October 2019 - What can I say? This is the 5th year we have been and despite some rather dodgy weather it has been superb! Rachael and Charles very welcoming-bit like coming home! Saw a good selection of bird life and deer on the reserve everyday. Good walks for our dear old (very old) dog as well. Decent pubs with 1st class food include The Anchor , Babbling Brook in Shurton , Friendly Spirit - all nice and local and all dog friendly.

It goes without saying we are already planning what to do when we come back next year.

October 2019 - A beautiful week here despite mixed weather the Marshes always have something to offer. On a grey drizzly day I was treated to a murmuration do Starlings , deer blinking through the mist and finally a sumptuous double rainbow.

Many thanks Charles and Rachael

September 2019 - Thank you Rachael and Charles for a lovely holiday in Quern Barn, which is one of the nicest holiday cottages we have ever stayed in. It is cosy, clean, comfortable and is extremely well equipped.

The cottage and grounds are in such a peaceful and tranquil location where it is easy to relax and chill out. We enjoyed the company of Homer and Lily (dogs) and also Rense the horse who is so intelligent he nearly talks to you.

We enjoyed the wildlife in the top orchard and the whole Somerset area is excellent for bird watching and wildlife. We can suggest a visit to the Avalon Marshes and visitor centre, plus Westhay, Shapwick and Steart Marshes. Just for a local relaxed visit and you like gardens ,visit Cannington Walled Garden.

Good meals at The Hood Arms in Kilve and Sunday Carvery at the AnchorCombwich. Lots of nice towns and villages to visit.

We will recommend you to all of our family and friends looking for a lovely holiday cottage in Somerset. We hope to return.

September 2019 - We’ve had another lovely holiday at Quern Barn. In spite of some awful weather forecasts there have been plenty of sunny spells for us to enjoy. The Barn is as welcoming and comfortable as always with Charles and Rachael to look after us & keep us on the straight & narrow. The coastal path & countryside we know so well are still here and it is always nice to visit Combwich and enjoy them all over again.

September 2019 - Very enjoyable and welcoming stay thanks to Rachael and Charles and Rense the horse. Good walks on the Marshes , Cothelstone Hill, Kilve and best of all along the coastal path from Blue Anchor to Minehead ( return by steam train). A bit of retail therapy at Clark’s Village and Wells then return via Wedmore and Burnham.

Plenty more still to do so look forward to returning.

August 2019 - We had a lovely week although the weather was not that kind to us. It is our second stay in Quern Barn, the first time was 4 years ago.

The cottage is so comfortable and Rachael and Charles very welcoming and helpful. The surroundings are beautiful and we enjoyed an abundance of wildlife especially up in the top paddock. We particularly enjoyed the company of Rense (horse) who liked to be nosy and see what we were up to whenever he could!

We hope to come back again. Thank you.

July 2019 - A beautiful stay at Quern. Huge thank you to Rachael and Charles for helping us find Cothelstone Hill and making our stay such a good one. We enjoyed Wells Cathedral- dog friendly and enjoyed good food at Paisleys Farm Shop on the A39. In late June there is a huge wildflower meadow in Stogumber, planted annually by a farmer with donations to charity.

June/July 2019 - We‘ve had a lovely week and visited lots of interesting places seeing plenty of wildlife. The cottage was as good as we remembered it and Charles and Rachael very welcoming.

June 2019 - Thank you Rachael and Charles . We have had a great week in a lovely cottage with beautiful surroundings. Our daughter fell in love with Rense - thank you so much for the horse shoe.

Hopefully we will be back again.

June 2019 - Many thanks to our hosts. Quern Barn is perfect! We. Have had a lovely week . Reserves ,Ham Wall ,Shapwick we’re perfect too. So good to be so close to Steart Marshes. We shall use the facilities here again.

June 2019 - Wonderful holiday ,same as last time all thanks to Rachael and Charles. Special thanks to Rense, he knows why! Be seeing you again soon.

June 2019 - Thank you both for another splendid week in Quern Barn. It could not be any better.

