Lakeside Cottage - at Incombe Farm

Really comfortable and warm converted stables next to our main house but with privacy, standing in idyllic private valley. Less than 2 miles from Shaftesbury. The cottage overlooks our small lake (about 1/2 acre). Peaceful countryside with buzzards, woodpeckers, a barn owl, ducks, pheasants, deer and even otters. See them at your breakfast table or in our enclosed veranda with circular table and overhead heater. Well behaved small / medium dogs only - strictly by prior agreement. The space The cottage contains two attractive bedrooms, one twin (can have beds pushed together to make a double (please let us know) and one double SUPER King-size bed. Each bedroom has its own modern en-suite bathroom with good showers over the bath and we are told the beds are all comfortable and all with duvets. There is a small cosy sitting room with dining area that has outstanding views of the lake and rolling hills and a tiny but well equipped kitchenette with v. small fridge, microwave and gas hob. There is also a good sized utility room/back kitchen with kitchen sink unit, normal sized gas oven and grill, dishwasher, washing machine, under counter refrigerator with icebox, a small freezer and an iron/ironing board. Please note: Access to this back kitchen is either through the twin bedroom or via the courtyard. Full central heating and all radiators have individual thermostatic controls. Parking: There is space around the back of the cottage (by the kitchenette entrance) for 2 cars and a small lawned area with round wooden table and 4 chairs. Apparently for those living North of the border, the new enclosed veranda would be known as a 'sitooterie'. There is also a table and chairs beside the lake for our guests' use. Guest access Guests can walk over our fields of 25 acres including a small wood and also have access to the lower lawn and pond and our hill behind it. Sensible shoes or boots in the wood. Swimming in the lake is not allowed for health and safety reasons. We do have sheep from Spring until about early November so please shut gates if you open them. We are a Bird watchers paradise with over 55 different species counted by a keen annual birdwatcher. We have the full list in the cottage from a Little Grebe, Kingfisher, Hobby, Buzzard, Skylark, Redwing, Barn and Tawny owls, Linnet, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tree Creeper, Grey wagtail, Swallow, House Martin, Nuthatch and many more species. We border on the Cranborne Chase (area of outstanding natural beauty) so we enjoy a starry dark night sky that is unpolluted from normal light sources. The dark starry nights are particularly good to see in Autumn and Winter, and March and April. Footpaths close by. Bring binoculars if you can as so useful here for everything. Joggers can run up and down the drive and around the fields or roads (circular route via Twyford) or across our hilly land! Note: Whilst we do allow guests to bring dogs, they must be kept under control at all times as the cottage has an abundance of wildlife round the pond and sheep in the surrounding fields. Other things to note When weather allows, there is garden furniture including table and chairs by the cottage and also a swing chair seat, a table and 4 chairs on the lower lawn by the pond. Kettle type barbecue available. Please bring your own charcoal and firelighters. Tesco in Shaftesbury sells this. Pick your own herbs for lunch or dinner in the spring and summer in a raised bed in front of your kitchen window.