King Charles Cottage

Sleeps 6
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2
Pets Yes
View on map

Features

Open fire
Garden / Patio
Pub/shop < 1 mile
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews

18 Customer Review(s)

Karen
May 2022

“The cottage is as described and all facilities in the kitchen and TVs are very good.”

The sunny family room kitchen and gardens are the highlight of the cottage. Location perfect and a great village atmosphere with welcoming local people pub and general store. We parked close outside with no problem. The double glazing kept out most road noise. Good local dog walk fairly level. ...

The sunny family room kitchen and gardens are the highlight of the cottage. Location perfect and a great village atmosphere with welcoming local people pub and general store. We parked close outside with no problem. The double glazing kept out most road noise. Good local dog walk fairly level. Would like an ordnance survey map please to help find footpaths. The downstairs bathroom and shower facilities were preferred. We would return if the twin or a 6 foot bed was in a bigger bedroom but that is purely a personal issue so would very much recommend the cottage and location.

- Karen, May 2022
Simon May 2022

“As a family we all enjoyed our stay.”

The cottage was exactly as described, well equipped, clean and had a very homely feel. The only drawback was the parking, although you could park outside the cottage this was a very busy junction with tractors going past but we did manage to park across the road when a space became available. All in all a very relaxing, enjoyable stay and I must thank Andrew for sorting out the issue with the washing machine promptly and for the wine and chocolates.

- Simon, May 2022

Simon, many thanks for your feedback and we are delighted that you enjoyed your holiday at our historic cottage. We were pleased to be able to resolve the issue with the washing machine quickly and that you enjoyed the wine and chocs. There is usually space in or around the Square, but we plan to have the garage available for clients to use next year, too. Property Owner
Kate August 2021

“We had a lovely stay in King Charles Cottage which had character, as well as being very well equipped & comfortable.”

- Kate, August 2021
Thomas Wyn August 2021

“Mainly, both double beds were very uncomfortable.”

The mattress was sagging and offered no support. The basin in the upstairs bathroom was no bigger than a cereal dish.

- Thomas Wyn, August 2021

Thank you for your feedback. As owners we consider all the feedback we receive, and we address any areas where the quality of the accommodation fails to meet customer expectations. The vast majority of feedback, over the two years we have let the cottage, refers positively to the standard, quality, and comfort experienced by guests in our cottage. Andrew and Margery Hookings Owners Property Owner
Fiona July 2021

“A quirky cottage in a beautiful area with stunning scenery.”

Locals very friendly. Plenty of space to spread out downstairs. Spent most time when in the cottage in the conservatory and courtyard garden as had a lively toddler in the party. Very well equipped. Just missing a hair dryer. We enjoyed visits to West Bay, Lyme Regis and Hive beach. Recommend The Parlour for stone baked pizza on a working farm and milk from the vending machine at Waggon farm. The local shop is well stocked and the fish and chip van visits Tuesdays. The craft centre is nice to walk to. Only had coffee and cake but delicious and seems very popular. Some of the roads are very narrow in places and take a bit of getting used to.

- Fiona, July 2021
Rebecca July 2021

“King Charles Cottage is quirky, historic and a lovely place to stay.”

The garden is absolutely amazing. So lovely to eat outside on the secret terrace. The kitchen has everything that you need and we welcomed having a dishwasher and washing machine. The wifi was fine - which we needed with two teenagers. We loved the location - it is utterly beautiful countryside, with lots of amazing local walks. It's not too far from the sea and we swam most days. There are many houses and beautiful gardens not too far away and no shortage of things to do. We loved the local shop and stocked up on basics, but there are large supermarkets not too far away. The second downstairs bathroom was really useful, especially after coming in from the beach. I would very much recommend the New Inn in Stoke Abbott and The Anchor in Burton Bradstock to eat. Both lovely food. We had a lovely evening in the garden at the New Inn, bathed in the lovely golden Dorset light. A lovely holiday.

- Rebecca, July 2021
Alan July 2021

“Our family enjoyed spending a week in this wonderful, spacious cottage.”

I don't believe that the photographs do the cottage justice. Everything was perfect, the beds were comfortable and evenings spent watching the TV were cosy. The kitchen had everything we could possibly need and clear instructions available for all the appliances. Overall a fabulous week.

