Around Us
Out & About
From wonderful countryside walks, local pubs and fine dining restaurants, to nearby historic towns and National Trust properties. Discover our top picks here along with useful info such as where you can find the nearest shops and chemists.
Places to Visit
Local Attractions in Somerset, Dorset & Wiltshire
Enjoy the beautiful English countryside right outside your cabin. We’ve invested our time and sought expert knowledge from the Woodland Trust to encourage natural diversity by taking care of native trees, flowering plants and wildlife. Learn more about how we are looking after nature on the farm on our Wildlife Conservation page.
If you can bear to leave the tranquillity your rustic retreat, there is plenty to see and do nearby. Here we showcase some of the best local attractions in the area. If you like the idea of getting around by bike, you can hire bikes from our online farm shop.
Days Out
Grand Houses, Gardens and Galleries
Stourhead House & Gardens
5.5 miles (12 mins by car)
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead
This stunning National Trust property boasts a 2,650-acre estate with a beautiful landscaped garden and lake that is perfect for a leisurely stroll. The garden is home to a vast array of plants, trees, and flowers that provide a wonderous display throughout the year. You can walk for miles through the forest and woodland on well-marked tracks. For a good long trek, make your way to King Alfred’s Tower at the north west edge of the estate and climb the 205-step staircase to the top of the tower. Here you are rewarded with breath-taking 360-degree views for miles and miles across the verdant Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset countryside.
The Newt in Somerset, Country Estate
9.6 miles (18 mins by car)
An award-winning country estate, The Newt is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves gardens, food, and drink. Here you will find a range of activities to enjoy including guided tours of the gardens, cider tasting, and dining experiences. A recent addition to the estate is their new attraction The Roman Villa experience. No expense was spared during the building which has resulted in an incredible, immersive journey back to Roman times in Somserset. Prior booking to activities and restaruants at The Newt is highly reccommended. Take a look at their website for further info and online reservations.
Hauser & Wirth, Art Gallery & Garden
7.6 miles (14 mins by car)
Art lovers will appreciate a visit to Hauser & Wirth, an internationally renowned contemporary art gallery located in nearby Bruton. The gallery features a constantly changing program of exhibitions, and you can also enjoy a bite to eat at their excellent restaurant, Roth Bar & Grill. Stock up the fridge at Durslade Farmshop selling wonderful local produce. There’s a beautiful garden designed by Piet Oudolf where you can stroll around and admire the swathes of architectural plants and flowers. Wonderful at any time of year and possibly at its best in July and August when the coneflowers and grasses are stunning.
Longleat Estate
16 miles (27 mins by car)
Longleat House and Safari Park is an impressive estate spanning over 9,000 acres of beautiful landscaped and wild Wiltshire countryside. The centrepiece of the estate is the stunning 16th century Longleat House, still home to the Thynn family today. Take a tour of the house and its impressive collection of artwork and furnishings. As well as the world-renowned safari park, there are many beautiful woodland walks and viewpoints such as Heaven’s Gate to explore.
Beautiful Towns Nearby
Bruton, Shaftesbury and Frome
Bruton
8 miles (15 mins by car)
In recent years, Bruton has become rather hip and much lauded in the national press. A pretty little town on the lay lines, Bruton is home to a range of independent shops, galleries and eateries, including the aforementioned Hauser & Wirth, Osip and At The Chapel (see restaurants section below). Explore the back streets and bartons filled with beautiful old buildings; take a leap of faith over the stepping stones across the river Brue; enjoy a walk up to the iconic Dovecot for a bird’s eye view of this tiny town and the surrounding verdant countryside.
Shaftesbury
8.8 miles (20 mins by car)
Shaftesbury is an ancient, quaint and picturesque town located at the top of a hill. It is famously known for its iconic Gold Hill, which featured in the classic Hovis bread advert. Visitors to Shaftesbury can explore this charming town with its winding cobbled streets and historic buildings including the Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden. There’s a lovely circular walk down Gold Hill, that will allow you to appreciate the town and its many vistas over the glorious surrounding Dorset countryside.
Frome
17 miles (30 mins by car)
Frome is another trendy Somerset town, poplar with artists and creatives and well worth a wander. It’s packed with stunning old buildings and lots of wonderful independent shops, cafes and restaurants and the famous cobbled Catherine Hill. Frome Independent Market takes place on the first Sunday of every month from March to December. Very popular and always drawing a busy crowd, visitors enjoy the chance to browse a range of stalls selling everything from artisan food to handmade crafts.
