The Old School

• Sleeps: 6
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 2
• Minimum stay: 2 nights

This beautiful holiday home once served as the village school of South Perrott, a charming little village in Dorset just south of the Somerset border.  Today, it offers luxury self-catering accommodation for up to six people.  Every care has gone into the sympathetic refurbishment of the Old School, meaning you can still enjoy unusual original touches that include the old school bell to gothic arched doorways.

The Old School stands on a quiet country lane, making it the perfect spot for a peaceful, rural retreat.  You might well feel you’re in line for a history lesson as you approach; passing through the old iron gates and heading up the garden path, you’ll see that little has changed on the outside of this stone-and-tiled cottage.  The covered porch still has a bench on each side (ideal for removing muddy boots after a countryside ramble), and the arched, wooden front door is a sight to behold.

Once you step inside the stunning entrance hall, you’ll quickly feel at home; light and stylish décor creates an air of elegance, and homely touches make this a most welcoming place indeed.  The cosy sitting room is a comfortable place to relax, watch television, play the PlayStation 3, or enjoy an afternoon nap on a snug sofa.  On colder days, the wood-burning stove keeps the room as warm as toast.

Next door is the stunning kitchen and dining room, which features original vaulted ceilings and wooden beams.  The large kitchen area is beautifully finished with solid wood surfaces for a country feel.  And if you want to go ‘all-out country’, you can even enjoy warming meals straight from the Aga.  Don’t worry if you’d rather stick to conventional cooking – the kitchen is also fitted with a halogen hob and convection oven!

The first of the Old School’s three bedrooms is also found on the ground floor.  This single room has an additional pull-out bed, meaning it can be configured flexibly as a twin room or super king room.  A shower wet room and WC is also located conveniently on this floor.

Upstairs, you’ll find two more bedrooms which can be configured as twin rooms or super king rooms at your request.  Every bedroom is decorated in neutral whites and creams, creating a calming atmosphere, while the curtains and cushions add a splash of red for a homely touch.  There’s also a good-sized family bathroom on the first floor, complete with a deep, double-ended bathtub and power shower overhead.

Guests at the Old School also have the pleasure of the spacious, walled garden – a peaceful place overlooking fields in this rural haven.  A loggia in a pretty corner of the garden comes complete with outdoor dining furniture, lighting and power.  There’s no better place to fire up the BBQ, crack open a bottle, and enjoy delicious wining and dining into the night.

At a glance

• Luxury self-catering accommodation in former school, in the village of South Perrott, Dorset
• Sleeps 5+1 (single room can be configured as twin or double with pull-out bed)
• Gorgeous original features, including old school bell and arched doorways
• Spacious, walled garden, with pond, loggia and BBQ
• Up to 2 dogs welcome
• Ideally located for exploring Dorset and south Somerset

Features

• Dog Friendly
• Family Friendly

More information

South Perrott is a friendly village, with a parish church and an inn just 100 metres from your front door.  For a more bustling scene, head to Crewkerne for its supermarkets, shops and swimming pool, just 2.5 miles away.  The town also has direct rail links to London Waterloo.

While visiting this stunning corner of the country, take some time to explore all the gems Dorset has to offer, from the Jurassic Coast to historic homes, that include Forde Abbey and Athelhampton House.  Somerset is also close by, boasting beautiful buildings, caves and moors, and legends aplenty.

With so much to enjoy during your stay at the Old School, you’ll still be hankering for more when home-time comes. But there’s no need to be disheartened – this gorgeous home will still be waiting for you the next time school’s out.

Things to note

Minimum 2 night stay required, up tp 2 well-behaved dogs permitted on ground floor level only (small charge per dog applies), ground floor bedroom can be configured as a 6ft double bed to allow a 6th person (on request), travel cot, highchair and stairgate available on request.