Dorset, United Kingdom

Keepers Cottage

Keepers Cottage Photos

Style

William Morris wonderworld

Setting

Dinky Dorset hamlet

Sleeps

10

Bedrooms

5

Within a charming English garden, bucolic bolthole Keepers Cottage sits surrounded by northern Dorset’s sweeping landscapes, with traditional redbrick exteriors and bedrooms floral enough to make chintz king William Morris feel right at home. But beyond these dashing designs and vaulted ceilings, a quaint charm encompasses this idyllic English retreat, originally built in 1871 as part of the Fontmell Parva Estate, courtesy of its roaring fireplaces, buffed-up barnhouse and verdant views. Now, the five-bedroom cottage offers a spruced-up take on fabled rural life.

Smith Extra

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A bottle of champagne on arrival

First Glance

Photos Keepers Cottage
  • This classic five-bedroom cottage sleeps up to 10 and has manicured gardens, a cobbled drive, redbrick exteriors and views of Dorset’s lush landscapes.
  • Inside, walls are largely floral, ceilings vaulted, and furnishings made from reclaimed wood, plus antiques are dotted around.
  • The open-plan kitchen has Shaker-style dark-teal cabinets, grand sash windows and an eight-seater dining table, and is fully equipped with a Lacanche Range cooker, Nespresso machine, tea-making kit, fridge, dishwasher and crockery.
  • Down the hall, the TV room has an open coal-burning fireplace, a sofa and two armchairs. Next door, the bright and spacious music room has a grand piano and direct access to the conservatory.
  • Upstairs, there are three bedrooms with natural hues and floral accents, and two bathrooms.
  • The final two bedrooms are housed in the cottage’s annexed barnhouse, with tall vaulted ceilings and blue grooved walls. The two annexe rooms share a bathroom.
  • Outside, the cottage has a hill-facing fenced garden with alfresco dining spaces and a fire pit.

Villa highlights

  • Expansive Blackmore Vale views
  • Traditional farmhouse feel
  • Four-legged friends welcome

Sleeping arrangements

Photos Keepers Cottage
  • The cottage’s five bedrooms are decorated with floral wallpapers and natural tones, with antique furnishings and reclaimed-wood features.
  • On the first floor of the main house, there are three bedrooms; the master bedroom has a super-king-size bed and an ensuite bathroom with a shower. The second bedroom has a super-king-size bed, the third bedroom has a king-size bed; both share a bathroom with a bath tub and walk-in shower.
  • In the annexe, there are two bedrooms with king-size beds and a shared bathroom with a walk-in shower.
  • All bathrooms are equipped with Bramley toiletries.

Key kit

  • Free WiFi
  • TV with Netflix
  • Built-in Sonos speakers

Grounds

Photos Keepers Cottage
  • Set within the Dorset hills, Keepers Cottage has a spacious private garden with an outdoor dining table and fire pit. It’s also fenced all the way around to keep in any wandering pups.
  • Cross over the bridleway that’s in front of the cottage and you’ll find an array of signed walking trails and cycle-paths. Trails heading east pass through Cranborne Chase, leading towards Salisbury, and those heading west take you to Blackmore Vale.
  • There’s a cobbled drive that has space for six cars.
  • Dogs are welcome to join you, just let the cottage staff know in advance.
  • There are bedrooms downstairs in the annexe, but please be aware that narrow staircases and cobbled paving make the cottage difficult for those with reduced mobility.

Location

Photos Keepers Cottage
  • Keepers Cottage is located in Fontmell Parva, a small village in northern Dorset.
  • From London, Fontmell Parva is around a three-hour drive southwest along the M3 and A303, 45 minutes west from Stonehenge.
  • To get to Fontmell Parva on the train, take a South Western Rail service from London Waterloo to Gillingham or Tisbury. Both stations are just under a 30-minute drive from the village.
  • From the cottage, the neighbouring village of Child Okeford is a few minutes away and has a local shop and two pubs. If you’d rather something a little more extensive, the town of Blandford Forum is a 15-minute drive and Salisbury is just under an hour away.

The Guestbook

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Price per night from $773.06

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