Hurstone is a much loved country retreat, which is why guests return each year for large group holidays in Somerset. You see, there’s something very special about Hurstone, it weaves its magic and you slip gently into your holiday; when its time to leave you’ll wish you could stay forever. This is so much more than a place to stay, this is somewhere you can escape, relax and unwind.
Just up the road from the peaceful village of Waterrow, Hurstone stands in large private grounds with commanding views over lush pastures and wooded hillsides; in the valley the River Tone glides merrily along, birds sing from the treetops, immense skies stretch out over the countryside. Inside a gentle ambience pervades throughout the house so you’ll feel welcome from the moment you arrive. The timeless charm and country character meld to perfection with the comforts of modern life, walls are graced with original artworks by the owner and other local artists.
Step into the wide hallway and bear left to the games room where you can relax with a game of snooker before dinner. Step down to the dining room where a long table sets the scene for celebration feasts; have summer cocktails on the terrace, in the autumn light the wood-burner and settle beside the fire. Next to the dining room is the kitchen, well equipped, gorgeous retro colours, thoughtfully laid out with a utility area to one end. If you think cooking for a large group seems stressful, think again; here there’s room to prep, cook and chat easily.
Straight ahead in the hall a lobby leads to a shower room and out to a covered area which serves as a boot room – handy for when you come back rosy cheeked from a stroll around the nature reserve; hang up your togs, dry off your dogs, leave your muddy boots. Right of the hallway there’s a sitting room, all wonderfully cosy with old ceiling beams, heritage red walls and velvety grey Chesterfields. If you come at Christmas, light the wood-burner, gather round the piano for a sing-song. Next is the Drawing Room, capacious and light filled with plenty of seating and those perfect views across the valley; this is a room to come together for afternoon tea, for parlour games, for birthday or anniverasry drinks.
Upstairs off a long landing are Bedrooms 1-6, all with extensive country views. The feels are soft and unruffled; tumble into bed for a restful nights’ sleep, wake up in the morning to the big wide world on the doorstep. Bedrooms 1 and 2 are a twin room and a double room that form a suite with a shared bathroom, so they’re ideal for a family. Bedroom 3 has a mahogany double bed and Bedroom 4 has two single brass beds; both of these rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Further along are Bedrooms 5 and 6, both double rooms with their own bathrooms. Bedroom 7 is off the landing halfway up the stairs and has zip and link beds which can be arranged as a super king or twins.
Next to the house a self-contained annexe accommodates 2 extra guests (additional charge). With a spacious double bedroom and an ensuite wet room this will suit a couple who like to have their own space or prefer to head off to Blanket Land a little earlier.
The huge grounds at Hurstone give you all the space you need to play and relax in the sunshine. At the front of the house there’s a wide terrace where you can dine in the fresh air with the scent of wisteria arresting your senses in springtime. A lawn slopes gently down to the edge of the garden, there’s a paddock where you can exercise the dog, have a picnic or kick a ball about, and at the back in the large gravelled courtyard there’s a hot tub. Slip into the warm water, relax and chat as cotton wool clouds drift by in a sky the colour of forget-me-nots; at night soak by moonlight beneath a night sky studded with stars. These are halcyon days, time to dream, time to make memories.