The Strawberry Thief

Sherborne, Dorset
Self-catering
+44 (0)7941 440584
Visit owner's website

From
£135 - £198
per night
From
£900 - £1390
per week

A wisteria-clad end of terrace cottage in rural Somerset within walking distance of the village and a good pub

Bed

3 beds

Bedroom

3 bedrooms

Sleeps

Sleeps 5

Children welcome
Pets welcome
Babies welcome

£135 - £198 per night

£900 - £1390 per week

The Experience

The garden has a lovely terrace for al-fresco lunches, the field and wooded hill views are peaceful and kids can tumble around the long grass in the orchard – bring the dog too. A circular walk (about 50 minutes) goes up to the Ridgeway and drops down into the valley and Corton Denham – stop for a drink in The Queens Arms. More serious walkers can try the steep climb up Beacon Hill.  

On blustery days the wood-burner keeps you toasty and there are board games, books and DVDs. In the kitchen you’ll find a SMEG oven, Nespresso machine, bluetooth speakers and a hamper of milk, bread, eggs and chocolates… and sometimes homemade chutney or jam.

Stock up in Sherborne (ten minutes) which has independent shops, drive to Bruton (20 minutes) for the Hauser & Wirth gallery and some interesting exhibitions – they also have a Piet Oudolf grass garden and some fine sculpture. The Roth Bar and Grill there has excellent food.

The Strawberry Thief - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • The starry skies
  • Walking in such lovely countryside
  • Reading a book in front of the wood-burner
The Strawberry Thief - Gallery

You should know

  • The breakfast room is dinky
  • There’s just one bathroom
  • Mobile signal is patchy

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 £135
Weekly price
from £900
Damage deposit
£200
Surcharges
Reduced rates for couples for 7-night stays. Dogs £25 per dog.
1 House for 5
From £1353 beds3 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Check in
From 4pm
Check out
By 10am
Other details
Minimum stay: 3 nights. 7 nights in high season. Pets by arrangement.
Closed
Rarely.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Meals
Pub 10-minute walk.

Reviews

Lovely, peaceful place to spend Christmas. Great walks, local pubs and great hospitality. Tasteful Christmas decorations in the house, much appreciated. Very clean, tidy and stylishly decorated with all the equipment one might wish for. Thank you. Lovely, peaceful place to spend Christmas. Great walks, local pubs and grwat hospitality. Tasteful Christmas decorations in the house, much appreciated. Very clean, tidy and stylishly decorated with all the equipment one might wish for.

Agneta, Lechlade

Had a great weekend at The Strawberry Thief in January. It’s tastefully decorated, spotlessly clean and welcoming. Everything you could need is in the property and the information in the run up to our stay regarding local options for food and days out was super useful. Location was good too, lots to do on the doorstep if you can tear yourself away from the log fire. A really relaxing weekend and a big paws up from the dog too!

Mark, Chorleywood, Hertfordshire

We had a lovely few days stay at The Strawberry Thief over a cold November weekend. What a great little cottage, beautifully furnished, well equipped and situated perfectly for our adventures out West with family. I hope we can stay again sometime.

Kit, Hastings

We loved our stay in this beautiful, quiet cottage. Lots of places to visit nearby or a fantastic pub is just a short walk away. We battled awful weather but were very happy to spend an evening tucked up by the fire with a glass of wine before a very restful sleep. A great place to recharge.

AM, oxford

The Strawberry Thief is a delightful cottage in a very rural area. It is beautifully decorated and furnished and a very comfortable place to stay. The log-burner cheered the autumnal evenings whilst we were there, which was very cosy. Emma and David have provided lots of information on the locality and places to visit and we can endorse the local hostelry as a good place to eat! Dorset is an area we shall definitely make a return visit to.

Sue, Farnham

Very special country retreat in stunning countryside. Gorgeously decorated and well equipped kitchen. The weather was gale force but we were snug as bugs!

Mary, Welwyn Garden City

This is a great place to stay for those who wish to truly relax, maybe escape city life for a weekend or longer, don walking shoes and explore the truly special scenery that encircles Corton Denham. A wisteria clad home, where birds and wildlife abound. In summer months the garden is perfect for relaxing, with wild areas and an orchard. At night gaze at the hundreds of stars in the dark sky. All is toasty warm inside, with a happy mix of retro and modern furniture. Loved it!

Angie, Sawday's inspector

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

The village of Corton Denham is a ten-minute walk across two fields, perfect for a walk to The Queens Arms for a drink or some pub grub. Sherborne Castle and Gardens are just down the road; built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 with gardens landscaped by Capability Brown it’s a fascinating day out. The Abbey is worth a visit too. Stourhead is a 20-minute drive and Longleat Safari Park a little further on.

Local points of interest from Emma Fawell

  • The Strawberry Thief is a haven for wildlife and nature. Relax and watch the birds; pheasants and woodpeckers as well as bats, hares, foxes and hundreds of lambs during lambing. Want to see the sea? West Bay and the Jurassic Coast is only 25 miles away!
  • Walking and exploring - our little hamlet at Staffords Green lies just yards from the Monarchs Way with foot paths giving quick access to the ridges, streams, woods and countryside. The cottage is on the route named as the Sunday Times best winter walk
  • Take a short walk to the pub, the Queens Arms will give you a very warm welcome. Pork pies on the bar, gin tasting, a summer terrace, and roaring fires. Spoilt for choice and find The Mitre in the other direction, enjoy Sunday roast and real ale.
  • At the end of the day wind down with a glass of wine at the end of the garden, enjoying the views across the ridge and the beacon and as night draws in cast your eyes to the clearest star filled skies you will see. Then get toasty in front of the fire!
  • Explore Sherborne and its independent shops, cafes, markets and antique shops . Visit Sherborne's two Castles and Sherborne Abbey's Benedictine history. Then head to Hauser and Wirth, Bruton, for acclaimed art and dine at the fantastic Roth Bar & Grill
  • Dorset and Somerset offer rich heritage including the National Trust's neo-classical Stourhead, the gardens are a must in Autumn, and don't miss the gardens of Tintinhull. Fancy shopping in lovely places; try Bruton,Frome and designer outlet Kilver Court

Introducing

Emma Fawell

Emma and her family live in Portsmouth and bought The Strawberry Thief (note the William Morris blind in the kitchen) as a country bolthole to escape from the bustle of city life. She has a real flair for design and has filled the cottage with stylish furniture and vintage finds.