This page will be updated as often as I can. Here you can catch up with all the latest news about what is going on at Luckyard Farm. If you have any news about the farm or the visitors that you would like included, please send me an e mail with all the details.
In addition to the pony riding the children have free throughout the year at Luckyard Farm, the Mums and Dads often ask if they can ride, so we have a special offer now on ! Our weekend horse riding special, and it can be booked now or purchased using our popular Gift Voucher system.
The cost is £225 and includes a weekend on the farm with all the usual facilities of Shooting, Fishing and Pony riding for children, but also two 1 hour adult horse riding sessions ! and these can be extended at £20 per adult, per hour ! and you can book as many extra hours horse riding as you want !
The gift vouchers are completely flexible, they can be of any amount, and for any activity stated at the time of purchase.
There is no time limit, any amount can be used and the remainder carried forward for future visits to Luckyard Farm.
~ For more detail please ring Carlton on 01643 - 851220 or send him an E Mail ~
We thank Gerry and jean for doing the flowers again this year in the farmyard.
The latest, and may I say Greatest, Luckyard Farm memorabilia to date ! I love the pint glasses especially !
Carlton, who looks more like 35 than 50, celebrated his milestone birthday in style on Saturday 21st May 2011.
Hull's most famous band "Ysabelle Wombwell" comprising of Danny, Danny, Isobel and Joe put on a special concert for Carlton to celebrate his great day !
Photos from the party !
Carlton & Daughter Laura.
Lou, Carlton, Connor and Laura.
Carlton, Alan, Chris & Bev.
The famous band "Ysabelle Wombwell" performed excellently on the night.
We have at last, a photo of the one missing band member, here is Joe the drummer.
Luckyard Farm welcomes Manners.
Manners, the most beautiful horse you could meet, joins Luckyard Farm in the Summer of 2010.
Scout camps at Luckyard Farm.
Here at Luckyard Farm we are very pleased to say that our first Scout camp has been a total success. The camp was set up in the field called 10 acres, just above the farmyard.
More details and photographs are to follow.
It is with immense sadness that we have to share the terrible news with the friends of Luckyard Farm that dear Frankie passed away on Tuesday 1st June 2010.
Please send me any good photos you have of Frankie, and sign in the guest book to remember him. We all have such fond memories of him, and I have some I would like to share with you. I remember one winter climbing up and over 10 acres on the back of the quad bike with Carlton, on our way up to do the roots by the pond. The quad bike started losing power quite dramatically, and we were both looking down at the engine wondering what was wrong. I glanced back to see Frankie had caught us up and sunk his teeth into the rear mud guard of the quad bike and almost brought us to a standstill !
We stopped and persuaded him to let go and told him stop chasing and catching quad bikes ! he was a fast and very powerful dog when he was young. In later years we were banned from feeding him in the holiday homes as he had put on a little weight, just like the best of us !
My other fond memory of Frankie was seeing him stretched out on the carpet of the Royal Oak in Winsford. Ian and Faith would regularly take Frankie out with them, and Frankie sure graced the Royal Oak ! he loved Ian and Faith and would jump at the chance to go out in the car with them.
Tylars take away food in Dulverton.
If you ever get one of those days where you don't fancy cooking and want an excellent take away, we are very happy to tell you that your needs have been met by Tylars who have opened up in Fore Street.
Menu & Prices:
Tylars cook Fish & Chips, Burgers, Pizzas and Glorious Kebabs !
Fish & chips are available 7 days a week, 12pm - 2pm and 5pm- 9pm. All the other food is available 7 days a week 12 noon until 12 pm
Pizza 9" from £4.50 and 12" from £6.50, Kebabs from £4.00, Chips £1.50
Full menus have been put in all holiday homes on the farm.
They don't deliver but you can phone orders through ahead of collection.
Very easy to find, they are just opposite the chemist in Dulverton, where the old chip shop used to be.
Tylars Fast Food, 1 Fore Street, Dulverton.
Please can someone take a photo of Tylars from the pavement outside the chemist or perhaps opposite, and e mail it to me for the Web Site ?
~ A very big thanks to Sue Jones for collecting the above information for the good of the Friends of Luckyard Farm ~
Visitors to Luckyard Farm can now have there shopping delivered form either ASDA or Sainsbury's. All you need to do is register on line and when putting the Post Code in use Luckyard Farm's post code which is TA24 7HF.
You need to choose a delivery time when you are going to be there because your shopping cannot be taken in by anyone else on your behalf.
What a fantastic idea ! This is something I will certainly do, thanks again to Sue Jones for this inspired idea that will greatly help all of Luckyard's friends.
Those of you who have been at Luckyard the same time as me will most probably know my Parsons Russell Terrier Jack.
