Easy Dreaming

We wouldn't use the word 'quintessential' if we didn't absolutely mean it, but this home is such a prime example of what a countryside retreat should be, it's hard to resist. The house has been passed down the same family for more than four hundred years and you get a sense of this heritage through the antique furniture, paintings and a whopping five thousand books in the library. Charming features, such as the fireplace and grand piano, provide a magical space to gather around during festive times of the year, while the grand dining room and its oak tables lend a sense of occasion to mealtimes. We were also rather taken by the conservatory, which has a view of the impressive outdoor space. The gardens and adjoining meadows stretch on for miles, with paths to follow for morning constitutionals and play equipment to keep kids entertained. If you're a fan of locally grown food, you'll adore the walled vegetable garden where you can pick fresh produce for the evening's banquet. The local village of Cossington has a pub, village shop and church, while many of Somerset's riches can be easily reached by car. Glastonbury Tor, for instance, is a twenty-minute drive, while Shapwick Nature Reserve takes half that time.


Home truths:
*There are unfenced bodies of water on the estate, so the host advises that you take extra care in these areas with children
*Three cots, high chairs, toys, baby monitors, baths, safety gates and babysitter recommendations are available upon request
*There are lots of valuable antique treasures in this home, so you should take extra care around fragile ornaments and look after the home as if it was your own
*There are accessibility provisions, including a well-lit path to the entrance and a step-free path to the outdoors, but guests with reduced mobility should note that there's no bedroom on the ground floor
*There's plenty of room to park on the property, including a disabled parking spot