The Stables

Somewhere between Crowcombe and Stogumber, tucked into the lower slopes of the Quantock Hills, The Stables sits alone in open countryside at a spot called Cookley Woods. The views from the garden reach out across Somerset farmland in every direction, and on a quiet morning, the only thing you can hear is birdsong and, if the timetable is right, the whistle and chuff of the West Somerset Steam Railway making its way through the valley below. You can actually see the train from the garden on most days. It is a small, specific detail, but it is one of those things that sticks with you.

The cottage itself is a studio, all on one level, with everything in a single open-plan space. The king-size bed sits at one end, dressed in good linen with a firm mattress underneath. The kitchen runs along the opposite wall with a full-size oven and hob, microwave, fridge-freezer, and dishwasher, so it goes well beyond the usual holiday cottage kitchenette. A breakfast bar separates the cooking and living space, and there is a sitting area with a TV and WiFi for evenings when the weather keeps you inside.

The bathroom has a walk-in shower, basin, and WC. Oil central heating keeps everything warm through the colder months, and fuel and power are included.

Outside, the sheltered seating area is where most of the time goes in good weather. The hot tub faces out across the countryside, and on a still evening, it is hard to think of a reason to get out. Sunsets from this spot colour the entire skyline, and once the light drops, the skies are dark enough to see properly. There is a secure, fenced area for dogs, which is worth knowing if yours is the type to wander, and one well-behaved dog is welcome.

Parking is off-road for one car. The entrance can be a little tricky to spot on first arrival, so keep an eye out for the gate rather than relying on a sign.

The nearest pub and shop are about 1.2 miles away in Stogumber, a quiet village sitting between the Brendon Hills and the Quantock Hills. The Bicknoller Inn is worth the short drive for dinner, and there is a small cafe close to the cottage itself. Stogumber has a 14th-century church, St Mary's, with a carved tomb of Sir George Sydenham and one of only two medieval stone pulpits in Somerset. For a bigger day out, Torre Cider Farm in Washford has animal enclosures, a children's play area, and cider tasting, while Hestercombe Gardens at Cheddon Fitzpaine covers 40 acres of woodland walks and three historic gardens spanning Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods.

The Stables is quietly simple. No games room, no cinema screen, no second bedroom to fill. Just good views, clean air, a comfortable bed, and a hot tub under dark Somerset skies with the last faint echo of a steam train somewhere in the hills.