Middle Stolford Cottage, Brendon Hill

Property Summary
Middle Stolford Cottage, Brendon Hills (Somerset) is a large traditional farmhouse offering quality holiday accommodation for up to 9 (up to 7 adults and 2 children +cot). Situated on a farm in the Brendon Hills, it's a fabulous area for walking and exploring with Hot Tub & indoor bbq & pizza oven

Main Description
Middle Stolford Cottage in the Brendon Hills (Somerset) is a characterful 16th Century luxury farmhouse situated in it's own sheltered valley. It's a rural property well-suited to families or groups looking for a quiet, spacious and luxurious property to relax in. The location is just on the edge of Exmoor National Park and only 7 miles from the coast at Watchet, with the Quantock Hill (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) also nearby. Middle Stolford Cottage is located on a farm close to two other properties and is surrounded by beautiful, tranquil countryside, peaceful walks and stunning views.

Sleeps up to 7 adults and 2 children (plus cot) please bring your own cot bedding.
Five bedrooms; two king-size double beds, two twin bedrooms, and one single bedroom. Please note one of the twin bedrooms has 2'6" wide beds (they are standard length).
Three bathrooms (one is an en-suite)
Large garden with Hot tub, sun terrace, covered bbq, clay pizza oven and fire pit
Open-plan kitchen dining room with large dining table
Utility room with washing machine and large boot room
Spacious sitting room with wood-burner
The cottage is very old and quirky with the ground floor being split level. The staircase is steep and narrow.
Large enclosed garden
A separate self-contained one-bed property is also available to rent in addition to Middle Stolford (see The Cowshed listing for details) so can accommodate 11 guests
Dogs welcome (2 max) for supplement of £25 per dog
High-quality cotton bed linen and towels provided (including towels for use with the hot tub)
Heating, electricity and wifi included
Large Smart TV, Soundbar and Bluray player
Seven stables in a modern block, available for you to bring your horse on holiday, charged at £15 per horse per night. Turn out also available.
Footpaths direct from the farm
Parking for up to 4 cars
Clatworthy reservoir less than 1 mile by foot (dogs not allowed on footpath but you can walk on farm land with views of the reservoir)
Nearest pub serving meals is 3 minutes by car
Arrive from 4 pm
Depart by 10 am

Please note, this property is a 16th-century farmhouse, some traditional features have been retained including some low beams and doorways, split level floors and a narrow staircase.

Sorry, no single-sex groups, unless agreed by the owner in advance. Please get in touch with further information about your group if you wish to book Middle Stolford Cottage for a single-sex group.

*Security deposit
A £250 security deposit is required when booking this property to cover any potential damage during your stay. The deposit will be refunded after your departure, provided the property and its contents are not in any damanaged condition.

Indoor Description
An original, characterful Exmoor oak farmhouse door provides the entrance into the external boot room, ample room for footwear, coats, pushchairs, etc. The front door then opens into the original part of the farmhouse which dates back to the 16th Century. There's an inglenook fireplace at each end of what is now the large kitchen-dining room. A modern kitchen was installed in 2012 and ample crockery, cutlery, pots, pans, and utensils are provided. There is an electric oven, induction hob, fridge/freezer, microwave and dishwasher. Mind your head on the beams and take time to admire the traditional construction of the kitchen walls and ceiling timbers.

The kitchen-dining room leads to a short passage, with a couple of steps, to a light and spacious lounge with a new wood burning stove for cosy nights in. There is comfortable seating for the whole party and an additional table with 4 chairs. A shower room (with toilet and hand basin) and the utility room (with washing machine and tumble dryer) complete the ground floor.

The traditional staircase leads upstairs to the five bedrooms; two king-size double bedrooms (one with en-suite), two twin bedrooms and one single; one of the twin bedrooms has 2'6" wide beds (standard length) therefore suitable for children; the other 3 single beds are all 3' wide. The family bathroom comprises a bath (with handheld shower attachment), toilet and hand basin. The en-suite shower room has a large walk-in shower, toilet, and hand basin.

There are fixed stair gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.

The whole property was recently re-wired, had a new heating system installed and been redecorated throughout.

Heating, electricity and wifi is included in the price of your accommodation. Starter logs are provided for the wood-burner, additional logs are available onsite.

The property comfortably sleeps up to 7 adults and 2 children, plus infant in cot. Please bring your own cot bedding. Stairgate/s and a highchair can also be provided for those staying with young children, please request this on your booking form.

Well behaved dogs welcome (2 max) for £25 supplement per dog. Please do not allow your dogs on the furniture or upstairs or leave them unattended.