May 2019 - A good stay. Comfortable accommodation. Would recommend 

May 2019 - Thank you both for providing such a lovely comfortable place to stay in. We have really enjoyed ourselves. It is so peaceful- just the sounds of birds and wafts of scents from the roses and Lavender - wonderful , added to that the badgers and wonderful weather. Thank you again.

April 2019 - We have spent a very enjoyable week. The Barn is very comfortable and watching the birds (especially the Avocets) on the reserve has been great.

April 2019 - Quern Barn is a superb quiet and peaceful place to be when seeking a relaxing holiday. So many places to explore we must come back. 

April 2019 - Thank you Charles and Rachael for booking the wonderful weather. We have explored hills,beaches,woods,castles . Oh ....and a certain marsh. See you again soon.

April 2019 - In the footsteps of the Romantic Poets .....The Quantocks ~ full of hidden gems~ including Quern Barn!Thank you Charles and Rachael for such a comfortable stay in your lovely home.

All nature seems at work, slugs leave their lair-

The bees are stirring-birds are on the wing-

And winter, slumbering in the open air,

Wears on his smiling face a dream of Spring!       Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1772 - 1834.

March 2019 - A lovely place to stay calm and quiet - unfortunately we shared our holiday with Storm Gareth but still had a good time. A lovely welcome from Rachael and Charles and being entertained by Rense. Will return in October.

March 2019 - A second perfect week, this time with perfect weather as well! Plenty of birds and good walks... even saw the first swallow of the year. As a tip... visit Stockland Marsh if you like birds while everyone else is on the main Marsh.

February 2019 - Superb weather for February! We’ve had a brilliant time; lots of walking, lots of eating .....great food at The Hood in Kilve.

Many many thanks for making everything happen Charles and Rachael. See you again soon.

December 2018 - Very comfortable cottage, especially the double bed. Visited all of the bird hides plus Wells Cathedral, Yeovil air Museum, Bishops Plaace and Glastonbury. Enjoyed all of these places....the lanes to get there not so much!! 

Thanks Charles and Rachael for a very comfortable stay.

Nov / December 2018 - A perfect holiday cottage in a perfect setting. Being able to walk without getting the car out is a bonus! Forty two different birds on the first day was brilliant. Thanks for everything. We shall return.

November 2018 - Another blissful week and have been so lucky with the weather. So many beautiful sights and wonderful to see our favourite places in a different light. Thank you To Rachael and Charles for being so Rachael and Charles. :)

See you next year......

October 2018 - Many thanks again Rachael and Charles for a lovely week in your charming and beautiful Quern Barn. Great hosts! Happy hours spent at Ham Wall RSPB plus visits to Wells, Dunster Castle, Red Stag safari on Enmore and picturesque train ride from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead.

Will be back again soon hopefully!!

October 2018 - Thank you Charles and Rachael for your warm welcome and hospitality . We have enjoyed a restful week at Quern Barn- a delightful and comfortable cottage . Lots of walks around the levels and WWT Reserves produced a wealth of wildlife including sightings of Marsh Harrier, Spoonbill,Great White Egrets and Hobby to name but a few of the 58 bird species recorded. Hare and Roe Deer were in the adjoining fields and around the barn and the paddock - fox and badgers. Missed out on the Barn owl but did photograph a beautiful Southern Hawker dragonfly in the garden.
Think we will be back in the Spring when the summer visitors have arrived.

Oct/Sept 2018 - What can we say? Year 4 for us and it is great! Lovely to see Rachael and Charles again who always make us feel welcome. Cottage as always spotless. Wonderful walks with lots of sit down spots for the old girls so we slower but just as far as usual. Lots of wildlife even a Spoonbill which was a treat.weather super again and lots of lovely pub lunches. Thanks for a wonderful week.

September 2018 - Another lovely week at Quern Barn. We have spent the week just wandering around our favourite places but it is still lovely’s to see them again. Steart Marshes are starting to mature nicely. When we first visited years ago the project was just starting so it is nice to see everything going so well. Thank you for arranging the sunshine for us Rachael.

