Shepherd's Hut, MILBORNE ST ANDREW

Rated 5/50 by Bethany2107 on 25th July 2018

"Stayed here a few years ago with my dad and step mother as well as my brother, and I have to say we were all speechless at the view from the big window. It was cozy and had a lovely stay"

Rated 5/50 by Carolyn M on 29th October 2016

"We travelled as a group of 4 adults and 2 young children (plus dog). Shepherds Hut is a beautiful conversion and the pictures dont do it justice. We have stayed at other similar properties in the past and this is definately up there with the best of them. Just looking at the guest book entries over the past 5 years shows 99.9% of guests LOVE it. The property is brilliantly equipped, we didnt find the electric heaters an issue (as implied in an earlier review) and its rural location suited us for the peace and quiet. It was strangley therapeutic watching the sheep from the upstairs feature window and there were plenty of walks around the wider farm grounds for the dog and kids. Yes there was the occasional "fruity" smell outside depending on the direction of the wind and we quickly learnt not to open the kitchen window for flies (who seemed to take shelter in that particular window frame) but it is a working farm!! Wifi and phone reception is very poor but again we took this as the price of having such a beautiful and peaceful location. It was a great base for our day trips. Monkey World, Weymouth, Poole, Swanage and Corfe Castle within an easy 20 minute drive. Before travelling i was slightly nervous that there were no recent reviews, and with a couple of the previous reviews, but i neednt have worried. Would thoroughly recommend."

Rated 3/50 by Theartist2015 on 11th May 2015

"This place is okay but I wouldn't say it lives up to the 'luxury' description. The leaking flush water into the en-suite toilet bowl together with the absence of any way of drying towels there was annoying. The cold water supply in this same en-suite was so weak it made life difficult , especially in the shower. There was no tumble dryer and the heating is simply electric wall fires that constantly needed adjusting. We had a lot of trouble trying to dry our clothes during our wet but mild stay in early May. The number of flies was understandable as it is on a farm, but we didn't expect so many large spiders which my daughter struggled with. We didn't manage to get an internet connection at any point during our stay other than a few brief moments in the garden while it was raining. All this might have been acceptable if it wasn't for the information in the cottage that made us more than reluctant to 'trouble' the owners about our concerns. Phrases like, " We are not an internet help desk" and the owner was "A farmers wife and a nurse, so very busy" (or words to that affect), left us in no doubt that any approach we made wouldn't be a comfortable experience. I often rent property in May and I'm sorry to say that this place fell short of comparably priced places I've stayed at."

Rated 5/50 by Ruth F on 17th November 2014

"Location and property are both stunning. By choosing a property within 30 minutes of home, I was able to have it all for my 40th. Weekend/afternoon gathering with family and close friends, kids had post half-term holiday to enjoy (plenty of DVDs and board games to keep them occupied - fair selection of books but we recommend bringing children's books) and my wife and I managed to have few days to ourselves (still took children to school!). The beauty of this property is that the location is good enough to have a wonderful week with or without using your car. Without car 1) lounge next to the wood burning stove whilst eating cheese/wine and either reading a good book or looking out of the panoramic windows at sheep/rainbows/moonlit sky) 2) kitchen and bathroom well equipped for cooking and/or relaxation, we even managed some more cheese and wine in the garden on one sunny afternoon 3) Lots of grounds to explore - Peppa Pig lovers will adore the gigantic muddy puddles (rain permitting) and nice walks around farm (map provided and we saw deer on two of our walks). 4) There are pubs within walking distance - we didn't go to the local but instead did a medium hike (3-4 miles each way) to Hambro Arms in Milton Abbas - highly recommended food (many others mentioned in guest book and cottage info). Although we used our OS Map, once you find national trailway sign (200m west on main road), it's due North all the way so no need for detailed map. With car - I won't go through all that can be done in this wonderful area (loads of info at cottage) but although I've lived nearby for 30 years I still managed to find some great new places to eat (like Greyhound in Winterborne Stickland and Langton Arms in Tarrant Monkton). Bottom line is, I would be very surprised if you did not love a stay at the Shepherd's Hut (hard pushed to find anything to the contrary in guest book). P.S: Reason I have not recommended this property to older travellers is that, being an upside down property, they may find it a nuisance that the toilets are both on the ground floor whilst the open plan living area is on the first floor."

Rated 5/50 by MarkrD3499KY on 18th October 2014

"Very well presented converted barn on a working farm. Lovely and clean and everything you need. Great base for exploring Dorset and the surrounding areas. Very dog friendly with lots of nice farmland walks. Property has the living section upstairs and bedrooms / bathroom on ground level. Wood burning stove in the lounge and great views over the fields. Lots of space in this property with big kitchen area and 2 Sofa's in the lounge. Lots of wildlife seen and you can watch the cows being milked if you want. Great holiday let. . . we loved it."