- Alan, July 2021
Alan June 2021

“Settled in very happily once we had discovered where the light switches were and where to avoid low beams and sloping ceiling in the upstairs bathroom.”

We loved the atmosphere and the decor of the cottage. Very clean, comfortable and well equipped. The dining area and kitchen were very light and airy. Shame that the local pub is closed but we highly recommend the New Inn at Stoke Abbot. The nearby community shop is really well equipped.

- Alan, June 2021
Kieran June 2021

“This is a beautiful period cottage with many original features with modern facilities that was an absolute pleasure to stay in.”

The gardens were stunning with gorgeous flowers and herbs making it a haven for bees which is truly needed with their declining numbers. The local store has friendly staff and any essentials you may need to purchase. The pub was friendly and all the locals made us feel welcome. Broadwindsor was a great location for easy access to the coast and local villages/towns. The Lewesdon Hill NatTrust site was a nice walk from the cottage with access via the nearby fields which had wonderful views of the countryside. We found two dog friendly beaches nearby, Monmouth and Hive. We also liked the novelty of the local milk vending machines where we purchased milk shakes and snacks. I would highly recommend this cottage for families or couples and was dog friendly. We would like to thank Andrew and Margery for letting us use this wonderful house.

- Kieran, June 2021
Jane May 2021

“We had a really comfortable stay, well equipped, spacious and warm cottage.”

Very old, characterful and quirky with low beams. ( Steps down to kitchen.) Lovely patio and garden. Beds very comfortable. Easy parking outside. Broadwindsor village very peaceful and friendly. Village shop excellent. Pub opposite was closed, hopefully they will get new landlord. Recommend New Inn at Stoke Abbot very close by, and Broadwindsor craft centre restaurant. Good shops at Beaminster and Bridport. Also excellent Market days at Bridport. Great base for touring the area. We will hope to revisit soon.

- Jane, May 2021
Peter May 2021

“King Charles Cottage is full of character ( so long as you don't mind taxidermy), and has a very high standard of comfort, once you have learned the hard way to duck the low beam on the landing.”

The village is friendly , with useful local shop, and it is in easy distance of beautiful Dorset scenery, coast etc. We enjoyed the rookery next door, noisily raising young in May. Definitely not your bland faceless holiday cottage.

- Peter, May 2021
Angela April 2021

“You have to be aware and respect the age and character of King Charles Cottage.”

Yes, there are low beams, a steep staircase and uneven floors upstairs but that is part of its charm. You do learn and get used to it and we found it very cozy and welcoming. The owners went out of their way to make sure that everything was ok for us, which it was and they were so helpful and friendly. The 'Secret Garden' was a big surprise. We thought it was the courtyard garden at first not realizing the door at the bottom led into a much larger garden where we actually ended up spending a lot of time just chilling out. We knew that we would be restricted visiting pubs, historic houses, museums etc. but still found plenty to see and do. The Community Shop is a credit to the village, it caters for almost anything you may need; the local sausages were really tasty and there is so much more besides. It would be nice to return when hopefully all restrictions have been lifted and we can fully enjoy all the attractions of the area. More importantly we can restock on the ciders from Isaacs Cider Farm, just a few miles down on Bridport Road but they sell it in the shop as well !!

- Angela, April 2021
Nicola October 2020

“Beautiful old cottage very clean, super comfy.”

Beds really comfy and quality bedding. We have stayrd in this village before, and its really friendly, lovely pub , award winning local shop, fish n chip van on Tuesdays, excellent! Beaminster short drive away, for lots of small shops and Bridport about 15min drive for 2 x weekly markets, lots of shops, restaurants and supermarkets. Dog friendly. The coastal drive starts here to Weymouth. Abbotsbury is beautiful , pubs and tea rooms and swannery. ( no dogs). West Bay is a must! and close to Lyme Regis for day by the Sea. This cottage is so relaxing. Loved tge conservatory. spent most of our time here, watching the clouds and stars. Lots of birds to watch in garden, saw Blackbirds and Robins, with many others. The open fire in lounge was a delight in the evening ( use the smokeless fire logs) can get them in the discount shop in Bridport. Tv is a smart tv, best we have had in any of the cottages we stayed in. Take your netflix log in to watch, but plenty of channels as well. Cant wait to go back! Had to call owner once as We were unsure how to use central heating, but he responded instantly, on a Sunday too! soon lovely and warm. 5* from us and Banjo the dog. Took my 88 yr mum. Perfect for her, great walks from village too. low beams upstairs but manageable and adds character. x

- Nicola, October 2020
Cathy September 2020

“Such a great cottage.”

