Club. There are boat trips around the bay from the picturesque harbour.

You can book a day's sea fishing, or when the tide is in, you can fish from the promenade.

The town is sheltered by North Hill with its drive up through the old part of Minehead and along the hill to the viewpoint at Selworthy Beacon. This vantage point is ideal for watching the spectacular sunsets over Porlock Bay.

The Quantock Hills are a short drive away, ideal for walking or exploring the Jurassic coast. St Audries wedding venue is 6 miles away from Steps Farmhouse.

West Somerset Steam Railway step back in time to the golden age of rail travel. The journey takes you through the beautiful Somerset countryside, stopping at ten lovingly restored stations on the way, with views of the Quantock Hills, the coast and across to Wales.

The historic harbour town of Watchet, Dulverton with its medieval bridge. Porlock and the quaint harbour of Porlock Weir. The thatched cottages of Allerford also the pretty villages of Selworthy and Bossington, which are owned by the National Trust. Lynton and Lynmouth which inspired Coleridge's poem 'The Ancient Mariner'. Watersmeet and Valley of the Rocks or the Exmoor beauty spots of Tarr Steps & Dunkery Beacon, are not to be missed.