Updown Cottage has received a 5 star with Gold Award grading from Visit Britain for the past 10 years.
The cottage dates from the 16th century and sits halfway up and halfway down the famous Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, north Dorset. The hill is otherwise known as 'Hovis' Hill and was the location of Ridley Scott's 'Boy on a Bicycle' advert for Hovis bread in the 1970s. Updown may well be the most photographed self catering holiday cottage to rent in the world!
Commonly known as 'the tardis', the cottage belies its appearance and contains 2 sitting rooms, a baby grand piano, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and sleeps 6 adults and a baby.
Every detail is important - the styling of the cottage aims to combine the history, character and antique furniture with subtle contemporary design and comfort.
Bed linen is Egyptian cotton from The White Company, all toiletries - shampoos, conditioners, shower and hand gels - are from locally made Bramley (as stocked by Heals and Conran businesses), the inglenook woodburner is supplied with a basket of logs, wifi and national landline calls are included and guests will find a basket of groceries including 36 Nespresso capsules, tea, orange juice, milk, bread, jam, marmalade and Dorset Cereals muesli.
The views from the terrace at the top of the hillside garden and the cottage are spellbinding, stretching for miles of English countryside over 3 counties.
Shaftesbury is 2 hours from London, less than an hour from the Jurassic coast, Bath, Wells and Bristol and just half an hour from Sherborne Abbey, Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge and the now famous Bruton with its superb Hauser and Wirth Gallery, Bar & Grill and At The Chapel restaurant, bar, bakery and pizzeria.
The ancient hilltop town of Shaftesbury dates from the 9th century when Alfred the Great founded the Abbey. At the top of Gold Hill, just 1 minute's walk from the cottage are excellent independent shops, boutiques, bars, cafes, delis and restaurants.
Local
Eat and Drink
- The Ship Inn West Stour - Nr Gillingham (4.9 miles) - The Ship is a privately owned informal country pub, retaining country pub values and atmosphere, whi...
- THE WHITE HORSE INN & BREWERY - HINTON ST MARY (6.3 miles) - RURAL AA RATED PUB SERVING LOCAL CUISINE AS WELL AS BREWING ITS OWN BEER.
- Thyme after time Cafe - Sturminster Newton (9.1 miles) - We are a 'go to' destination Cafe in rural North Dorset. Our Cafe is found on an old farm wi...
- The Kings Arms - Charlton Horethorne (11.8 miles) - Country Pub and Hotel in Sherborne Situated in the stunning location of Charlton Horethorne, The King...
- The White Hart Bishopstone - Salisbury (12.9 miles) - Tom & Zara welcome you to The White Hart. We are situated in the Heart of Bishopstone near Salisbury...
See and Do
- Aerosaurus Balloons Shaftesbury (0.6 miles) - Champagne Hot Air Balloon Rides Over Dorset from Shaftesbury & Sherborne with Aerosaurus Balloons. Ae...
- Todber Manor Fisheries Sturminster Newton (4.0 miles) - Todber Manor Fisheries is set in the heart of the Dorset countryside and is the home of some of t...
- Light and Land Ltd Gillingham (4.4 miles) - Light and Land are the UK's premier landscape photography tour company, as recommended in The Te...
- Rushmore Golf Club Tollard Royal (6.1 miles) - A delightful 18 hole Golf course in the heart of the Cranborne Chase. With 9 holes in Wiltshire and ...
- Sherborne Golf Club Sherborne (14.7 miles) - We are a mature parkland 18-hole golf club situated on a Dorset hilltop with stunning views over Som...
Shopping
- Todber Manor Fisheries - Sturminster Newton (4.0 miles) - Todber Manor Fisheries is set in the heart of the Dorset countryside and is the home of some of t...
- Dorset Holiday Barns - Over Compton (Sherborne) (17.4 miles) - Meadow View Barn and The Shippens offer an escape to the Dorset countryside with modern 2 and 3 bed ...
- Fisherton Mill Gallery and Café - Salisbury (17.8 miles) - Built in 1880 as a grain mill, Fisherton Mill is the south of England’s largest independent galler...
- Kilver Court Designer Village & Gardens - Shepton Mallet (19.5 miles) - Created by Mulberry founder and English designer Roger Saul, Kilver Court Designer Village is a uniq...
- Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre - Near Wareham (21.2 miles) - With over 250 primates of 20 different species, Monkey World is the largest sanctuary of its kind in...