We loved the old cottage at the front, very cosy and historic though the low beams and uneven floors took some getting used to! The dining room, kitchen and conservatory are wonderful, though the dining room could do with more light, and the courtyard and secret garden were great for an afternoon drink. The cottage is extremely clean and well equipped. We enjoyed the Dorset coast and countryside despite the damp weather, and in the village the stores and Redlands Yard were excellent.

- Cathy, September 2020
Joy September 2020

“Holiday cottage was ideally located for us, village with shop and pub and 20 minutes to coast.”

Owner communicated well and the cottage was lovely.

- Joy, September 2020
Ian August 2020

“We loved staying in this comfortable and characterful historic cottage.”

The very well equipped cottage had everything we could possibly need inside. With numerous comfortable areas to sit and relax after exploring the beautiful local area. Sitting in the enclosed courtyard garden with a glass of wine was a real treat. As well as sitting in the wooden conservatory looking up at the stars at night. The village of Broadwindsor had all we needed with an excellent very friendly local Pub run by Vicki and Spike also a well stocked Community shop. The local craft centre restaurant is also a lovely place for a meal or coffee. The village square has weekly visits from a fish and chip van and and a fresh fishmonger. All the main Dorset attractions are easily reached by car and there’s a local bus service as a bonus. There are numerous walks in the area suitable for the casual stroller and also those more dedicated ramblers. We hope to be returning to this cottage in the near future. Highly recommended.

- Ian, August 2020
Katy August 2020

“A beautiful comfortable property with lots of space and everything we needed for a week’s family holiday.”

- Katy, August 2020
Laura August 2020

“Cottage very old fashioned; all the beds were uncomfortable and house itself was very cold (yet we was told use of the heating was not permitted).”

The upstairs bathroom was largely unusable due to shape of room; the sink was too small to brush teeth, the shower enclosure was too small and the ceiling above the toilet too low. The location of the cottage was very isolated with a hours drive to reach amenities. Pub had very limited open hours which we would have like to be informed about before booking as this was a major selling point for us. Our welcome pack wasn’t welcoming at all and more like a list of restrictions.

- Laura, August 2020

Thank you for your feedback and we are saddened and perplexed to read your comments. We know the unseasonal weather during your stay was not kind to you and that the village and several others locally suffered a power cut which prevented you from cooking a meal. Our housekeeper offered to cook for you but then the electricity came back on. Heating is available to all clients and nowhere in the welcome pack does it state that it is not. There are also two log fires available.We have used the beds and found them very comfortable.The upstairs bathroom is small but useable. The walk-in shower is bigger than a standard-sized shower and there is also a bigger bathroom available downstairs. Our welcome pack is there to provide information about the cottage and the local area to help our guests enjoy their stay. The cottage is at the heart of a busy village, with a thriving community shop just around the corner, a popular pub (the limited opening hours due to Covid-19 sent to you in the welcome pack before arrival), a weekly fish and chip van and other amenities, including multi-use games area, childrens playground and dog-friendly countryside walks. We are five minutes by car from the nearest town of Beaminster, which has a brilliant array of shops including a butcher, greengrocer and supermarket,10 minutes from Crewkerne, which has Waitrose and Lidl, and 15 minutes from the market town of Bridport, which has a Lidl, Waitrose, Co-op and Morrisons, a wonderful feel-good vibe and the glorious Jurassic Coast. We are sorry your online review differs from the helpful comments you left in the guest book. Property Owner
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The property

King Charles Cottage boasts history and nostalgia.It overflows with original features and sits in the central square of the sleepy village of Broadwindsor.

Uneven floors, low beams, and a winding staircase all add to the incredible charm.

You can sleep in the same bedroom King Charles slept in when he was on the run from Parliamentary troops in 1651.The story goes that he was about to be discovered when a young maid went into labour downstairs.The ensuing hullabaloo created a diversion and the king was able to escape undetected.

