“Pictures speak for themselves”
Location and property are both stunning. By choosing a property within 30 minutes of home, I was able to have it all for my 40th. Weekend/afternoon gathering with family and close friends, kids had post half-term holiday to enjoy (plenty of DVDs and board games to keep them occupied - fair selection of books but we recommend bringing children's books) and my wife and I managed to have few days to ourselves (still took children to school!).
The beauty of this property is that the location is good enough to have a wonderful week with or without using your car.
Without car
1) lounge next to the wood burning stove whilst eating cheese/wine and either reading a good book or looking out of the panoramic windows at sheep/rainbows/moonlit sky)
2) kitchen and bathroom well equipped for cooking and/or relaxation, we even managed some more cheese and wine in the garden on one sunny afternoon
3) Lots of grounds to explore - Peppa Pig lovers will adore the gigantic muddy puddles (rain permitting) and nice walks around farm (map provided and we saw deer on two of our walks).
4) There are pubs within walking distance - we didn't go to the local but instead did a medium hike (3-4 miles each way) to Hambro Arms in Milton Abbas - highly recommended food (many others mentioned in guest book and cottage info). Although we used our OS Map, once you find national trailway sign (200m west on main road), it's due North all the way so no need for detailed map.
With car - I won't go through all that can be done in this wonderful area (loads of info at cottage) but although I've lived nearby for 30 years I still managed to find some great new places to eat (like Greyhound in Winterborne Stickland and Langton Arms in Tarrant Monkton).
Bottom line is, I would be very surprised if you did not love a stay at the Shepherd's Hut (hard pushed to find anything to the contrary in guest book).
P.S: Reason I have not recommended this property to older travellers is that, being an upside down property, they may find it a nuisance that the toilets are both on the ground floor whilst the open plan living area is on the first floor.
