Atherstone Farm Cottage
With a stone floor, ancient beams and thatched roof it's the picture of a romantic country cottage, but now updated with a modern kitchen, bathrooms and entertainment system. Its rural location makes it a great escape for those looking for a countryside bolt-hole, with plenty of pubs to walk / cycle to and things to see and do nearby, and convenient shopping in Ilminster is not far away.
Bedrooms
There are two comfortable bedrooms, both en-suites., with deep mattresses, 400 thread count cotton bedding, indulgent mattress toppers and fluffy bathrobes, so you can truly settle into the cosiness of the cottage. The master bedroom has a king-sized bed and a spacious bathroom with a roll-top bath and walk-in shower. The second bedroom can be arranged as a superking-sized double or with two single beds. Its bathroom is a walk-in modern wetroom with heated stone tile floors.
Living areas
The house has a large living area for four people, with a long dining / sitting room. The sitting room has comfortable sofas, a wood-burning stove set into a large stone fireplace and is equipped with a 55' flatscreen internet-connected TV with a Bluetooth soundbar that can be used to play music / radio through the TV or from a Bluetooth device, or just envelop those who want to relax with a movie.
The kitchen is modern and well equipped with an electric oven, hob and dishwasher. There is a separate utility room with a large fridge-freezer (including ice-machine) and a washer-drier.
There is also good-sized private lawn, a bbq and teak outdoor table and chairs for the summer (or the hardy!)
Setting & local area
Atherstone Farm Cottage is part of an old grade II listed farm that has been part of the Dillington Estate since at least 1725. The cottage is found at one end of the farmhouse - with the other half of the house also available to rent as a separate 4 bed house. The two are joined through lockable doors on the ground floor for the convenience of any groups renting both.
The farm is in the tiny hamlet of Atherstone, which is surrounded by fields and woods that are accessible on foot and bicycle through the myriad of local country lanes and footpaths.
Nearby there are several pubs, some within walking distance – like the Barrington Boar – others a little further, but worth cycling or driving to, such as the Dinnington Docks or Lord Poulett Arms.
Barrington House, a National Trust house with gardens open to the public, is nearby, as is Dillington House. The Dennis Chinaworks in Shepton Beauchamp are also very close and worth a visit, for the tea rooms as much as anything else.
There are several local cider producers whose orchards and presses are worth seeing, Perry's Cider in Dowlish Wake being one, and Julian Temperley's cider and cider brandy distillery over at Burrow Hill another.
A little further away the beach at Lyme Regis and walks along the Jurassic coastline are 40mins or so to the South, and the Hauser and Wirth gallery near Bruton is 40 mins or so to the East.
Guest access
The house is accessed just off the A303 and has parking for 2 cars, or by train from Crewkerne (15min drive) or Castle Cary/ Taunton (30min drive each). Keys can be left for you and, in office hours, the staff at the Dillington Estate are also available to help.
