Peaceful escape for 2 tucked away in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty between the Quantocks and Exmoor
Space & setting.
*Brand new*
Transforming this once-derelict building into a little sanctuary between the Quantock Hills and Exmoor National Park was a true labour of love. Nestled into a peaceful combe, the owner integrated elements of the original building with beautiful fixtures and thoughtful interiors — thick linens, rattan furniture and wheel-thrown pottery by a local ceramist — and has created a wonderful retreat to simply be.
The sleeping nook is made for guilt-free mornings reading in bed, and large crittal doors and windows flood the open-plan space with sunshine and give views over a pretty meadow; watch for grazing deer, swooping owls and the occasional fox. After a lazy start to the day, you could jump in the car and zip up to the Quantocks for fantastic walking amongst heather-clad hills, with panoramic sea views and wild ponies grazing. Or you could just stay put. We spent most of our time here very quietly, only venturing out for dinners at one of the fantastic local pubs. And with an electric Aga for slow home-cooking and plenty of books and board games, you don’t even need to do that. It’s also a great place to get some work done – with a soothing silence and space to think.
Getting here: you’ll need to drive.
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Sustainability.
Sustainably insulated. Natural fresh water is pumped up from an aquifer 75 metres deep, rich with naturally-occurring minerals, untreated and unaltered. Eco-friendly products, especially cleaning products. Recycling for most materials.
Surrounds.
- Head up the Quantocks for glorious walking along the top. Heather-clad hills are lined with wild ponies and views stretch for miles; on a windy day we love winding through Great Wood instead. Best followed by a pint or dinner at the Blue Ball Inn in Triscombe.
- Walk the Coleridge Way, a 50/80km footpath that winds through the stunning landscapes of Somerset and Devon, linking sites associated with the romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Follow in his footsteps from Coleridge Cottage in Nether Stowey along to the pretty fishing village of Lynmouth, and discover the inspiration for some of his best-known works en route.
- The old-fashioned West Somerset Railway is great fun. Catch the steam train from Stogumber, half a mile down the lane, and puff all the way along the coast to Minehead.
- Or get off at Dunster, a gorgeous medieval village complete with cobbled streets, rose-covered cottages and a castle up on a hill. In December the whole village is charmingly candelit.
- Stroll along the pebble beach at Porlock Wier then enjoy lunch at Ziangs, a family-run pop-up kitchen cooking authentic street food from China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand since the 1950’s. Sit outside to look across the small harbour towards Wales.
- Nestled in a quiet combe overlooking the sea, St Beuno’s Church in Culbone is the smallest parish church in England, seating only 33. Walk through atmospheric Exmoor woods to discover it, and look for the leper’s squint set into the north wall, a relic of the 16thC when a leper’s colony was sited nearby.
- Follow the River Horner down to Bossington Beach, a crescent-shaped bay flanked by farmland and fields of heather, where World War II pillboxes and lime kilns emerge from the marshland.
Specifics.
- Standalone cabin in owner’s grounds
- Open-plan interior warmed by underfloor heating
- Kingsize bed in curtained sleeping nook
- Bathroom with shower
- Fully-equipped kitchen including a 2-door electric Aga; basics supplies provided
- Light-filled lounge area with woodburner, board games, books, candles and maps
- Utility room with washing machine and dryer
- A local caretaker is available by phone
- Walk 30 mins or drive 5 mins to village shops and local pubs
- Drive 20-30 mins to Taunton or Minehead for cafés, restaurants and shops
- Riverford Organics can deliver local produce and recipe kits every Tuesday
- Remember to pack: walking boots, waterproof, beach towels for a day at Minehead
- Booking conditions: Minimum stay is two nights. Check in/out days are Monday and Friday
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30% deposit, with the balance due 8 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations permitted 8+ weeks prior to stay, with deposit refunded minus a £30 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 8 weeks of stay.