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A behind the scenes look at Exmoor's luxury cottage company based in Minehead and Dunster.We'll take you on a journey to Exmoor and throughout glorious Somerset. Enjoy conversations with local people who simply love our little corner of England. Take a trip to the latest attractions and hear the inside track on running a small hospitality business.We hope you love what we do and please like, subscribe and share.
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Recorded in September 2023, Lucy and David were incredibly fortunate to spend some time over tea and cake with Jill and Brenda from Lancashire. Brenda spent many happy holidays at The Oval in Dunster before Lucy's ownership, when it was used as B&B accommodation.. Brenda's memories date back to the 1950's and 1960's when a friends or family holiday…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S05 E05: Talking Darts with Ian (Diamond) White
36:56
We have the most fascinating guests at our cottages! Whether it's cricketers, athletes, actors or authors, we've been incredibly fortunate to host a myriad of guests with interesting back stories. Today's episode stars Ian (Diamond) White, a professional darts player who recently stayed with us during an important tournament in Minehead. Ian talks …
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In this podcast, Janet Ellis talks about her first book, The Butcher’s Hook, set in the 1700s. This is a frank and touching conversation, during which Janet discusses her drive to write and how she creates her fictional characters. She shares the pivotal role of a writing course, how she writes, where, and for whom. We also hear about her moving se…
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Journey through Exmoor’s steam railway past at the Dulverton Literary Festival. We join Lucy welcoming Freddie, Ian and Amyas to the microphone. Grab a cuppa and settle down... It was a pleasure to meet and chat to Freddie Huxtable, Ian Coleby and Amyas Crump as they shared their contagious enthusiasm for steam railways. These three authors have ea…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S05 E04: The Dulverton Literary Festival: a reminder!
44:25
The Dulverton Literary Festival is coming soon. Here's a reminder of what to expect on our podcast from September. Take a listen and save the dates in your Exmoor diary - 18th and 19th November 2023. To find out more about the festival, visit the official website here. For bookings and reservation enquiries, click over to our website. You'll find t…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S05 E03: Legends of West Somerset - Game of Cottages!
38:12
Lucy's love of local history is brought to life in this potteresque podcast! Whether it's King Arthur, Mother Leakey, Judge Jeffreys or Lorna Doone, Exmoor and Somerset is chock-full of legend and folklore. Many of the stories are hearsay, full of gory detail or simply outlandish, but all are part of what makes this part of England so special. We a…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S05 E02: Know your onions at The Bampton Charter Fair!
25:32
Today we're celebrating the Bampton Charter Fair. Recorded back in October 2022 and lovingly preserved until this time, here's our attempt to understand the local spectacle that really should be in your Autumn diary of events. In this episode, Lucy finds something to tickle her tastebuds, David becomes overwhelmed with the selection of stalls and t…
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Back in July, the fabulous Sam joined us for a work experience project from West Somerset Cottage. Sam worked alongside Lucy and David to learn everything about the business, condensed into one short week! Sam's challenge was to investigate things to do for teenagers (and 17 year-olds!) when staying at one of our cottages here in Minehead and Exmoo…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S04 E20: Turning the page on the Dulverton Literary Festival 2023
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In the last episode of the fourth season of Cottages Uncut podcasts, we end the Summer with a look ahead to one of Exmoor's newest and fastest growing events, the Dulverton Literary Festival. As one of the event sponsors, we think this festival adds another dimension to the visitor and local resident offering in Exmoor and is a real credit to the h…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S04 E19: Our Exclusive Art Retreat with Natasha Eveleigh
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Here is our latest podcast, bringing you breaking news from Exmoor Character Cottages! In this episode, we're introducing Natasha Eveleigh, a talented local artist who has agreed to co-host two very special exclusive Art Retreats with Exmoor Character Cottages in 2024. Take a listen and don't delay - book now to avoid disappointment. Join our Creat…
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It’s either too hot, too cold, too wet or too dry. At the time of recording, Minehead feels more like Manila, with high humidity and frequent heavy rain interspersed with beaming sunshine. If the climate really is changing for the long term, here in Minehead there’s someone very special who is taking our small town fight against the scourge of plas…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S04 E17: Differentiation. It makes all the difference.
