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Special Escapes: Self-catering in the UK

Updown Cottage

Updown Cottage, Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, England

It stands at the top of the most famously cobbled hill in the country. Park your car at the bottom and puff your way up - just like the Hovis boy in the ad. Centuries ago it was a butchers; now it glows with stylishness and care. The interior spreads itself over four floors: all low beams, oak floorboards and deep-enough-to-hide-in recesses. Pale walls juxtapose with rich silks and tapestries, carved oak mirrors and reclamation finds. Downstairs is a farmhouse kitchen with wooden worktops and modern Aga. Pop a coffee pod in the Nespresso machine; breakfast on welcome cereals, marmalade and organic bread from the deli; fling open the glass doors to the steeply terraced garden and heavenly views over Blackmore Vale. There's a music room with a baby grand, a sitting room with a wood-burner. On the first floor are two single rooms - white bedding, dashes of colour - and a double with a deep window seat overlooking the hill. Up more stairs to the master room, its Egyptian cotton-covered bed hugging the rafters, its tiny shower room as immaculate as the rest. A bathroom with a washbasin set in a chunk of reclaimed elm and a wet room on the ground floor are further luxuries. Shaftesbury is a favourite with artists, writers and musicians, rich in history and cafés and restaurants.

Special Notices

Posted: Thursday, July 2, 2009

Last minute offer & Latest News!

Last minute availability: 10th - 24th July reduced to £995 per week

This information has been provided by the owner or management of Updown Cottage and is not verified or endorsed by ASP.

Next steps

Details

Updown Cottage

Contact: Simon & Jane Colston

  • Tel: +44 (0)7710 307202
  • Fax: +44 (0)871 528 9010
  • Sleeps: 6
  • Rooms: 1 double with shower; 1 double; 2 singles; bath/shower room; wet room.
  • Price: £695 – £1,295. Deposit only £100 with balance 4 weeks before the booking.
  • Closed: Rarely.
  • Changeover: Friday for weekly bookings. Monday / Friday for short breaks
Children are positively welcomed, with no age restrictions, but cots, high chairs etc are not necessarily available. No smoking anywhere in the house. Wireless internet access available for guests.

Checklist

  • Dishwasher
  • Electricity included
  • Washing machine
  • Microwave oven
  • Central heating
  • Mobile reception
  • Television
  • BBQ
  • Beach within 3 miles
  • Cooked meals available
  • Restaurant nearby
  • Short breaks possible
  • Extra bed/cot available
  • Shop within 3 miles

Points of interest

  • Spectacular views from this Gold Award 5 star cottage on 'Hovis Hill' over miles and miles of glorious English countryside. Free Wifi and landline calls if you are forced to be contactable!
  • Baby grand piano, high quality audio systems, many world class music festivals nearby - perfect for music lovers.
  • Jurassic coast & Cotswolds within 1 hour, Salisbury & Cathedral, Sherborne Abbey, Stonehenge and Hardy Country within 30 mins. Or learn to fly at nearby Compton Abbas airfield!
  • Wealth of wonderful locally produced food both to enjoy out or in the cottage kitchen equipped to create gastronomic banquets. Personal chef recommended.
  • Popular accommodation for weddings at nearby Larmer Tree Gardens & Wardour Castle.
  • Minute walk from National Express coach stop, 4 miles from train station with good taxi service.

This information is provided by owners and is not endorsed by ASP. If you have questions about it, please contact the owners.

Updown Cottage Updown Cottage (nearest white cottage) on Gold Hill looking out over Blackmore Vale

Updown Cottage (nearest white cottage) on Gold Hill looking out over Blackmore Vale

Updown Cottage ‘Aqua’ with window seat looking on to Gold Hill

‘Aqua’ with window seat looking on to Gold Hill

Updown Cottage Bathroom

Bathroom

Updown Cottage Dining room leading into the hillside garden

Dining room leading into the hillside garden

Photo captions have been written by the owner or management of Updown Cottage and are not verified or endorsed by ASP.

Help

Children welcome but cots, high chairs, etc. are not necessarily available.
Guests’ pets can sleep in the bedroom (not on the bed).
Working farm.
Wireless internet access available for guests.
No smoking anywhere in the house.
Full and approved wheelchair facilities.
Tennis court on premises; use may be by arrangement.
Credit cards accepted; most commonly Visa and Mastercard.
Bikes on the premises to hire or borrow.
Swimming pool on the premises; use may be by arrangement.
Within 10 miles of a bus/coach/train station and owner can arrange collection.
At least one bedroom and bathroom accessible without steps.

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