September 2018 - Our second stay at Quern Barn and won’t be our last. It was lovely to meet Rachael and Charles as they were on holiday the first time we were here “such a lovely couple” . Thank you for a lovely holiday it has been so relaxing . It is a little piece of heaven here on earth. Thank you again it is such a beautiful place to stay.

September 2018 - Quern Barn is definitely the best self catering accommodation we have stayed in over the last 30 years. The location is fantastic for wildlife watching. Thanks Rachael and Charles for making our stay so enjoyable and looking after us so well.

July 2018 - Once again we go home having been spoilt and well rested. Huge thank you to Rachael and Charles for your many many kindnesses. We spent a long time yesterday watching a pair of hares scampering around the field - an absolute delight! Fell totally in love with East Quantockhead -parking at the church and wandering down to the beach and than on to the beach at Kilve. Great for fossils.
Very sad to leave but will soon be back.

July 2018 - Thank you for making us feel so welcome and for inviting us into your home to see the badgers , something we will always hold on to as a memory.  The Barn has been very comfortable.

June 2018 - Lovely holiday again with a smashing couple (Charles and Rachael). Lovely to see the badgers again ,lovely walking , so peaceful.

Who could ask for anything more - Old England at her very best!

June 2018 - Thank you both for another wonderful week this time in Tropical weather! Quern Barn is as beautifully maintained and equipped as ever, and what a location!

May 2018 - Thank you for making us so welcome. Lovely cottage and so much wildlife right on the doorstep. So much to do we must come back.

( Guest has now booked a further week for later in the year)

May 2018 - A wonderfully sunny week at a beautifully kept and stunning property (cannot fault it!) - wildlife in abundance locally and at the various reserves.

Many thanks to Rachael and Charles (very attentive!)

Badger watch on last evening was great!

April 2018 - Another restful week on the beautiful Marshes. We have seen all sorts of wildlife -hares (near main car park) avocets (a pair spent the day in front of the Quantock Hide). Homer.......

The Barn was spotless as usual. Many thanks to Rachael and Charles for making it all happen.

July 2017– “What a treat to see the marshes again. Thank you for every kindness you have shown us.

The Cottage in Keenthorne serves great food and is very dog friendly”

July 2017– “It has been a great relaxing week made all the better by staying with Charles and Rachael in a superb cottage. Everything is catered for and not once did we say “wish I had brought that” Lovely holiday, lovely people and such a lovely location”

July 2017– “Had a great week. Lovely accommodation in a gorgeous setting. We needed a break from our “normal” life and we feel refreshed and ready to go back to “normal” again. Thank you for your kindness and for sharing your badgers with us. What delightful animals to watch! We leave our very best wishes and thanks”

July 2017– “We have had a lovely holiday, good weather, lovely cottage and a warm welcome from Charles and Rachael.

If in Dunster for village and castle The Yarn Market Hotel is excellent for lunch. Good food and good value. Cannington Walled Gardens well worth a visit”

June 2017 – ”We really had a great break in this fantastic cottage which is in such a great setting. We loved watching all of the wildlife not forgetting Rense. Thank you Charles and Rachael for making us feel so welcome”

June 2017 – ”Thank you so much for providing a perfect much needed holiday for us. Nothing was too much trouble and the barn has everything you need. Walks were wonderful and we even managed to tire our dogs out. Can’t thank you enough. Very sad to leave”

June 2017  – ”Another good weeks holiday at Quern barn in spite of some wet and windy weather.

May 2017 – ”Thank you Rachael and Charles for a wonderful week. The stone barn has been perfect for us, it is so peaceful, beautifully decorated well equipped and spotless. We have really enjoyed sitting outside in the morning and evening watching Rense in the paddock. Such lovely walks on the doorstep through the nature reserve and so many places to visit near by. I’m sure our dog thinks this is home and will miss it – like us”

Young  daughter comments ” I enjoyed staying here very much. I loved my room and the garden. It really made my week. I hope to come back again and Rense is the best horse ever!”