Apart from digging under just about every tree on Luckyard Farm, Jack developed a taste for singing and has become quite a legend. You can watch some of his performances on YOU TUBE. Jack's stage name is 'Jackson the Singing Dog' and he has added some new songs to his repertoire, these new songs will be appearing on YOU TUBE in the coming months, here is one of his classic numbers singing along to the coronation street theme tune.
20th November 2009, Supreme Champion Paul accepts the Luckyard Farm Top Gun trophy from Carlton for spectacular shooting over the three day clay shooting event. Paul from Abingdon in Oxfordshire is a welcomed regular visitor to the farm along with his lovely wife Sue. We wish to say congratulations to Paul for winning the shoot and beating off some serious competition from many highly esteemed shooters.
Carlton holding his beautiful Beretta which he used in the competition and won a very respectable 3rd place.
Note: There were only three entries in the competition.....
November 2009, shooting party from left to right, Richard, Carlton and Paul, and of course Jackson the famous singing dog, who can been seen on You Tube.
Tom and Deborah happily holding their pheasants at Luckyard Farm.
Luckyard Farm on You Tube thanks to Kim
We are very lucky to have friends like Kim who is pictured above with Smarty. Kim has uploaded a really nice video on You Tube about Smarty. Thank you very much Kim.
Here is Kim's 1st excellent video.
Luckyard Farm are proud to have special friends like Kim who has been busy making and uploading a new video, we think it is excellent, take a look for yourself.
Here is Kim's 2nd great video.
17th June 2009
It is with tremendous sadness we have to share the news that Chance has died.
Chance made the grand old age of 15, he was a lovely friendly dog, he used to visit the holiday homes to see if there was any food left over, and we all often fed him.
Chance had one orange and one blue eye, a beautiful coat of fur with lovely markings. About 8 or 9 years ago Chance took over as top dog from Webster after spending the whole summer long scrapping with him. Webster eventually gave way to the stronger dog and Chance emerged as the overall winner and he stayed on top until his passing. Chance welcomed visitors dogs and really liked children. It is really sad to think he is gone, he will be missed by hundreds of people who loved him.
Adrian Stephens, never stops working ! he is pictured here cleaning out the pond at Luckyard Farm. Those of you who have either fished here or visited the pond, will realise the fast flowing water washes a lot of earth into the pond, so it has to be regularly dug out.
Luckyard Farm's new Bowman rotary clay trap
In addition to Luckyard's existing clay traps, we now have an automatic portable Bowman rotary trap. The trap holds 300 clays, and the recock time is only 1.5 seconds. The trap is adjustable and can be placed in different positions quite easily, this has had quite an effect on us all, and will continue to liven up the clay shooting on the farm.
Come and try it out..... Dave is pictured above trying out the new trap.
Hedge restoration April 2008.
The Gales
The west country was not spared when the terrible weather hit the country recently.
Damage to the barns was put right by Luckyard Farm's number one helper and Barbara's former stable boy, Mr Chris Adams (shown below in the photo) who bravely rose to the occasion and spearheaded the barn repair programme.
Well done Chris, and many thanks from the all the friends of Luckyard Farm.
Chris Adams, never frightened of a days work.
The Bunkhouse has been given the one thing it missed, a beautiful log burning stove ! as the Bunkhouse is one of larger holiday homes, the living room is substantial, and this stove will warm the room and the heat will rise and warm the bedrooms as well.
Now there is no reason why you can't stay in the Bunkhouse every single day of the year !
Photographs from Luckyard Farm's annual charity shoot for the Air Ambulance Service
Rachael and Gerry busy clearing out and replanting the flower boxes, whilst Toby the dog watches the action.
Carlton has been hard at work painting and fixing the weather vain
The Stable Barn is open
Latest photo as the outside takes shape 18/04/2007
1st Visitors
Congratulations to Ian & Faith for being the 1st visitors to stay in the Stable Barn, pity Ian was not in the photo !
On the left in the photo is Bethan, she has made two wonderful films about Luckyard Farm and these can be seen on You TUBE.
Click in the boxes below to view Bethan's masterpieces on You Tube.
Here is Bethan's second video on You Tube.
The new children's kart for 2007 was skillfully assembled and checked out by Pete in February.
Pete's skills do not stop with repairing, building and fixing things, Pete is pictured here about to take his last shot on the 500 Metre hillside target challenge. Pete grouped 10 shots within the 6" bulls eye, quite a spectacular achievement.
Luckyard Farm wishes to thank Pete for all his specialist work, he does so many jobs to help out here on he farm, we would have quite a job ourselves to mention them all !
~ Thanks very much Pete ~
Carlton is pictured here inspecting the hillside on the other side of the Quarme valley from Luckyard Farm. He often takes a stroll in the mornings before the visitors get up for breakfast. I have seen him sprint all the way back to the farm for a little extra excersise.....
