Back to school...with a shiny new website!

Walks to Culmstock Beacon are a highlight of our week!

After a very successful summer season, we're now in the back to school mindset! Early Autumn is my favourite time of year - I love the colours, the weather's usually lovely, bookings are quieter and I can focus on all the jobs that have piled up during the summer holidays!

The old orchard at Luggs is always productive

This September, the big news here at Luggs is that we have a new website! It's just gone live so please take a look at www.luggsbarn.co.uk and let us know what you think. We loved the style of our old site but knew we needed to update the functionality for visitors, especially those using tablets or phones to visit. We also wanted to make sure that our search engine rankings are as high as possible; Marmalade Designs of Wellington have created a superb site which brings Luggs Barn up to date while retaining our established brand and subtly refreshing the original style which we loved.

Woodland walks around Culm Davy

Bookings for Autumn/Winter 2014 are definitely up on this time last year which is excellent - we're seeing a lot more advance bookings for periods that would normally only fill up at the last minute. Our new website will hopefully make the process even easier for guests, featuring an availability calendar and interactive enquiry and booking forms. We've also added lots more glowing testimonials from our Visitors' Book which reflect how much previous guests have enjoyed their stay with us.









Trip Advisor continues to be instrumental in securing new bookings, and we were pleased to receive a special Trip Advisor key ring in the post a few weeks ago! Hopefully it'll encourage guests to leave us a review and therefore help prospective visitors make an informed choice.

Whatever the weather, you'll be cosy at Luggs Barn. Curl up in front of the wood burning stove and enjoy the peace and the stunning views! The balcony is an ideal spot to relax at sunset, while old beams and squashy sofas create a haven for all ages

Christmas and New Year are fully booked as usual, but at the time of writing October half term is still available. Our girls go back to school on 8th September so I'll be back in the office properly from next week; in the meantime, please let us know what you think of our beautiful new website and if you're considering an Autumn or Winter break, get in touch to secure your preferred dates!

Online Booking has begun!

In the absence of our poorly Web Man, to whom we wish a speedy recovery and return from hospital, I've been trying to make it easier for guests to book with us. I'm planning to introduce online booking across our own website and all directories we advertise with when I can, but in the meantime I've made a start with the Holiday Lettings site. Guests can now book online via our listing on their site:

http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/honiton/271054

We'll keep you all posted when the tweaks to this website are made, but in the meantime please keep an eye on this blog and our Facebook page for up to date news.

Here's a snowy photo taken yesterday for a bit of seasonal cheer! After a wonderful week's sledging, the (disgruntled) girls have been deposited at school via Land Rover and I'm back at the desk. Bookings are rolling in for Spring and Summer - even Christmas! - it won't be long before I'm posting photos of primroses and bluebells again, but in the meantime keep warm and check back here regularly for more Luggs news.

Autumn deals on Devon breaks!

Well, the children are back at school - our youngest, Willow, is settling in beautifully which is a relief as she only turned 4 in August. Here's a photo of her in her new uniform looking extremely proud of herself!

The leaves are turning now and the Blackdown Hills scenery is as stunning as ever. This is my favourite time of year - our wedding anniversary is coming up shortly - and I've met so many other people with Autumn anniversaries. If yours is coming up, why not take advantage of the deals available at this time of year and come and stay at Luggs Barn? A break here could be the perfect surprise present for the spouse who thinks you've forgotten...

The Autumn colours are just beginning to glow

After an amazing Spring/Summer season, we now have some availability through autumn and winter, including half term at the time of writing. This year, Hallowe'en falls within half term - the perfect opportunity for a spooky house party in the middle of nowhere?! Take a look at our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pages/Luggs-Barn-Devon/143513745697324 to keep an eye on the latest deals, but here are a couple to tempt anyone looking for a cosy autumn break:

2-9 November, £750 (was £850)
9-12 November, £600 (was £650)

Don't forget Luggs Barn sleeps 8 in comfort in 4 beautiful bedrooms, including two zip/link rooms offering the option of twin beds ideal for friends or siblings. There's also a single folding bed and plenty of room for cots of ready beds. At full occupancy, a break at Luggs Barn is typically cheaper than a motel, and infinitely more stylish!

Hallowe'en is always eagerly awaited!

Make the most of the scenic footpaths and spectacular views surrounding Luggs Barn by taking a break in the affordable Autumn. Before Christmas stress starts to bite, gather family and friends in a stylish and spacious retreat from daily life. A long walk followed by a cosy evening in the vaulted, beamed living room curled up in front of the wood burner is an antidote to almost any kind of stress!

Further ahead, Christmas and New Year have been booked up for some months now, and 2013 bookings are already beginning to come in. Now's the time to ensure that your preferred dates are available; many peak weeks are booked up to 9 months in advance each year!

Finally, we're looking forward to the Honiton Antiques Festival,12-17 November, which culminates with a Restoration and Conservation Fair at which Bill will be exhibiting. His piano restoration work (see www.wypianos.co.uk for his new website!) is highly sought after by retailers and private clients all over the country, and on 17th November he will be joined by numerous experts in varying trades, from clock restoration to french polishing. If you're visiting the West Country in November, especially if you'll be on the lookout for antiques, Honiton is the best place for a day out! Come and see us - take a look at www.restorationandconservation.co.uk for more details.

Don't tell the fox...

...but we've booked to collect 10 ex-battery hens in a few weeks' time! Very pleased to have arranged it, the last lot were ex-battery and were very happy and great layers once they settled in.

Here's a picture of our last intake when they first arrived - all we need to do now is try to create a more fox-proof environment. The geese proved useless as a deterrent, despite their great ferocity to toddlers and dogs, so fingers crossed our new arrivals last longer than a year...

Hopefully it won't be long before we're well supplied with eggs for our regular customers at Hemyock Preschool and Primary School! Luckily the ducks are still laying well so none of our regulars have had to resort to Waitrose just yet!

May/June last minute deals!

The woodland is carpeted with bluebells and wild orchids

After a madly busy early Spring and Easter period, we have a few spaces in the diary before the summer season is upon us. At the time of writing the following periods are available, and the later the booking, the better the deal. Contact us for more details but some dates are half price!

21-25 May
25-28 May
28-31 May
11-15 June
15-18 June
18-22 June

3, 4 or 7 night stays are available. Even at our normal rates it's cheaper per person per night than some Travelodges! So by booking late you'll get a top class holiday in some of this country's most beautiful scenery for a ridiculously low price...and if you're quick, you'll see the bluebells!

Late bookings may be less flexible on bed configuration depending on our linen suppliers, but 8 people can be accommodated with ease in 4 bedrooms. There's also a single folding bed and ample space for ready beds and cots.