May 2017 -”We have had a wonderful week with amazing weather. This was our third visit but the first at this time of year. We managed to see 30 different bird species including our first ever cuckoo! We also visited Fyne court and Dunster Castle. Thank you Rachael and Charles for this gem. We love coming here – it is a real favourite”

May 2017 ” Lovely, cosy, clean well equipped accommodation in beautiful surroundings with wonderful walks on the doorstep -) shame about the weather but we will come back and try again in the future! Thanks Rachael and Charles Dogs and not forgetting Rense for making us so welcome”

April 2017 “ Another fantastic week here. This time we made more effort to identify the  amazing bird life here and have seen Ringed Plovers and Avocets”

The Barn  was closed from end October 2016 until April 2017.

October 2016 “We loved the marshes in Summer but were not prepared for how beautiful they would be in the Autumn. We particularly enjoyed the coastal path walks. These can be accessed from Steart Village itself where there is a dedicated car park,the paths are superbly maintained and navigable even after much rain”

October 2016  “Lovely Quern Barn. Clean and welcoming. 20 years plus we have been holidaying, Quern Barn has been the best stay by far”

October 2016 “Another super week here, warm welcome, lovely well equipped cottage. Enjoyed some really good walks on the reserve and saw many varied birds. Good pub lunches at The Anchor, The Friendly Spirit, and Babbling Brook in Shurton. Visited Hestercombe – beautiful and well worth a visit.”

September 2016 “Who could ask for anything more? Lovely people, plus animals (dogs and Horse) unique cottage,lovely garden. Walks wonderful and seeing Deer made it extra special”

September 2016 “Lovely cottage – so relaxing. Rense (Horse) was wonderful”

August/Sept 2016 “ Thank you very much for our stay in this beautiful accommodation. After a long day visiting many interesting places (Bath, Dunster Castle, Glastonbury Tor, Wells Cathedral and many others) it was like coming home. Rachael and Charles, you are very friendly and welcoming and we have enjoyed staying with you.” ( Germany)

August 2016 “We had a nice week in this very nice cottage” (Germany)

August 2016 “We had a fantastic stay at Quern Barn, it was lovely being able to use the summer house and grass area. Thank you for the Badminton set. It was nice having Rense around he is such a friendly horse.Thank you for such a warm welcome ,you really made us feel welcome and always on hand to help out. We visited Blue Anchor which has a nice beach and a lovely cafe, Weston super mare which has lots of rides and shops and Taunton which is perfect for shopping”

August 2016 “We had an amazing time here at the barn, thank you for the warm welcome”

July / August 2016  “We enjoyed a pretty stay here at the barn.We loved the green surroundings,  the presence of Rense and playing Boules on the hill. Thank you for your hospitality and warm welcome”

July 2016  “A peaceful and perfect base for a relaxing break from work and family. We had some lovely walks over the marshes and all without needing to use the car. Pub lunch highlights included The White Horse in at Washford with freshly cooked excellent fish and chips and very friendly people.The Luttrel Arms Hotel in Dunster another freshly cooked meal from an interesting menu. Brown and Forrest at Hambridge – Smokery and restaurant. Thanks to Charles and Rachael for making this a Welcome break”

July 2016  “What an enjoyable week that was! Fine weather, wonderful landscape, good walks and Blue Anchor beach for the dogs. Charles and Rachael were more than helpful to make this week perfect. The cottage was so well equipped, tastefully decorated and well fitted inside. We really felt at home” (Germany)

July 2016  “Very sad to be leaving. This time we spent a lot of time around Bridgwater Bay and hunting for sea shells , paddling in the soft sand. The marshes were stunning and it is a joy to see them mature. One of the many luxuries of staying at Quern is the warmth and thoughtfulness of Charles and Rachael. Thank you for everything. Counting the weeks until our next visit”

July 2016  “Good to come back again and the cottage was as comfortable as we remembered it.The nature reserve being on the doorstep is an added bonus. We have all enjoyed ourselves and hope to come again”

June / July 2016  “Another delightful week in the incomparable Quern Barn.Thank you Charles and Rachael for the warm reception, the wonderful care and consideration.Hope to be back”

June 2016  “We have had a wonderful week in your very comfortable, beautifully furnished and well designed cottage, it has been a pleasure to visit here one of the best we have stayed in over many years. It has been a pleasure to meet Charles and Rachael who have been excellent hosts.A lovely day out is a trip on the West Somerset Steam Railway from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead with a stop off at Blue Anchor for a good meal at the Driftwood cafe. Thank you again for a lovely holiday.

