Apple Loft

Set on the edge of the working farm and estate of Dillington, deep in the southern reaches of Somerset, the Apple Loft is one of several holiday cottages that has been converted from former farm buildings and cottages here. With over 3000 acres given over to a dairy and arable farm, woodland and parkland, the farm has been in the same family for two centuries, and Dillington House itself , at the heart of the estate, goes back even further. It's said that the Duke of Monmouth lunched here before the Pitchfork Rebellion, addressing a crowd of 2000 people under a chestnut tree whose trunk lies in the grounds today. True or not, it's a terrific place to stay, with walks galore through countryside and parkland that you have almost entirely to yourself.

Like the estate's other holiday cottages, Apple Loft has recently been renovated and is bigger than you might think from the name, featuring six bedrooms, all individually decorated using designer wallpapers, deep, comfortable mattresses, and high quality cotton linen. All except one of the bedrooms – a triple bunk room – have en-suite bathrooms and can be set up as twins or super-king-size doubles. The bunk room has its own bathroom across the corridor, and all the bathrooms are provided with robes, toiletries and separate towels for the hot tub.

It's a historic property, and feels like one, with exposed stone and brickwork, oak beams, and a wood-burning stove in an enormous fireplace. Yet its keynote feature is quite a contemporary one – an open-plan kitchen, dining, living room space that really brings the outside in. Bi-fold doors open onto a delightful south-facing terrace and garden (fenced off for dogs) that faces orchards, woods and rolling hills beyond. There's a fire-pit for long alfresco evenings and a wood-fired hot-tub you can soak in while enjoying the countryside views.

Back inside, the house has all the gadgets and home comforts you need,  with a 55” Smart TV, a bluetooth soundbar in the living room and a bluetooth DAB radio in the kitchen, which itself has a Nespresso coffee machine, a large induction hob, two ovens, two dishwashers and a washing machine.

Assuming you can bring yourself to leave, there are plentiful walks you can do straight from the property. There's also a great farm shop is short walk from the house, so you need never go hungry, and a number of decent pubs within walking distance, for example the Barrington Boar, which has been written up as one of the best 30 places for a pub lunch in the UK. Try also the excellent Lord Poulett Arms, a short drive away, for dinner.