FAQs

What should I wear?

Wear something you don't mind getting dirty and hairy. The perfect outfit is jeans or tracksuit bottoms with trainers and a t-shirt/hoodie/sweater. We don't recommend wearing white or anything expensive. Wellies are a good idea if we are expecting rain but frankly it is nearly always sunny and dry here!

A spare change of shirt and trousers is a great idea if you want to go for something to eat after your Experience. If you don't get dirty here you haven't had enough fun!

How do I find The GRE?

We're on the way to Minehead off the A39 in West Somerset, UK. If you're coming from the North, take the Bridgewater exit off the M5. If you're coming from the South, take the Taunton exit off the M5. Then follow signs for Minehead. If you're coming by public transport, our nearest railway station is Taunton and from there you will need to get the 28 bus to Minehead but be sure to get off before Minehead at Carhampton. If you are flying to the GRE then our nearest airport is Bristol International Airport.

Further details will be given with your booking confirmation email.

How do I find the 28 bus schedule?

Click here

28 - Richard Huish College - Butlins Main Gate via Bishops Lydeard, Williton, Watchet – First Buses of Somerset – bustimes.org

Can I get a taxi from the train station / airport to the GRE?

We have a great local taxi service called Anchor Taxis that can collect you from any train station or airport and bring you right to our door or to your chosen accommodation. They can also take you back to the train station or airport etc.

Anchor Taxis are also very handy for trips around the local area if you are staying for a few days.

If you would like to book Matt at Anchor Taxis in Minehead you can reach him on his mobile on 07872 857 284 or book him via email on mattanchortaxi@gmail.com

Best advice is to book any taxi service you need well in advance as they get booked up quickly!

Taunton Train Station to GRE or GRE to Taunton TS - £50 on weekdays - £100 round trip.

Weekends £80 each way or £160 round trip. Ask Anchor Taxis for quotes on other locations.

These rates save you £10 in each direction on normal taxi rates for Taunton Train Station.

Is there accommodation locally to stay overnight?

Yes, we'd highly recommend Croydon Hall, a gorgeous hotel which is just a 12 minute drive from us. This hotel has spectacular views, fantastic food, a heated outdoor pool, spa and gym.

Croydon Hall offers a special 10% discount on hotel rooms to customers and friends of The GRE, available all year round!

Simply book via their website www.croydonhall.co.uk and use code GRE in the checkout.

Book At croydon hall

What else is there to do near The GRE?

There is the picturesque Dunster Castle and Medieval Village which is less than a mile away. From Dunster, you can see the tallest tree in England or take a ride on the West Somerset Steam Railway. In Minehead, you can visit their long sandy beaches, play golf along the beach course, play arcade games, look through surf shops and have cream tea at their cute tearooms. There is also a Butlins if you want to turn your trip into a full-on holiday.

Do you accept all ages?

Absolutely! Our dogs are great with everyone from babies to the elderly. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult with a ticket. Parents need to ensure that children are respectful of the dogs, for example there should be no tail-pulling or screaming etc. In addition, physical and mental disabilities are no problem as we can ensure that only the calmest and most mature dogs are involved in your session.

Will the dogs bite me?

It is not in the nature of Golden Retrievers to bite but if you choose to give treats to the dogs or take a ball/toy from their mouths, then you accept full responsibility for any injuries caused by giving treats/retrieving balls. We have expertly trained our dogs to be respectful and obedient, and not once have they been aggressive towards humans. You're more likely to be licked to death than bitten!

Can we bring our own dog(s) with us?

Unfortunately, due to Licensing and Insurance restrictions, we can no longer allow guests to bring their dogs to the experience. This is to ensure the safety of our guests, staff, and dogs. However, you can leave your dog at our new Doggy Daycare which costs £12.50 an hour and is located on our property. Please book this via the 'book now' button on our website.

How long can we spend at The GRE?

Our minimum stay is a 2-hour session because you'll need enough time for briefing and playing with the dogs, and trust us - 1 hour is not enough! If you want anything longer then you can book several sessions in a row! Or do 2 hours in the morning, take 2 hours off for a nice lunch somewhere and then have another 2 hours with the dogs before heading home in the afternoon. You can even book the entire day at The GRE if the slots are available.

Do I need to bring anything?

We recommend that you check the weather for our area before you leave so that you come with either suncream & hat, waterproofs or warm jackets where appropriate. Otherwise, just bring yourselves!

We do recommend you bring a spare change of clothes if you want to go for a nice lunch after your session.

Can we bring treats for the dogs?

You’re welcome to bring any treats with you but we’re not able to give the treats to the dogs in sessions as it can become too chaotic. However, we’ll be sure to give them the treats later that evening!

How many people can we bring?

Our capacity is 15 adults and up to 5 children, and our online booking system will let you know how many slots are left in each session. We kindly ask that if there is only 1 ticket left for a session, please get in touch before trying to bring extra people along.

Are you wheelchair accessible?

Yes we are wheelchair accessible but please note that the ground is a bit bumpy due to it being grassy, this is usually fine for most wheelchair users but do get in touch if you think this will be an issue.

Why can't I book a 3-hour session anymore?

Unfortunately we have discontinued the 3-hour sessions as they were under-subscribed but if you still have a 3-hour gift certificate to use then please email us at bookings@thegoldenretrieverexperience.com with your gift certificate code and the date and time you'd like to book onto so we can make a 3 hour slot available for you.

What happens if the weather is really bad on my day?

The GRE is an outdoor experience and cuddling wet dogs isn't always ideal so we are happy to allow our customers to reschedule their session if preferred. If customers do want to go ahead with the session despite the rain, we have tents and shelters set up so that sessions can go ahead.

I don't want to join in on the session, so can I just spectate for free?

No, unfortunately we do not allow spectators on the property without a ticket. We also cannot allow spectators to sit in their car on the property while the session commences because the dogs will undoubtedly want to come over and say hello, and this will distract them from the guests who have paid to see them.

There is only 1 ticket left for my time slot but can I bring another person with me?

Feel free to contact us if you require additional tickets or try finding another date and time slot that can accommodate your whole party.

Can I leave my child at the GRE without buying a ticket for myself?

No, unfortunately all children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult with a ticket.

Why won't the booking system let me add a Child ticket to my order?

Customers need to select at least 1 Adult or Concession ticket before a Child ticket can be selected. This is to ensure that children are not left unsupervised.

I'm a Concession buying tix for my Non-Concession friends - can I pay the Concession price for them?

No, unfortunately Concession tickets (Student, Senior, Military, NHS) can only be purchased if the ticket holder is a Concession. We will ask to see proof of Student/Senior/Military/NHS ID on arrival.

Can I buy a gift certificate to use at a later date?

Yes, you can purchase a gift certificate or gift card via the 'book now' button on our website. Once you have paid for this through our online booking system, you can download one of our free, customisable templates on our Gift Certificates page www.thegoldenretrieverexperience.com/gift-certificates and print/frame it to give as a physical gift. Please note that the free templates cannot be used as proof of purchase.

I have a 3-hour gift certificate, how do I use it?

If you need to redeem a 3-hour gift certificate, please email us on bookings@thegoldenretrieverexperience.com with your gift certificate code and the date and time you'd like to book.