June 2016  “We have totally recharged our batteries in this peaceful and relaxing place . Quern Barn is almost comfortable retreat and it’s situation is that you can walk straight out into a wildlife haven – can’t be bettered. We have enjoyed mostly local activities – long walks round different parts of Steart Marshes and have been rewarded by seeing up close and personal Ringed Necked Plovers, Skylarks Reed Bunting, Deer, Hare, Badgers, Egrets and Merlin.

Cannington is delightful! The church with the beautiful Kempe window was a real discovery – also The walled gardens part of Bridgwater College- a must see – needless to say we are going home with Cannington Roses for our garden acquired from the shop’s nursery. We have lived in Somerset in the past and know and love Porlock, Dunster, Exmoor and beyond. This area had been unknown to us – it has been a revelation!

June 2016  “We really enjoyed our stay at Quern Barn in the lovely grounds of Riverside Farm. The Farm was as perfect as the wonderful weather we had. Riverside Farm is teeming with wildlife (A special place ) and so peaceful.

Thanks so much to Rachael and Charles for their generous welcome. We would recommend:

1. Dunster Village,Mills and Castle

2. Tyntesfield Nr Bristol

3. Stourhead Nr Mere

4. Clark’s Village (Street) shopping

5. The Malt Shovel. Cannington. ( for eating …yum!)

May / June 2016 “Thank you for a lovely week in a beautiful cottage in an idyllic location. The cottage is immaculate and you’ve thought of everything. We’ve had a great time exploring the Quantocks and Steart Marshes. Thanks for lending us the bikes and maps. We would definitely recommend this to anyone. Thanks again”

May 2016 “What a beautiful place! So quiet and relaxing we have had the perfect honeymoon! Charles and Rachael are a lovely couple and made us feel very welcome (Big thank you for the bubbly). Many thanks and hope to visit again soon”

May 2016 “We all had a great time – staying in comfortable well appointed and tasteful accommodation. A very enjoyable week”

May 2016 “We have used HelpfulHolidays for 15 years now and Charles and Rachael’s Quern Barn is one of the best we have stayed in, so comfortable and relaxing. We have had a super break. So cosy”

April / May 2016 “Once again Home from Home with lots of extras.Charles and Rachael wonderful people. Enjoyed our stay so much”

April 2016  “We have had an enjoyable week staying in this delightful barn conversion. Exploring the reserve has been brilliant.We have seen so many birds (40+ see bird sighting log).

We have appreciated Charles and Rachael’s friendliness, especially the invitation to watch badgers with them”

April 2016  “A lovely comfortable barn set in wonderful surroundings. We wanted for nothing Charles and Rachael made us feel very welcome and told us to visit Cothelstone Hill in the Quantock Hills for the 360 degree view of Somerset- a site not to be missed on a fine day! The Castle Tea Rooms in Dunster is a good place to visit for lunch. Good value for money for home cooked meals. We had a lovely week and hope to return in the near future”

April 2016  “An immaculate and peaceful base for our few days walking break on the New England Coast Path. Charles was kind enough to give us a lift to the coast so that we could walk back – very much appreciated.Thank you to Rachael for her friendly welcome and the Lemonade to go with Charles’s homemade Cider”

March / April 2016  “What an absolutely amazing cottage.Just what a nurse needed! The setting is beautiful and so much to do in the surrounding area. It was so lovely to wake up each morning and look out of the window to see Rense looking out over the paddock. Charles and Rachael are wonderful hosts.Thank you Rachael for your prompt to go to Street. One Prom dress purchased at a bargain price!

Thank you both again for an amazing holiday in what I can only describe as a Paradise home.

March 2016 “So very quiet and comfortable and very well and tastefully fitted out. We can’t see how it could have been done better. We have enjoyed our stay. Thank you”

The Barn was closed from end October 2015 until March 2016.