Quist Cottage, Somerset

Situated on the edge of the Blackdown Hills between Taunton and Ilminster in the peaceful conservation village of Hatch Beauchamp lies Quist Cottage, a stone-built, semi-detached, period cottage tucked away at the end of a small lane in the heart of the village offering a large private garden with plenty of space to relax at the end of the day’s exploring. The Jurassic Coast, Exmoor, and the Quantock Hills are within a 40 minute drive of the dwelling; the village is ideally located for a West Country holiday while the surrounding Hatch Beauchamp is full of Somerset’s famous cider orchards and rolling farmland. The cottage has been designed and furnished with relaxation in mind whilst the large and well-equipped kitchen/diner welcomes you with a warm glow from the woodburning stove, a farmhouse dining table, smart TV and a small sofa. In the spacious sitting room, you’ll find a piano, plenty of games and a large smart TV and DVD player, as well as a selection of classic films and plenty of interesting books to keep you occupied on your days in. Climb the stairs to the first floor, home to three attractive bedrooms: one king-size, 1 super king size , and a bunk bedroom best suited to children; guests will also benefit from a spacious family bathroom on this floor and a ground-floor cloakroom with a basin and WC. Quist Cottage also has a rustic, unheated games room with a table tennis table, dart board, and equipment for a range of sports including tennis cricket, badminton, and boules, as well as a handy utility room to freshen your clothes throughout your stay. Step outside; the large lawned garden has plenty of trees and interesting hideaways for you to explore, alongside a paved patio with table and chairs for when you fancy a spot of lunch outside on those warmer days or even your evening meals in the last of the summer sun using the barbecue provided. This garden offers plenty for nature lovers - a spotted flycatcher regularly nests here and woodpeckers, buzzards and a host of smaller birds are daily visitors; if you’re lucky you’ll even see a fallow deer in the wood at the end of the garden, but be sure to keep an eye on your four-legged friends as the shrubbery can see some gaps throughout the year. The village pub, the Hatch Inn, is within 200 yards and even closer is a country house hotel with bar, restaurant and gardens. Close by, the village playing field and cricket pitch is a short walk away, which also hosts a children’s playground for their entertainment. Ilminster is the nearest town, and is full of surprises for the curious traveller, discovering a mix of antique shops, wonderful butchers, and some interesting boutiques alongside the usual essentials including supermarket, chemist, bank and post office while Taunton is the county town of Somerset and is a bustling town with a splendid museum, plenty of excellent shops and restaurants, and is the home of Somerset cricket. The aforementioned Jurassic coast is a short drive away, with numerous sand and shingle beaches, rock pools, and always the chance of finding your own million-year-old fossil, whilst the many towns and villages on the coast include Lyme Regis, West Bay and Burton Bradstock offer everything from arcades and mini golf to beautiful cliff walks, windswept beaches and fishing trips. With coast, country, adventurous activities and many National Trust houses and gardens all within easy reach, Quist Cottage is the perfect location for a traditional break in the lovely county of Somerset.