Atherstone Farmhouse & Cottage
Atherstone Farmhouse is split into two holiday cottages, but they can also be opened to form one larger one sleeping up to fourteen in six bedrooms
SLEEPS: 14
BEDROOMS: 6
BATHROOMS: 6
OVERVIEW
Atherstone Farmhouse is a 17th Century grade II listed farmhouse that has recently been renovated.
The house is full of traditional charm, with its thatched roof, stone floors, ancient oak beams and a wood-burning stove set into a huge fireplace, but recently renovated and very comfortable and well equipped, including now with a wooden hot-tub in the garden.
When the farmhouse and cottage are opened up, there are six bedrooms, all en-suite, one is on the ground floor for easy access and another contains four beds, so the house can sleep 14 if needed.
There are two kitchen / dining rooms, one at either end of the property, and the house is well equipped for those who enjoy cooking. Both ends of the house also have spacious living rooms with a wood-burning stove, large flatscreen TV and comfy sofas in each. The house also has a garden, with outdoor eating / seating, and private parking areas for four cars..
The house’s rural location makes it a great escape for those looking to spend some time in the countryside, 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 six comfortable bedrooms, all are en-suites and have deep mattresses, 400 thread count cotton bedding, indulgent mattress toppers and fluffy bathrobes, so you can truly settle into the cosiness of the house.
Atherstone Farmhouse has a ground floor bedroom with king-sized four poster bed and a rolltop bath and wood burning stove in the bedroom, it also has an en-suite loo. The second bedroom can be setup with a superking sized double or twin single beds, it also has a kids bunk bed, and a bathroom with a bath and shower above. The other two bedrooms at that end of the house can be setup with superking-sized double beds, or twin single beds, both have walk-in showers and tiled floors with underfloor heating, but no bath.
At the other end of the house, the Cottage has two en-suite bedrooms, one with a kingsize bed and a bathroom with a cast-iron rolltop bath plus walk-in shower, and the other with beds that can be combined into a superking size double or separated as twin singles. The second room’s en-suite bathroom is a shower wetroom.
LIVING AREAS
The house has two modern and well equipped eat-in kitchens that are well equipped for cooking, with electric ovens, a large induction hob, large fridge-freezer (including ice-machine) and dishwasher. There are two tables, both can seat 10 comfortably. There are utility rooms at either end of the house with a washer-dryer in each.
The two sitting rooms have comfortable sofas, a wood-burning stove set into a large old stone fireplace and, to make the most of any rainy days, there are a few board games as well as a 55’’ flatscreen internet-connected TV with a Bluetooth soundbar in each. There is also a DAB radio / CD player that can also be used to play music / radio from a Bluetooth device.
There is also good-sized private lawn, a charcoal bbq and teak outdoor table and chairs for the summer (or the hardy!) and a wooden hot-tub in the garden, complete with lights and an air-bubble system.
SETTING & LOCAL AREA
The Farmhouse is part of the old grade II listed farm at Atherstone that has been part of the Dillington Estate since at least 1725. The Farmhouse building is now split into two properties – with the other end of the house also available to rent as a separate 2 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. We also recommend the micro-brewery at Stocklinch – Stocklinch Ales – which is open for visitors on Friday evenings after 7pm and Sunday lunchtimes.
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.
ACCESS
The Dillington Estate is very easily accessed by car just off the A303, and the cottage has private car parking space for four cars.
The train stations of Crewkerne (15 min drive), Castle Cary and Taunton (30 mins each) are all nearby..
Keys can be left at the house, so you can check-in at your convenience and the staff at the Dillington Estate are available to help with anything unexpected.
“The farmhouse and cottage are absolutely exquisite – I could not recommend this house enough. We had a group of 13 altogether for a British countryside hen do and this house was just perfect for get togethers and socialising.
The house itself was in pristine condition with lovely personal touches throughout. A lot of care has gone into the design and styling of the house, all of which is maintained to the highest standard. (Even including a towel and gown for each guest!) I would highly recommend a stay in this stunning house and Ewen is a brilliant host” – Megan
“We took the entire property for 3 nights to celebrate my dad’s 70th birthday and had a great time. The place has been recently refurbished to a very high standard and was stunning, both inside and out. The 6 bedrooms are all a really good size and are all ensuite. Two well equipped kitchens, lovely big dining table, a comfy lounge, nice furniture outside as well and gas and charcoal BBQs.
There was a welcome basket and some essentials in the fridge which was a nice touch.
We would definitely book this place again. Communication from Ewen was great too. Highly recommend” – Jo
“When we arrived at the Cottage, we were absolutely blown away by the location. In the middle of no where exactly as we wanted for a peaceful weekend of walking and talking 🙂 The cottage was so much more beautiful than expected, the pictures do not do this stunning place justice at all. Incredibly equipped to be the perfect home from home with some beautiful welcome touches. We were very impressed and will definitely be back for longer next time” – Lucy
“The cottage and farmhouse combined were just perfect for our stay. We loved the decor and the log burners as well as the boutique style bedrooms. All bedrooms were en suite (although the downstairs bedroom only has a bath in the room but no shower). The lounge is comfortable and the host brought in an extra large dining table for our formal dining . We also loved the soft lamps and lovely prints and paintings around the cottage. The property feels very quiet and rural – we would definitely return” – Emma
“What a magical getaway! Stunning house, decorated with taste, with all basic supplies and a lovely welcome pack including freshly baked bread! The house is spacious, making it easy to fit 14 of us without feeling cramped. Plenty of logs available for the (many) log burners and the dressing gowns were a perfect welcome addition in the morning!
Ewen was extremely helpful and approachable, offering great advice to get a supermarket shop delivered to the property, and a fabulous pub lunch recommendation (thank you!)
We all had a brilliant time celebrating my husbands birthday and can’t wait to be back! Would highly recommend :)” – Eleanor
“A fabulous farmhouse which made an ideal place for a family get together. The farmhouse is beautifully decorated and fitted and we loved the place. Even with 14 of us there was plenty of space” – Steve
