Next Step Bridge Holiday in Exmoor
Selworthy
Code: SLBNS
Print pageActivity types:
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Indoors
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Rural peace
Holiday overview
Desigend for those with at least 10 lessons (20 hours) of formal tuition. Covers limited bids, partner responses to an opening bid of a balanced/unbalanced hand, planning the play and more (one topic per seminar day). If you are confident with these, choose our Improve Your Bridge holidays.
Holiday highlights
- Morning teaching sessions with an experienced Bridge Director will develop your basic card play and improve your all-round game
- Each evening there is a friendly Bridge competition
- Free afternoons give time to relax or explore the local area
- Comfortable Bridge rooms, quiet and as light as possible
- Small prizes offered, for fun
- Suitable for those with some knowledge of Duplicate Bridge
Price includes
- High quality Full Board en-suite accommodation and excellent food in our Country House
- Carefully selected friendly, knowledgeable and EBU qualified Bridge Director, to ensure you get the most from your holiday
- All Bridge fees, stationery and prizes
Accommodation
As a historic National Trust property, Holnicote House is full of charm and character. Located on the extensive Holnicote Estate, at the foot of Exmoor, it is well suited to a relaxing holiday.
Holnicote House has 32 newly refurbished bedrooms. Some are located in the main house, with others in the thatched cottages, called Butlers and Guns, in the grounds.
Rooms
'Good' RoomsThese rooms are all ensuite and furnished to a good standard. They include:
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'Better' RoomsThese rooms are slightly larger and/or have a better view. They include:
Only an extra £15 per person per night |
'Best' RoomsThese rooms truly are the best in the house for extra luxury during your stay. They include:
Only an extra £20 per person per night |
Choose Your Room: Our new “Choose Your Room” service is available at our UK country houses, providing the option to choose and confirm a specific room for an extra £30 per room. Supplements to upgrade to 'Better' or 'Best' rooms still apply. The choice of room number must be of the same room type as originally booked and is subject to availability.
At the house
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Dining
 All holidays at our Country Houses are full board accommodation including evening meal on arrival to breakfast on the day of your departure. All of our Country Houses have a well-stocked bar serving local beers, wine and spirits.
√ Start your day with our extensive breakfast. |
Your evenings
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All of our bars are stocked with locally sourced drinks so you can really soak up your surroundings. |
Just relax and take it easy, or if you'd like to continue to chat with our guides and fellow guests then why not grab a drink or take part in one of our optional evening activities.Accessibility
More details on Selworthy accessibility
Additional information
- Fire procedure is displayed in each room and explained to guests on arrival. Guests requiring assistance at an evacuation are identified at this time and door hanger cards are issued
- Mobile phone reception is generally good from the main building
- Assistance dogs accompanying visually or hearing impaired guests are welcome; dogs must be kept on a lead or harness at all times
- Information can be provided in large print
- Staff have received disability awareness training
- Special diets can be catered for. Specialist food can be obtained with prior notice
- Fridge for medication can be supplied
Itinerary
Our Bridge holiday has been created to give you the most time doing what you love best - playing cards. So expect plenty of stimulating games to help you put your new skills into practice. But it’s not all brain work – there’ll be plenty of free time to relax as well.
Arrival day
Check-in starts from 2.30pm (best and better rooms from 1pm). All guests are invited to join us for afternoon tea where we’ll introduce your leader.
Your first Bridge session starts at 5pm and continues after dinner. Please let either the house manager or your Bridge leader know as soon as possible if you're not joining this evening's Bridge competition.
During your stay
Mornings
We start each morning with tuition from our knowledgeable Bridge leader, covering topics such as limit bids, partner’s responses to an opening bid of a balanced/unbalanced hand, planning the play and more. Please note, your leader may need to be selective about what seminars topics are covered in order to match the experience, skills and interests of individual guests. We’ll also enjoy some valuable practice hands to help us apply any new concepts.
Afternoons
Our Discovery Points help you make the most out of your free day. There’s plenty of maps and a selection of the best local walking routes, as well as weather forecasts and public transport options – plus details about other places to visit.
Evenings
Each evening at 5pm your Bridge holiday continues with a fun tournament that continues after a fabulous 3-course dinner.
Departure day
Depart after a leisurely breakfast
What to bring
All your Bridge stationery and equipment will be supplied. You may, however, like to bring a notebook and pen to make your own notes.
