Rooms

We stayed in the 7-bedroom Dairy House (sleeping 16) and loved the serenity of being in the heart of the estate's parkland, waking up to the sound of sheep bleating in the fields. In the original house you get a master bedroom which has a huge wooden sleigh bed, a separate dressing area (with plenty of wardrobe space to unpack) and windows on all 3 sides, giving views of the garden and agricultural landscape beyond. There's an additional ensuite double or twin bedroom plus another double or twin room, which shares a family bathroom with the bunk room (which can have a trundle added). The converted cowshed has an additional 3 bedrooms – 2 double or twin rooms plus a bunk room which can also sleep 2-3.

The smaller, semi-detached 2-bedroom Atherstone Cottage (sleeps 4) sits on a quiet country road near the estate. At the front, the master has a lovely spacious bathroom with an enormous walk-in shower and a duck-egg blue free-standing tub under the window. The sunny double or twin bedroom has an ensuite wet room and garden views.

Since our visit, a few new cottages have opened. Four-bedroom Atherstone Farmhouse (sleeps 10) neighbours Atherstone Cottage but is larger and includes a family room with double/twin bed and bunk-beds. We're particularly excited to see the stunning ground-floor four-poster double bedroom, complete with in-room roll-top bathtub and wood-burner. Four-bedroom Orchard Cottage (sleeps 8) includes a twin room that connects with the main bedroom, making it ideal for a family with small children. There's also 3 bathrooms (one with a roll-top tub), an open-plan kitchen-dining room with exposed beams, and a cosy lounge with a wood-burner.

Decor-wise, these four houses share a modern country style of muted grey and duck-egg blue walls, with pops of colour in petrol-blue sofas and bright bed throws. On the ground floor of each, you'll find a comfy lounge and full kitchen.

The fifth cottage sleeps up to 13, and is arguably the most snazzy in both decor and layout: Apple Loft comes with six ensuite bedrooms on a lower ground floor (three are built into a bank) – five are doubles or twins as you prefer, and the sixth bedroom is a bunk with an additional rollaway mattress. Above is a loft-style and light-filled kitchen/diner/living room which opens onto a south-facing terrace with fire pit and enclosed garden with hot tub. Very similar in style and layout, but slightly smaller, is Little Bank, which sleeps 8 in four ensuite double/twin bedrooms, a large kitchen/dining room, cosy lounge and spacious terrace with ample seating.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Fireplace
• Hairdryer
• Terrace
• Toiletries
• Tumble dryer
• TV
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

The modern kitchens have everything you need to self-cater, including ovens, ceramic hobs, a whole host of pots and pans, masses of utensils, basic ingredients and dishwashers for the dreaded washing-up. If cooking doesn't appeal, a chef can be arranged on request.

The Dairy House’s kitchen has a big island with 2 stools for sous chefs and opens to a garden room or conservatory with doors out onto the garden. The long wooden dining table seats 16, so there’s plenty of space for big family meals. In Atherstone Cottage, the light double-height kitchen has a breakfast table in a cosy nook and a separate dining table for 6 in the living room. Both houses have outdoor dining areas for alfresco meals. Atherstone Farmhouse has an enormous kitchen with an induction hob and two ovens, while Orchard Cottage has a lovely open-plan layout with a bright kitchen and dining table for 10. There's also a separate utility room / larder with a fridge-freezer with ice-machine, and a washer-dryer. Apple Loft and Little Bank have huge kitchen/diners with indoor and outdoor dining tables plus a breakfast bar and come with ovens and dishwashers; bi-fold doors open onto a dining terrace with seating for up to 10.

You’re a 5-minute drive from Ilminster, a traditional market town with a big supermarket, a bakery and an award-winning butcher - great for stocking up before you arrive. The town’s vegetarian restaurant f.east, also comes highly recommended. If you want a pub lunch, it's an easy drive to The Barrington Boar (or 40-minute walk), The Dinnington Docks or The Lord Poulett Arms.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Coffee / tea making
• Dishwasher
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Microwave
• Oven
• Restaurants nearby
• Toaster
• Basic ingredients

Activities

• Explore the 3,000-acre Dillington Estate: wander through rolling meadows and admire the architecture of the Grade II*-listed main house
  
• Head out on a country walk via one of the local inns; The Barrington Boar is about 40 minutes' walk away in Barrington
  
• Hole up at home - relax in the gardens or cosy up next to the wood-burner when the weather turns chilly
  
• There are a handful of National Trust properties nearby, including the atmospheric Barrington Court and Elizabethan Montacute House
  
• Go fossil hunting along the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site (40 minutes' drive)
  
• Grab a taste of the West Country at Perry’s Cider Brewery then stock up on treats in their farm shop

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling

Kids

The self-catering houses are great for families of all ages. There's plenty of outside space to run around, plus TVs and WiFi for screen-obsessed teens. Most of the beds can be set up as twins and there's lots to do within an hour's drive.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

The largest is Apple Loft which has 6 ensuite bedrooms including a bunk room and comes with an enclosed garden. Dairy House, Atherstone Farmhouse and Orchard Cottage have 4 bedrooms each so would suit a larger family or a multi-generational stay. In the Dairy House, teens will love the snug's huge sofa, bean bag and gigantic TV. Our 3-year-old liked running around on the lawn and watching the rabbits and sheep from the window.
Two-bedroom Atherstone Cottage would suit a smaller family. We loved the bright second bedroom and the free-standing tub in the master bedroom's ensuite.

Distances:

• Airport: 45 minutes
  
• Doctor: 5 minutes
• Shop: 5 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The houses are part of the picturesque Dillington Estate, in Somerset, close to the A303 and the M5. Dairy House and Orchard Cottage are within the estate grounds, while Atherstone Farmhouse and Atherstone Cottage are on a quiet country road a few minutes away. They are a 5-minute drive from Ilminster town.

By Air:
The nearest airports are Exeter (49km / 45 minutes) and Bristol (72km / 1 hour). From the airport, it's worth hiring a car so you can explore the area once you're here. Taxis are available from both airports but they're expensive.

By Train:
The nearest train stations are Taunton and Yeovil, but you’ll need to grab a taxi from there (approx. 30 minutes).

By Coach:
Berrys Coaches run regular fast coaches from London to Ilminster.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.