🌳 Forest Lodge🌲 Family Friendly Woodland Cottage 🐔

Entire cottage in Butleigh, United Kingdom

  1. 4 guests
  2. 2 bedrooms
  3. 2 beds
  4. 1 bathroom
Hosted by Jo
  1. Superhost
  2. 9 years hosting

Listing highlights

Top 5% of homes

This home is highly ranked based on ratings, reviews and reliability.

Self check-in

Check yourself in with the lockbox.

Beautiful area

Guests love this home’s scenic location.
The Old Gamekeeper’s Cottage is a hidden gem tucked away in beautiful woodland near Glastonbury in rural Somerset. Surrounded by abundant wildlife and stunning countryside, it’s the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with nature. An ideal home-from-home retreat, relaxed and family-friendly with plenty to keep everyone entertained with our private woodland, trampoline, Wii and toys. Plus cozy amenities along with fresh eggs from our hens (when laying), coffee pods and wood for the wood burner.

The space
The Old Gamekeeper’s Cottage was built in 1852 from Blue Lias stone and adjoins our family home. Styled as a real home-from-home, it has everything you and your family need for a relaxing stay. We’re completely off-grid, generating our own electricity and water via solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and a borehole - though you’d hardly notice!

A private entrance leads into a large, open-plan lounge and dining area, centred around a cosy fireplace with a wood burner. Wood is provided free of charge. The separate fitted kitchen, with French doors, has a small table and chairs and is fully equipped with all kitchenware, including children’s tableware. Enjoy a Nespresso coffee machine with complimentary pods, tea, milk, and fresh eggs from our free-range hens (note: hens stop laying in the colder months).

Upstairs, the master bedroom has a king-size bed, and the second bedroom has two singles, one a trundle suitable for adults or children, with mattress topper. Fluffy towels are provided. The bathroom includes an over-bath shower.

For entertainment there is WIFI, a TV (freeview) with Netflix and Amazon, DVD player, Wii games console and a Bluetooth speaker. In the bookcase there are numerous books, a large collection of current DVDs, Wii and board games. There's also a huge chest full of toys and books in the landing upstairs to keep the little ones busy. Childcare items include a stairgate, fire guard, baby bath, large travel cot (bottom sheet only), high chairs, and a Bumbo seat.

Outside there's a large fenced shared garden with a section for guests use which has a patio with table and chairs, a bench plus a BBQ on request. There's also a trampoline for the kids.
Registered guests are welcome to enjoy the woodland areas during their stay in a respectful and quiet way exploring all 14 acres of the property.
In the woodland, there are ponds (full in winter–spring), rope swings, slackline, dens, and abundant wildlife - you may even spot deer!

You’re also invited to explore our new dedicated woodland events space if not in use which is reserved for pre-arranged gatherings only and is not available for informal meetings or hosting additional visitors.
If you’re interested in hiring the woodland for a future event, please enquire separately - we’d love to discuss it properly.

Guest access
The cottage is reached via a long driveway off the main ridge road, with parking available for several cars directly outside.

The woodland on the property connects directly to both Great Breach Wood and Combe Hill Wood, forming part of the Polden Way and Mendip Ring. Together, these woods cover over 200 acres of diverse forest, with signposted family and nature trails, stunning walks, and breathtaking views.

Other things to note
Although the cottage isn’t completely isolated, its location on a wooded ridge means it is entirely off-grid. We’re proud of our self-sufficiency: all electricity is generated via solar panels and stored in batteries, with a generator available for winter use (located away from the house). Water comes from rainwater harvesting, topped up with a borehole, and is filtered and treated with UV light.

The house is next to a road. While it’s generally quiet, it can be fast and busier during commuter hours. If complete silence is essential, this may not be the perfect spot.

Only booked guests are welcome to visit the dedicated woodland events space. It's reserved for pre-arranged gatherings only and is not available for informal meetings or hosting any additional visitors.

Please note: we do not allow dogs.

Where you'll sleep

What this place offers

Valley view
Garden view
Kitchen
Wifi
Free driveway parking on premises – 3 spaces

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Rated 4.94 out of 5 from 212 reviews.

Guest favourite
This home is in the top 5% of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews and reliability

Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 95% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 5% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 0% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value

Guest reviews mention

Where you’ll be

Butleigh, Glastonbury Somerset, United Kingdom
This listing’s location is verified and the exact location will be provided after booking.

Neighbourhood highlights

The cottage is located in a wooded ridge just outside the pretty village of Butleigh near Glastonbury, with its quirky shops and iconic Tor with amazing views. Street is also a few minutes away where Millfield school is.

The woodland leads directly onto both Great Breach Wood and Combe Hill Wood which is included as part of the Polden Way and the Mendip Ring. The woods themselves combine to include over 200 acres of diverse woodland and include extensive signposted family and nature trails, beautiful walks and some breath taking views.

Through November to February the famous Somerset Starling Murmerations can be seen over the nearby levels and moors around Avalon Marshes.

Wells the smallest city in England where Hot Fuzz was filmed is only 20 minutes away and is definitley worth a visit.

For shopping there’s Clarks Village outlet in Street, offering a wealth of discounted retail shopping as well as high street shops restaurants and a retail park with large supermarkets. There’s also Kilver Court Designer Village in nearby Shepton Mallet which houses many designer brands including the Mulberry factory outlet store.

We are a great location for a stopover if heading to Devon or Cornwall but are also ideally placed to access the many excursions and attractions on offer within easy reach to entertain the kids. Many families stay with us when visiting Longleat Safari Park and attractions in nearby Wiltshire.
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Meet your host

Superhost
324 reviews
4.95 out of 5 average rating
9 years of hosting
Born in the 70s
Lives in Butleigh, United Kingdom
Having grown up in London I moved to Somerset in 2013 with my partner and 2 young children. We love the West Country and the amount of beautiful nature and wildlife on our doorstep as well as the slower pace of life. We enjoy spending our time outdoors exploring new places and sampling great local food.

Jo is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
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Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in after 15:00
Checkout before 11:00
4 guests maximum
Safety & property
Nearby lake, river, other body of water
Climbing or play structure
Carbon monoxide alarm