Local area
Discover Exmoor
During your stay at Holnicote House you may enjoy visiting the following places of interest, either in your free time, or on your journey to and from Selworthy:
Selworthy Village
Less than a mile from Holnicote House is Selworthy village. At first glance the thatched cottages seem typical of many ancient settlements in this area. However, Selworthy is not as old as it looks, having been rebuilt in 1828 by Sir Thomas Acland. Sir Thomas was a philanthropist and designed the 'model' village himself to provide housing for the aged and infirm of the estate. He used traditional designs and materials to create a deliberately old-fashioned village.
West Somerset Railway
Travel on Britain’s longest steam railway from Minehead to Bishops Lydyard. Now lovingly restored by volunteers, the line recreates a classic Great Western Railway branch line with steam trains operating daily from April to October. Minehead station is 10 minutes' drive from Selworthy, or can be reached on the number 300 bus. www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
Dunster Castle
An historic castle transformed into a comfortable stately home for the Luttrell family. Some highlights include the 'modern' 1950s kitchen and the snooker room. Dunster Castle sits in extensive gardens, complete with its working watermill. The adjacent town of Dunster is full of character and also well worth a visit. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle
Lynton & Lynmouth
The quaint Victorian town of Lynton sits high on a hill, overlooking the coast and Lynmouth harbour. The two settlements are connected by the historic cliff railway. The short walk from Lynton to the Valley of Rocks is highly recommended.
Coleridge Cottage
The poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) and his wife Sara lived in the village of Nether Stowey, about 45 minutes' drive from Selworthy, from 1796 to 1799. In 1909 it was acquired by the National Trust, and later restored and opened to the public. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coleridge-cottage
Hestercombe Gardens
Hestercombe Gardens, around an hour's drive away near Taunton, were constructed in three periods - a landscape garden from the 1750s, a Victorian terrace and shrubbery from the 1870s, and Edwardian gardens of 1904-1908 designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll. www.hestercombe.com
Arlington Court
Arlington Court, about an hour's drive away near Barnstaple is a fine Regency house set in an extensive estate. The grounds include a formal Victorian garden whilst the stables house the National Trust’s carriage collection of over fifty horse-drawn vehicles. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/arlington-court
Travel
Travel to Holnicote House
Our address is: Holnicote House, Selworthy, Minehead, Somerset TA24 8TJ
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By train:The nearest railway station is at Taunton. For train times and route planning by train visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or phone 03457 48 49 50. |
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By taxi:The 29 mile journey from Taunton railway station takes approximately 50 minutes. Pre-booked taxis cost approx £56 per taxi. Details of our current recommended taxi company and rates will be sent to you with your booking. The taxi company will arrange shared taxis wherever possible. The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Holnicote House Manager. |
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By bus:The number 28 bus operates between Taunton station and Minehead. At Minehead change for the number 10 bus that will take you to the Selworthy turn (which is at the end of Holnicote House drive). A 2 minute walk along the drive will bring you to the house. Alternatively pre-book a taxi from Minehead; the 4½ mile journey will cost you approx £10 from our recommended taxi provider. For bus times see www.traveline.info |
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By car:From Bridgewater take the A39 though the southern outskirts of Minehead towards Porlock. Holnicote House is on the left about 4½ miles out of Minehead, and about ¾ mile after the signpost to Luccombe (do not follow the signs to Selworthy). After the Selworthy Village sign look out for our sign 500 yards further on, on the left. Free car parking is available in the grounds. |
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Travelling from OverseasFor most guests, travelling to London Heathrow airport is the most convenient option. From Heathrow first take the train to London Paddington station. From here there are direct trains to Taunton. Its a relatively straightforward journey - allow 2½ hours. See www.nationalrail.co.uk for train times. Bristol Airport may also be convenient for some guests. Take the train to Taunton From Taunton you can travel on to Selworthy by bus or taxi (see above). |
Leaders
Mike Eden
Mike has taught bridge for many years, he is a Professional Member of the EBU Teaching Association and is a qualified club director. Recently Mike helped develop the New Fast Track Book – ‘Learn bridge in 24 hours’. Mike enjoys teaching from absolute beginners to advanced, running regular classes at Young Chelsea Bridge Club and together with his wife Carrie, lectures and directs on cruises.
You can find out more about Mike on his website: www.bridge.me.uk
Dates & Prices
We're sorry, there are no dates available for this holiday at the moment. Please check out our other tours and breaks or call our team on 0345 470 8558 to be notified of new dates as soon as they become available.
Prices are per person
