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Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location

Holiday home in Gillingham with kitchen and patio

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Exterior detail - Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location (Fifehead Magdalen)
2 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel cot, free WiFi - Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location (Fifehead Magdalen)
Property grounds - Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location (Fifehead Magdalen)
Fridge, oven, stovetop, dishwasher - Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location (Fifehead Magdalen)
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, books - Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location (Fifehead Magdalen)
Escape to this charming terrace cottage, nestled in a quiet village on the edge of the Dorset Downs. With two bedrooms and a spacious kitchen, enjoy dining al fresco in the garden or unwind by an open fire with books from around the world at your fingertips.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location

This beautiful terrace cottage is owned by a renowned travel writer & contains decorations from all over the world - as well as a myriad of books! There are 2 bedrooms, a cosy lounge with open fire and a large airy kitchen & dining area. French windows lead from the kitchen to the garden which is small, a little wild, but much loved -- there is plenty of room to have lunch outside but you might struggle to organize a five-a-side football tournament. There are beautiful views from the end of the garden southwards towards the Dorset Downs. As well as the kitchen and living room, the downstairs has a small book-lined library, a bedroom with two single beds and a guest loo. Upstairs is a large landing with a divan or day bed that could be used to accommodate a fifth person, or perhaps just for afternoon naps, a double bedroom and a large family bathroom with bath, sink, bidet and shower. The house stands on a quiet road on the edge of an even quieter village. There are plenty of walks from the front door. There is WiFi throughout the house, TV and DVD, a stereo system for CD's and all necessary equipment and facilities, including a gas hob, in a well-stocked kitchen. Weekly guests will find a welcome pack of essentials on arrival to get them started, including a bottle of wine, and the kitchen contains all the usual stuff like tea, coffee, salt, pepper, olive oil, etc etc that guests are welcome to use.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Bidet
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Music library
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming cats and dogs only
  • One pet total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden

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  • Washing machine
  • Pet-friendly
  • Outdoor space
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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
1 total pets

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Located in Gillingham, this holiday home is in a rural area. Sturminster Newton Mill and Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Gartell Light Railway and Mill on the Brue. Larmer Tree Gardens and Badger Watch Dorset are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Fifehead Magdalen, ENG

What's nearby

  • Gold Hill Museum - 12 min drive - 11.3 km
  • Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden - 12 min drive - 11.3 km
  • Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs - 14 min drive - 13.9 km
  • Sturminster Newton Mill - 14 min drive - 11.2 km
  • Stourhead - 21 min drive - 21.5 km

Getting around

  • Gillingham Dorset Station - 10 min drive
  • Bournemouth (BOH-Bournemouth Intl.) - 67 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Benjis Kebab - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Udder Farm Shop - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪The White Horse - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪The Ship Inn & Hotel - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Costa Coffee - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total).

How much is parking at Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 9 miles (15 km) of Gartell Light Railway, Sturminster Newton Mill and Gold Hill Museum. Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden and Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs are also within 9 miles (15 km).

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Gorgeous 2 Bedroom Country Cottage With Lovely Garden Views & Great Location Reviews

Reviews

Exceptional

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 34 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 34 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews

9.0

Cleanliness

9.8

Location

8.0

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Emily B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing mini break in the countryside

A home from home. Comfortable, peaceful and with everything we needed. We would love to stay again. In a rural location but also close to lots of interesting places with a car.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Richard L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rustic

Comfortable house and pretty garden in very quiet area in easy reach of interesting, scenic places.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alison R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fifehead Magdalene

What a lovely home from home. Stanley is a travel writer so the house is full of interesting books and artefacts from all his travels. We loved the quirkiness of the property and the peacefulness of the location. Popped to Stourhead, Sherborne castle and did lots of lovely walks nearby. A thoroughly enjoyable stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

David M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing stay

Stanley's house was perfect. I cant understand some of the reviews that claim some of the furniture is a bit worn.... the house has charm and has the sense of travelling around the world (which Stanley has) without ever leaving and feeling extremely helpful. Special thanks for the hat from your collection for the wedding i attended (which i returned). Would definitely recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

House with character

We very much enjoyed our vacation in Fifehead Magdalen. Very nice and cosy house with a beautiful view. Happy to come back.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Lisa M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely cottage very out of the way.

