Mendip Molly
Somerset, United Kingdom
Croft Cottage
- Wagon for 2 from £80 per night (read our low price promise)
- 1 double
Suitable for children of all ages
Not suitable for pets
Kids are welcome, one small pet is acceptable by arrangement, please call to discuss
Overview
Mendip Molly is the latest thing at the creative Croft Cottage. David and Laraine, both artists and designers, have taken a traditional 1949 Showman's Wagon and given it a new home in a corner of the garden, a modern twist and a camp-style lounge to go with it. Graffiti artist Xenz has taken the tradition of elaborate painting and turned the ceiling into a bird filled sky; the interior is a glorious mix of chrome, mahogany and cut-glass and The Basha, your summer tent camp lounge next door, is a riot of gaily coloured fabrics with views over the hills.
Molly is divided into three main areas, with the stable door at the centre opening onto the main living room, the bedroom at one end and the bathroom at the other. It makes a spacious couples escape with additional outdoor space made up of The Basha tent, best used in the summer and the gingerbread style BBQ hut, perfect whatever the weather. The latter can be reserved before or during your stay - link up your favourite playlist to the music system and dig out the recipe book for inspiration. From your lovely spot not only are the sunsets incredible but you can take the Mendip Way footpath, drop into Bristol or Bath for the historic spa and, most importantly, stroll half a mile to a great local pub!
Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in time is 3:30pm
- Check out time is 10:30am
- Children are welcome but there is only one double - please bring a travel cot for little ones. One small pet is acceptable by arrangement, please call to discuss
- There are plug sockets in the wagon
- Some road noise may be audible on busy days
- The BBQ hut is shared, but guests can reserve it for private use at no extra charge either before arrival or once on site and charcoal can be purchased from the owner or guests can bring their own.
- Sleeping arrangements
- 1 double
Extra space available
Space for 1 baby no charge.
Space for 1 pet no charge. By arrangement only, please call to discuss
Kids & Pets
Kids are welcome, one small pet is acceptable by arrangement, please call to discuss
Cooking
- Gas hobs and oven
- Fridge in the wagon
- Indoor charcoal BBQ (BBQ hut)
Washing
- Gas powered shower and washing up sink in wagon
- Dry toilet in the wagon
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Wood-burning stove for heating
- Electric lighting throughout
- All bed linen, blankets & towels provided
Entertainment
- Books
- Playing cards
- Board games
- Radio/CD
Getting there
Croft Cottage, Highcroft Lane, Gurney Slade, Radstock, BA3 4UX
Main gate: ///pins.alpha.tadpoles
By public transport
Castle Cary is the nearest train station which is 16 mins drive (10 miles away). The nearest bus stop is in Gurney Slade village, which is a 10 to 15 min walk. Pick-ups cannot be arranged by the owners but they can happily recommend local cab companies.
By car
Mendip Molly is in the grounds of Croft Cottage and is positioned in Highcroft Lane off the A37, 4 miles north of Shepton Mallet.
Post Code BA3 4UX – ‘Sat-Nav’ users will find this takes you to Gales Farm which is about 200m south of Highcroft Lane on the A37
From London on the M4: avoid Bristol city centre traffic and consider alternative routes through Bath or cross country.
From the M5, heading South:
- Exit M5 on J15 onto M4 eastbound. Continue on M4 to J19, exit onto M32
- Continue into Bristol and carry on to second set of traffic lights
- Turn left following signs for A37, Wells.
- Continue on A37 to leave Bristol
- After leaving Bristol on A37 travel for approximately 10 miles when you will come to a Murco garage and pub (Farrington Inn) on your right. At the traffic lights, go straight ahead onto Rush Hill.
- At the top of Rush Hill turn left onto A37 towards Yeovil
- After 4 miles you will reach the village of Gurney Slade, carry on through the village.
- 100m after leaving the 40mph speed limit, Highcroft Lane will be on your right. Turn into Highcroft Lane
- The entrance to Croft Cottage is 75m down the lane at the second five bar gate on the left.
- Enter through the five bar gate and park in the parking area beyond the garage.
Food & Drink
At Mendip Molly
Molly is completely self-catering and has gas hobs and an oven. The BBQ hut complete with central charcoal BBQ, comfy seating and music system is shared, but guests can reserve it for private use at no extra charge either before arrival or once on site and charcoal can be purchased from the owner or guests can bring their own.
You can also, as long as you're careful have an outside fire for marshmallow toasting or other more ambitious al fresco dishes.
