The House
Coat Barn can’t fail to impress, laid out like a Roman villa with the accommodation set round a large lawned courtyard where you can gather for alfresco dining and to soak up the sun.
Right of the entrance hall is a very sleek and stylish kitchen with plenty of space to cook for a large group, or for caterers to work if you hire them to come and create a scrumptious celebration feast for you. Continue through to the immense dining hall where centre place is a long handcrafted table and to either end a staircase. At the far end stairs take you up to Bedrooms 1 and 2; the other stairs lead to Bedrooms 3 and 4 and a wide galleried landing.
Back downstairs, left of the kitchen there’s a large utility area with laundry facilities, and beyond this a family bathroom and Bedroom 5 - brilliant for a family or for 4 older children to sleep dormitory style as it sleeps 4.
Beyond the dining hall is the living room, where you can snuggle up on the enormous sofa for a family movie night. A corridor leads to Bedrooms 6-8. All bedrooms have zip and link beds (super king or twin) and ensuite shower rooms or bathrooms, the ground floor rooms have doors opening onto the south facing courtyard.
Across the courtyard is the pool hall, with a changing room and loo, and upstairs, the games room. At the side of the house there’s play equipment for the little ones and another area of lawn where you can play rounders or French cricket.
Local Area
Stride out from the doorstep into the beautiful Somerset countryside. Stroll along the river and through apple orchards frothy with blossom in the springtime. Need essentials? Wander down to the shops at Martock, as you’re there go and see The Treasurer’s House (NT) and the beautiful church.
Head over to Ham Hill Country Park to explore the ramparts of the Iron Age hillfort, feast your eyes on the panoramic views, and your belly at The Prince of Wales pub. Pootle around the lanes to Burrow Hill Cider for a guided tour of the farm and orchards, go and discover the Somerset Levels where narrow waterways criss-cross the landscape; amble around one of the tranquil nature reserves – if you’re here in the winter the starling murmurations at Shapwick Heath are incredible.
For history and tranquillity, Muchelney Abbey is a must, if you like nothing better than to potter round a gorgeous garden, Lytes Cary Manor and Barrington Court will delight. Check out the happy-hippy vibe of Glastonbury, puff your way to the top of the Tor for staggering views; see the sights in Wells – the glorious cathedral, the moated Bishop’s Palace and the medieval Vicar’s Close.
Like your wheels? Go to Haynes Motor Museum and you’ll find the biggest collection of cars and motorbikes in the UK. Aeroplanes more your thing? Go to Fleet Air Arm Museum where you can climb on board Concorde.
For days by sea the Jurassic Coast is less than an hour’s drive, so plan it well and head over to spend time in Lyme Regis before moving onto one of the quieter coastal villages like Beer or Branscombe.
Coat Barn is a big happy place. Make it yours.