|
an attractive stone-built former farm
cottage, one of an L-shaped group of three and outbuildings
around a gravelled courtyard, about a mile from the hotel and
entrance to the wildlife park (including leopard, monkeys, lemur,
antelope, children’s farm) in a quiet valley on the Cricket
St. Thomas estate (yours to roam, on foot or horseback,
along with sheep and cattle). On three sides are lawns, terrace, and
decked area (garden furniture, barbecue) overlooking countryside,
adjoining on the other is the owners’ cottage. Close by are the
owners’ equestrian centre (training event horses) and office.
Downstairs (mostly wooden floors/rugs) is a
corridor off which a loo/washbasin; simple pine kitchen/breakfast
room (dishwasher, washer-drier,
microwave, Belfast sink), larder
(fridge-freezer); stone-flagged floor ‘snug’ (comfy
sofas, large inglenook fireplace with cloam oven, music centre and
upright piano) separated from the owners’ cottage
by two interconnecting, sound-proofed doors; and single-storey light
and airy living/dining room with windows on three sides including
floor to ceiling French windows to the decked area, garden,
equestrian training ring and countryside. Upstairs (carpeted),
three bedrooms – two doubles overlooking the
courtyard, one (5’ bed, TV) with en suite shower-room (suite), one
smallish (TV) and narrow twin overlooking the garden; bathroom
(suite plus bath-shower).
consists of church, renowned
wildlife park, 18th cent. Grade II
listed manor house – Grantleigh Manor in the TV comedy series - To
the Manor Born’ and now an hotel – and a few cottages within a 1,000
acre private estate in a pretty valley below Windwhistle Hill on the
A30, 2 miles east of Chard (small town). Pub and
golf/country club very nearby and all around is the Hamstone
Country of fine houses and gardens (Forde
Abbey, 2 miles) and glowing golden stone villages.
Yeovilton Fleet Air Arm Museum, about 14 miles; a
cider mill (you can see it being made), 3 miles. The sea at
Lyme Regis (lovely old seaside/harbour town with
sand), 15 miles.
Entry to the Cricket St. Thomas Wildlife
Park and – but these only for people of 21 or over
- use of the hotel’s gym, heated
indoor swimming pool, spa pool,
sauna, steam room, beauty
therapy, sporting facilities (including
tennis, archery, croquet, snooker, billiards, darts, bowls, cycle
hire), all at nominal charge. Stabling for your
horse by arrangement, also use of all-weather arena and
horse walker. Use of owners Phone
(Fax and ADSL connection). The hotel has a
restaurant and nightly entertainment.
|