Enter into the spacious hallway with woodburning stove and seating and kick off your boots in comfort, before moving into the sitting room where there is a large TV and wonderful open fireplace to be enjoyed on a quiet evening in, surrounded by beautiful antique furniture and lovely choice pieces.

There are two steps down to a large open-plan kitchen/diner, fitted with an electric three oven Aga, as well as a gas hob and electric oven, leading to a magnificent timber-framed conservatory with additional plush seating, where you can soak up the sunshine on cooler days.

The kitchen and dining area are perfect for entertaining and preparing family meals.The open layout means the cook can get involved in the conversation as the huge farmhouse-style table seats everyone else, with room for more.The separate utility room is a useful addition and contains the essential appliances like a washing machine and tumble dryer.

Narrow and steep steps that show the age of the property lead you to the bedrooms; two doubles and a twin, with ample storage for your belongings and being served by the shower room, as well as the ground-floor bathroom with bath and shower over, and a separate basin and WC.

Outside, there is a private enclosed patio with seating where you can rest up on a warm summer’s day and enjoy a barbecue.

Open a door to another, secret garden with fruit and vegetable plot and terraced area with table and chairs.

There is parking on the roadside at the front of the property.

The White Lion, at Broadwindsor, located opposite the cottage, is about to reopen its doors, run by the community following a fantastic appeal which raised almost £60K.

The bar area has been completely refurbished, and redecorated, to create a warm and welcome atmosphere, where the owners look forward to greeting you.

Relax in front of a roaring log fire, and enjoy a glass of wine or a pint of fine locally produced ale or cider.

The pub will offer a range of typical pub grub, at reasonable prices, which is all made on the premises.

Booking, especially for Sunday lunch, is advised. Just a few miles up the road is the Stokewater Meadow Donkey Walking Days, where you and the family can be in charge of looking after a sweet donkey for the day, a brilliant day out for all ages.

A few miles further will bring you to Mapperton House and Gardens where you can have an informative tour around this wonderful building, and visit the beautiful sunken gardens before stopping at the café for a bite to eat and a cup of tea.

For a royally historic property, bursting with amazing original features, King Charles Cottage will be your home-from-home in this lovely part of Dorset.

The larger market town of Bridport is also within easy reach, being just 7 or so miles away, with its thriving twice-weekly market, and the beach at West Bay.

King Charles Cottage is a truly unique property perfect for anyone who likes being immersed in history.

Note: Low eaves and door frames throughout this property

Summary

Three bedrooms: 2 x double and 1 x twin
Ground-floor bathroom with bath, shower over, and basin
Cloakroom with basin and WC
First-floor shower room with shower, basin and WC
Kitchen/diner with conservatory
Sitting room
Entrance hall with seating
Oil central heating with woodburning stove and open fire
Electric Aga with three ovens and a separate electric oven and gas hob, 2x fridges, freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, TV and WiFi
Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Enclosed courtyard with seating, with secret garden and dining area
One well-behaved dog welcome
Sorry, no smoking
Shop and pub within 100 meters
Note: The Aga is in use during the winter and is usually switched off at the beginning of April, however there is an electric oven with gas hob
Note: Low eaves and door frames throughout this property

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £100.

About the location

BROADWINDSOR

Beaminster 3 miles; Bridport 7 miles.

A charming west Dorset conservation village boasting a community-run store, a popular local pub and an interesting craft centre with restaurant. The surrounding countryside is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, abounding in numerous scenic footpaths, including those to nearby Lewesdon Hill and Pilsdon Pen, two of the highest points in Dorset. The small town of Beaminster, with its pretty hamstone cottages, is within easy reach, whilst the bustling town of Bridport, with its thriving market, the West Bay setting of TV’s Broadchurch, as well as historic Lyme Regis can be found within an easy drive. Broadwindsor offers visitors an ideal village base from which to explore this super area.

Note: Low eaves and door frames throughout this property

King Charles Cottage

Broadwindsor, Dorset (Ref. 1006503)

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Features

Reviews

“The cottage is as described and all facilities in the kitchen and TVs are very good.”

“As a family we all enjoyed our stay.”

“We had a lovely stay in King Charles Cottage which had character, as well as being very well equipped & comfortable.”

“Mainly, both double beds were very uncomfortable.”

“A quirky cottage in a beautiful area with stunning scenery.”