The Bee Hive

Couples and small families looking for a self-contained base in Somerset will find The Bee Hive works well. It sleeps four across one bedroom with a sofa bed in the living room, and one bathroom serves the property. You have the whole place to yourselves, with private parking for two cars and a substantial garden where dogs are welcome at no extra charge—there's an enclosed rear area for them, along with beds and treats.

The cottage spreads across two floors. Ground level holds the kitchen (electric oven, induction hob, dishwasher and microwave for proper cooking), dining room, games room with table tennis and dartboard, plus a separate toilet. Upstairs, the living room has a wood-effect electric stove, a 32-inch smart TV and patio doors onto a balcony overlooking the garden. The bedroom contains a king bed, and the bathroom has a bath with shower and heated towel rail. Essentials like electricity, heating, bed linen, towels and wifi are included.

You're roughly two miles from Chard for shops and food. West Bay and Lyme Regis beaches lie within 30 minutes' drive, Forde Abbey stately home is nearby, and larger towns including Taunton sit about 25 minutes away. No smoking in the property.