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Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location

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A wooden door with a small overhang of climbing plants.
A wooden bench in a rural setting with a view of green fields and distant hills.
2 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel crib, WiFi (free)
A cozy living room with a fireplace, a striped sofa, a bookshelf, and a dining area with a table and chairs.
A dining area with a wooden table, chairs, a vase with flowers, a bookshelf, and a cabinet.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Outdoor Space
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View in a map
Fifehead Magdalen, ENG
  • Place, Gold Hill Museum
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Place, Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Place, Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs
    ‪18 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Gillingham

This vacation home is located within a 15-minute drive of Riversmeet Leisure Centre and Gartell Light Railway. The vacation home includes a kitchen, a fireplace, and a patio.
View more Vacation Homes in GillinghamOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Gold Hill Museum - 15 min drive - 7.0 miles
  • Shaftesbury Arts Centre - 15 min drive - 7.0 miles
  • Gartell Light Railway - 15 min drive - 7.9 miles
  • Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden - 16 min drive - 7.4 miles
  • Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs - 18 min drive - 8.7 miles

Getting around

  • Gillingham Dorset Station - 10 min drive
  • Bournemouth (BOH-Bournemouth Intl.) - 67 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Meaders - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪The White Horse - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Benjis Kebab - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪White Hart Alehouse - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪The Old Brewery - ‬10 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location

This beautiful terrace cottage is owned by a renowned travel writer & contains decorations from all over the world - as well as a myriad of books! There are 2 bedrooms, a cosy lounge with open fire and a large airy kitchen & dining area. French windows lead from the kitchen to the garden which is small, a little wild, but much loved -- there is plenty of room to have lunch outside but you might struggle to organize a five-a-side football tournament. There are beautiful views from the end of the garden southwards towards the Dorset Downs. As well as the kitchen and living room, the downstairs has a small book-lined library, a bedroom with two single beds and a guest loo. Upstairs is a large landing with a divan or day bed that could be used to accommodate a fifth person, or perhaps just for afternoon naps, a double bedroom and a large family bathroom with bath, sink, bidet and shower. The house stands on a quiet road on the edge of an even quieter village. There are plenty of walks from the front door. There is WiFi throughout the house, TV and DVD, a stereo system for CD's and all necessary equipment and facilities, including a gas hob, in a well-stocked kitchen. Weekly guests will find a welcome pack of essentials on arrival to get them started, including a bottle of wine, and the kitchen contains all the usual stuff like tea, coffee, salt, pepper, olive oil, etc etc that guests are welcome to use.
The vacation home is heated and features a kitchen, 1.5 bathrooms, and a patio, and there's space to spread out with 2 bedrooms. Guests can expect to find free WiFi and a Smart TV with a DVD player. The bathroom offers hair dryers and bidets. Other standard amenities include a washing machine, a fireplace, and a coffee maker.

Similar properties

Exterior
Hunters Lodge Inn
Wincanton
  • Parking included
  • Restaurant
  • Business services
  • Bar
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, 610 reviews
$100 nightly
The price is $120
Aug 24 - Aug 25
Total with taxes and fees
Hunters Lodge Inn

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Bidet
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Music library
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming cats and dogs only
  • One pet total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

  • This property welcomes pets
  • Dogs and cats only
  • 1 total pets
  • Service animals exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
  • Check-in: 4:00 PM
  • Check-out: 10:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 21

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business.
  • This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
  • Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit.

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • There are no elevators.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do within easy reach of this vacation home?

This vacation home is located in Gillingham, close to Gold Hill Museum, Gartell Light Railway, and Sturminster Newton Leisure Centre. You'll also find Riversmeet Leisure Centre and The Exchange nearby.

Is there parking available at Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location?

No, there isn't parking at this vacation home.

Is this vacation home adjacent to a casino?

No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.

Is there an indoor pool at this vacation home?

No, there is no indoor pool at this vacation home.

What do couples enjoy most about Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location?

Amenities that appeal to couples at this historic vacation home include a fireplace, a smart TV, and a kitchen.

Does Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location have a hot tub?

No, this vacation home doesn't have a spa tub.

Does this vacation home provide breakfast?

No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.

Does this vacation home allow pets to stay free of charge?

Although cats and dogs can't stay for free, they are welcome at this vacation home.

Does Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location have connecting rooms available?

No, this vacation home doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.

How close is the airport from this vacation home?

The closest major airport to this vacation home is Bournemouth (BOH-Bournemouth Intl.), which is about 25.8 mi away.

Are there rooms with balconies at Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location?

