7 things I loved about The Coach House: An inspection of a Somerset winemaker’s cottage

The countryside setting

The first thing that struck me was the peace of the countryside. It just surrounds you and seems to become part of the Coach House itself, quite literally at one point as we were visited by a small bird that hopped inside for a second, perched on a beam, then flew back out.

Vineyard walks

Strolling the vineyard on one of the relaxed “Walks & Wine on the Way” tours made us feel like we were in Italy. We wandered among the vines and heard about the owners’ journey into winemaking, which they’ve only just begun. It was a real treat, and I can’t wait to come back and sample the first bottles.

The Wild Spa

It’s not often you get a sauna with a view of anything more than white tiles, but here you sit and steam with the countryside on show. It’s a fabulous experience, calming and cleansing from your pores to the depths of your mind.

An owner who cares

Sophie is one of those passionate, welcoming owners that you love to meet and reckon you could talk to for hours. Thornfalcon is clearly a labour of love for her and you can see her warmth, creativity, and connection to the land shining through in everything. She’s got supper clubs planned and I signed up to hear about them right away!

Veg box on arrival

A lot of places will leave you a couple of biscuits, or even a bottle of wine, but an arrival veg box, packed with seasonal, home grown produce really makes you think about the land around you and make you feel connected to the area. The homemade apple juice, from apples grown and hand-pressed on-site, was absolutely sublime.

Memorable interior

The interiors of the Coach House are lovingly curated with vintage charm, but it’s about so much more than an aesthetic or having nice photos. When a place feels really thought through and crafted like this, it’s as memorable as anything you do while you stay.

Walks from the Door

It wouldn’t be hard to get a map and find a walk when you’re somewhere like this, but I love when an owner shares their favourite route, especially if they throw in a little local knowledge. Thorn Hill – “the Clump”, as its affectionately known – is a picturesque hill just behind Thornfalcon, with sweeping views across the landscape and up to the Quantock Hills.