I read today; “hope is not a strategy”. I have never thought of it that way, and it may well be true. However, it is often a strategy that brings us hope; be it through the promised vaccine, the effects we are now seeing through lockdown, or perhaps encouraging words we hear from scientists.
As I walked around the woodlands of Pickwell this week I found my own hope being renewed through the first signs of Spring. The woodland anemones, daffodils and snowdrops are first to emerge and an early camelia in flower in the gardens add a welcome splash of colour.
Spring is such a hopeful time and something to look forward to. It reminds us that nothing lasts forever - Winter and pandemics will both come to an end.
So, as we all look forward to getting away, it looks like a UK holiday will be most people’s option this year.
We are really busy taking bookings but still have availability so wanted to let you know what we have been up to over winter: Our beautiful Constance apartment that sleeps a family of four, now has two outdoor bathtubs to compliment the seating area on its own outdoor terrace. Imagine a good, hot soak in the fresh air after a day’s surfing or a glass of fizz under the stars after the kids have gone to bed.
Whether it is one of our luxury apartments or a treehouse holiday you choose, you can book with confidence, as a full refund will be given in the event of a further lockdown, (heaven forbid), so you have nothing to lose by booking now.
And what would spring be without baby bunnies? We have loved having 3 families stay here over winter and the children have been put to good use getting our baby rabbits super tame. Simon has been making good use of left over wood to make a bunny mansion as well. With names like Natasha Moustacha and Frank we thought they deserved it.
If you have stayed with us before, you may well have come to the office to collect a beach pass or borrow a tennis racket from Julia. Did you know though, that the archway into Julia’s office is in fact Saxon, around 1000 years old? It is amazing to think of the Earls and Knights of the realm who have passed through that same doorway over the centuries.
In St George’s Anglican Church in the local village of Georgeham, there is an effigy of Sir Mauger de St Aubyn, a knight who lived in the manor around 1200 AD.
And there is even a memorial of the Newcourt family - residents of Pickwell around 1560 -displayed on the wall of the church.
There is a passageway at the rear of Pickwell Manor, and the foundation stones that are visible there were believed to have been laid around 1100 years ago.
There is also a much newer foundation that is being built here: Did you know that the profits from our holiday business go into the Pickwell Foundation, which supports both environmental projects that combat Climate Change and work to assist displaced people?
So, we wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who stayed with us this year and helped to make the work of our foundation possible. If you would like more information, then you can read about our work here. www.thepickwellfoundation.org.uk
As the seasons change -
Our holiday season is far from over and even though our treehouses are sold out untill the new year, we still have some of our fabulous apartments available in November and December. Our snugly accommodation is a delight after a blowy walk on Britain’s finest beach and we are not exaggerating when we say we have two of North Devon’s finest pubs on our doorstep. To top it off we've still got our 20% off discount available if you stay before December 31st 2021 - just add WINTEROFFER when booking online.
We even still have some apartments left for Christmas. So if you want a Christmas away from home this year why not check availability online or phone Julia for more details on 01271 890110 or e-mail julia@pickwellmanor.co.uk
As the doors have increasingly closed on foreign travel, we are inevitably experiencing unprecedented demand for our holiday accommodation, with a doubling of forward bookings for 2021.
As the most important relationships to us are repeat bookings and recommendations, we wanted to let you know this, to ensure that you can book your preferred dates for next year.
Despite the increased demand, we are still offering a 10% discount to repeat customers. So, if you want to holiday with us again next year - or in the limited number of vacancies left for 2020 - you can benefit by using the discount code (contact us for your code.)
Our latest treehouse offering for families, The Den, has exceeded even our own high expectations, with over 60 bookings received in the first month. So, if you wanted a dream holiday in the woods then we would encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment.
And dare we mention Christmas? It will be with us before we know it. So, if you are planning to have a Christmas away from home, we now open for Christmas and New Year for couples, families, or groups. We provide the tree and a bottle of fizz – you bring your favourite decorations.
At last we have the nod from Boris and we are ready for you. - and we're so excited to launch our brand new, family treehouse, with an interior that is a designer’s dream and has its own 4-man hot tub. It is sold out for July and August already, but some of our best weather can be in the Autumn, so best book early if you would like to holiday in The Den this year.
The Den isn't live on our website yet so for more details or to book, please get in touch - T: +01271 890110 E: info@pickwellmanor.co.uk
Our pigs have reduced in size considerably - as we found the children couldn’t pick the full size porkers up. So, we are pleased to introduce Henry and Ted - our new and very cute guinea pigs - to our new, small pets’ area.
We also have these gorgeous lop-eared baby bunnies who have arrived without names.
Therefore, we are wondering if our extremely creative younger guests would like to name them for us. We have already ruled out, Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton tail, knowing that you can do better than that, and have disregarded Rabbity MacRabbit Face. Please send your suggestions and we will choose our favourites and make a sign naming them before you arrive.
Since we last wrote, we have now found no less than 11 Pixie dwellings, which have all been built since lockdown. There are no official sightings of the little people themselves yet, but we have a Pixie hunters guide that our own small people will love.
Of course, we want you to be safe as well as happy and we have followed and will adhere to all the Governments guidance for your protection. So, We know you will have a wonderful, summer holiday with us – we can’t wait.
Well going abroad is looking increasingly challenging this summer isn’t it - and if things don’t change, who wants to self-isolate for 2 weeks when you arrive home?
The great news is that we have some of the most beautiful parts of the world, right here on our doorstep and at Pickwell Manor, we still have a few fabulous holiday apartments available.
Plus, our exciting, new family treehouse with a private, 4 man hot tub will be completed and available for the summer. As things stand, we will be ready to welcome you in a safe and secure environment from 4th July. In the event that the lockdown was extended we are guaranteeing a full refund on all new bookings, to ensure you have nothing to lose.
We are only ½ a mile from a glorious, 2 mile stretch of golden sand, and a surfers paradise, and with six acres of woodland to explore there is loads of space where the children can play safely for hours.
Try paddle boarding or surfing for the first time, or just simply stretch your legs …. and breathe.
Or if you prefer to wait until after the children have gone back to school, September and October are often our favourite months, when the weather can be glorious and the pace of life slows a little.
So why not check out our availability on our website www.pickwellmanor.co.uk or give Julia a ring on 01271 89011
It has been well reported in the media recently, that wildlife certainly seems to have benefitted from the lockdown. We have been no exception at Pickwell Manor, with Roe deer seen on our tennis court and even an otter at the pond. But most exciting - after nearly 200 years - the Pixies have returned to Pickwell.
There have been numerous reported sightings over the years; mainly from men leaving the Kings Arms after closing time, but few have been substantiated before now.
Pixies have lived in The South West of England for millennia. Unlike Fairies, who are mythical winged creatures, Pixies are real people, only very small.
The first records of Pixies at Pickwell go back to Saxon times and - as regular vistors to Pickwell Manor will know - our own records similarly go back to The Domesday Book. In fact; it is believed that Pickwell originates from the Saxon Pix Well, which is believed to be the well in our Italian garden where Pixies were frequently seen.
So, whilst none of us would have chosen the lockdown, it is great to know that these little chaps have taken advantage of the peace and quiet to return after so many years. So far we have found five homes, but we think there must be more.
If you would like to help us find the rest and enjoy a fabulous summer holiday, we have 6 acres of woodland to explore, (perfect for Pixie hunters), and right on the edge of some of Britain’s most glorious coastline and countryside walks.
To check dates and availability visit www.pickwellmanor.co.uk or phone Julia on 01271 890110.