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Today we’re celebrating having a point of difference! No intro or outro music and scaled back editing. Today’s podcast is all about being different! Back in May 2023, Lucy and David gathered together on a chilly day and discussed current trends in guest accommodation, inspired by a recent Alex Murrell article called ‘The Age of Average.’ Offering i…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S04 E16: ROR! What is it good for? (Reduced Occupancy Rates, of course!)
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ROR! Our latest podcast introduces a new programme of discounted rates for smaller parties or solo travellers who want to enjoy the full Exmoor Character Cottages experience whilst occupying fewer bedrooms! Take a listen and find out more about ROR and read the article in full on our website. Discounted rates for reduced occupancy Smaller party? No…
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On one of the only snowy days in 2023 (so far), Lucy and David got together down the line' to discuss online portal commissions, customer choice and pretty much any other words we could find beginning with the letter C! It's an important topic for those of us in the hospitality sector and for all our guests - even though many people booking a holid…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S04 E14: Pool Passion with Liz Hurry from Wivey Pool
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Back on a freezing cold December day, David and Lucy met virtually with Liz Hurry - the Chair of Wivey Pool - a fabulous charitable organisation running this amazing community swimming pool in the thriving town of Wiveliscombe. If we can't tempt you into the Bristol Channel this Spring and Summer, then Wivey Pool could be perfect for you - and it's…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S04 E13: Plastic Free Exmoor with Peter Hoyland
37:00
In 2019, Peter Hoyland (Community Lead for Plastic Free Exmoor) and a core team of local influencers got hold of a copy of the Plastic Free Communities toolkit and set up a community led steering group. Together they set to work on the Surfers Against Sewage five-step framework to take their plastic free message to as many organisations, businesses…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S04 E12: The Year of the Coast with Isobel Pring
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Big Ben has struck twelve more than 30 times since the fireworks died down and the champagne hangovers worn off! But if we've missed the opportunity to do so, the podcast team at Exmoor Character Cottages wish you a Happy New Year! In this New Year, New Start podcast (that was recorded in the cold spell at the end of November 2022) David talked to …
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At Christmastime, there's no need to be afraid: it's only David and Lucy chatting about decorations, food and preparations for the big day! We invite you to celebrate a podcast Christmas with us. Find out more about special offers here. Delve a little deeper into the Stuart Lowen brunch and breakfast box. Check availability and pricing for your 202…
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We were incredibly fortunate to spend some time with Sally Turner from the Minehead Information Centre earlier this week. Huddled around Sally's radiator on the coldest day of the year, we explored the things to do in Minehead on a cold, damp or rainy off-season day. There's lots to see and do, for all tastes and budgets here in the peaceful seasid…
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Tuck yourselves in for a journey of a lifetime. This enchanting podcast takes a meandering look at Pilgrim Corner, through the eyes of a previous custodian who has since become a frequent flyer guest! This is story of how Pilgrim Corner has evolved over the years and how this thatched gem of a cottage has always played a huge part in the Higher Tow…
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In this special podcast with Ali Pegrum from Visit Dulverton, we're bringing you the low-down on the Dulverton Literary Festival. Taking place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November 2022, the inaugural Literary Festival in the Exmoor town of Dulverton is a celebration of words from leading authors. We invite you to find out more about this event…
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In this special podcast recorded back in September, we welcome Pete Mountstephen, our neighbour on West Street in Dunster. Pete is a fascinating character. An education professional, author, musician and general all 'round creative. Possibly best known locally for his lead role in 'Minnie Hates the Hoover', Dunster's very own duo / trio band playin…
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On this auspicious occasion, Lucy and David have braved the crowds to celebrate Exmoor Day. With a very special quiz featuring everything from butterflies to railways, this is our way of celebrating a very special day in this very special part of the world. Sit back, grab an Exmoor Ale or Miles' Tea and Coffee and toast our very own National Park. …
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S04 E05: Pat & Tom: from New Jersey to Dunster's Bosom
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In this very special podcast, Lucy and David talk to 'frequent flyer' guests (in more ways than one) - Pat and Tom. This lovely couple travel from New Jersey (around 30 minutes from New York, New York) to stay at The Oval in Dunster. Now on their third trip, The Oval is feeling very much a home from home and they have become part of the Dunster com…
