Luxurious eco-lodge at the foot of the Quantocks, Somerset
Located in the serene Somerset hamlet of Mill Cross, Flycatchers Lodge, a stunning luxury eco-lodge, set at the foot of the stunning Quantock Hills, has become the latest eco property to join the Blue Chip Holidays portfolio of high end rural self catering holiday homes. Available from just £409 for three nights and from £609 for a week.
Located within the grounds of Mill Meadow, Flycatchers Lodge, which sleeps up to eight, is situated in a nature enthusiast's paradise. Badgers, foxes, bats, and a diverse range of birds make the site their home, encouraged by careful on-site management as well as the installation of bird and bat boxes. Dragonflies, mayflies, otters and a wide variety of wildfowl can also be spotted on the lake situated close to the lodge where guests can fish for trout and carp, or simply spend hours quietly spotting the many species that live in the surrounding environment.
As well as having access to local riding stables, Flycatchers invites guests to bring their dogs, and visitors looking to minimise their carbon footprint are welcome to arrange collection from Taunton train station.
Internally, Flycatchers Lodge has an open plan living and dining area with bi-folding doors that lead directly onto the large sun deck terrace. The large, light and airy living area streams sunlight in through the double height glass frontage keeping the property lovely and warm year round. Furnished with three sofas seating six, a nest of coffee tables and tiled flooring with under floor heating throughout, this pretty living space enjoys charming wooded views over the substantial decking area, which comes with a good sized table, two benches seating four and two arm chairs. There's even space for a hot tub, which can be hired during visits.
Entertainment is provided by a wall-mounted 42" Toshiba 3D Smart TV with FreeSat, Blu-ray player and board games. The dining area for eight sits beneath the mezzanine.
The stylish kitchen, which comes with gloss white units and granite tops, has been beautifully finished with Neff appliances comprising an electric oven, grill and hob, fridge, freezer and dishwasher. This well equipped kitchen also comes with microwave, toaster, kettle and coffee maker.
There are three bedrooms including a ground floor en-suite fitted with a king-size bed that's perfect for guests who find it hard to climb stairs or who require wheelchair access. The room comes with a double wardrobe, two bedside cabinets with lamps, and an en-suite wet room with rainfall shower, a hand held shower head, wc, wash basin and heated towel rail.
Upstairs Flycatchers has an additional mezzanine living area for quiet contemplation, which is furnished with beanbags and enjoys views out to the front of the property.
The first floor master bedroom is furnished with a king-size bed, two bedside cabinets, a chest of drawers and a wardrobe, and has access through 'Jack and Jill' doors to the en-suite, which also acts as the main family bathroom. Fitted with a bath and shower over, wash basin/vanity unit and heated towel rail, this bathroom is spacious and well equipped. The second first floor bedroom comes with twin beds, fitted wardrobe and a bedside cabinet with lamp. Its en-suite wet room has a rainfall shower and hand held shower head, wc, wash basin and heated towel rail.
The living room also has an occasional sofa bed to accommodate 2 additional guests.
Flycatchers' quiet rural location gives access to miles of leaf-lined lanes and bridle paths that are perfect for walks, cycling or riding; there are also a number of stables offering guided trekking nearby, and loose horse boxes can also be hired locally for guests wishing to bring their own horse.
Its close proximity to the great outdoors makes the lodge's separate storage room for cycles, which also houses the washing machine, a godsend and an excellent drying space after days out walking or riding.
Close to the Quantock Hills, Exmoor, and the Bridgewater and Taunton canal, local attractions include the West Somerset Railway and Hestercombe Gardens. The seaside is also only 15 miles away and can be accessed either by bus from nearby Taunton or from Bishops Lydeard station on the West Somerset Railway, which regularly runs steam trains to both Minehead and Dunster.
For the adventurous the Scrumptious Somerset cycle route is also well worth a visit. This takes in the nearby Taunton Farmers Market, Muchelney Pottery Gallery and Shop, Muchelney Abbey, the Langport and River Parrett Visitor Centre, Burrow Hill Cider, and the Brown and Forest Traditional Smokery at Hambridge. Bike and electrically powered cycle hire can all be arranged through Mill Meadow.
Manufactured in Finland using the highest quality, slow grown timber with the most advanced manufacturing and construction methods in Europe, Flycatcher's has a low carbon footprint. Combined with the latest in cutting edge Carbon Neutral Technologies encompassing a ground source heat pump that heats the lodge's under floor heating system, solar energy, which provides electricity and heats the lodge's water, and on-site rain harvesting to minimise water wastage, Flycahtchers Lodge provides a perfect escape for those with a green conscience.
Other Mill Meadow eco-lodges include Kingfisher Lodge and Woodpecker Lodge, which sleep six and Robins Lodge, which sleeps eight.
For bookings, visit bluechipholidays.co.uk.
