Cottage in Somerset

This has to be one of the most unique holiday cottages you could find. A true labour of love, the 17th century cottage has been fully restored over the past 40 years and is full of unique character and charm. Alongside the more traditional fireplace and conservatory, you ll find expert carvings, stained glass, three magical playhouses, and little wooden mushrooms sprouting from the furniture. Bingear village makes a wonderful base and has a village shop/post office, and two pubs within 1 mile. For other amenities, the town of Shepton Mallet is only 4.5 miles away. Enjoy exploring Wells (5 miles), England's smallest city, the historic city of Bath (15.5 miles), the spectacular Cheddar Gorge (11.5 miles) as well as a host of popular attractions including Longleat (18 miles), Glastonbury Tor (11.5 miles), Wookey Hole (8 miles) and Chew Valley Lakes (11 miles). Step down into the property and you will immediately find yourself in a conservatory with comfortable seating and geraniums adding splashes of red to the original exposed stone wall. From here, head into the bright, airy, well equipped kitchen with an original flagstone floor with views of the playhouses. This leads to the lounge/diner, a lovely open space to relax in with exposed beams, wooden floors and a wood burner set in a beautiful fireplace. There is also a utility room accessed via two steps. From the lounge area, head into the large entrance hall which doubles up as a playroom with a doll's house, a dressing up box and a selection of toys and books. Completing the downstairs accommodation is a useful WC. Heading up the cottage style stairs, there are three lovely bedrooms, all bursting with charm and character. The master double bedroom has an en suite shower room, and the second bedroom is a zip and link twin (which can be made into a super king size on request at the point of booking) and has double doors onto a small balcony to view the garden. The third bedroom is loved by children, it has a narrow oak door and a bespoke raised single bed set into an alcove. Completing the upstairs accommodation is a family bathroom. Outside, there is a private seating area just for the property. Then the enclosed cottage garden (which is shared with the owners) has a gazebo, lots of seating, and three magical playhouses (as featured on BBC2 s Open Gardens, Gardeners World and Shed of the Year with George Clarke). The playhouses were originally built for grandchildren Ruth, Tom and Charlotte and showcase the owner s remarkable attention to detail and many skills gathered over a lifetime of working as a master craftsman. Charlotte s Post Office comes complete with a counter, a bow fronted window and a bell. The shop is fully stocked with wartime tins, wooden fruit and knitted ice creams. Tom s Elizabethan Lodge boasts a staircase leading to a small room and downstairs, electric lights flicker like candles creating a cosy atmosphere. The highlight of Ruth s Cottage is a custom made, cast iron spiral staircase leading to a small room above please ensure small children are supervised while playing.