Close by Somerset’s Bridgwater, home to Europe’s largest illuminated street carnival and barges that glide majestically along the canal, Perrymoor Retreat is tranquil, stylish, cosy and big. Very big. Eight en-suite bedrooms sleep 16 family, friends, hens and stags, plus up to four dogs.
Muddy your boots over the Quantock Hills, then come home to a lovingly renovated, 140-acre arable farm. Converted from cattle sheds and milking parlours, the buildings are all exposed wooden roof timbers and stone walls. Those less mobile will appreciate the fully accessible bedroom, step-free access, mobility lift and shower grab handles.
Amp up your stay with a continental breakfast. Ramp up the sounds with the Bluetooth. Or just bag a book from the library and recharge. Spend your evenings under the stars warmed by firepit flames. Cook on the Rangemaster in the granary. Sleep on quilted toppers on 400-thread-count sheets and wake to the song of the grouse.
On a 140-acre farm, you’ve got a full acre of garden in which to fire up the coal barbecue, with bread and meat from Blackmore Farm Shop and the Field Bakery which can be found next door. Eat out on the terrace, with seating for 16.
Walk the tranquil grounds, say hi to the grouse, take a picnic down to the lake, grab a coffee in the courtyard. Stay out for starlit nights. Mix with friends and folks around the firepit, then mix another cocktail.
Be lulled into a lazy, languorous sojourn in a range of stylish farm buildings. Tranquility reigns here among lovingly converted cattle sheds and milking parlours that are all exposed wooden roof timbers and stone walls. Restricted mobility? Head this way for step-free access, wheelchair-friendly spaces and a mobility lift.
You can help save the planet here, too. Electricity comes from solar panels, water from a local spring and heat from a biomass boiler. Set up your holiday soundtrack on the Bluetooth. Stream Netflix in the log-lit snug. Bring your DVDs for the Blu-ray or play board games. Take time out with a title or two from the library.
Cook like a pro on the electric Rangemaster with dual oven and six-burner induction hob. Stock up the fridge/freezer, undercounter fridge and undercounter freezer with goodies from Field Bakery and Blackmore Farm Shop and wine from Majestic or nearby Oatley Vineyard.
Or hang up your whites and hand over to the true pros. Order bespoke menus tailored to your budget with Miranda at The Kitchen Garden. Eat around the monster dining table for 20 or out in the terrace sunshine with space for 16. Chill your drinks with the ice machine and wrap up with a Nespresso.
Enjoy lazy takeaways from Saffron in Cannington for Asian delights, Perry Green Pizza, or Admiral Blake fish and chips. Pop out to pubs such as the Hood Arms in Kilve, with its views as far as Wales, for great walking country followed by Devon crab and coriander Scotch eggs. Or the funky, urban-style Sheppy.
Going Greek? Enjoy meze-style fare at Green Olive in Bridgwater such as chicken halep and olive burger. Tackle Indian and Bangladeshi favourites at walkable Saffron in Cannington. Or get your mouth watering over Greenway Farm’s home-made borlotti and chanterelle burger on a toasted brioche bun with chilli jam or 28-day hung steak.
In a secluded one-acre garden that’s wrapped in 140 acres of farmland hidden within the hills and dales of the Quantocks, Perrymoor Retreat won’t keep you awake too long. Sleep on 100% cotton, 400-thread-count Savoy cotton, mattress protectors and quilted toppers in eight en-suite bedrooms that sleep 16. All rooms are ground floor.
Bedroom one is a superking with the option of twins. You’ve an en-suite wet room and excellent access for those with restricted mobility. Bedrooms two, three and four are also superkings or twins, while bedrooms five, six, seven and eight are doubles, some with feature stone walls.
All rooms come with tea- and coffee-making facilities and a 14” TV. Most will accommodate a cot.