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There's nothing like a short break to refresh the spirits, especially when you've got enchanting Exmoor on your doorstep! We've put together this special podcast to talk though everything that's on offer when visiting one of our cottages for a couple of off-season days. It's the perfect audio partner to our latest short-break blog too - so take a r…
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We were incredibly 'chuffed' to be invited to the opening day of the Bampton Railway Station exhibition at the Bampton Community Hall in Devon. This lovely, hand-built exhibition runs daily until Sunday 18th at 3pm. Doors open at 10am until closing at 4pm. Chris from the Liverpool Model Railway Society highlighted his passion for the hobby and we d…
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David and Lucy are back together, face to face, braving the thunderstorms, wind and rain on Minehead's seafront. Today we're talking BAU - Business As Usual, and Booking Early for 2023! With darker nights approaching, we're reacting to current events in the news - especially the costs of doing business. The good news is that with the support of all…
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On a dull day in May, we came across Michael, a 'round the world cyclist sheltering in the porch of St Michael & All Angels Church in Bampton. If you've listened to our Bampton-cast, you'll have heard us mention 'the Bampton cyclist' and we're chuffed to bits to bring you this short podcast which highlights Michael's fascinating story. Michael's fe…
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Way back on a freezing cold day in May 2022, David joined Naomi Cudmore (MD, Editor and Designer) of the fabulous Exmoor Magazine to record this special shortcast. Now celebrating the 100th edition of Exmoor Magazine, this was the perfect opportunity to round-off the third season of Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages. We hope you like this…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S03 E19: The big FAQ-Cast! What to expect when you stay with us.
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It's the busiest time of the year here at the cottages. August has arrived and each of our historic cottages are full of happy guests. The Housekeeping team are literally flat-out ironing, spraying every surface until it gleams and carefully balancing the chemicals in the hot tubs every day. Even with the best preparation, we know there's always a …
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Earlier in July, we recorded a podcast all about a little window with a big history. The famous box window at The Old Sweet Shop cottage on Vicarage Road in Minehead is home to a regularly rotating window display which celebrates its historic location and the surrounding community. This short podcast talks of our favourite displays over the years a…
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In this Podcast recorded on a bright morning in May, Lucy and David took a trip to Leo's enchanting gallery in Minehead. Inspired by his Exmoor and West Country surroundings, Leo's paintings change in style and feel as often as his subject. From the meticulous to the abstract, Leo refuses to settle on any particular genre of painting and continues …
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On a rainy, damp day in May, Lucy and David jumped into the Outside Broadcast Truck (David's Smart Car!) and hit the south road to beautiful Bampton. What we found was both fascinating and surprising, with the team from the Bampton Heritage and Visitor Centre being the perfect hosts (and fabulous podcasters!) There's so much to see and do in Bampto…
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Earlier this Summer, we travelled to the popular and thriving harbour town of Watchet to visit Georgie and the team of the Onion Collective at East Quay. Onion Collective is the social enterprise that conceived of, built, and now runs East Quay, working to tackle social, cultural and environmental justice in Watchet through wide reaching and ambiti…
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At the start of May the sun was shining and we took the trip down the A396 to delightful Dulverton. This wonderful town with a thriving, cohesive community has recently given itself a marketing refresh to help Exmoor's visitors find out much more about the place - past and present. The Visit Dulverton team can be rightly proud of what they've achie…
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Having won a gold medal in the Bristol, Bath, and Somerset Tourism Awards in February, we were delighted to achieve a Silver Trophy at this year’s South-West Tourism Excellence Awards. The south-west is the largest region in the English tourism awards, and the standard is exceptionally high. In this podcast, we bring you a 'top and tailed' live bro…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S03 E12: Pampering for the Guys and Gals at The Ivy Beauty Lounge
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A little while ago, Lucy laid down the gauntlet of David attending a future podcast with the lovely Jazz from The Ivy Beauty Lounge on Friday Street in Minehead. Well, David was happy to rise to the challenge and talked perfect pampering for men with Jazz. He'll definitely be returning for more and you can find out much more about the treatments of…
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Last June, in response to a number of listener questions about 'best routes to get to Exmoor', Lucy and David recorded an impromptu podcast from Taunton Railway Station to Dunster. Whilst looking back to this time uncovers some covid-related uncomfortable memories (such as the lack of the West Somerset Railway beyond Watchet) the purpose of this 'e…
