Middle Stone Farm Cottage & Cabin

Positioned in a wonderful location on the edge of Exmoor National Park, Middle Stone Farm is more or less literally in the middle-of nowhere. However, that's not the only reason we like this this patch of prime west Somerset countryside. We also love its accommodation, which includes a super-comfortable cabin and a holiday cottage which together make a perfect self-catering complement to the site's six safari lodges – and one which is available all year round. You also have the option to take the whole site so it's an ideal place for large groups.

First the cute Deckhouse Cabin, which is a white-washed pavilion-style cabin in its own corner of the farm, popular with couples although it can sleep up to four people in a king-sized bed and separate bunk room. The retro feel of the open-plan living space makes a nice contrast to the modern shower room and the wood-burning stove. There is a private wood-burning hot tub near the fire pit and barbecue area outside, and glorious views of open farmland. It's also plenty private enough, with a fenced garden with picnic table and firepit, hammock, orchard with fairy lights, and it's couple friendly - offering couple discounts. There's a wall hung TV with freeview (radio is integrated, there's a solar wind up radio too).  The second property, Stable Cottage, sleeps 2 adults and 2 young children and is furnished with a mix of traditional and contemporary furniture – comfy sofas, colourful rugs and pictures, along with a slate floor and beams in the open-plan living room. It too has a wood-burning stove, along with a modern kitchen and uncluttered bedrooms with brass bedsteads and colourful quilts. Outside there’s a small raised fenced patio with private hot tub, seating area and barbecue and views around the farm. The cottage has wifi throughout, a wall hung TV with freeview and integrated DVD player, radio is also integrated, and central heating is provided by the farm’s biomass boiler.  Not only featuring their biomass boiler, but all of their accommodation is eco-friendly, with solar panels, a private water source, all wood being sourced from sustainable woodland too.

Whichever property you choose, Middle Stone Farm is in some ways a tourist attraction in itself, especially if you have young children, with with rare-breed pigs and sheep, goats, chickens and alpacas roaming around, and farm tours available by tractor. There’s also table tennis, badminton and football as well as two children’s play areas, and overall an unpretentious, backcountry atmosphere that is ideal for couples' breaks and family holidays. If you’re here for a weekend, the appeal of the on-site attractions might just stop you from exploring the countryside around, but it would be a pity to miss the ponies and moorlands of Exmoor, not to mention nearby Dunster Castle and its sub-tropical gardens or the fishing village of Porlock Weir. Why not forget forget about a weekend and book yourself in for a week instead?!