Always fantasized about being Lord or Lady of the Manor? Well, now you can be, sort of. This historic stable building (dating back to 1900) is part of a family estate located in the Dorset village of Hinton St Mary. Along with the estate’s gatehouse (also available on Plum Guide), it's been recently refurbished and is accessible to outsiders for the first time. We loved the balance between period features and brand new additions, like the shiny bathroom and kitchen gadgets. Everything is finished in the best possible taste, with some lovely personal touches. The owners clearly want their new guests to feel at home, as they’re happy to accommodate needs, whims and fancies, from arranging a paid-for chef or babysitter, to offering a choice of seasonal duvets, luggage storage, locally sourced ingredients in the welcome pack and everything you’d need to bring your baby (high chair, cot, dinnerware, pram, potty, etc). The home’s location is another definite selling point. At the end of a small village lane, near a cricket green and traditional pub, it’s picturesque and quaint. The nearest town is Sturminster Newton where there are plenty of shops and cafes, a great deli and butchers. This home makes a great base to explore the famous Dorset coast and countryside or simply settle back and relax by the wood-burning stove and imagine your servants are just out of sight.

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