Samstone Cottage in Shaftesbury, Wiltshire, is a well-loved property praised for its beautiful location, spaciousness, and homely feel. Guests enjoyed the stunning views, peaceful surroundings, and the well-equipped kitchen. The garden and local walks added to the charm of the cottage, making it a great choice for a relaxing stay.
Most guests found the property clean and well-maintained, though a few noted issues with dust, cobwebs, and cleanliness in specific areas. The property seems to be generally well-kept, but attention to detail in cleaning could be improved.
The location is highly praised for its tranquility, beautiful views, and proximity to local attractions and walks. Guests consistently enjoyed the peaceful and picturesque setting, making it a standout feature of their stay.
The property is described as comfortable and spacious, with a homely vibe. Some guests mentioned the need for updating certain furniture and issues with seating arrangements, but overall, the comfort level is rated highly.
Facilities are generally good, with a well-equipped kitchen and ample space. However, there are comments about the need for maintenance and updates on some items, such as the ironing board and vacuum cleaner. The garden's suitability for toddlers and pets was also a concern.
Guests appreciated the thoughtful touches, such as a cake and cider on arrival, though it should be noted that such gestures are a bonus and not guaranteed. The provision of local maps and information was also well-received.
Shaftesbury 3.5 miles. Placed in the quiet surroundings of a picturesque village, this charming cottage offers a delightful resting spot for a group of up to eight looking to find an idyllic retreat. Samstone is a beautiful detached property, with outstanding views across the Dorset/Wiltshire countryside, located in a conservation area. The house is in traditional style but with all the benefits of modern insulation, solar energy, and underfloor heating. Park up and make your way into the impressive property via a handy utility room - perfect for kicking off muddy boots and benefiting from a convenient washing machine and drying area. Throw together your best home-cooking in the lovely kitchen/diner, allowing for plenty of food prep space alongside fantastic amenities including two ovens, a dishwasher, hob, fridge, freezer, and microwave, with a casual dining table taking centre stage. Formal meals can be enjoyed in the dining room next door, a classy space, fitted with intimate seating placed in front of large French doors where you can look out to the garden and panoramic countryside views as you tuck into your meal.
Snuggle up in the lounge for a restful evening, with an open fire and even more stunning views; A place to settle in to board games or to get cosy and enjoy a family film night. Guests with limited mobility can utilise the ground-floor super-king-size bedroom and shower room, both situated next to each other, with the beds offering zip/link features if needed. The rest of the bedrooms can be found on the first floor, comprising a king-size with an en-suite shower room, another king-size and a twin room, all tastefully decorated and with ample storage. On this floor, you will also find the family bathroom, perfect for a long soak to unwind after a day of adventure. Make use of the garden area on a sunny day, dining alfresco on the patio and enjoying views of the lawn, lush fields and the hills beyond. The tranquil village of Donhead offers the perfect setting for an idle stroll around the Wiltshire countryside, stopping off at one of the many local pubs for a refreshing pint of ale and some pub grub. Or for something special, try the Pythouse Kitchen Garden, an enchanting 18th Century walled garden, restaurant and bar. In the nearby village of Ludwell you can stock up on supplies from the award winning Ludwell Stores with its tasty and fresh local produce, and meat from the family butchers next door. The stores include a Post Office and there is a pub and restaurant nearby. There are other local amenities in the neighbouring village of Semley, including a delightful community shop and a farm selling fresh milk direct from the herd. Enjoy a day of exploration within the encompassing Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB, taking in scenic walks around Win Green and Fontmell Down Nature Reserve. With superb landscapes, rolling green hills and breath-taking views you can embrace outdoor adventure along challenging cycle routes and long walking trails. Spend a day out at the hill top town of Shaftesbury, with historical connections back to Saxon times. The town is in the centre of countryside made famous by the author Thomas Hardy and local scenes, including Shaftesbury’s Gold Hill, have featured in film and television productions. The cottage is perfectly situated for a trip to the iconic world heritage site of Stonehenge or on to Salisbury Cathedral whose majestic spire can be seen from miles around. Closer by is the ruin of Old Wardour Castle, an English Heritage site, perfect for picnics or hide and seek, and Stourhead, a 17th century mansion with beautiful landscaped gardens and lakes, is a short drive away. And last but by no means least there is the varied coastline, with beaches near Poole and Bournemouth, dramatic scenery at Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, and fossil hunting along the Jurassic Coast near Lyme Regis. Make memories that will last a lifetime with your family and friends at Samstone.
Ludwell is a beautiful village resting among the South Wiltshire countryside, home to a local shop, butchers, pub and church, and close to the popular town of Shaftesbury. Attractions surrounding the Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs area include Fontmell Down Nature Reserve and Gold Hill, Old Wardour Castle, St Mary's Church, the Benedictine nunnery, and Shaftesbury Abbey. Bath, Salisbury, Southampton surround the area for those who fancy a bustling day of culture and excitement before heading back to the tranquil Donhead St. Mary.
Four bedrooms: 1 x ground-floor super-king-size (zip/link, can be twin on request), 1 x king-size with en-suite shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC, 1 x king-size, 1 x twin.
Bathroom with bath, hand held shower, basin and WC.
Ground-floor shower room with walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC.
Kitchen/diner.
Utility.
Dining room.
Sitting room with open fire
Oil central heating, underfloor heating and open fire.
One double and one single electric oven and electric hob, microwave, washing machine, dishwasher.
TV and DVD player, WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Highchair available on request.
Off-road parking for two cars.
Garden with lawned area, patio, dining seating and a pond.
Two well-behaved dogs welcome, please be advised the garden is not fully enclosed.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop 1.4 miles, pub 1.3 miles.
Note: Dogs are not allowed upstairs or on furniture.
Note: There is pond at this property but this is always covered.
Janice
The only gripe was the showers. The downstairs shower was far too hot or anyone to use and no way of altering the temperature. The upstairs shower was marginally better but again minimal temperature control and too hot for most of us. it resulted in us sitting in the bath and showering ourselves with the hand held shower which sometimes soaked the bathroom carpet - not a good idea! We realise that this is an ongoing problem so can probably only be rectified by a new tap in the bathrooms. Other than this we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and felt very at home in a lovely house.
Colin
We had a family reunion with 8 adults and there was ample room for all. The bedrooms are spacious and the views are picture-postcode. The kitchen is well equiped for self catering, with a lovely dining area.
Alan
A few maintenance issues need to be addressed. 1. Downstairs shower temperature uncontrollable (too hot)! 2. Downstairs toilet seat needs attention. 3. Water temperature very hot. Lots of feather bedding and soft furnishings⦠feathers are coming out! Not good if you have allergies! Overall cleanliness is not good in some areas. (Basins & toilets, etc.) Need a mirror and waste bin in downstairs bedroom. However we enjoyed our stay very much, Henrietta was very kind and considerate. We would certainly consider staying again.
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