Barn-conversion comforts in the Dorset countryside

Mappowder and Mapple Cottage are two barn conversions, each with two bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms, in the grounds of Thurnwood B&B.

The location is deeply rural. Thurnwood’s private driveway alone is three quarters of a mile long. The barns are set in a working farm, surrounded by rare-breed Portland sheep.

Both are bright and airy. Enter into a lounge/diner, which has high ceilings, an open fire and TV and DVD. Family meals around the table can be followed by settling down with a film in front of the fire. Adjacent to the lounge is the kitchen area, which is well-equipped with an electric oven and hob, fridge, dishwasher, microwave and washing machine. Through the kitchen is a spacious king-size bedroom and a further twin bedroom (which can be made into a super-king-size zip-and-link on request at time of booking). Both rooms share a contemporary bathroom, which has a shower over a bath.

Outside there is a pretty enclosed lawn with a generous patio containing garden furniture and BBQ. Located directly to the front of the property, it’s the perfect spot for enjoying a meal outdoors and there’s a secure dog-proof fence. There is ample off-road parking available within the nearby farmyard.

There’s a livery yard attached to the house – you’re welcome to bring your own horse, there are stables and paddocks – and you’re middle of the best hunting country in the west. The fields are dotted with Portland sheep, started witih ten foundation ewes. The breed almost went extinct in the 1970s and are still one of Britain’s rarest breeds. These sheep are small, with a cream fleece and golden tan face and legs: visit in April and you’ll be welcome to watch lambing.

Your hostess here spent five years in the studio of Nerina Simi in Florence and is a skilled painter in oils. She is also a natural teacher and Thurnwood regularly runs week-long residential courses in either Art or Italian at Thurnwood. These are intensive with full-board accommodation: there’s no better place to learn.

All in all a stay here is the perfect experience of Hardy Country at its bucolic best.

Thurnwood Cottages suggest:

Don’t fancy self-catering? Book yourself accommodation in Thurnwood B&B.

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