Mosterton is situated between the delightful historic, small market town of Beaminster, with two good cafes, restaurants and local gourmet food outlets, (www.thedorsetpage.com/locations/place/B030.htm and www.dorset-info.co.uk/townsasp?Town=Beaminster) Crewkerne, which has a bustling historic high street with interesting shops and cafes, and a good municipal swimming pool.(http://www.touruk.co.uk/). T G Lawrence, the well know auctioneers hold a weekly auction each Wednesday of general items, including antiques and collectors items which go at bargain prices.  In Mosterton itself we have a llama trekking centre, see below, Eeles pottery where the Eeles family have been making pots for over 20 years and only five minutes drive away is a most enjoyable 18 hole golf course at Cheddington, Cheddington Court Golf  Club (http://www.regionalgolf.net/) with outstanding views and a practice 9 hole course ideal for children, who are most welcome.  

Walking: 

There are good walks which can start directly from the house as we live on a public bridleway. The next village is only a mile away and makes a good evening stroll for a pint at The George pub which serves good basic pub food. A map is available for loan to plan much longer expeditions, for example to join the Parrett trail (only a few miles from the house) www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/ete/rpt/ or perhaps to Mapperton House (see below). You can join the Dorset Coastal path at West Bay which is only twenty minutes drive away. There are amazing walks in either direction with delightful beaches and pubs and cafes to stop in.Within 30 mins drive:

Very Local
Llama trekking in Mosterton http://www.ukllamas.co.uk/
Broadwindsor Craft and Design Centre www.broadwindsor-crafts.co.uk
Eeles Pottery, Mosterton http://www.eelespottery/ co.uk/

A little further away
National Trust Houses: Lamberts Castle Hill, Barrington Court Gardens, nr ILminster 01460 53455 http://www.barringtonoak.co.uk/, Montacute House, Tintinhull House and gardens, Lytes Cary and Treasurers House www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Forde Abbey Gardens, http://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/

Other historic houses and gardens:
Mapperton www.mapperton.co.uk , one of the most beautiful manor houses in England, and a stunning garden.
Melplash www.crocus.co.uk
Parnham www.dorsetpage.com.
Ham Hill Country Park 01935 823617http://www.somersetgov.co.uk/
Lower Severalls Gardens, and garden centre http://www.lowerseveralls.co.uk/, Muchelney Abbey, www.english-herigage.orf.uk/much 01458 250664
Sherborne Castle www.sherbornecastle.com

Other attractions:
Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park http://www.wild.org.uk/ 01460 3011
East Somerset Railway http://www.eastsomersettrailway.com/ 01749 880417
Ferne Animal Sanctuary http://www.ferneanimalsanctuary.org/ 01460 65214
Fleet Air Arm Museum http://www.fleetairarm.com/ 01935 840565
Haynes Motor Museum, http://www.haynesmotormuseum.co.uk/ 01963 440804
Perrys Cider, 01460 52681
Somerset Distillery and Cider Farm http://www.ciderbrandy.co.uk/ 01460 240782
West Somerset Railways http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/ 01643 704996
Worldlife Butterfly Farm 01935 74608
Yeovil Railway Centre http://www.yeovilrailway.freeservers.co/ 01935 410420

All the local towns have delightful town museums. Dorchester is 35 minutes away, the heart of Hardy country and crammed full of interesting museums.www.visit-dorchester.co.uk/

Other websites worth exploring are www.dorsetshire.com,  http://www.hiddendorset.org/

Coast:

The amazing Jurassic coastline, stretching for 95 miles is closest at West Bay, Bridport, www.westbay.co.uk, where you will find the renowned fish Restaurants, the Riverside Restaurant  and The West Bay   The coastline makes for fabulous walking up and down the cliffs interspersed with delightful beaches and dramatic views for miles in either direction to Liskeard and Portland Bill. Hunt for fossils at Lyme Regis or Charmouth or just enjoy the astonishing geology. The following are excellent websites about the local coastline, www.jurassiccoast.com, www.charmouth.org.

 

Local pubs and restaurants:

The Admiral Hood, Mosterton, temporarily closed.

Winyards Gap Inn, Beaminster, 01935 891244 http://www.winyardsgap.com, about 5 mins drive and a good hours' walk down the footpath next to the house. A gastro pub serving interesting and good food with fabulous views and beer garden.

The White Horse in Haslebury Plucknett serves good English homemade food from local ingredients. haselbury@btconnect.com for enquiries.

The Lord Poulett Arms in Hinton St George, superb food, wonderful garden and warm pub atmosphere.

Dinnington Docks, Dinnington, excellent ham, egg and chips, steak and kidney pie etc in good old fashioned country pub, wellie boots and wet dogs welcome!

OR FOR SOMETHING MORE GOURMET

www.thewildgarlic.com a new restaurant in Beaminster with chef Matt Follas of Masterchef fame. Booked for about a month in advance for dinner and a week in advance for lunch. Definetly worth trying!

The Bridge House Hotel and restaurant, Beaminster, www.bridge-house.co.uk/ 01308 862200 Good food either in the restaurant or glass covered terrace area.

The Riverside Restaurant, West Bay, www.thefishrestaurant-westbay.co.uk Lovely location in the river estuary, fabulous seafood, especially superb desserts and good atmosphere. Ask for a waterside seat.

The West Bay, West Bay, http://www.thewestbay.co.uk/. Cosy pub atmosphere, delicious food, seafood a speciality..

River Cottage - Hugh Fearnley Whittingstalls wonderful farm and restaurant and store and Canteen are only about 35 minutes away www.rivercottage.net . Check out the website for current events.

Hix Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis www.restaurantsetcltd.co.uk, comes recommended by many of our guests although as yet untried by us.