Pub or Posh
Recommended Pubs & Restaurants
Whether you're looking for a cosy country pub or a Michelin star restaurant, there are plenty of excellent choices in our area. So why not explore some of these wonderful local eateries and discover your new favourite spot? Here are some of our top recommendations for pubs and restaurants nearby.
Local Pubs
Stapleton Arms, Buckhorn Weston
2 miles (30 - 40 mins walk)
Our local, a charming country pub in Buckhorn Weston with a lovely sunny pub garden. There's a good selection of real ales, ciders, and wines, as well as a delicious menu of classic dishes made using locally-sourced ingredients. With its cosy atmosphere and friendly staff, the Stapleton Arms is the perfect spot for a relaxed evening out and walking distance across foot paths from your Rustic Country Retreat.
Bell & Crown, Zeals
3.8 miles (9 mins by car)
Located in the picturesque village of Zeals, the Bell & Crown is a modern country pub and restaurant with a strong focus on their exciting, ever changing and evolving menu. Renowned locally for their fine food, you will also find a fantastic selection of real ales and great wines, and a warm welcome. Advanced bookings for the restaurant are reccommended - you can book on their website. Image of The Bell & Crown by Ed Schofield.
The White Lion Inn, Bourton
3.2 miles (8 mins by car)
A historic pub with a stunning pub garden and very good food - the Sunday roasts are excellent! During the winter months, the cosy interior and roaring fires make this a local's favourite. On fine days throughout the year, it's always busy thanks to the large sunny, flower filled garden.
Top Notch Restaurants
Osip, Bruton
8 miles (15 mins by car)
A superb modern, Michelin-starred restaurant in Bruton, Osip offers a creative and contemporary menu using the best of local produce. The menu changes regularly, so there's always something new and exciting to try at Osip. Make sure you book well in advance as it’s incredibly popular.
The Clockspire, Milborne Port
11.2 miles (20 mins by car)
For a classic dining experience with a modern twist, head to The Clockspire in Milborne Port. This stunning historic building serves up contemporary British dishes made using fresh, local ingredients, and has a charming atmosphere.
At The Chapel, Bruton
8 miles (15 mins by car)
This beautiful establishment is housed within a former chapel that has been carefully restored to its former glory, complete with stunning stained-glass windows and vaulted ceilings. Serving excellent contemporary European food it is a wonderful choice for lunch or dinner. In addition to the restaurant and bar, At The Chapel has a bakery and coffee shop, which serves up freshly baked bread, pastries, and cakes throughout the day and serves fantastic wood fired pizzas to eat in or takeaway.
Essentials and Treats
Shopping
If you're looking to stock up for your holiday, there are plenty of great local shops to choose from. The small town of Wincanton has everything you will need and is worth a visit to support our local independants. We've complied a handy list below to save you the research.
Local Independent Grocers, Butchers, Bakers, Farm Shops and Cafés
Cole's Yard, Wincanton
3.3 miles (9 mins by car)
Google Maps Link
Grocers & Wholefoods: This independent grocer in Wincanton offers a lovely range of fresh produce, wholefoods, and artisanal products.
Andrew Barclays Butchers, Wincanton
3.2 miles (9 mins by car)
Google Maps Link
A traditional family-run butchers in Wincanton selling high-quality meat, including locally-sourced beef, lamb, and pork.
The Lovington Bakery, Wincanton
3.4 miles (9 mins by car)
Google Maps Link
This popular, modern bakery in Wincanton offers a delicious range of in-house baked bread, cakes, and pastries. The seeded sourdough is legendary!
The Lemon Tree Deli, Wincanton
3.3 miles (9 mins by car)
Google Maps Link
Friendly local sandwich bar with tables. Always busy at lunchtime and serving the best made-to-order sandwiches to go, ever!
Number Sixteen, Wincanton
3.3 miles (9 mins by car)
Google Maps Link
Lovely local cafe and wine shop with a delightful hidden garden. Great cakes and wine! Open on Friday and Saturday evenings for drinks ad nibbles from 5.30 pm to 9.30pm.
Udder Farm Shop, East Stour
6 miles (12 mins by car)
Google Maps Link
An award-winning family run farm shop with restaurant and café.
Durslade Farm Shop, Bruton
7.6 miles (14 mins by car)
Google Maps Link
Located at the Hauser & Wirth art gallery in Bruton, the Durslade Farm Shop has a delightful selection of gourmet local produce, including meat, cheese, vegetables, excellent ready to go meals and more.
Supermarkets & Pharmacy
Waitrose, Gillingham
3.7 miles (10 mins by car)
Morrisons, Wincanton
4.2 miles (10 mins by car)
Boots Pharmacy, Wincanton
3.3 miles (9 mins by car)
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