1. See shooting stars
Relax at night in the hot tub with your friends and see the milky way and regular shooting stars. Float port to each other . Memorable and magical for all ages.
3. Dine or shop at River Cottage
Hugh’s Fernley – Whittingstall’s canteen is in nearby Axminster and has a superb local produce shop and a canteen with great atmosphere – try the Wednesday stew night or the 4 set course taster on Thursday nights – both great value.
5. Take a family portrait
Take a family portrait with all the family on our own World War 2 Sherman Tank and we can take you for a local ride on it afterwards – powered by an aircraft bomber engine it might be an even longer ride if we happen to be taking it out to a show.
7. Have a fancy dress party
Many guests have this sorted already and make a full on evening of this – we have had all types – medieval, Private Ryan and even Time Lords.
9. Arrange a Cook Off
Many families or groups of friends take each evening in turns to sort out killer meals – the aga is an ideal focal point.
11. Chat
Chat to Georgina or Mark who are happy to talk about the evolution of the Fort, how it was done and where they sourced the artifacts incorporated in the building.
13. Roast marshmallows
Roast marshmallows on either of the 2 open log fires in the Fort – one in the farmhouse and one in the Tower. Makes a lovely place to read to the children from the many books on the shelves though we wouldn’t recommend Sholgenistzyn for the younger listeners.
15. Mountain bike at Halden Hill
From beginner to expert – we can give advice on other local rides – there are Sustrans routes nearby including the gentle route along the Double Locks pub ( outdoor music and camping in the summer) and the boulevard cafes along the way.
17. Catch your supper Mackerel fishing
In one of the fishing boats at Beer – we have had amazing catches even when Pete says recent catches don’t indicate a bumper haul – top score TL 56 in one day.
19. No Xbox or Wii?
Then spend hours talking and cooking around the hundreds of years old Dutch elm table in the centre of the kitchen Long meals around the farmhouse table.
21. Race where Jensen Button won his first races
At nearby Dunkeswell Raceway or go a little further to Clay Pidgeon Raceway – both can arrange arrive and drive challenges and are national tracks with excellent safty standards
Clay has a large restaurant for lunch on the go before spending the rest of the day Clay shooting with tuition available from previous national champions.
23. Need dough?
Bake your own bread in the Aga or devise a succulent chocolate brownie mixture for afternoon tea.
25. Have a barbeque
Have a barbeque under our Narnia street lamp under the Tower – some guests do this even in the winter – very surreal.
27. Shown them you can still twist
Play Twister or any of the other games we have available for you.
29. Water fights
At Castle Neroche nearby is an AngloSaxon hill fort offering exceptional views over the below sea level somerset levels. Take some of our water pistols and have a game of Wide in the hummocks all round this little known beauty spot.
31. Take a shower
Take a shower in a Victorian phone box.
33. Make some models and layouts with our Lego
Either follow the instructions or go free style.
35. Look at the clouds
In the outdoor hammock hung between the trees of the hill.
37. Find a bargain
Find a bargain in one of the many reclamation yards in the area – one guest left with a pair of stone griffons.
39. Jog
Round the hill through our devon bank lanes – you ll often see hares, pheasants and some deer as you go round.
41. Ski
Ski on the dry slope at Yeovil or Plymouth when you get the urge for an early refresher.
43. Bet on the Bangers
Banger racing has a home down the road in Smeatharpe with all categories of racers to get pulverised.
45. Be an ape for the day
At Go Ape – zip wire through the trees at Haldon Forest in Exeter.
2. Walk or ride to local pubs
We have 2 good local pubs that can be walked to – each several miles from the house – the Kings Arms( Otter Ales) which is a regular in the good pub guide and the Yarcombe inn (Free House) which has recently been rescued by the local villagers.
4. Go tar barrel rolling
Ottery St Mary hosts the most improbable event on Guy Fawkes night – this is never to be missed – a throwback to days goneby – children , women and men from all the local pubs in the village take turns to move through the crowd with burning barrels on their backs – massive bonfire.
6. Play hide and seek
Children can play this too – the fort makes an ideal nook and cranny filled area to do this – even blindfolded.
8. Use your hammer
Fossil hunting on the Jurassic Coast. The blue lias cliffs at Lyme Regis and Charmouth always have samples to find and take away – best after a storm the local fossil hunters will give advice on what to find but the big ones are many feet across and will never be removed!
10. Take a dip
Take a dip in our Morroccan influenced indoor heated pool.
We have a large bean bag in the patio area and hammock to stretch out in – this is one of the most unusual pools you’ll see – freshen up under the waterspouts from Jaiselmer in Western India – all powered by geothermic energy.
12. Sore joints?
Have a massage – we have details of various masseurs who can visit and sort out your aches and leave you feeling warm and nurtured.
14. Occupy the children with a treasure hunt
Occupy the children with a treasure hunt in the grounds of Rower Fort – makes pirate maps or devise fiendish clues – people still find easter eggs the previous guests didnt ever find – some of it in date!
16. Have a cooked English breakfast on Beer beach
Have an easy start to the day whilst watching the fisherman return with their catch ( which you can purchase) plenty of Brown sauce.
18. Ignore the doctors
Eat a cream tea in Honiton at one of the shops which support the antique trade in this famous lace town.
20. Take a break
Dine at the Monkton Court Hotel run by Colin and Jenny this establishment has raised the game for us all – superb cuisine with space for all of you and real ales – we like the braised rack of lamb the best.
22. Tasty Tarts anyone?
The girls from Tasty Tarts of Taunton are just one of recommended outside caterers who can attend to your requirements bringing local food straight to your table.
24. Win a tournament
At either Table tennis or our proper job Table Football in the crypt at the bottom of the tower.
26. Then eat it
Then eat it under our Victorian beamed patio area or on our wooden summerhouse on its granite toadstool.
28. Play some golf
Play golf at Honiton or Otter Valley clubs.
30. Cycle ride
Join in on the Thursday evening cycle ride with the locals on the seaside at Seaton followed by a pint and cheesy chips.
32. Go go-karting
Hire out our all terrain go kart which can be used by children down to the age of 8 on our 11 acre field.
34. Go to Stockland Fair
Or any of the numerous local fairs with scrumpy and usually throwing something far – eggs or hay bales.
36. Fly a kite
Fly a kite on the top of our hill with 360 views.
38. Tug of war
Tug of war on the lawn is a good way to work off some energy after that big lunch.
40. Fly in a light aircraft
We can arrange to take you around the Fort hill or perhaps the Channel Islands – France is closer than London! Or take a first flying lesson at Dunkeswell or Exeter flying club.
42. Go trekking
Trek to Dartmoor or Exmoor for the day – there are excellent walks that start an hour from the Fort with different routes suitable for ages – brew up some stream water for some refreshing tea that knocks the socks off a thermos – then check out the local pubs with their great range of ales and more cheesy chips.
44. Avoid getting shot paintballing
Local centres can can arrange this for ages up from.