Formerly two river workers' cottages, Riverside is now a charming holiday retreat on the banks of the Tone with far reaching views out over the Somerset Levels. Set back off the road in a peaceful hamlet just outside the village of Stoke St Gregory, the property combines elegant modern comforts with rural charm and quirky touches; in short, it's gorgeous. 6 bedrooms sleep 12 guests, there’s a games room, a hot tub, a play room for younger children and in the enclosed garden, swings and a play area with a hand-built pirate boat and living willow hut. This is where life slows down, somewhere to enjoy a slice of idyllic country life, whether it's for a week long holiday, a 4 night midweek break, or a 3 night weekend to quietly celebrate something special with the people you love most in the world.
The Somerset Levels have a unique beauty of their own; the ancient landscape is traced with tracks to walk and rhynes (pronounced REENS) that help to drain the land; withies have been grown in these parts for hundreds of years for the basket making trade. You can find out all about it just up the road at Coates English Willlow where they run guided tours and basket making demonstrations; there's a nature trail, a cafe and individual shops in a pretty courtyard setting.
If you want to soak up the gorgeous scenery, lace up your boots and step out of the back door for an amble along the river; after a couple of miles you'll reach Burrow Mump - climb to the top and be awed by the views, then head back down for lunch at The King Alfred Inn. If you want to explore more of the local area, pootle into Langport; stroll along the River Parrett, take a boat trip on the Duchess of Cocklemoor, or hire bikes from Parrett Trail Bikes and head off to discover The Levels to your own schedule. Walk or drive to Muchelney to see the fascinating abbey ruins and the colourful angels painted on the 17th century wagon roof in the parish church. Glastonbury, famous for its nearby music festival, is ony 30 minutes drive; go and browse the kooky shops that line the high street, visit the tranquil Chalice Well Gardens and the Abbey, climb the Tor for spectacular views across the Somerset landscape. Spend a day in Wells where you can visit the glorious Gothic cathedral and the moated Bishop's Palace; time it well and you can see the swans that live in the moat swim up and ring the bell when its feeding time.
Catch the latest cricket match or a race day at Taunton, less than 30 minutes’ drive, head off for an Exmoor adventure, exploring the heather-clad heaths and lush river valleys of the National Park; stop off at beauty spots like Tarr Steps and Watersmeet, find a little tea room and stop off for homemade scones with lashings of jam and cream. For days by the sea, head over to the Jurassic Coast; catch your supper on a mackerel fishing trip at Lyme Regis, take the kids to Dinosaurland Fossil Museum and the Marine Aquarium at the end of the harbour. While away an afternoon by the shore at Beer where you can tuck into crab sandwiches at Ducky’s Beach Café, ride around the gardens on the miniature steam train at Pecorama, see the cathedral-like caverns at Beer Quarry Caves.
If you want to eat out try The Firehouse at Curry Rivel for amazing stone baked pizzas; for rustic charm go to The Halfway House at Pitney and for good home smoked and homemade food, tucked away out in the lanes, is The Rising Sun at Knapp. When you get back to Riverside slip into the hot tub for an evening soak, have a game of pool or table tennis before turning in at a reasonable hour for a restful night's sleep - be like country folk, early to bed and early to rise for another happy day spent making memeories to last a lifetime. Book today!