Lovely stay in a very well loved home, very well lived in home. Some of the furniture could do with renewing sadly. We slept in single beds as only one double but I think these are more suitable for young children or teenagers The owner Stanley a travel writer was helpful, and very well accommodating with all questions before our stay and directions. Our overall stay was good, we used the cottage as a base for days out which suited us.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alexandra F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home sweet home

We simply love Stanley’s place. Everything was perfect to us : the books, the house nicely decorated, the location (near from shops and beautiful villages), the walks everywhere, the lovely garden. It was the perfect size for the 3 of us. Stanley provided many wonderful recommandations for pubs, walks, sightseeings. His neighbors are very friendly. It’s like visiting a friend’s house with everything you need, and the feeling of being truly welcomed. We will definitely come back!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stephen M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent location and ambience

This is the perfect home away from home for relaxation after a day touring the countryside, and we were very grateful to have enjoyed it for two weeks. The owner, Stanley, provided detailed instructions on how to reach it, and in the house is his booklet with details on places to visit nearby, and instructions on how to operate the appliances. Stanley kept in touch with us as our arrival date neared, and answered any questions promptly. The house itself is filled with many interesting books, travel artefacts from around the world, and cozy nooks in which to enjoy them. The kitchen has all the appliances and utensils needed if you like to cook, and we enjoyed good meals there with food from local farm shops. Stanley gave advice about which shops to visit and destinations we told him that we wanted to see. While relaxing in the house, birds in the back garden kept us entertained, and there's a nice view over the downs with a bench on which to enjoy a drink at the end of the day. The location was convenient to reaching the stately homes and quaint towns in the region. All in all, the place added a lot to our enjoyment of the trip.
Stayed 13 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heike S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful rural home from home

Fifehead Magdalen is a beautiful little hamlet in the Blackmore Vale. Very rural , but close to many attractions in North Dorset and the bordering counties. Good farm shop and convenient petrol station Spar supermarket close by. We especially loved the more unknown Minterne Gardens and Athelhampton House and Gardens. The cottage is a heaven for book lovers and travel enthusiasts, so we immediately felt at home . As the owner is about the same age as us , we also loved the CD Collection and more than often listened to (e.g.) an old Simon and Garfunkel disc at the large kitchen table with a mug of coffee and lovely morning sunshine. That said, the living room is a bit dark during the day and the sofa and easy chair were old and lovely but sagging a bit. The cottage has a lovely lived in feeling and was decorated in a travel vibe theme with travel memorabilia , but cluttered (in a good way). So do not expect contemporary uncluttered chic. The cottage was very clean, but wear and tear can be seen. Not a purpose build holiday property but a real home you seem to have been given to stay in for a while by a trusting friend. Lovely country views from the back part of the back garden (bench) , but not from the patio because the garden shed is blocking the view. Absolutely great property to immerse yourself for a few days in , to quote from the guest book, “ the library of Dorset”.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Penny B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good short holiday.

This is a very personal property full of books and artifacts one might expect given the owner is a travel writer, we loved it. It's a quiet location but a good jumping off point for visits to NT properties and important towns and cities of this area of Dorset. Possibly not a property for toddlers but definitely for adults and slightly older children. Good walks starting from around the cottage, otherwise a car required for visits and entertainment.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sue F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous

Lovely cottage in idyllic surroundings. Amazing views from the garden and very homely property close to many places of interest. We loved it x
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful retreat

We had a good, quiet and undisturbed week in this property. It is very remote and discreet, the views over the rear are fantastic and you literally hear nothing. The property is lovely, homely and practical. There were plenty of items ready for us to use , tea, coffee, sugar and all the necessary things you are likely to need, just turn up with your clothing. Stanley also leaves plenty of bird seed and they will entertain you as well, you'll be kept busy keeping the feeders filled. All in all a homely property in the middle of nowhere, which is what we wanted after the last 18 months of restrictions. We travelled out a couple of times and Bournemouth, Weymouth, wells, are all within an hour of the property. We experienced no real issues. Stanley gave us very precise instructions to get there and get in, there's a very concise folder of what's what, both in the area and in the property. Any problems are just a call/message away. Thankyou very much
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lucy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely house! Very cosy for exploring the local countryside.