Yes, every house at Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location comes with a patio and some offer mountain views.

Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 35 out of 38 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 38 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 38 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

S

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
This is a beautiful, interesting, cosy and relaxing cottage. The host is wonderful. The views are great. The house is really interesting. The area is beautiful. We have had a great weekend!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sarah E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a lovely place to come on holiday! Such a homely comfortable house and so interesting to see everything that the owner has picked up on his travels over the years, especially his extensive book collection. The kitchen was very clean and extremely well stocked - everything a cook could need and more! The beds were comfortable and bedrooms a good size.The best thing was the location though - in a lovely tucked-away village with stunning views from the bottom of the garden and several footpaths to explore. We had a wonderful walk along the River Stour in the beautiful May sunshine!We will definately come back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Andrea S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The location was perfect for us to get out on multiple day trips. We saw Stonehenge on the way to the property and visited other great spots like the Jurassic Coast, Bath, the Cotswolds and Dunster Castle. Each of these was a 1-2hr drive each way but that didn't bother us, we got to enjoy the scenic countryside. The house itself was perfect. We were able to wash clothes, cook our own meals, and veg out after dinner. The house was a great size for a family of 4. The host provided great info up front and checked in with us before we left, just the right amount of communication.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Emily B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing mini break in the countryside

A home from home. Comfortable, peaceful and with everything we needed. We would love to stay again. In a rural location but also close to lots of interesting places with a car.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michael M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

House with character

We very much enjoyed our vacation in Fifehead Magdalen. Very nice and cosy house with a beautiful view. Happy to come back.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Richard L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rustic

Comfortable house and pretty garden in very quiet area in easy reach of interesting, scenic places.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Alison R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fifehead Magdalene

What a lovely home from home. Stanley is a travel writer so the house is full of interesting books and artefacts from all his travels. We loved the quirkiness of the property and the peacefulness of the location. Popped to Stourhead, Sherborne castle and did lots of lovely walks nearby. A thoroughly enjoyable stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

David M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing stay

Stanley's house was perfect. I cant understand some of the reviews that claim some of the furniture is a bit worn.... the house has charm and has the sense of travelling around the world (which Stanley has) without ever leaving and feeling extremely helpful. Special thanks for the hat from your collection for the wedding i attended (which i returned). Would definitely recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Lisa M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely cottage very out of the way.

Lovely stay in a very well loved home, very well lived in home. Some of the furniture could do with renewing sadly. We slept in single beds as only one double but I think these are more suitable for young children or teenagers The owner Stanley a travel writer was helpful, and very well accommodating with all questions before our stay and directions. Our overall stay was good, we used the cottage as a base for days out which suited us.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Alexandra F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home sweet home

We simply love Stanley’s place. Everything was perfect to us : the books, the house nicely decorated, the location (near from shops and beautiful villages), the walks everywhere, the lovely garden. It was the perfect size for the 3 of us. Stanley provided many wonderful recommandations for pubs, walks, sightseeings. His neighbors are very friendly. It’s like visiting a friend’s house with everything you need, and the feeling of being truly welcomed. We will definitely come back!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Stephen M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent location and ambience

This is the perfect home away from home for relaxation after a day touring the countryside, and we were very grateful to have enjoyed it for two weeks. The owner, Stanley, provided detailed instructions on how to reach it, and in the house is his booklet with details on places to visit nearby, and instructions on how to operate the appliances. Stanley kept in touch with us as our arrival date neared, and answered any questions promptly. The house itself is filled with many interesting books, travel artefacts from around the world, and cozy nooks in which to enjoy them. The kitchen has all the appliances and utensils needed if you like to cook, and we enjoyed good meals there with food from local farm shops. Stanley gave advice about which shops to visit and destinations we told him that we wanted to see. While relaxing in the house, birds in the back garden kept us entertained, and there's a nice view over the downs with a bench on which to enjoy a drink at the end of the day. The location was convenient to reaching the stately homes and quaint towns in the region. All in all, the place added a lot to our enjoyment of the trip.
Stayed 13 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Heike S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful rural home from home

