HELLO

SAWDAYS > CANOPY AND STARS > BRITAIN > ENGLAND > SOMERSET > STRAP LANE > ORCHARD CARRIAGE

My Search results
All of Canopy & Stars
Read guest comments

Orchard Carriage – Somerset

  • Train carriage for 2

1 double

A colourful railway carriage, retired from the local line to this corner of peaceful Somerset countryside...

The Orchard Carriage was in use on the local railway line until the mid 1900s. From there it made its way into service as storage for the village hall before being rescued and fabulously restored to its current glory.
Across from the raised bed in the carriage are the sofa and the colourfully painted dresser where the gas hobs and the wood burner sit. In the adjoined back room is the bathtub, (not an original feature of course) and a hand basin. Please use only eco washing products in either. A compost loo is located a few metres away from the carriage.
The setting is a beautiful, country garden in a rural area of the south. The carriage is in a small orchard just down from the house behind which runs a country lane, so there is very occasional traffic. The farm is close to Bath and Bristol, but tucked away among the villages and lanes of the countryside. After you get back from a hearty hike in the hills, you might even be able to use the wood-fired sauna.

Our guests say...

"An amazing stay - great location, a pristine and well-loved cabin, fantastic decoration and features, privacy and a beautiful view. Loved that the log fire was lit when we arrived and the jams and bread. A real gem! We'd love to come back."

Clare, 13/03/2012

"We had an amazing stay. The hospitality was awesome and the carriage was so pretty. The entire weekend was just what the doctor ordered. It had enough mod cons to be comfortable but not so many that it took away from the romance of the place. We felt like we were in a different, perfectly formed world of our own."

Rachel, 30/09/2011

"It was magical and had a rustic, organic kind of charm. I experienced a lost sense of childhood innocence during our stay in the carriage and felt both free and secure. Simple details, for example the art work, woodwork, bathing space and furniture seemed to be provided with love and all of these things contributed to our experience of feeling held in it's warm ambiance. The Carriage was situated in close proximity to the owner's house but enclosed in it's own private orchard and free of light pollution for star gazing during the night."

Joanne, 08/08/2011

Not what you're looking for? Try...

Check availability & price
From £95 a night. Bookings are for a two night minimum
Step 1: Select arrival date (in bold)
Hover over dates to see prices
Step 2: Select number of nights
Step 3: Check price and book
Price:

Everything you need to know about Orchard Carriage

The essentials

The important stuff

  • Check in time is from 2pm
  • Check out time is 12 noon
  • Kids and pets cannot be accommodated

Sleeping arrangements

1 double

Cooking

  • Double ring gas stove & grill
  • Gas fridge in carriage

Washing

  • Bath (no shower) just by the carriage and a compost loo about five metres away.
  • Washbasin in the bathroom and a belfast sink for washing up on the outside.

Heating, lighting & bedding

  • Wood burning stove in the carriage is just for heating
  • Lighting is solar or candles
  • All linen is provided

Entertainment

  • The wood-fired sauna may be available for guests’ use by arrangement. There will be a £10 charge for the wood
  • Cards
  • Scrabble
  • Backgammon
  • Books

Getting there

Orchard Carriage, Somerset, BA10 0JW

By public transport

The nearest train station is Castle Cary (9 miles) and the nearest bus stop is in Wincanton (9 miles). We're sorry, pick ups cannot be arranged.

By car

From the A303 

Take the turning to Mere and Stourhead (look for the National Trust sign). At the end of the slip road, turn right. Pass Stourhead estate on your left then take theleft turn signed, "Kilmington Common". Pass through Kilmington and all the way to the end of the road. At the T Junction turn left. Drive through the wood, down and then back uphill, then take the first turning on the right signed, "Upton Noble".

The farm is on the left hand side, after about 1 mile. You're looking for a wooden shingle bungalow with wooden gates next to a large farm and equestrian centre.

From Frome/Bath

Take the A361 towards Shepton Mallet. At the first roundabout turn left towards Bruton. Pass through Wanstow and take the second left to Upton Noble at the junction where Batcombe is signed to the right. Pass the school on your right and after about 1.5 miles out of the vilage, go over a small railway bridge. The farm is the second property on the right hand side. 

Eating & drinking

At the Orchard Carriage

The basics (tea, butter, bread, spices and such) will be waiting for you on arrival. Your nearest local shop is in Bruton, about 20 minutes away. Organic hampers of local produce can be arranged with Zoe and John.

Pubs & restaurants

At the Chapel, Bruton (5 miles) - A bakery, wine shop, café bar and restaurant in a 17th century coaching inn

Archangel, Frome (9 miles) - Parts of the old inn date back to the Domesday book but the restaurant in this hotel has fresh and interesting menus

The Three Horseshoes, Batcombe (3 miles) A classic village pub that welcomes foodies, walkers, kids, dogs and everyone else!

Things to do

Around the Orchard Carriage

There are many lovely villages within walking (hiking perhaps) distance and of course Bath and Bristol are a short drive away. The National Trust site at Stourhead is a huge estate where chalk downs, ancient woods and farmland are managed for people and wildlife to enjoy.

Meet your hosts

Zoe and Jonno run their smallholding with care and an organic, biodynamic approach. This allows them to be pretty much self sufficient for most of the year. They keep bees, hens, a few sheep and ,generally, themselves to themselves.

Love this place? Tell everyone!