Special offer.
The Stables - Combe Head House
The Old Lodge - Combe Head House
“I grew up in this house, a childhood spent wild and free — teatime by the stream with my donkeys, rescuing baby rooks, planting flowers with my mother, and watching the house’s renovations unfold. Years later, after completing a Masters in Byzantine Art and working at Christie’s in London and New York, I returned to rekindle those pastimes with my husband and children, and redo all the interiors for the estate’s next phase of life. My style celebrates the history and craftsmanship of each building, blending reclaimed and antique pieces. Our house and The Stables are full of character, including a 1570 inglenook fireplace, hidden cannonball, and ancient bills. I love creating spaces that feel lived-in, warm, and full of life, where each object tells a story and connects past and present.” Owners, Lara and Benedict
She loves
“The peace, the sound of the birds, lighting the woodburner, picking flowers and vegetables, checking the bee hives.”
We love
The blush-pink bathroom with its clawfoot soaking tub, and the stacks of books by cosy reading nooks.
You may not love
The owners live on-site. You’ll need to supervise children around the animals and swimming pond. One upstairs bedroom in the Old Lodge has its bathroom downstairs.
Sustainability.
Firewood all sourced from the grounds. The owners produce pork, eggs and vegetables on-site, to keep “farm to fork” as much as possible.
Surrounds.
- Kids will love the freedom of this estate, where they can run free, build dens, collect eggs, paddle in the stream and feed goats, sheep, hens and ducks (and sometimes pigs, too). Wonderful to watch!
- Swim in the spring-fed pond, then cosy up with hot chocolates and good books by the woodburner.
- Treat yourself to a massage with Gilly the therapist, or seize the opportunity to try something extra special: sound baths, cacao ceremonies and meditation sessions in the woodland.
- Book a feast in the Tudor hall, featuring produce grown on-site. Chef Chiara was on Masterchef the Professionals.
- Or drive to the award-winning Cotley Inn for incredible food or a pint (10 mins).
- Country footpaths wind out from the front door, and through the Blackdown Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Ask Lara for her favourite routes.
- Day trip to the Jurassic Coast to hunt for fossils, swim in the sea, and visit chocolate-box villages and lovely Lyme Regis.
Details.
- Two cottages on an 8-acre Tudor estate and smallholding
- The Stables (sleeps 6). Upstairs, 1 super-kingsize bedroom and ensuite bathroom with tub and shower. Downstairs, 1 kingsize and 1 twin bedroom, sharing a shower bathroom. Additional double bed in a gypsy wagon on request. Full kitchen, living room with woodburner
- The Old Lodge (sleeps 8 + 2 kids). Upstairs, 1 kingsize bedroom with sitting room and workspace (note, its bathroom is downstairs), 1 kingsize bedroom with additional cubby double bed and ensuite shower bathroom. Downstairs 2 super kingsize bedrooms and 2 separate bathrooms with shower. Additional double bed in a gypsy wagon on request. Huge kitchen with adjacent dining room and woodburner; living room with woodburner, additional kitchenette
- Both have:
- Baby cot and highchair
- Toiletries provided
- Swimming towels
- Full kitchen with fridge freezer, induction range oven, dishwasher, washer/dryer, microwave and cafetiere (no machine)
- Dining room
- Basic supplies
- Living room with woodburner, books and board games
- Good WiFi
- Garden with dining furniture. Fire cooking area in the nearby woods
- Sorry, no dogs
- Supermarket shop, homemade meals and home-reared sausages and fresh eggs on request
- Catered feasts on request, served in the Tudor Hall
- The owners live on-site, there if you need them
- Walk to the village shop, drive to pubs and farm shop (10 mins)
- Booking conditions: min 2 nights in the Stables, min 3 nights in the Old Lodge
- Remember to pack: torch, slippers, wellies, beach towels
30% deposit on booking, with the balance due 12 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations permitted 12+ weeks prior to stay, with deposit refunded minus a £30 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 12 weeks of stay.
See our full booking Ts and Cs
FAQs.
In 4pm / out 10am
A 2-night stay is accepted in The Stables only, but has a surcharge of £180 to cover the cleaning costs (normally included). 1 night stays are not allowed.
Unfortunately, it’s strictly no pets as there are livestock on-site.
Yes absolutely – we’d advise that. After you’ve booked a stay via Kip you’ll be sent further details of everything on offer on-site, and how to book it.
Still have a question?
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