The Coach House at Old Rectory House

Can't decide between gorgeous rolling hills and a dramatic coastline?  Seaside paddles or private pool swims? Then the delightful Coach House at Old Rectory House might be just the place for your next holiday. The four-bedroom cottage on a family-run Somerset smallholding sits in a small village at the foot of the Quantock Hills, less than 10 minutes walk from the nearest beach on the spectacular Jurassic coast. You can see the sea from the stunning grounds, and lazy days might mean fossil-hunting on the beach, lounging around the pool or a wander through the walled orchard and wildflower meadow, while nights can be spent around the firepit, looking up into star-filled skies.

The Coach House itself is a handsome space with a modern take on a traditional country interior, so there's a wood-burner and plenty of original features alongside decorative splashes of colour, an excellently equipped farmhouse kitchen and all the family-friendly bells and whistles from DAB radio and Bluetooth speakers to games room with table football, smart TVs and a Nintendo console. The en-suite master bedroom is on the ground floor, with two more bedrooms on the first floor, sharing a family bathroom and separate toilet. There's also external access to a studio annexe, which would be great for friends or family teenagers – it's a loft space with king-sized bed (can be split into two singles), en-suite shower room and its own kitchenette.

A farm shop provides breakfast packs and homemade meals, and it's worth knowing that there are two shepherds' huts on the site too, if you had a larger group to accommodate – though bear in mind that this a family-oriented set-up, so late-night noise and parties are not expected.

The interior is lovely and charming, with plenty of space, and that's before we've got to the outdoor facilities that make this such a special choice for a family holiday. A private, heated swimming pool (available April to October), behind a high hedge, is laid out with sun-loungers and deck-chairs – there's even a pool house with shower, toilet and kitchenette. A separate garden has a barbecue and chimenea, while the house hot tub boasts more of those enticing sea views.

It's hard to drag yourself away, but the location really is set up for some terrific days' out exploring this wonderful part of Somerset. Kilve beach is the closest to the house, but the sandy beach at Minehead is under a half-hour's drive away and it's a similar distance to charming coastal ports such as Porlock Weir. There are moorland and woodland walks in the Quantock Hills, right on the doorstep, while the nearest pub is in the local village of Kilve, around ten minutes' walk away. Or you can drive to any number of country pubs, rustic cafes and tea gardens, all within ten minutes of the house.