OUR STORY
A family retreat since 1957
Welcome to Lyncombe Farmhouse, set in the heart of the beautiful surroundings of Exmoor National Park.
Lyncombe is a Grade II Listed building, dating back to the 16th Century. The farmhouse has been in the family since it's purchase by A.J. Webb and Mary Webb in 1957. It continues to be a beloved family holiday retreat and is only one of a handful of old longhouses that exist in England.
A 16 CENTURY LONGHOUSE
Lyncombe is a very special place.
A family retreat. A place to make memories.
A place to bring friends, loved ones and wildlife lovers.
A place in which to work, eat, relax, walk, swim, explore.
A working farm and a wildlife haven.
Lyncombe Farm was owned by the Ministry of Food & Farming (MAFF) during the 2nd World War. It was sold in 1957 to
A. J. (Jimmy) Webb and Mary Webb. Roger Nicholls worked the farm from then until his son took on the farm tenancy after his death.
Jimmy Webb was only able to enjoy the farm, river and house for just a few years before his death in 1962. Mary Webb continued to run the farm but moved to Alcombe, Minehead to be close to her much loved place and her husband's memory. She delighted in the scenery and nature and loved fishing with flies she had tied herself.
Mary's son, Peter, and his family continue to enjoy the farm and the house, often visiting at particular times of the year to help with lambing, tree work or other tasks. Friends and family have also been able to enjoy the wonderful surroundings over the years, many returning with their own families as they have grown.
Lyncombe is 375 acres of varied land including heather moorland, steep scrub and bracken slopes, grazing ground and woodland. The River Exe runs right through the middle of the farm.
Suckler cows and calves and sheep are found grazing the fields. There is no cropping. All the grass is permanent pasture for grazing and hay/haylage. Field sizes are small with earth and stone bank boundaries with both laid hedges made mainly of beech.
The farm has been in various environmental schemes for over 30 years. Little or no fertiliser is used and weeds and bracken are generally controlled by copsing. This low intensity farming enterprise has hardly changed over the years. The trees and scrub have grown giving a varied and attractive landscape in which nature is able to thrive.
Exmoor
Exmoor National Park
Exmoor was designated as a National Park in 1954. National Parks have been chosen as special protected areas because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and history. National Parks are living, working landscapes, home to thousands of people.
Exmoor National Park is a haven of peace and tranquility, but also the perfect place to experience outdoor activities, spot wildlife (such as the infamous red deer) and explore remote moorlands, woodlands and riverbanks.
Exmoor National Park was also Europe’s first Dark Sky Reserve. Exmoor is home to some of the darkest skies in the country and on a clear night, the night sky of Exmoor is absolutely stunning; with many amazing astronomical sights seen with the naked eye and even more to be discovered through binoculars or a telescope.
The Local Area
Exford is the nearest village to Lyncombe House and is on the River Exe, at the heart of Exmoor National Park. It has a beautiful village green surrounded by shops, restaurants and hotels. It is a busy walking, fishing and equine centre with the river Exe valley walk, and Coleridge Way bridleway both nearby.
Exford is less than 2 miles away from the farmhouse on foot via the public footpath and 10 mins by car using the farm track and public roads.
The beautiful market towns of Dulverton and Dunster, and the seaside destination of Minehead are no more than 40 minutes drive.
AS SEEN ON TV
Lyncombe Farmhouse and the farm itself have been lucky enough to appear in a variety of television programmes and films including;
'A Summer Story' starring Imogen Stubbs, James Wilby, Jerome Flynn and Susanna York. ITC 1988.
'Return of the Native' starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Clive Owen. BBC/ Hallmark 1994.
'Anna Lee', British crime series. LWT 1994.