The nearest shop is the village store and Post Office, which is situated ½ mile from Mendip Molly. You can get daily newspapers and food essentials.
Pubs & restaurants
Horse & Jockey, Binegar (½ mile) Very welcoming, family pub with a traditional country atmosphere. Family friendly lounge and separate Cider bar. Just 10 mins walk down the country lane from Molly.
The George Inn, Gurney Slade (¾ mile) Young and friendly local. Reliably good value pub food, with meals all week.
The Mendip Inn, Oakhill, 1 mile from Mendip Molly. A fine place to eat. A contemporary take on a country pub, fusing the traditional with contemporary cuisine and décor.
Blostin’s Restaurant, Shepton Mallet (6miles) A well established restaurant which provides simple and distinctive seasonal dishes in a relaxed atmosphere.
Whitstone’s Fish & Chips, Shepton Mallet (6 miles) Whitstone’s is a must for Fish & Chip lovers and a firm favourite with all of David & Laraine's guests.
Activities
In a stunning area...
The Mendip Hills, being an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has a wealth of locations to explore, including:
Cheddar Gorge
Burrington Coomb (place that inspired the hymn ‘Rock of Ages’)
Charterhouse Roman lead mine settlement
Blagdon & Chew Valley Lakes, The West Mendip Way footpath
Maesbury Castle Earth Fort
Nursery Rhyme villages of Kilmersdon (Jack & Jill) and Mells (Jack Horner)
Ancient Isle of Avalon (Glastonbury), Glastonbury Tor, Wells cathedral and the Somerset Levels!
For the odd rainy day
Meet your hosts
Laraine & David have been running self catering cottages from their home for eight years. In 2011 they purchased a 1949 Showman's Wagon which they installed in a quite corner of their land. Last year they started offering holidays in the wagon now known as Mendip Molly. Both of them are artist/designers and this is clearly reflected in the creative nature and uniqueness with which the wagon has been decorated, most notably the stunning painted ceiling!
The land around Mendip Molly
Whether it is early morning and the misty view is from your double bed, or evening sunsets in the Basha (the lavish tent living room), the Mendip Hills scene set out in front of you is always memorable. The Mendip Hills are nationally protected as one of the 49 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From Molly you are likely see birds such as, buzzards, ravens, jays, finches and woodpeckers. Roe deer, foxes and badgers are also frequent visitors to the surrounding fields, which are best explored on foot by the numerous local paths and byways.
Our guests say...
We had a lovely, cosy stay in Mendip Molly. Greeted by the friendly owners on arrival and they made sure we had everything we needed.
15/03/2019Rachael
Lovely quiet spot. Well equipped and comfortable bed
28/09/2018Angie
Had a brilliant time - excellent hosts and unique accommodation
16/09/2018Roger
Lovely stay, so quirky and great history. Dave was very welcoming and helpful, giving good tips for where to visit in the area. The cabin where you can cook over an open fire was amazing - with random instruments and cd player.
17/08/2018Daniela
We had a fantastic Minimoon at Mendip Molly. Our host was always helpful and available when we needed something. The place was stunning, and so close to many beautiful attractions.
28/07/2018Rhiannon
Love this place? Tell everyone!
Booking Terms
Canopy & Stars low price promise
Book with us in confidence knowing you won’t find that place cheaper elsewhere. All of the prices we display are set and matched by our Owners. (In this world of foreign currency, we do have to say 'subject to exchange rates' for some of our European places.)
What does ‘from price’ mean?
Our ‘from price’ is based on a four night stay in low season and designed to help you to compare different prices across our collection. Some of our Owners vary their nightly rates and check in days throughout the year, so it may differ from the rate quoted below the calendar. It is quite common (although by no means universal) for places to charge a little more in peak season or for shorter stays, to cover changeover costs. Consider booking longer stays during the cooler months if you’re looking for the lowest nightly rates.
Agency Terms & Conditions
Except where otherwise specified, we Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd Company No 09088366 of Merchants House, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RW act only as an Agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. Sawday’s Canopy & Stars is part of the Alastair Sawday’s Group of Companies. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into or for any services or arrangements you purchase (“Booking(s)”) or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking. For all Bookings, your contract will be with the supplier of the Booking in question, and in most cases this will be the owner of the property you’ll be staying at (“Owner(s)”). When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner of the Booking. Your Booking with us is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any specific booking conditions of the relevant Owner(s) you contract with. The Owner’s booking conditions may limit and/or exclude the Owner’s liability to you.
