Broadwindsor Farmhouse United Kingdom

Broadwindsor Farmhouse holds a wonderful location nestled within thirty-five acres of land in the very heart of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural beauty in the Marshwood Vale Area. While guests will enjoy a completely tranquil escape, helpful amenities in the village of Broadwindsor are just ten minutes away, while Bridport itself is just a twenty-minute car journey away.
The Grade II-listed farmhouse dates back to the 18th century and boasts endless character and country charm with its thatched roofs and Ham stone walls. Broadwindsor Farmhouse can comfortably accommodate up to twelve guests across six well-appointed bedrooms. On the ground floor is the main living accommodation which comprises of a cosy drawing room with open fire, dining room and fully-equipped kitchen complete with Aga and all the tools a budding chef could possibly need. Upstairs, on the first and second floors are the six bedrooms, two super king-size double rooms, one queen, a four-poster double room and a twin room, which share the use of five bathrooms.
Outside, guests have plenty of room to explore with six acres of private gardens, an orchard, three large fields, perfect for children to play games and let off steam. The tree house makes the perfect hideaway for children!Broadwindsor Farmhouse lies in a rural position in the very heart of Dorset’s Thomas Hardy country, the closest pub however is conveniently just a 20-minute walk from the house! Broadwindsor is the nearest village and is just a 10-minute car journey from the house, here is a helpful community shop and another pub. The market town of Bridport is a 20-minute car journey and here visitors will find a much wider selection of amenities, including a variety of shops, supermarkets and restaurants.
The famous Jurassic Coastline is just a short distance from the farmhouse, the popular resort of Lyme Regis is less than 30-minutes away, while dramatic West Bay, made famous from the ITV series Broadchurch, is just 25-minutes away. For keen walkers, there are excellent hikes and rambles through the countryside surrounding Bridport & West Bay which offer both spectacular views and a diverse range of wildlife.
Pubs & Grub- The Shave Cross Inn in Shave Cross (DT6 6HW) – our closest pub, a 700 year-old thatched pub with a very nice beer garden for the summer (with separate children’s play area) and England’s oldest skittle alley.  Sadly past its best, poorly visited and can wait a long time for food. Does not open on Mondays – The Ilchester Arms in Symondsbury (DT6 6HD) – nice old pub in a pretty village on the outskirts of Bridport- The New Inn in Stoke Abbott (DT8 3JW) – very attractive old pub in picture perfect village with a nice garden and good food- Symondsbury Kitchen (DT6 5HQ) – local estate Manor Barn converted into a very good local produce café. A popular recent addition to the local scene and a good place to start your day if you don’t want to cook breakfast – The Hive Beach Café (DT6 4RF) – enormously popular and extremely good local fish ‘café’ on the beach at Burton Bradstock.  Open until 9pm.- Watch House Café (DT6 4EN) – the is the beach café at West Bay which has recently been taken over by by the same people who run the Hive Beach Café so similar menu, relaxed style and buzzy atmosphere. Excellent fish at both cafes and Watch House also serves breakfast. – Other local restaurants of note are Bridge House Hotel in Beaminster (DT8 3AY) and Le Petit Canard in Maiden Newton (DT2 0BE) note, Le Petit Canard closes at 9pm. There are also several pubs and restaurants in Bridport. – The Bull Inn (DT6 3LF) in Bridport has recently been upgraded and serves the Dorset equivalent of gastro food.  Bridport is also good for a variety of coffee shops and independent cafes (avoid Costa!).
Things To Do & SeeTowns- Bridport (market town)- West Bay (charming harbour and famous cliffs)- Beaminster (market town)- Lyme Regis (famous seaside town with the historic “Cobb” harbour fortifications which featured in the film “The French Lieutenant’s Woman”).- Abbotsbury (famous for its Swannery, Abbey, tropical gardens, charming village and views of Portland Bill and the Chesil Beach at Fleet).-  Dorchester (county capital / market town) with new cinema/plaza complex.- Honiton (popular destination in East Devon for antique hunters!)