Sorry, no single-sex groups, unless agreed by the owner in advance. Please get in touch with further information about your group if you wish to book Middle Stolford Cottage for a single-sex group.

Note, A security deposit of £250 is required when booking this property to cover the cost of any damage during your stay. This security deposit will be returned after your departure providing there is no damage to the property or its contents.

Outdoor Description
Middle Stolford Cottage sits within a large private garden, which has been recently re-fenced around the perimeter, in a tranquil sheltered valley, in the middle of Stolford Farms' land. Beyond the garden you will discover winding footpaths, hills, woods and streams without leaving the farm. There is a picnic table and sun loungers on a large sunny terrace, for you to enjoy alfresco dining - or relaxing with a good book. A brand new indoor/ outdoor BBQ (gas supplied), fire pit and clay pizza oven, with covered seating means you can enjoy outdoor cooking all year round, whatever the weather. (Logs and kindling can be purchased at cost price on site). Enjoy a soak in the hot tub and on clear nights marvel at the spectacular display that the Exmoor night sky has to offer! There’s also swings, a slide and climbing equipment for supervised children to enjoy.

The farm is accessed by a formal drive with wide verges and standard trees, the owners live in the farmhouse (next door, not attached) and there is another holiday cottage nearby, The Cowshed, which sleeps 2 guests.

A full-size tennis court is available for all guests to use.

If you would like to bring your own horse there are seven fabulous boxes in a modern stable block which can be rented on a DIY basis, with straw and hay provided with grazing available on request. Stables are charged at £15 per horse per night.

Parking
There is parking available on the drive beside the cottage, and there are a couple of additional allocated spaces just outside the garden.

Pets Description
Dogs: Well behaved pets are welcome at Stolford Farm but please don’t let them go upstairs or on the furniture and please don’t leave them unattended.

Horses: If you would like to bring your own horse there are seven fabulous boxes in a modern stable block which can be rented on a DIY basis, with straw and hay provided with grazing available on request. Stables are charged at £15 per horse per night.

Restricted mobility
This has not been completed by the owner.

Exit in case of emergency
This has not been completed by the owner.

Christmas / New Year
Middle Stolford Cottage is perfect for Christmas with its large family kitchen table and wood burning stove. As well as the indoor bbq, fireplace and clay pizza oven and hot tub. A decorated Christmas tree and other festive decorations are provided. Being well detached from other properties you’ll have no neighbours to disturb with your festivities.

The region
The Brendon Hills are a range of hills in West Somerset, they merge level into the eastern side of Exmoor and part of the range is included within the Exmoor National Park. The beauty of the hills are definitely worth exploring, but there is also Exmoor National Park on the doorstep and the Quantock Hills (AONB) within a short drive also.

Clatworthy Reservoir is less than a mile on foot from Middle Stolford. There are seven water inlets but generally, the south bank is considered to be the best area for fishing. Dogs are unfortunately not allowed on the reservoir footpath but you can stay on the farm land and get some lovely views across the water). Wimbleball Lake is also nearby (approx 5 miles), which has a variety of walking and cycle trails plus a range of watersports on offer, such as canoeing, windsurfiSUP/paddle boarding, and sailing. (Dog friendly).

We are not far from the Coleridge Way a 50-mile walking and bridleway.

The ancient harbour town of Watchet is just 7 miles away. It's a small picturesque town nestled on the West Somerset coastline, but-packs a lot in! It has an active Marina, Steam train station, Old Port, museums, shops, restaurants, pubs and takeaways! From Easter onwards there is a weekly Wednesday market and every first Sunday of the month, there is an eclectic craft, artisan and food market.

Wheddon Cross (approx 7 miles away) is argued to be the highest crossroads on Exmoor, standing at 980 feet above sea level, and the highest point on Exmoor, Dunkery Beacon (1704 feet above sea level) is the focal point of the village. Dunkery Beacon is about three miles further on from the village, there are fantastic panoramic views from Dunkery; wild moorland to the west, the Bristol Channel and Wales to the north, the rolling Brendon Hills to the east and the Quarme Valley to the south. In recent years Wheddon Cross has become famous for the abundance of snowdrops in the nearby valley which has become known as 'Snowdrop Valley'. The snowdrops bloom around February and a park and ride system operates from the village to enable visitors easy access to the "carpet of snowdrops". Wheddon Cross has a mini-supermarket with long opening hours, a petrol station and a village pub too.

In the opposite direction, the small town of Wiveliscombe is about 7 miles away, and the county town of Taunton is about 15 miles.