Little Combe

2
1

Quantocks, Somerset

Peaceful escape for 2 tucked away in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty between the Quantocks and Exmoor

1 Bedroom

1 Bathroom

Eco conscious

Parking

Private garden

Walk to a pub

WiFi

Woodburner

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.

“We first set eyes on our house one rainy, windy day in July 1994. Derelict since 1947  and occupied by one rather fierce ram, it had no running water or electricity…. just a roof and an Elizabethan timbered ceiling. We bought it a month later at a local auction and it took 2 years to restore and rebuild. We then decided to convert the stable into a rental cabin, mainly because of its position. We thought how nice it would be to offer a tranquil setting for people to come and stay to unwind — an antidote to fast-paced London living. That felt far better than just using the building to store random pieces of old furniture!” Owner, Sian

My Kip favourites

She loves
“Sitting on the swing or languishing in the tree seat under the old oak, soaking up the last rays of sun with a glass of rose.”

We loved
The cute little lampshades, home-made from vintage Cath Kidston material, and antique pieces sourced from vintage shops in Tetbury.

You may not love
The cabin is next to the owner’s house, but is cleverly angled so it feels very private inside. Note she walks her dogs across the meadow twice a day but won’t come up to the cabin. No TV, but WiFi is good enough for streaming. Sorry, no dogs.

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  • "Myself and my girlfriend enjoyed our stay and are already thinking about when we can go again. Beautiful setting around the stay and plenty of views and things to see in the local area, along with some tasty food at various prices. The accommodation itself has an amazing high spec kitchen and exquisite interior design. Would highly recommend."

    Alastair, June 2023
  • "Quantocks Retreat is an oasis of calm with everything you could want or need. We loved all the beautiful crockery, the games thoughtfully provided and beautiful touches that make Quantocks Retreat a luxurious and relaxing stay. The bed… we have never slept on such a comfy mattress and it was such a delight to lie in bed listening to the stream and the birds. We particularly loved the beautiful linen and comfy sofas. The electric Aga was also a complete treat!"

    Letty & Pim, January 2023
  • "We have loved being at Quantocks Retreat. It is a special place, full of inspiration and beauty. We love its solid presence adorned with real artistry."

    N & G Alder, 2022

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.

  • Quantock Hills
    Quantock Hills
  • West Somerset Railway
    West Somerset Railway
  • Exmoor
    Exmoor National Park
  • Dunster Castle
    Dunster Castle
  • Dunster
    Dunster
  • Exmoor
    Exmoor
  • 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.

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