Guests say
The Anchorage in Shepton Mallet is a well-received holiday cottage, praised for its cleanliness, spaciousness, and beautiful garden with rural views. Guests appreciate its quiet location, ideal for exploring Somerset's attractions. The property's quirkiness and warm welcome add to its charm, though some noted minor issues with comfort and maintenance.
The property is consistently described as clean and well-presented, with a particularly noted clean kitchen. No negative comments about cleanliness suggest a high standard is maintained.
The location is highly praised for being quiet and well-suited for exploring nearby attractions such as the Mendip Hills, Bath, and Wells. Its setting back from the road is appreciated for privacy and tranquility.
The property is generally found to be comfortable, with spacious rooms and a warm atmosphere. However, some guests mentioned lumpy beds and soft mattresses, indicating room for improvement in this area.
Facilities are adequate with a well-equipped kitchen and a welcome pack. However, there are several mentions of issues such as a basic TV, a smell of fuel oil, and a shower that may overflow, suggesting some areas need attention.
Guests mentioned a lovely welcome pack, indicating thoughtfulness. However, as gifts are not guaranteed for every stay, this should be considered a pleasant bonus rather than an expectation.
About this property
Ditcheat 1.8 miles. The Anchorage is an attractive, detached bungalow resting in East Pennard near Ditcheat, Somerset. Enjoying views of the idyllic countryside and boasting ample off-road parking for up to three vehicles, The Anchorage is the perfect home away from home for a family or friends of four. Upon entering the property, you will be pleased to find a pleasant sitting room with leather sofas for you to unwind on as you spend some quality time with your loved ones. Continue through the property to find a compact kitchen hosting all the essentials required to rustle up those home-cooked favourites. When a wonderful dinner has been whipped up, enjoy it gathered around the table in the nearby dining room, before settling down into an armchair in the inviting snug with a cup of tea in hand, gently warming the room with the rustic Rayburn Range. When night falls, wander through the property to find two well-presented bedrooms, with one being a double and the other arranged as a twin; both rooms also enjoy handy storage for your belongings. In the morning, make your way to the shower room, where you can enjoy a moment of relaxation in the rainfall shower, before venturing out to explore what this part of Somerset has to offer. Set off on foot and take the scenic stroll into the heart of East Pennard, where you'll find a friendly farm shop stocking a fabulous selection of homemade goods, including milk and cheese made with dairy sourced from their own cows, as well as a range of essentials. Head to Ditcheat, a village offering visitors with a convenience store and the Manor House Inn, as well as access to Ditcheat Park. Spend the day visiting the town of Bruton, home to the world-class gallery, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, showcasing the workings of both national and international artist-makers in a contemporary setting. From here, tour the extensive landscaped gardens of the country estate, The Newt, where ornamental and productive elements are blended together; keep your eyes peeled for the native deer promenading through the ancient woodland, learn the history of gardening at the on-site museum, or sample the fresh, seasonal fare at The Garden Café. A scenic drive will bring you to the city of Wells, where you can enjoy touring the Wells & Mendip Museum, go on a stroll through Vicar's Close, before visiting the breathtaking Cathedral of Wells. Glastonbury lies a little further afield, with the remains of Glastonbury Abbey waiting to be explored, the fascinating Somerset Rural Life Museum waiting to be toured, as well as a plethora of outdoor spaces you can enjoy, including the famed peak of Glastonbury Tor. Be sure to visit Shepton Mallet, where ample fun can be had at the town's Lido, Collett Park and the beauitful Kilver Court Gardens. Why not pay Bruton a visit, where the renowned Hauser & Wirth Art Gallery, along with the Newt Garden that can be found to the south of the town? Further north lies the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with walking trails, nature reserves and enchanting woods in abundance; Cheddar rests on the western edge, where you can also embark on the famed trail through Cheddar Gorge. Crossing the border into Dorset, the market town of Sherborne is within easy reach, where the iconic landmark of Sherborne Abbey dominates the skyline, dating back to the 8th century; stroll along the banks of Sherborne Lake where you'll discover the magnificent architecture of Sherborne Castle & Gardens alongside the ruins of its predecessor, Sherborne Old Castle. Treat your family to a fantastic stay at The Anchorage.
Resting south of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is the quaint village of Ditcheat. The village is home to the Manor House Inn and the Barber's Farm Shop, so guests can access everything they need for a self-catering holiday. The village additionally hosts the Jubilee Hall, which is home to a cinema during the period between Autumn and Spring. The towns of Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet aren't far and make for great outings.
Accommodation
Single-storey.
Two bedroom: 1 x double, 1 x twin.
Shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC.
Kitchen.
Dining room.
Living room.
Snug with Rayburn Range
Oil central heating with Rayburn Range.
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, washing machine, dishwasher.
TV and WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Highchair available.
Off-road parking for 3 cars.
Enclosed garden with patio, lawn and furniture.
Sorry, no pets and no smoking.
Shop 2.1 miles, pub 1.5 miles.
Note: There are some uneven pathways and steps up to the entrance of the property, please take care.
Note: Check-in from 4pm, check-out by 9.30am.
Note: The Rayburn Range is not hot enough to be used for cooking and should only be used as a heating element.
Note: A Jay-Be camping bed and an additional dining chair can be provided upon request to accommodate a fifth guest.
Note: There is livestock that roams the field behind the property, please keep this in mind before booking Note; A small lockable shed is available to store 3-4 bikes Note; Please do not park on the grass verges at the front of the property
Nearby points of interest
- Haynes International Motor Museum
- Fleet Air Arm Museum
- Longleat Safari Park
- Cheddar Gorge Caves
Reviews (7)
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Jill
The plentiful rooms are large and well furnished, although the twin bed mattresses are a little soft. A lovely welcome pack was provided too! The kitchen was very well equipped and very clean, including the cooker, which is not always the case in holiday cottages. The shower worked fine and with the bathmat down at the entrance, there was no problem with any flooding as mentioned in some reviews. Everything we wanted to visit was within 10-15 miles (Wells, Glastonbury, the Motor Museum, Stourhead). One negative (and the reason for 4 rather than 5 stars) was the smell of oil in the property, especially the dining room where the boiler is directly behind the table, and at the outside table which is next to the large oil tank. It was much nicer to sit round the other side of the bungalow, on the grass amongst the lovely plants, buttercups and daisies. All in all a very pleasant stay was had at The Anchorage.
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Martyn
It had all we needed to enjoy our stay. The TV is pretty basic so we are glad we didn't have the intention to binge watch any series. There is plenty of room as the bungalow is deceptively bigger than it looks. The only negative for us was the smell of fuel oil in the dining room which I assume comes from the boiler? But, this would not stop us returning for another break later in the year.
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David
The property is warm, well equipped and cleanly presented. It is set well back from the road, which is in fact a very quiet lane, and yet the Anchorage is ideally suited for exploring the Mendip Hills and North East Somerset. It also enjoys easy access to the splendid cities of Bath and Wells.