Stately Homes (be sure to check opening times which vary)- Athelhampton – Lovely 15th Century country mansion and gardens near Puddletown; has beautiful interiors, antique furnishings and paintings.- Forde Abbey – Former Cistercian monastery near Chard, Somerset that has long been converted into a country mansion with 30 acres of award winning gardens.- Montacute House – Magnificent National Trust Elizabethan mansion located near Ilminster, Somerset; the house’s Long Gallery is the longest of its kind in England, displaying over 60 of the finest Tudor and Elizabethan portraits from the National Portrait Gallery collection.-  Sherborne Castle and Sherborne Abbey. 17th Century castle once occupied by Sir Walter Raleigh as well as the ruined medieval castle and fine town church / market town with a limited selection of antique and local shops.
BeachesAll local beaches are unfortunately shingle/pebbles rather than sand, with the exception of Lyme Regis and a small part of Charmouth Beach where sand has been imported.  Consequently, we feel the beaches offer as much in autumn/winter for bracing walks along the shoreline or the surrounding cliffs (“Jurassic Coast”) which are really spectacular but PLEASE BE CAREFUL, especially if walking with dogs, as there is not fencing along the top of the cliffs.- Eype – quiet local chesil (pebble) beach- Charmouth – best local sandy beach below the Golden Cap cliff (but a longer drive)- West Bay – attractive fishing harbour; good cliff walk- Burton Bradstock – Chesil Beach
Walks-  Hackeridge Fields – the two large fields adjacent to the house are part of the property. The local farmer doesn’t mind us walking on his land but be aware of cattle and be sure to shut the gates.-  Pilsdon Pen – Spectacular Ancient British hill fort directly above the house. Owned by National Trust; has wonderful 360 degree views of the Marshwood Vale and Dorset coast.-  Lewesdon Hill – beautiful hill near Broadwindsor covered with a large beech wood; highest hill in Dorset that is owned by the National Trust.- Lambert’s Castle – good views of Marshwood Vale; located outside Marshwood (past the Bottle Inn).- Eggardon Hill – impressive Ancient British hill fort above Askerswell with excellent views of the Marshwood Vale and Dorset coast; owned by National Trust.- Maiden Castle – Dorset’s largest hill fort, outside Dorchester; owned by National Trust.- Dartmoor – This involves a 90 minute drive but it is a lovely National Park with various walks to the many Tors (rocky granite outcrops on the top of hills).
Local / Regional Shopping –  The nearest local village shop is the community shop in Broadwindsor. This is good for newspapers, milk and other daily essentials.  Turn left at the junction in the centre of Broadwindsor with the church in front of you and it’s 300 yards on the left.- Morrison’s in Bridport is the largest local supermarket with a large car park. It is located on West Bay Road, in between Bridport and West Bay.-  There is also a Waitrose in Bridport located at the end of the town at 42/44 West Street. The car park tends to get congested at peak times such as Saturday mornings.- There are two good butchers in Bridport – Framptons on the ground floor of the Town Hall (Market House, East Street) and Rawles (38 East Street). Also RJ Balson, the oldest family butcher in England, since 1515 (9 West Allington).- Palmer’s Wine Store, opposite the entrance to Morrison’s on West Bay Road in Bridport offers an excellent selection of fine wines with knowledgeable and helpful staff.- The Washingpool Farm Shop on the Dottery Road on the outskirts of Bridport is very good for fresh vegetables, local produce and all manner of typical farm shop ‘goodies’.- Honiton (Devon – 30 minute drive) in has many interesting antique shops. –  Yeovil (Somerset – 45 minute drive) has the main high street and discount stores, a giant Tescos and a good multiplex cinema / bowling complex (but it is not an attractive town, and is best saved for a rainy day).-  Exeter (Devon – 1 hour drive) has a new shopping centre with the main high street fashion brands such as Top Shop, New Look and River Island.At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning- Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport pick-up/drop-off- Babysitting/childcare services
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!