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We've been waiting for this one, and it's finally here! The Porlock Visitor Centre Podcast, recorded earlier in 2022. Featuring Porlock Visitor Centre Manager, Deborah Stanyon, this is a fascinating insight into Porlock Vale, the village itself and also explores the Weir, Open Gardens and the full diary of village events! If you are in or around Ex…
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A little while ago, Lucy and David spoke to one of our frequent flyer guests, Duncan Peberdy about a wide range of subjects. Some of the many conversations were captured and published, and here's one of our favourites: a tail (sic) about dogs on Exmoor! Our cottages and many surrounding venues, shops, restaurants and pubs are completely dog friendl…
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The Pandemic has created a whole new language, a sort or crisis-dialect which placed words in our vernacular seldom used in normal life. A couple of terms which emerged in 2020 - 2021 were 'staycation', 'work-cation' and 'near-cation'. In January 2022, our friends at AirBNB even coined 'Bae-cation' which was designed to encourage friends to get tog…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S03 E07: Wonderful Weddings in Dunster & Exmoor
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Back in the depths of winter, we were fortunate to spend some time in the warmth of Parham House Brides in Dunster. Susan Hinckley, Proprietor of this wonderful boutique and Lynne Scott of Wedding Whispers talked wonderful weddings and special celebrations in Dunster, Exmoor and Somerset. Established as a designer and retailer of wedding gowns sinc…
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In this podcast, Lucy and David talk Gold success in the Resilience and Innovation category at the prestigious Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards Ceremony on Thursday 17th February 2022. We're all over the moon to win the gold, but our entry has also opened our eyes to the greater good of this type of awards process, helping complementary bu…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S03 E05: The SWEET smell of history (and success!)
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The Historic Old Sweet Shop gets gold! The Old Sweet Shop, a quintessential chocolate box cottage with thatched roof, on Vicarage Road in Minehead, has been awarded Five Star Gold by VisitEngland, and the highest accolade given by the industry’s national tourism body. In this podcast (which was recorded before the Five Star Gold award), Lucy and Da…
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In this special podcast, we welcomed back 'consumer champion', Duncan Peberdy to talk about his self-help book, Keep Calm and Carry on Complaining. This excellent book is the perfect guide as to how to take on the big guys (and win) when goods and services don't perform to expectation. If you'd like to find out more ways to complain if customer ser…
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In this New for ’22 podcast, Lucy and David had the pleasure of talking with Alistair Handyside MBE, Executive Chair of the Professional Association of Self Caterers (PASC UK). With a hospitality career spanning almost twenty years and with words such as 'innovation', ‘professionalism’ and ‘quality’ running through his work like a stick of rock, Al…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S03 E02: Happy New Year from Exmoor Character Cottages
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It's been quite a year. From the lows of lockdown to splendid summer highs, this has been a year of contrasts. As we begin to wrap up 2021, we take a look back through our favourite moments, often caught on tap (or tangled up in a mike flex!) A veiled tribute there to Geoffrey Perkins. All we've got to say is thanks for listening and Happy New Year…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S03 E01: It's Christmaaaaaaaaaaas! (The Queen of the Cottages Christmas Podcast)
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Well, what can we say? Almost nine months after the first podcast, we're rounding the year off with a special Christmas episode from Lucy and David. In this festive edition, we talk everything from Charlie Fridays to Christmas TV and from Festive Food to Fizz! A very special mention must go to all the team and to every guest who has stayed with us …
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S02 E20: Season finale! An interview with a local Rock God!
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In this season finale, Lucy and David were visited by a local rock star: Phil Herron! Phil has a long career as a bass guitarist, is largely self taught and tells fascinating anecdotes of his life on tour in venues around the UK! To celebrate these stories of life on the road, Phil has also penned a book under the nom de plume of Alfie Noakes. If y…
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Cottages Uncut by Exmoor Character Cottages - S02 E19: Well, Well, Well - It's December already!
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Recorded on 1st December, with the dark cloud of Omicron hanging over us, we're looking ahead to a fun-filled festive season and into a New Year of wellness. Whatever you're doing this Christmas, or just can't wait for a new start for '22, take an hour out of your busy schedule and listen to our latest podcast! Don't forget - if you want to book yo…
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