Just ten minutes drive away is Sherborne, a picturesque market town built around a 12th century Benedictine Abbey. Additional to its two castles, Sherborne has a charming selection of boutique homeware shops, cafes, butchers, restaurants, bakeries and a Waitrose.

Drive due south and in under an hour you’ll arrive to the Jurassic coast, a World Heritage Site, renowned for its geological significance, stunning landscapes, and fossil-rich cliffs. Some notable highlights include the iconic limestone arch of Durdle Door, the rugged cliffs of West Bay, the picturesque town of Lyme Regis, and the striking rock formations of Old Harry Rocks.

In under 5 minutes by car, Yeovil provides entertainment for rainy days with its multiplex cinema, bowling lanes and Swan Theatre. The town also means guests have easy access to essential supplies from Tesco superstores, 24 hour boots pharmacy, Majestic wines, Sports Direct and high street fashion retailers.

A masterpiece of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture and design, a significant part Montacute House is reconstructed, stone-by-stone from a former façade of Clifton House. Enjoy walking down the Clifton Maybank corridor, absorbing the history and putting your stay at Clifton Maybank in greater context. The gardens are also beautiful and for any film buffs, you can enjoy spotting details from Atonement, the Libertine and countless other period dramas.

In under 20 minutes, you can be dining at Holm, the stylish and delectable restaurant of Nicholas Balfe. Holm offers dining that matches the best of London, using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, served in a beautifully renovated, ham stone former bank. View menus here. It's well worth the journey. Should you want to stretch your legs after a delicious meal, South Petherton is a pretty market town that deserves a wander.

The Queen's Arms sits at the heart of Corton Denham, picture postcard of a village with beautiful walks and views. The Queen's Arms is a stylish country pub, with a great menu, local beers and ability to mix a decent cocktail. It's also welly, dog and kid friendly, which is ideal as we recommend taking a walk up to the Tor to admire the views toward Cadbury, King Arthur's Camelot and across the Somerset/Dorset border. The Queen's Arms is just 15 minutes drive away.

International Gallery, Hauser & Wirth Somerset is 20 minutes away in Bruton. The galleries offer a vibrant program of art exhibitions, events and learning activities. Also on site: Piet Oudolf’s painterly garden, ‘Oudolf Field’; the Durslade Farm Shop offers the best produce Somerset has to offer, and the excellent restaurant ‘Roth Bar and Grill’ is open for coffee, lunch and dinner. Entrance to the galleries and gardens is free.

The Newt is a magnificent country estate that comprises picturesque gardens, ancient woodlands and Georgian architecture, as well as field to fork dining and drinking. To cap off a wonderful day out, the Newt has a brilliant farm shop filled with epicurean delights. Under 16s enter for free, and annual membership for adults costs just £68.

Osip is one of the UK's very best restaurants. Serving locally sourced, in-season farm-to-table food, this restaurant has helped put Bruton firmly on the gastronomic map. Just a 30 minute drive away, it's highly recommended for any guests who love food. 

Sutton Bingham Reservoir, is a short drive away, and offers fishing and a sailing club that offers a programme of RYA training courses to develop your sailing and get you confidently out on the water.

A local institution. Book a tour and tasting with inimitable Julian Temperley, attend one of their riotous events in summer, or help with the harvest in Autumn. Amazing cider, perry and brandies served at top restaurants and royal weddings.

Nestled in the rolling hills of south Somerset, Wincanton Racecourse hosts a variety of thrilling race meetings throughout the year, attracting top-class horses, jockeys, and trainers. The course features both National Hunt (jump racing) and flat racing events, providing a diverse and exciting racing calendar.

Brassica is a family-run restaurant in Beaminster. The delicious menu by head chef, Cass Titcombe, is inspired by the Mediterranean using locally sourced and in season produce. The restaurant is light filled, incredibly stylish, whilst still feeling homely. Brassica also has a stylish homeware store across the road, so when you fall in love with the crockery you can take a set home.

The Rose and Crown is a fantastic country pub, with a very good kitchen, cosy fires and pretty garden that provides bucolic views across the countryside. Dog and kid friendly, the Rose & Crown is a watering hole well worth the trip.

Mapperton House and Gardens is a hidden gem located en route to West Bay. The house is a beautifully preserved Elizabethan manor, with grand rooms and a fascinating history. The true highlight of Mapperton, are the Italianate gardens and orangery.

The bustling harbour, golden cliffs and sandy beach aren’t just the backdrop to the BBC’s Broadchurch, they provide a unique axis between fisherman, tourists, antique dealers and other seaside delights. We recommend fish from Catch of the Day, or a sit down meal at Hive Beach cafe.

If you’re a fan of steam trains and engineering, the Yeovil Railway Centre is only 3 minutes drive away beside Yeovil Junction. On Sunday’s families and enthusiasts can enjoy rides in a brake van, coach, or miniature railway. Arguably best of all is the functioning turn table, one of the very last in the world.