Lovely!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

jackie w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Breakfast bench

We had the most perfect stay in Stanley's cottage. Very comfortable, warm and relaxing. I particularly loved the bottom garden and my breakfast bench. Really hope to return as soon as possible. Thank you
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Malcolm R.

Home from home

Our second stay in a peaceful comfortable cottage. we wanted for absolutely nothing. Very well equipped. Well placed to visit the area, a stones throw from the A30, yet incredibly peaceful with beautiful views across the Blackmore Vale. A generous host, really just allowing us to stay in his home, and treat it as ours for a few days!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Wesley S.

Amazing place

Great location. Superb host and a wonderful variety of books to get lost in
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

David M.

Lovely cottage in beautiful surroundings

Absolutely charming cottage in a beautiful village, tucked away in the rolling Dorset hills. We had a fantastic stay here and Stewart was very helpful
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jackie M.

A unique cottage in a beautiful peaceful location

We only stayed four days but could have stayed for ever! The cottage is full of books and artifacts from the owners travels,so interesting and completely unique. If you can drag yourself away from the cottage it's well situated for exploring both Dorset and Wiltshire with many lovely walks on the doorstep too.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Cosy house with lots of books

We loved our stay in this house with a lot of books, cosy sofas and a lush garden.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Yvonne K.

Ländliche Idylle pur

In dem mit viel Liebe und sicherem Kunstgeschmack sehr individuell und wunderschön eingerichtetes Reihenhaus haben wir uns sofort heimisch gefühlt. Bücher und CD-Sammlung vom Feinsten stehen zur Verfügung, im Garten haben wir Äpfel und Birnen vom Baum pflücken dürfen. Küchenutensilien, Bettwäsche, Handtücher – alles ist reichlich vorhanden. Der Emailkontakt mit dem Besitzer war sehr freundlich, er hat uns sogar vergessene Kleidungsstücke umgehend nachgeschickt. Einfach ein Glücksfall!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sandra M.

Lovely place to stay

What an amazing home to have the privilege of staying in. We felt relaxed as soon as we arrived. The owner, Stanley, gave great instructions on how to find the property and how to access it. When it was time to come home, we were reluctant to leave, not only was the cottage beautiful but the surroundings were great as well. Would love to visit the area again and would definitely come back to Stanley's cottage.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mark S.

Beautiful, interesting cottage in a great and quiet location

An interesting place to stay full of books and unusual items from all over the world. Quite spacious with a secluded back garden and delightful forest walks nearby. A great place to stay to explore Dorset and Somerset.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

John W.

Charming comfort in rural Dorset

Everything about this cottage was an absolute delight, so much so it's probably best kept as a secret !
Stayed 3 nights in May 2016

10/10 Excellent

Nicky L.

Beautifully comfortable cottage in tranquil surroundings close to local attractions.

We were very impressed from the moment we entered the cottage. The kitchen diner was extremely well equipped and perfect for cooking and chatting. We loved the decor of the cottage and both bedrooms were a good size and very comfortable. Loving the day bed on the upstairs landing for afternoon reading/snoozing! We had a rotten days weather on the Sunday we were there but somehow it didn't seem to matter. We lit the fire and watched a movie.....perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon. Shaftsbury and Sherborne are a short drive away and well worth a visit. We will certainly return to the area and would be delighted to stay at the cottage again. In summary, a fantastic cottage that I would recommend to anyone!! PS I should mention the books!! No need to take any reading material with you as there are thousands!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Robert O.

Very pleasant stay.

This is an architecturally interesting house with a homelike feel. The back bench along the rear of the property has nice views over the surrounding fields and is a nice place to rest or have a morning cup of coffee. The house has a very usable kitchen, nice eating area, and a comfortable sitting area. Good instructions and information on the local area were left for us by the owner. Although there aren't any stores or eating establishments within walking distance, there are plenty within a short drive. I would recommend this location to friends and relatives.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2015