Middle Lodge is a remarkable getaway. Once the gate lodge to nearby Hestercombe House, it is surrounded by open fields and trees, yet only two and a half miles from the centre of the pleasant Somerset town of Taunton. It’s peaceful, tranquil and a haven for those who enjoy the calm and beauty of rural England. Now grade II listed, it retains its original features and has recently been renovated to become a stylish and comfortable holiday home. Every window provides a view, not just into the well stocked garden, but across peaceful green fields, the thoughtful renovation reflects the exterior colours of the landscape and enhances its feeling of calm. The location at the foot of the Quantock Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, makes Middle Lodge an ideal base for walkers and dog owners, you can walk from the door. All the conveniences you might need - shops, supermarkets, cinema and restaurants - are within a 10 minute drive, further afield the stunning fossil beach at Kilve is just a 35 minute drive away.

Middle Lodge has an open fire and a smart TV in the lounge, and, like the dining room, there’s original parquet flooring. The kitchen is well equipped and has a dishwasher. There’s more comfort in the bedrooms, one with a king size bed, the other with two singles, and there’s a spacious bathroom. The property benefits from a superfast broadband connection and a workstation to plug a laptop into. The garden combines an extensive lawned area, established shrubs and trees, and parking for two cars. Middle Lodge has great charm, and a history, built around 1895, it was originally home to the gatekeeper, who controlled access to the Hestercombe estate using the vast metal gate opening mechanism still attached to the front porch. In 1904 Sir Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll were commissioned to design what became Hestercome’s acclaimed gardens, which are just a 15 minute walk away and in the mid 20th century the lodge was occupied by Hestercombe’s Head Gardener. If you’re looking for a comfortable holiday home full of character and surrounded by beautiful countryside, a sense of calm and peace broken only by birdsong - and the facilities of a nearby town - then Middle Lodge hits the spot. Dog owners please note: the garden is not yet entirely secure, it is moderately enclosed however there are some gaps in the hedges that a determined dog could get through.

Tucked away in the heart of the south Norfolk countryside is the pretty rural conservation village of Pulham Market. Pulham Market is an attractive village with traditional village green surrounded by beautiful thatched cottages, a 17th century church, general store, Post Office, a pub and a pub/restaurant. Just 8 miles from Pulham Market is the market town of Diss offering a good selection of shops, delis, eateries, a museum, swimming pool and an attractive Mere area where you can feed the ducks while you sit and relax. Pulham Market is ideally placed for those wishing to explore both Norfolk and Suffolk. Both counties offer wonderful interesting coastlines, many of which have sandy beaches, or why not take a leisurely drive through the luscious green countryside stopping off at one of the many interesting quaint market towns for a browse around independent shops, a spot of lunch or afternoon tea? Don’t forget to spend a day visiting the famous Norfolk broads or the beautiful, historic city of Norwich, which has a wealth of attractions.

Accommodation