Keeper’s Cottage is the ultimate rural retreat. It has more than ten miles of stunning views, 4 acres of field and woodland, and excellent walking on the doorstep. The Cottage dates from the 1880’s, when it was the gamekeeper’s cottage for nearby Montacute house. It is built from hamstone, quarried from nearby Ham Hill. Despite its remote location the Cottage is only 5 mins drive from the A303 and 10 mins from Yeovil.
The house has been recently decorated throughout and equipped with modern appliances. One of the three upstairs double bedrooms has a Victorian brass bed, another has zip beds which can be configured as two singles or a kingsize double. The downstairs dining room has an 8 seater table, pine dresser and flagstone floor. The lounge has two sofas, an open fireplace, TV/DVD and library of books of local interest. The downstairs garden room doubles as a sofa bedroom and breakout lounge with its own TV/DVD (perfect for kids or teens) as well as ensuite bathroom and direct access to the patio. The well equipped kitchen has a modern oven, double fridge/freezer and dishwasher with a central island work surface. A utility room has a washing machine and dryer. The Cottage is a far cry from when our parents bought it in 1969; dark, damp and with just a generator for electricity supply!
The Cottage has direct access to Ham Hill Country Park. You can walk the two miles onto Ham Hill and enjoy the views over the Somerset Levels or maybe a drink at the (dog friendly) Prince of Wales. Or take the half mile walk down Hollow Lane to visit Montacute House or the excellent Phelips Arms, with its garden and skittle alley. If you’re feeling less energetic just enjoy the garden or picnic on the field. There are lots of bats and balls in the front porch to keep kids amused. If you’re a nature lover you’re likely to see lots of wildlife including buzzards, woodpeckers and pheasants, lots of rabbits and maybe fox and deer. There are normally sheep and horses either side of our track!
Nearby Yeovil has a range of supermarkets, shops and restaurants as well as bowling, swimming and a multiplex cinema. Apart from Montacute House we are close to a number of other National Trust properties. The Fleet Air Arm museum at Yeovilton and Haynes Motor Museum at Sparkford are also nearby. Our nearest coast is West Bay (setting for Broadchurch) and Lyme Regis, both c.45 mins drive.
