Combe Head House

Self-catering stays are rarely as grand as those on offer at Combe Head House, where you can stay in one of two cottages within the grounds of an enchanting Tudor manor house. Choose the three-bedroomed Stables or the four-bedroomed Old Lodge and you will be surrounded by antiques, artefacts and sumptuous furnishings with glorious Somerset countryside surrounding you in all directions. And if that isn’t special enough, add-ons to your stay here include the opportunity to dine in the Tudor hall of 'the big house' in front of the Elizabethan fireplace or booking a therapist for a relaxing treatment in your cottage.

At the edge of the village of Combe St Nicholas, and at the foot of the Blackdown Hills, the Combe Head House estate was the childhood home of your gracious host Lara. She and her family are now back on the old homestead and there’s very much a family-friendly feel to this charming holiday experience. If you’re interested, Lara, husband Benedict and their boys will take you on a tour of the smallholding that occupies their eight acres. Feeding the pygmy goats, sheep, ducks and chickens is all part of the fun, whichever house you choose.

The Stables is the smaller of the two, but still spacious – especially if you nab the master bedroom! Situated on the first floor, it has a super-king-size bed and a pink-panelled bathroom next door with a freestanding bath and a separate shower. Like all the rooms, a mixture of vintage and antique furniture gives it a timeless appeal. The other two bedrooms, a double and a twin, are on the ground floor, all decorated in light and soothing tones. Meanwhile, the communal areas (kitchen and living room) have deeper, bolder tones. There’s lots of green and wood which echoes what’s outside – it's a ‘vintage country house’ vibe all the way.

This style is echoed in the gatehouse, The Old Lodge, which features equal measures of flair and finesse in its interior design. Bold wallpapers and heavy fabrics create a warm and welcoming feel to the shared spaces, while whitewashed walls and exposed beams are found throughout the front of the property in the dining room, kitchen and huge upstairs bedroom and adjoining sitting room. There's also a desk area for those that need to work. Another large bedroom can be found at the back of the property up another set of stairs, and this also has a wonderful double cubby bed – perfect for the kids. The two remaining bedrooms are on the ground floor, alongside another sitting room. It’s a great space for larger groups, comfortably sleeping up to 10 guests.

While it might be tempting to luxuriate in your country cottage dreaming of aspects you’d like to recreate at home, this area is perfect for bracing country walks and the coast isn't too far. You’re also on the edge of the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with Lyme Regis and the iconic Jurassic Coast just a 30-minute drive away.