Tilbury Farm

Jaded city dwellers spend a lot of time dreaming of life in the country, and are often particularly seduced by the thought of staying on a farm. Like holiday cottages not all farms were created equal, however, so we reckon anyone who end up at one of the two beautiful holiday cottages at Tilbury Farm can count themselves extremely lucky. Not only do they get to enjoy what is an undeniably beautiful location, nestled within 45 acres of farmland and with breathtaking views over the Blackdown Hills and the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but the cottages themselves have been fitted out to the highest standards, and offer levels of comfort you just don't find in too many UK self-catering places – and we should know!

Above all, Tilbury Farm is a tranquil and very rural place to stay, and one at which no expense has been spared and no detail overlooked. There are two holiday cottages, each with open-plan living rooms and one double bedroom, so comfortably sleeping two people. To get your holiday off to the best of starts, both are provided with a fridge stocked with breakfast provisions (bacon, eggs, sausages, bread, butter, orange juice, milk and tea & ground coffee), and they also offer a complimentary newspaper of your choice. Each also comes equipped with flatscreen TVs, DVD Players (and a bunch of DVDs) and wifi throughout. Tilbury Cottage, the older of the two, is arranged across two levels and has stunning views over the Blackdown Hills, plus an outside terrace area that is a perfect place for an early evening glass of wine during summer. Its younger sister, Tilbury View, is a one-level cottage with ceiling-to-floor windows that means it's awash with light and has additional views to the west. Finally, there's a third, much larger cottage available to rent: grade II Listed, thatched, and of considerable age and character, it's been comprehensively restored in recent years and sleeps 11 across six bedrooms. With two reception rooms, it's a capacious and extremely comfortable place for a family gathering or friends' reunion.

Owners Matt and Jenny also have a trio of Shepherds Huts if you want to get really cosy, and we also love the fact that the farm has impeccable eco-credentials, with a biomass boiler, solar energy, water from their own bore-hole and a strong emphasis on recycling. The farm also has its own pigs, sheep and horses, although to be fair this is more for fun than agriculture. But then you'll know all this of course once you have downloaded their excellent digital Welcome Pack.

As for the location, there is a great country pub with food within walking distance (The Rising Sun) and the nearest village – Bishops Lydeard – is just a short drive away, where you'll find a decent farm shop, butchers and grocery. You're also within easy distance of Exmoor and Dunster Castle, the coast at Kilve Beach and Minehead and the National Trust gardens of Fyne Court, and the farm was once part of the Cothelstone Estate, whose beautiful parkland lies immediately below. This means that you can do without the car most of the time as there are loads of footpaths and bridleways that can take you right across country in all directions – perfect for walking, biking and even horse-riding. Could those wistful city-dwellers have pitched up up anywhere better?