This stunning stone-built cottage in North Cheriton is surrounded by Somerset countryside making it the perfect rustic retreat for a small group of friends or family. Formerly a 17th century barn, this historic home with its typically high wall used in times gone by to play the ball game Fives – one of only six remaining walls of this period in all of Somerset and Dorset – is an absolute gem. Boasting a recently refurbished kitchen cum dining room complete with fantastic flagstone floors, a cosy sitting room with exposed brick fireplace and wood burning stove and beautifully beamed sloping ceilings in the bedrooms, this truly is the homeliest of homes. You’ll love sunny mornings out in the courtyard, preparing family favourites on the spacious countertops in the kitchen, and gathering around the wooden table for sociable meal times. The table in the sitting room is great for jigsaws, games of cards or planning the day’s activities. At the day’s end, read or recline on the leather sofas or host a movie night in front of the wood burning stove. If you fancy getting out and about in the fresh air, head out on circular walks straight from your front door before stopping in one of two dog friendly pubs in the village – a designated conservation area. Alternatively, the market town of Sherbourne with its Abbey and two castles is just six miles away and there are also many National Trust properties to snoop around including Stourhead with its world-famous 18th century garden, Montacute House, Lytes Cary Manor and Barrington Court. Within easy reach by car is the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site famous for its sandy beaches and gorgeous geological features such as Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Whatever you do, don’t forget to ask your host to take you to see their chickens, rare breed Zwartbles sheep and Shetland ponies in the fields nearby.

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