Rated 5/50 by A FlipKey Verified Reviewer on 18th August 2014

"One of the best holiday cottages we've stayed in. Spotlessly clean, well equipped, dog friendly, we couldn't fault it in any way. Came home and booked for next year!"

Rated 5/50 by A FlipKey Verified Reviewer on 8th August 2014

"My husband & i stayed at Shepherds hut in February for a week. what can i say apart from excellent. The accomodation is all to a very high spec & very comfortable. We immediately felt at home upon opening the door, it was warm & inviting. We went upstairs where we were greeted with a homemade cake & there was milk,tea, coffee& bread provided. The view from the window was fabulous, we spent many hours with a glass of wine watching the buzzards & the countryside. Our dog also loved watching the dogs from the farmhouse in the distance. With it being winter the cows were all inside so there wasnt any smell or flies. The enclosed garden was a bonus as we just let the dog out at night without having to go out ourselves. The location was fantastic for the gorgeous Dorset attractions, we spent days walking & nights warm & cosy with the woodburner lit & a glass of wine. There are games & jigsaws in the sideboard with lots of books if your intention is to just go & relax. I would have no reservations in recommending this accomodation & it would be my first choice to stay in again if in Dorset. Julie & Dave (Stafford)"

Rated 5/50 by 28PeterL on 10th April 2014

"We visited here in 2013 and the conversion was simply stunning with the upside down living providing fabulous views across the farmland which the full length window made simply stunning. It was very cosy to sit in the warm when it rained watching the rain patter against the window. The bedrooms were warm and comfy and spotlessly clean. The living quarters had everything you could need and the lemon drizzle cake left for us was a nice touch and quickly consumed. A great base for days out in a beautiful county. Would recommend 100%"

Rated 5/50 by A FlipKey Verified Reviewer on 31st August 2013

"We have two young children and were looking for somewhere quiet, which could be a base for us to do days out from. This cottage was just wonderful. The fantastic picture window in the living room was a great feature, we loved watching the 'sheep races' in the evening in the field opposite. The facilities provided are of an excellent standard. We situation of the cottage is perfect for walks out, and trips out in the car to nearby attractions. We would not hesitate to recommend this cottage, we had a lovely holiday here."

Rated 5/50 by Mcquarrievideo on 23rd November 2012

"Fabulous holiday cottage with first floor open plan lounge, kitchen/diner. Well insulated to modern standards but retaining old beams for character. Very well equipped with Bosch appliances and initial supplies of essentials. Electric heaters were more than adequate with wood burner for extra warmth and comfort. Superb position for Dorset attractions such as Swanage railway. Be warned if visiting in Summer that this is on a working farm with cows and flies. Very popular so book early. Thoroughly recommended."

Rated 5/50 by Russellbedford1 on 16th November 2012

"My partner and I have returned home today after a truly memorable week away. We rented "The Shepherds Hut" a real gem of a property just outside of the village of Winterborne Whitechurch nr Blandford Forum in Dorset. Upon our arrival the property was open so no awkwardness being shown around. The ground floor is well proportioned, a lovely large hall way (great for muddy wellie boots) a master with en-suite, a good sized family bathroom with a bath and good sized separate shower. The two twin rooms are a little cosy but still lovely. Upstairs is where it all gets really good though! As you walk up the stairs you are confronted with a stunning floor to ceiling window that reaches right into the eaves. The panoramic view of the rolling hills dotted with sheep is just to die for! As you carry on looking around you notice the beamed and vaulted ceilings, the woodburned and a very well appointed kitchen.. It was so lovely we even invited family for Sunday lunch! everybody was so impressed, even my mother (who is never impressed by anything) was blown away! Everything was perfect! We spent nearly the whole week tucked up in front of the woodburned watching the world slowly go by, our Jack Russell "Woody" loved the walks, the setting is wonderful and such fun to be on a working farm!"

Rated 5/50 by A FlipKey Verified Reviewer on 20th October 2011

"An excellent setting, surrounded by fields (and cows) Nice, peaceful position and great to wander through the farmland. The Shepherds Hut itself was well specified & comfortable. The upstairs lounge with it's panoramic window impressed everyone. The solar heating for the water was a great touch and supplied all our needs. Upstairs got pretty warm when the sun shone but opening the windows wide risked a visit from the flies, which you'd have to expect on a dairy farm. The position was good too and handy for lots of interesting parts of Dorset including, the Tank Museum, Monkeyworld, Durdle Door, Tyneham etc. Everyone had a great time and it was like escaping the rush of the modern world for a brief week."