Snowdrop Valley 2015: another update

In my last blog post you will have seen the dates for this year’s park and ride buses between Wheddon Cross and Snowdrop Valley, along with some other information.

Steam train on the West Somerset Railway

There is more to tell! West Somerset Railway are again running their popular Snowdrops and Steam excursion (on various dates between 14^th and 22^nd February). You travel by train from Bishop’s Lydeard to Williton, where there will be a coach to take you to Wheddon Cross (with some lovely Exmoor scenery on the way).

Once you get here, you can choose whether to take the bus or walk to the valley; then after your visit the coach will collect you for the trip back to Williton to join the train once more. For further details, including the day’s timetable and how to book, visit the West Somerset Railway website.


And while you are at Wheddon Cross, do pop into our pop-up tearoom for lunch, or maybe just tea and cake…


Are you driving to our village for your Snowdrop Valley visit? Then you need to be aware that the road through Dunster is closed, so if coming from the Minehead or Bridgwater directions you will need to follow the diversion signs.

Snowdrop Valley on Exmoor in February 2015: update

This year the arrangements for Exmoor’s Snowdrop Valley are a little different. Here’s what you need to know.

Snowdrop Valley, Exmoor, Somerset

As usual the little road that leads to the valley will be closed to traffic for the snowdrops season. In 2015 the road closes from Saturday 31^st January to Sunday 1^st March inclusive.

The park and ride buses from Wheddon Cross to Snowdrop Valley will be running from 7^th – 22^nd February. The buses are accessible for people with limited mobility (and if you have a mobility issue and are unable to visit while the buses are running, please see the Wheddon Cross village website - link below - where you'll find details of what to do).

From 31^st January to 6th February and from 23^rd February until 1^st March, walkers will be able to get to the valley but there is no access by car and no buses will be running.

You can walk down and back up again the same way, using the footpath that starts near the Exmoor Farmers Market at Wheddon Cross (where there is also a car park); alternatively you could make it a longer circular walk by taking other local paths. Whichever way you go, it is very steep in places (Exmoor’s hills are part of its charm) and it is likely to be muddy, so do remember your walking boots or wellies.

The Snowdrop Information Point, in the village car park next to the pub, will be staffed during each day while the park and ride is running and also on the weekends of 31^st January and 28^th February. As well as getting help and advice there, you can also buy various souvenirs.

For regular updates and maps of some suggested walk routes, as well as details about places to eat and stay near Snowdrop Valley (including our place) visit the Wheddon Cross website: http://www.wheddoncross.org.uk/snowdropvalley.htm

Exmoor House cereal bars recipe

We often get asked for the recipe for our cereal / granola bars, which are very popular (particularly as part of a picnic lunch as they are excellent for an energy boost if you are out walking or cycling on Exmoor). They were originally inspired by one of Ina Garten’s recipes, but the mix has kept on evolving: this is the latest version.   

Put these ingredients into a pan and heat gently until the butter has melted:
Butter 250g
Honey 150g
Malt extract or soft brown sugar 50g
Orange or apple juice 200ml
Dried apricots finely chopped (or any other dried fruit) 350g

Then mix with the following ingredients:
Self-raising flour 150g
Rolled oats or porridge oats 300g
Wheatgerm 100g
Ground almonds 75g
Dried coconut 100g

Put the mixture into a deep baking tray / traybake tray, greased and lined with baking parchment, size 12 x 9 inches, and bake at 180°c for 25 minutes approx, until lightly browned on top. Cut into bars or squares when cold.

Enjoy!

If you’d like to try them but would rather Frank made them for you, then you’ll just have to come and stay with us at Exmoor House, or visit our Snowdrop Valley tearoom in February.