Oasis of calm in a Somerset idyll

Not many villages have their own medieval castle, but Nunney does – and it has a moat. It also has the charming Penny’s Mill, a historic former millhouse with lovely river gardens and superb guest accommodation. Nunney’s Mill is mentioned in the Domesday Book but the current building is a mere 250 years old, and beautifully restored with contemporary comforts. Despite being in the heart of the old part of the village and within easy strolling distance of all its facilities, Penny’s Mill is tranquil and relaxed, with plenty of parking, a lovely walled garden and a wilderness area where kingfishers, dippers and woodpeckers are frequent companions.

Though there are actually three bedrooms, Penny’s Mill usually accommodates just two sets of guests. Polly’s room is cool and elegant, with a king-sized bed and views across the rooftops towards Nunney Castle and church. The ensuite here has a thermostatic bath filler and a digital power shower. On the top floor you’ll find three further rooms: the Green Room with a six-foot extra-length double, the Blue Room with twin beds, a private sitting room and a crisply modern shower room. These rooms naturally form a two-bedroom suite and so are ideally suited to families, and though they can be booked independently in which case only one room will be let. All rooms have flat-screen TVs and there’s wifi throughout.

There’s lots of space downstairs, with a child-free sitting room, a wonderful conservatory, and plenty of seating areas scattered around the grounds. As a former mill building water is a key feature in the gardens, with Nunney Brook, a waterfall and millpond all attracting plenty of wildlife.