|
ACCOMMODATION
Do you provide bed linen?
Yes we have duvets with all beds already made up. Each bed has two
pillows but please ask if you need additional pillows or duvets. back
Do you provide towels?
We provide a hand towel and a bath towel for each person. We ask
that you don't take these to the beach or use them to bath the dog -
we've got to wash them afterwards! back
Do
you provide cots and highchairs? We can provide cots and highchairs
on request. We have mainly travel cots because they are easy to assemble
and move where you want them in the cottage. We do not provide cot linen
or duvets as we find that people prefer to bring their own. We do have
some wood framed cots on request.
Can
we wash clothes on site? Our bigger cottages (Keeper's Cottage,
Barn Owl Lodge, Old Schoolroom, Stables Cottage, Horseshoe Cottage and
Chapel Barn)
have washer/driers in the kitchens. On site we have a laundry room which
has a commercial washing machine and tumble drier which are coin
operated. These have a capacity about twice that of a domestic machine. All
cottages have access to a
rotary washing line. If you have used a washer/drier before you'll know
that its drying cycle is slow so many people use the laundry room drier.
back
What
cooking facilities are provided? Each cottage has a gas cooker with
a four ring hob and oven (Barn Owl Lodge has an electric cooker). They
each also have a microwave and toaster. Large groups who have taken
three or more cottages have been able to use the main Centre kitchen and
dining room for a special meal. back
Are
your properties inspected by an outside body?
We are inspected primarily by Wales Tourist Board. Our cottages have
achieved Grades 3 and 4 (see individual properties for details). back
What
is this free taster activity session?
If you book a weeks accommodation with us you receive, subject to
availability, a free multi activity taster session. This usually
takes place on the Monday after arrival, and can involve archery,
indoor climbing and horse riding. You can try all the activities
or just one or two. It's a great way to meet other people who are
staying here. back
CHALLENGE VALLEY
Is Challenge Valley really
muddy? Yes, no one has disputed that it is the
muddiest assault course in the world! That is what makes it such good
fun - remember, it's not life threatening but challenging and great fun
for all ages from 8 to 80. It is muddy all year round, so although the
sun may be shining in August you
re still going to get dirty! back
What equipment do you need?
Your oldest clothes! Plus shower kit, a
bathing costume, clothes to change into (everything from socks through
pants to tops) and a black bag to take the old clothes away when you've
finished. back
Why do you have to bring a
swimming costume? Two reasons - we like you to
take as many of your muddy clothes off outside the shower block as
possible. There are separate male and female changing rooms but the
showers are communal so some people prefer to keep their costume on when
showering. back
Will
I be able to complete the course?
Yes! Challenge Valley can be completed by anyone over the age of
eight years. It is suitable for all ages and abilities and it's
not a race! If you're in a group everyone helps everyone
else. We've had all kind of groups in amongst the mud, from
wheelchair users, deaf children, blind adults, people with learning
difficulties...we've even had a 80 year old granny who loved it!!
So even if the most exercise you do is picking up the remote control to
watch Eastenders this is for you!! back
How
long will the course last?
An average group will take around one and a half to two hours.
Challenge Valley birthday parties take two and a half hours, which
allows time for icebreaker games and food. back
What
is the age limit on Challenge Valley?
At the
moment the lower age limit is eight and there is no upper limit. We've
had people over eighty do it. Because it's a team event and not a race
they are helped by other members of their team. back
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Do
you provide food?
Our birthday party package
includes food which can be chips with chicken nuggets, sausage or pizza.
We have vegetarian options but other than that we like everyone to have the
same - it saves arguments! back
Do
you provide cakes or party bags?
We can but
usually parents prefer to supply their own back
Can
parents watch or have a cup of tea?
We
encourage parents to watch (but not interfere as the instructors we use
are very experienced in handling groups of all ages). If you want to
stay in the warmth of the dining room or coffee shop, tea and coffee can
be served (often the parents of the party person arrange this for
parents who stay) back
HORSERIDING
Do you have to be experienced
to ride at Clyne Farm? No, we cater for riders
of all standards - after all, everyone has to start somewhere. Your
instructor will assess you and the hack or lesson will be at the pace to
suit your ability. Lots have riders have had their first experience of
riding a horse at a birthday party at Clyne Farm and gone on to take
riding qualifications at college and university. back
Do you provide hard hats?
It is a requirement of our insurance that all
riders wear hard hats to the latest British and European Standard (BS
EN 1384 at the time of writing). If you have an older hat (and we've seen
some old ones!) we will ask you to hire one of ours. The hire cost is
£1 per hat per ride. back
What duration are the rides?
We start with a fifteen minute introductory led walk for little ones
(usually 2-4 year olds). Normally we do hacks or lessons which can be
from half an hour to four hours in duration. The most popular are one
hour hacks or lesson especially for people who do not ride regularly. back
Are lessons indoors?
No, all our lessons are outdoors in our all weather arena which means you have to wrap up warm in
the winter. back
Are
the horses OK in traffic? Most of our rides are traffic free.
Our horses are generally well behaved but remember they are animals and
can be unpredictable (I was going to say that most of them are female
but thought better of it!). back
I've
heard that you have a pony and trap - can I have carriage driving
lessons? We have Tiggi who is a very well
behaved young lady who is very good for carriage lessons. We use either
our Victorian trap or a two seater exercise cart. Lessons start in an
enclosed area and then graduate to the road. back
What is
the difference between a hack and a trek? The
dictionary definition talks about it being the hire of ordinary horses.
A trek is a slow ride where horses walk at a steady pace - sometimes for
a day or half day. Riders do not need to be experienced but usually go
along to enjoy the scenery. We don't do treks (but can let you know who
can) but hacks which we define it as a ride in which there is some
cantering or trotting depending on the skill of the riders. Whatever the
ride it will always go at the pace of the slowest or least experienced
rider. back
What
clothes should I wear? Warm, comfortable
clothes. Not jeans which can rub and are not comfortable when wet.
Waterproof tops and gloves will help keep wind and cold at bay. back
Should
I wear riding boots? All our horses have tack
which includes safety stirrups - this means that you can ride in
trainers. If you are going to ride a lot then riding boots, wellies or
shoes with a heel are preferred. back
I'd
love to go on a beach ride - do I have to be experienced? You have
to be confident of handling the horse or pony on the beach. Once they
see the wide open spaces they are off! Beach rides are definitely for
the more experienced rider! Access to the beach is limited during
the summer months. back
|