Fifehead Magdalen is a beautiful little hamlet in the Blackmore Vale. Very rural , but close to many attractions in North Dorset and the bordering counties. Good farm shop and convenient petrol station Spar supermarket close by. We especially loved the more unknown Minterne Gardens and Athelhampton House and Gardens. The cottage is a heaven for book lovers and travel enthusiasts, so we immediately felt at home . As the owner is about the same age as us , we also loved the CD Collection and more than often listened to (e.g.) an old Simon and Garfunkel disc at the large kitchen table with a mug of coffee and lovely morning sunshine. That said, the living room is a bit dark during the day and the sofa and easy chair were old and lovely but sagging a bit. The cottage has a lovely lived in feeling and was decorated in a travel vibe theme with travel memorabilia , but cluttered (in a good way). So do not expect contemporary uncluttered chic. The cottage was very clean, but wear and tear can be seen. Not a purpose build holiday property but a real home you seem to have been given to stay in for a while by a trusting friend. Lovely country views from the back part of the back garden (bench) , but not from the patio because the garden shed is blocking the view. Absolutely great property to immerse yourself for a few days in , to quote from the guest book, “ the library of Dorset”.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Penny B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good short holiday.

This is a very personal property full of books and artifacts one might expect given the owner is a travel writer, we loved it. It's a quiet location but a good jumping off point for visits to NT properties and important towns and cities of this area of Dorset. Possibly not a property for toddlers but definitely for adults and slightly older children. Good walks starting from around the cottage, otherwise a car required for visits and entertainment.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sue F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous

Lovely cottage in idyllic surroundings. Amazing views from the garden and very homely property close to many places of interest. We loved it x
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Alan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful retreat

We had a good, quiet and undisturbed week in this property. It is very remote and discreet, the views over the rear are fantastic and you literally hear nothing. The property is lovely, homely and practical. There were plenty of items ready for us to use , tea, coffee, sugar and all the necessary things you are likely to need, just turn up with your clothing. Stanley also leaves plenty of bird seed and they will entertain you as well, you'll be kept busy keeping the feeders filled. All in all a homely property in the middle of nowhere, which is what we wanted after the last 18 months of restrictions. We travelled out a couple of times and Bournemouth, Weymouth, wells, are all within an hour of the property. We experienced no real issues. Stanley gave us very precise instructions to get there and get in, there's a very concise folder of what's what, both in the area and in the property. Any problems are just a call/message away. Thankyou very much
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lucy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely house! Very cosy for exploring the local countryside.

Lovely!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

jackie w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Breakfast bench

We had the most perfect stay in Stanley's cottage. Very comfortable, warm and relaxing. I particularly loved the bottom garden and my breakfast bench. Really hope to return as soon as possible. Thank you
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Malcolm R.

Home from home

Our second stay in a peaceful comfortable cottage. we wanted for absolutely nothing. Very well equipped. Well placed to visit the area, a stones throw from the A30, yet incredibly peaceful with beautiful views across the Blackmore Vale. A generous host, really just allowing us to stay in his home, and treat it as ours for a few days!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Wesley S.

Amazing place

Great location. Superb host and a wonderful variety of books to get lost in
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

David M.

Lovely cottage in beautiful surroundings

Absolutely charming cottage in a beautiful village, tucked away in the rolling Dorset hills. We had a fantastic stay here and Stewart was very helpful
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jackie M.

A unique cottage in a beautiful peaceful location

We only stayed four days but could have stayed for ever! The cottage is full of books and artifacts from the owners travels,so interesting and completely unique. If you can drag yourself away from the cottage it's well situated for exploring both Dorset and Wiltshire with many lovely walks on the doorstep too.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Cosy house with lots of books

We loved our stay in this house with a lot of books, cosy sofas and a lush garden.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Yvonne K.

Ländliche Idylle pur

In dem mit viel Liebe und sicherem Kunstgeschmack sehr individuell und wunderschön eingerichtetes Reihenhaus haben wir uns sofort heimisch gefühlt. Bücher und CD-Sammlung vom Feinsten stehen zur Verfügung, im Garten haben wir Äpfel und Birnen vom Baum pflücken dürfen. Küchenutensilien, Bettwäsche, Handtücher – alles ist reichlich vorhanden. Der Emailkontakt mit dem Besitzer war sehr freundlich, er hat uns sogar vergessene Kleidungsstücke umgehend nachgeschickt. Einfach ein Glücksfall!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Sandra M.

Lovely place to stay

What an amazing home to have the privilege of staying in. We felt relaxed as soon as we arrived. The owner, Stanley, gave great instructions on how to find the property and how to access it. When it was time to come home, we were reluctant to leave, not only was the cottage beautiful but the surroundings were great as well. Would love to visit the area again and would definitely come back to Stanley's cottage.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Mark S.

Beautiful, interesting cottage in a great and quiet location

An interesting place to stay full of books and unusual items from all over the world. Quite spacious with a secluded back garden and delightful forest walks nearby. A great place to stay to explore Dorset and Somerset.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2017