The Area
The Village
The cottage is 100 meters down the hill from a small village with 12thC church, a Manor House and three farmhouses one of which has new golden thatch.
There are pubs in three directions- a 40 minute walk to each and a working cider mill which serves food, coffee and cider is located in the next village.
Lyme Regis
A 45 minute drive takes you to the famous sandy beach at Lyme Regis nestling under the Cobb. Children will be fascinated to learn about early 19thC local schoolgirl Mary Anning identifiying the first fossil ever
-where else but the Jurassic Coast! Her fossil shop is still there.
Bridport
Nearby too (14 miles) is Bridport a bustling holiday town with its ancient market every Wednesday and Saturday mornings and Balsons the Butchers open since the 15thCentury. West Bay is the port of Bridport where one can walk along under the Jurassic Cliffs made famous by TV’s Broadchurch. After checking the Tidetables one can walk along the beach to the next village Burton Bradstock with its busy Hive Beach restaurant and up-market Seaside Boarding House.
Muchelney Abbey
Turn left out of the drive and head for the Somerset Levels made famous by King Alfred and the Cake-burning incident. Muchelney Abbey is quite magical and the priest’s house is open to the public. It is located about 10 miles away and is a glorious ruin with surviving great staircase and first floor Abbot’s Office with splendid hamstone fire surround. The Bishop’s house is privately lived in but one can view by knocking on the front door not during lunchtime. Shakespeare and son et lumiere are sometimes performed, see website for performance times.
One can walk along the River Parret admiring the swans and the amazing Victorian pumping stations. Kingsbury Episcopi has a good pub. The Half-way House is a favourite (Cider) pub near Muchelney. It is at Pitney.
Forde Abbey
Forde Abbey, 2 miles distant from the cottage, has been in private hands since 1539, has award-winning traditional gardens open and bookable on their website following the layout of the Cistercian monks in 15th Century. It holds monthly concerts during the Summer in the marvellous Great Hall with its 16th Century oak panelling. The fountain in the garden is purportedly the tallest in the land.
Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral with its famous cloisters, stunning West Front and World’s second oldest clock is about 20 miles distant. The Bishop’s Palace is open to the public and is a popular stop for people doing the Pilgrims trail through England. It is a perfect destination on a rainy or sunny day.
Crewkerne
The nearest town is Crewkerne (15 minutes) with its old town square and antiques emporia, a Waitrose and railway station with trains from Waterloo taking 2,5 hours. Ilminster is a very unspoilt large village with a notable Hamstone minster and precinct with small market on Fridays and a large Tesco. Hinton St George –(about 2,5 miles) is a perfect unspoilt village well worth visiting with the excellent Lord Poulet gastro pub groaning with local fish and game.
Sure you shall enjoy your stay in this one of the prettiest undiscovered parts of England!
