CROFTVIEW - Somerset

Croftview offers luxury self-catering holiday accommodation for 26 people in 13 ensuite bedrooms, with room for 4 more at an extra charge per person. The house stands high on a hill on a private estate, overlooking miles and miles of beautiful Somerset countryside. Inside is spacious, light and airy, there's a games room, and an attached spa hall with an indoor pool, hot tub and sauna for exclusive use. Outside is a big patio leading on to lawns with a children's play area; across the garden there's a quirky rustic hut built into the hillside, with a firepit and room for 30, beyond the garden there's an orchard where chickens live. With something for all ages, this is a fantastic house to rent for large group holidays, refined hen weekends and family celebrations in the West Country.

Within easy walking distance is Hinton St George; wander down to pick up provisions from the shop, stop by for lunch in The Lord Poulett Arms. Pootle over to Crewkerne, just a few miles away; this quiet market town has supermarkets, a small museum, and for unusual vintage finds, a big antiques emporium. Ilminster isn't far either, and is equally good for a browse; on your way back take a detour to Dowlish Wake, stop off at Perry's Cider for local goodies from the farm shop and if the sun is shining have a pint of traditionally made cider in the orchard.

Go for an amble around the estate; tracks and trails take you through fields and woods right from the doorstep at Croftview. Take a stroll through the lanes to Dinnington Docks, a quintessential country pub where the food is good. A short drive away is Ham Hill Country Park, an Iron Age Fort with the most phenomenal views; take a picnic, explore the ramparts, have a drink at The Prince of Wales Inn. A few miles down the road are Wayford Woods, an absolute picture in springtime when the bluebells and rhododendrons are in bloom.

Croftview makes a great base for days out as it's not far to the beautiful Jurassic Coast; go to Lyme Regis and catch a mackerel fishing trip or an exhilarating rib ride from the harbour, spuddle about in the rockpools, play crazy golf in the town gardens, have fish and chips on the seafront as the sun sets. Take an evening stroll around Axmouth Harbour or along the tranquil Axe estuary and call into the Harbour Inn for a bite to eat; potter around the little fishing village of Beer and enjoy a cold beer in the clifftop garden of the Anchor Inn.

You'll find historic houses to visit within a few miles - Montacute House, Barrington Court and Forde Abbey are all a delight. There are museums and family attractions within easy reach, like Haynes Motor Museum, Fleet Air Arm Museum and Ferne Animal Sanctuary. Further afield you can have a family trip to Wildwood Escot or Crealy Theme Park, to Roman Dorchester, or to Exeter to see the cathedral and take a tour of the medieval underground passages. Plan day trips discovering the Quantock Hills AONB or Exmoor National Park where you'll find a beautiful and varied landscape of steep wooded hills and heather clad heaths where wild ponies feed.

If you're planning on going out to eat there are some excellent places to eat nearby - the village pub is a gem, but also good are The White Horse at Haselbury Plucknett, Haselbury Mill and Pip's Railway Carriage Café, where there's also a farm shop packed with local organic goodies. Enjoy luxury togetherness and make happy memories when you stay at Croftview.

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