Elm Cottage

Reference Number: H142
Location: Easton Farm, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire50.998335383482;-2.0756435394287
Sleeps: 3/4 + cot

Introduction
Accommodation
Photo gallery

One of three traditional stone cottages, situated on a working farm in some of the most unspoilt countryside in the South of England.....

These three stone cottages are located in the small village of Berwick St. John, which is tucked into a hollow beneath unspoilt, protected chalk downland on the borders of South West Wiltshire and Dorset. The village and surrounding land have been inhabited since ancient times; Bronze and Iron Age, Roman and Saxon remains have been discovered, and there is an Iron Age fort, Winklebury Camp, on the down above. Present day Berwick remains a small, rural, peaceful village, a wonderful place to relax and unwind.

This corner of Wiltshire offers some of the most unspoilt countryside in the South of England. It is home to rare species of birds, butterflies and plants and is an ideal location for walkers. There is a right of way across the farm and superb walking along the Ox Drove on the downland ridge above. This track eventually leads to the cathedral city of Salisbury, some 16 miles away. From nearby Win Green, one of the highest points in Wiltshire at 277 metres, there are stunning, far reaching views to the Dorset coast and the Isle of Wight.

Berwick is the last village at the western end of the fertile Chalke Valley, whose chalk stream, the River Ebble, meanders through picturesque villages of stone and thatch, brick and flint and eventually joins the River Avon south of Salisbury. The road through the valley forms part of the Wiltshire Cycleway, storage for bikes being available at the farm. Other outdoor pursuits include golf at nearby Rushmore Park (2 miles away), while both Shaftesbury (6 miles) and Salisbury (17 miles) have sports centres and swimming pools. For smaller children there is a nearby children's playground in the village. Adults might prefer The Talbot Inn, a traditional village pub, just 200 yards from the farm.

Berwick St. John is within easy driving distance of numerous places of interest, including the cathedral city of Salisbury, the Saxon hilltop town of Shaftesbury, Stonehenge, Longleat, Wilton House, Stourhead Gardens, The New Forest and the spectacular South Dorset coast, now designated a World Heritage Site, due to its ancient geological past. London is approx. 2 hours' drive so the cottages are also ideal for out of season weekend breaks.

Comments from previous visitors to Elm Cottage.

"We found 'Hideaways' very helpful. We needed a base for a family wedding and could not be flexible re the dates. In the event, Elm Cottage was ideal for our needs, very well equipped and comfortably furnished." Mrs Veronica Sykes, July 2007

Accommodation

The three cottages at Easton Farm have been sensitively converted from a large stone barn, which stands above and opposite a Grade II listed 17th century farmhouse. The surrounding land has been farmed by different generations of the same family for over a century. Each cottage is at ground floor level and combines well designed, very comfortable accommodation with some of the building's original features. All three cottages have good views from their bedroom windows down to the centre of the village and beyond to the surrounding countryside. Rental prices are fully inclusive all the year round and include a welcome tray and bottle of wine!

Adjacent to Pond Cottage and facing the main courtyard garden area, Elm Cottage is suitable for disabled visitors, having level access from the parking area, no steps, wider doorways, and other aids in the cottage. Entrance into open plan sitting/dining room with electric 'woodburning effect' stove, large central beam and a fitted kitchen area. 2 bedrooms - 1 double with window seat and 1 single with optional child's bed. Bathroom/w.c. with independent shower above the bath.

Pond Cottage and Elm Cottage both have their own attractively landscaped, paved garden areas bordered by a lavender hedge and raised planting beds. There is an additional, communal, grassed garden area with picnic tables.

Elm Cottage has been awarded a 4 star grading by Visit Britain.