You may decide to make more than one Booking with us at the same time. The price charged in total for more than one Booking will always equal the prices charged separately for each individual Booking. All Bookings are available to be purchased separately at the same price as they are when more than one Booking is made. This means that any multiple Bookings do not constitute a package as defined in the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
By making a booking, you agree that:-
- you have read these Agency Terms & Conditions and agree to be bound by them;
- you consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
and
- you are over 18 years of age and where there may be age restrictions in place, you declare that you and all members of your party are of the appropriate age.
The Canopy & Stars online booking system enables Guests to make Bookings 24 hours a day. A Booking is confirmed on receipt of a 25% non-refundable deposit for all Bookings with check in dates of more than 10 weeks away. For all Bookings that have a check in date of less than 10 weeks before check in, payment for the Booking will be required in full and the entire Booking will be non-refundable. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. When using the online enquiry form, for those Properties without online booking, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the Booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm). Online or email enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment. Therefore, if possible, we do recommend that you book on the Canopy & Stars website using the online booking system.
1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a non-refundable deposit as required by the Owner of the Booking in question (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in).
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This booking confirmation will normally be sent out within 24 hours in the case of email and seven working days in the case of post, and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your booking confirmation within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Where a deposit has been paid, full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in date and a reminder will be sent to you two weeks prior to this date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your reponsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If we have been unable to take payment after two weeks of the balance due date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who may cancel your Booking.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Alastair Sawday’s Publishing Co. Ltd who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation and Amendment by You
2.1 Any cancellation or amendment request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within one working day of receipt. You are also advised to confirm all changes to our Customer Services Department by calling 0117 204 7830. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Amendments and cancellations can only be accepted in accordance with the booking conditions of the Owner of your Arrangements. The Owner may charge the cancellation or amendment charges shown in their booking conditions (which may be as much as 100% of the cost of the Arrangements and will normally increase closer to the date of departure). The Owner may charge cancellation or amendment charges in accordance with its own booking conditions, however for the sake of convenience only, we have outlined the Owner’s charges at clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that these are the Owner’s own cancellation and amendments charges, not Canopy & Stars’, and therefore the Owner may vary their charges as they wish, without notice to us. The correct charges will be notified to you at the time of your cancellation or amendments.
2.3 Owner’s General Cancellation Charges:
2.3.1 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your deposit being forfeited, as all deposits are non-refundable.
2.3.2 All monies paid for a holiday (deposit and balance) are non-refundable within 10 weeks before check in date.
2.3.3 Cancellation of any holiday after it has been paid in full and at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, will result in forfeiture of your deposit (or an amount equivalent where one was not paid as the holiday was paid in full) and the balance being returned to you.
2.3.4 Cancellation insurance is available but will be a third party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way.
2.4 Owner’s General Amendment Charges:
2.4.1 Alterations to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time alterations will be treated as cancellation. All alterations are subject to availability and may incur a £30 adminstration fee.
2.4.2 Differences in the total amount payable resulting from alterations will be refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price and paid by you in the case of increases in price.
Special note: Generally Owners will charge the above cancellation and amendment charges, however we must stress that these are a guide only and charges may differ from those shown here depending on the Owner. The exact charges will be notified to you by the Owner at the time of cancellation and/or can be found in the Owner’s own booking conditions which are available from the Owner on request.
3. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Arrangements or to cancel them. We will also liaise between you and the Owner in relation to any alternative Booking offered by the Owner but we will have no further liability to you.
4. Complaints
Because the contract for your Booking is between you and the Owner, any queries or concerns should be addressed to them. In the event that you have any complaint about your stay, please notify the Owner as soon as possible. If you don’t follow this procedure there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and so make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that amount of compensation you may be entitled to may be reduced. Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also contact us as we appreciate all feedback. It’s important to us and the Owner to know that you’ve enjoyed your stay or if anything could have been improved.
5. Pricing
Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices.Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
6. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you;
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured ad so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded;
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
7. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
8. Pets
Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply.
9. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price.
10. Visa, passport and health requirements.
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the Arrangements you chose to purchase. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday.
11. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance you purchase is adequate and appropriate for your particular needs. Please read your policy details and take them with you on holiday.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of booking is permitted.
14. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
15. Your Responsibilities
Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their property. You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners will also require damage deposits. You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Any refund for so doing will be at the entire discretion of the Owner. In addition, the Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
17. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
18. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
We had a lovely, cosy stay in Mendip Molly. Greeted by the friendly owners on arrival and they made sure we had everything we needed.
15/03/2019