Laburnum Cottage

Shaftesbury, Dorset
Self-catering
Visit owner's website

From
£150 - £220
per night
From
£650 - £1250
per week

Tucked down a lane in an iconic village with an ancient dew pond, this thatched cottage is filled with art, sculpture and surprises

Bedroom

3 bedrooms

Sleeps

Sleeps 5

Pets welcome

£150 - £220 per night

£650 - £1250 per week

The Experience

Ancient beams, exposed brick, slate and wood floors rub along happily with modern art – much of it created by Gilly. The conservatory has light flooding in from floor to ceiling windows and overlooks the pretty garden, the sitting room has a cosy fire for hunkering down beside on wet weather days.

Cooks will approve of the modern range cooker, a big table for sharing the chopping and a super utility area with family-sized fridge. You’re left all the basics for cooking plus Dorset made biscuits, free range eggs from the village, fresh bread and always flowers. Beds are super comfy, dressed in white cotton and all bedrooms have good art on the walls.

The bird-filled, private garden is a delight with sweeping lawns, colourful borders and a terrace for balmy summer evening suppers.

Laburnum Cottage - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • The village, the highest in the county, with very pretty stone and thatched cottages, ancient pond and church - quintessentially English
  • Being surrounded by so many beautiful paintings, prints and sculptures
  • Walking all day through forests and downs then coming back for supper by the fire or at the pub
Laburnum Cottage - Gallery

You should know

  • The bedrooms share a family bathroom upstairs and a shower room with loo down
  • It's not geared up for rampaging toddlers
  • Just one parking space or you can park on the lane

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Self check-in
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Barbecue
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Electricity included
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Pricing

Nightly price
from £150
Weekly price
from £650
1 Cottage for 5
From £1503 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Check in
From 3pm
Check out
By 10am
Other details
Minimum stay: 3 nights. Dogs welcome, 2 max. per stay. Longer lets available at reduced rates, weekly cleaning included.
Closed
Never.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.

Reviews

We had a most enjoyable autumn break at Laburnum Cottage. The area is stunning, with nearby Win Green a must for walks and views, and the cottage is cosy as well as beautifully appointed. We especially enjoyed relaxing in the conservatory overlooking the quiet, secluded garden. Many thanks to Gilly for being such a welcoming and helpful host.

Judith, Brittany

We had a terrific time staying at Laburnum Cottage. The area has lots of great pubs and attractions, all of which are in Gilly's excellent guide. The cottage is so peaceful and well-kitted out, particularly the kitchen. I couldn't recommend this place highly enough and we'll definitely be back to enjoy the Dorset countryside.

Jon, Nice

We have had a wonderfully restorative 10 days in Dorset. Ashmore is tranquil, and Gilly has skilfully brought this peaceful, rural harmony into lovely Laburnum Cottage with effortless, understated design and exquisite attention to detail. Sparing her blushes, Gilly is a well-known designer and it shows. Gilly is a charming and hugely helpful host, from generously sharing 25 years of local knowledge of the best Dorset gardens, pubs, food, arts & crafts, to producing a radio out of a hat so we didn't miss The Archers. Imagine dog walks by fields of gold, cooing pigeons, and ambling hares.

Jeremy, Leighton Buzzard

We loved Laburnam cottage. It was an idyllic spot and the cottage was excellently appointed. Gilly helped us with where to shop, great pubs, lovely walks and things to do, we could not have asked for more. Don't think about it just book, you will not be disappointed.

Elizabeth, Earith, Huntingdon

We spent a sunny weekend at Laburnum cottage it had everything you could possible need, a home away from home. Lovely mature garden and a beautiful conservatory - perfect for stargazing and satellite spotting. Ample room for everyone with two bathrooms and sumptuous towels and toiletries included! I'm sure we will return.

Louise, London

We had a perfect week in Gilly's stunning cottage, I have rented a few by now and this is by far the best, Gilly has thought of everything and the cottage is so beautiful and has heaps of character, after months in London sitting in the sun filled conservatory with a cup of tea admiring the beautiful garden was bliss, I didn't want to leave. The village of Ashmore is picture perfect with lots of lovely walks right on the doorstep, I would go back in a heartbeat, if you are debating going you absolutely should, trust me you won't regret it!

Anna, London

We had a wonderfully relaxing weekend at Gilly's spacious 3 bedroom cottage. Recently renovated to a high spec and as its old it has some really attractive features and bags of character - we especially loved the sun filled conservatory. Our dog loved running around the pretty garden and we were relaxed with the high fence you can't see from the house. Very comfortable beds, luxurious sheets, fluffy towels and good water pressure in the shower. The kitchen is fully equipped and we cooked several times over the weekend. Some fabulous walks close by. Highly recommended stay! Thank you

Helen, London

Cottage has everything your need for a cosy, welcoming stay. Garden is delightful and completely fenced in which is great as we have 2 Spaniels. Conservatory is a beautiful place to sit and watch the birds in the garden. Toiletries supplied were lovely and the towels are sumptuous. The nice owner, Gilly is on hand for any info or recommendations you need.

Tracy, Broadstairs

It is always special to visit Ashmore, Dorset's highest village, and a step back in time. Gilly is so welcoming and friendly, and a wonderful ambassador for this rural part of Dorset, happy to furnish her self catering guests with all local information. Log fires warm this delightful cottage in winter, and roses scent the air in the charming garden in summer. Walks galore!

Angie, Sawday's Inspector

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

Footpaths criss cross the landscape and nearby Melbury Hill and Win Green offer grand walking and long views over Blackmore Vale, the Purbeck Hills and even the Isle of Wight. The award-winning Ludwell Stores is a 5-minute drive and the King John pub at Tollard Royal is a 40-minute walk across fields or a 5-minute drive. Tisbury (20 mins) has a direct train service to London.

Local points of interest from Gilly Forge

  • The cottage is set in a protected and unspoilt area of North Dorset, perfectly positioned for those who want to relax and walk, and those who want to try out local gastro pubs and restaurants., galleries, gardens and shops.
  • For walkers, right on your doorstep we have wonderful walks in the chalk downland landscape made famous by Thomas Hardy.The Jurassic Coast is a 40 minute car ride away.
  • For foodies we have numerous gastro pubs, the closest is a five minute drive away … or a 40 minute walk from the village across the fields.
  • And for art lovers we are 20 minutes from Messums in Tisbury, a gallery and restaurant in the largest thatched barn in the country … and Hauser and Wirth in Bruton is a 40 minute drive away, also with a delicious restaurant.
  • For gardeners we have many grand local gardens open to the public, many with nurseries.
  • Full itineraries on walks, restaurants, and rare sights are available in the cottage.

Introducing

Gilly Forge

Laburnum Cottage has been owned for over 25 years by Gilly, who ran her own business as a milliner. She is now a painter and sculptor, and many pieces of her work decorate the cottage. She's lives just down the road in the village.