Luckyard's winning Lambs in the spotlight again
Pictured above is the elegant Miss Sophie Stephens, proudly holding the treasured cup that the Stephens Brothers won for the best pen of lambs at the Wheddon Cross fat stock show in December.
~ Luckyard's winning lambs ~
Good News
Luckyard Farm welcomes Smarty
We are very pleased to announce the arrival of our new pony called Smarty ! he is a new forest pony and stands 10.2 hh. He has come from a very good home and has a lovely temperament. As you can see, Smarty has a lovely mane and he is really beautiful. Because of his kind nature, and the speed in which he has settled in, he will be staying with us permanently on the farm.
Laura, who is pictured here with Smarty, says he loves taking children for rides around the farmyard and fields.
~ Come and see Smarty ~
The end of an era
I took this photo in August 1995 in the field called 10 acres, at the door to the caravan I was staying in, that has long been removed from the farm !
Campari and Misty pictured above, were together for years. We have sadly lost them both. Visitors who have been coming to Luckyard Farm for many years like me, will remember them as they were, happy in each others company.
It was just great to open the caravan door in the mornings and be greeted by Campari and Misty.
Richard.
Restoration of the pond
Exmoor National Park Authority's eminent archaeologist, Rob Wilson-North has concluded that the old pond at Luckyard Farm is of historic importance. It is depicted on the OS first edition mapping of C.1890, and appears to have been a header pond to supply part of a field gutter system. The restoration project is well under way as you can see from the photographs.
The field in which the pond lies, and that to the immediate west contain a very well preserved gutter system, whilst immediately north of the pond is a platform on the hillside which may possibly be a charcoal burning platform.
Carlton will gladly direct visitors to view the restoration site.
I have never seen such well behaved, well bred and well trained labradors as these. It is almost impossible to tell the generations apart because they all look so fit and young.
I was so impressed with Dave Saunders dogs that I intend to buy a pup from the next litter !
If you want to contact Dave he can be reached on 01179 - 329585
Hedge Restoration, a constant on going project
Conservation and restoration have always been high on the list of priorities for the Stephens Brothers at Luckyard Farm. Here is photo taken of Adrian Stephens restoring some of the hedges that separate the fields at Luckyard Farm. Properly maintained and managed hedges not only provide shelter and safe boundaries for the sheep and cattle, but allow a multitude of wildlife to flourish and shelter along the hedges as nature intended.
Luckyard Farm Souvenirs
Visitors to Luckyard Farm will be pleased to hear that Carlton has added something really quite special to the already popular and huge range of Luckyard Farm gifts. These tasty cream fudge and butter shortbread treats are delightfully presented , remember to buy more than you need as they are absolutely delicious. The problem is that you will be eating them long before you get home... The answer is quite simple, get yourself and your friends some of these beautiful bone china Luckyard Farm fridge magnets as well.
More new gifts........
How about a soft cuddly lamb to take home ? Or a great tractor for the boys ( and Dad's )
This fridge magnet is quite different....when you press the dogs nose, it makes a barking sound for a few seconds.....So no excuses now for not knowing what present to take home to your family and friends....here at Luckyard we offer you a wide choice.
The new flower boxes in the farmyard
We have a couple of new flower boxes on the wall in the farmyard, here you can see them in the glorious summer sunshine and with the flowers in full bloom.
We wish to thank Gerry & Jean very much for these beautiful additions to the farm.
The Beast of Exmoor
We have not seen the beast on Luckyard Farm, but big black cats have been seen all over Exmoor for more than a decade. Sightings seem to be concentrated late evenings on the A396 between the "Badgers Holt" in Bridgetown and "The Rest and be Thankful Inn " at Wheddon Cross.
It might be worth pointing out at this stage that these are both public houses .....
If any of you have any news of new sightings, please e mail me - Richard
About the Web Site
This is Luckyard Farm's first web site. It was designed, constructed and still run today by myself, who used to visit the farm quite a lot, I appreciated what the Stephens brothers had to offer holiday makers who wanted to shoot and fish.
I have been going to Luckyard Farm for about 16 years and in that time had many fantastic holidays. I have met some interesting people and made some special friends. The friendship and hospitality extended to me by Carlton has been second to none. This inspired me to design and publish this web site on his behalf. If by doing so, just one family takes their holiday at Luckyard Farm it will have all been worth it. If a hundred families book their holidays on Luckyard Farm because of my efforts on this web site, then I begin to scratch the surface in the task of repaying Carlton for all his kindness, friendship and happy memories that I have treasured from my holidays with them on Luckyard Farm.
~ To visit the other pages of the Luckyard Farm web site, please click below ~
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Activities Page |
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