Wiltshire, Wiltshire, South West England, England

REFNO:457612. Who out there can honestly say that they wouldn't want to stay in a home found within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty? This stone cottage in deepest Wiltshire is as charmingly rustic as the surrounding Cranborne Chase. The first thing that you're most likely to notice as you enter the home is the huge number of indents in the wall. The simple reason why is that this building used to be a dovecote and these holes were where birds would get some shuteye. Despite this once-functional purpose, the furnishings and fittings are all refreshingly contemporary, with our favourite features being the turquoise kitchen and the blue freestanding bathtub. During the summer months, the real star of the show is the heated saltwater swimming pool. Once you've spent all afternoon splashing about, you can head over to the terrace where you'll find a barbecue, firepit and plenty of seating. As you can probably guess from the rolling rural landscape around the home, there are plenty of walking routes to embark upon, including at Dinton Park, a National Trust site a quarter of an hour away on foot. After a long ramble, what better way to finish the day than with refreshments at the country pub that lies less than five minutes' walk from the front door? Home truths: *There's ample room for parking on the site and electric vehicle charging is available by prior arrangement *The swimming pool is available between May and September by prior arrangement *The home is spread out over two floors, so it might not be suitable for guests with reduced mobility *A continental breakfast featuring organic muesli, milk, butter, croissants, jam and marmalade is provided *No filming is allowed without prior permission *The entrance yard is a working stable yard and there might be dogs or horses present at times