Candy Cottage

Candy Cottage is a self-contained wing of the owners' house in Thornford, 3 miles from Sherborne. It began as a worker's cottage on the Sherborne Castle estate and is believed to date back to 1640. The shop and pub are an 8 minute walk away, and a halt on the nearby railway line is close at hand.

The open-plan living area combines a kitchen, a dining area and a sitting area with an inglenook fireplace and a woodburning stove. A starter pack for the stove and the power are included in the rent, as are bed linen and towels. Night storage heaters warm the sitting room and bedroom, and the bathroom has underfloor heating. There is a TV with Freeview, a DVD player, WiFi, and a selection of books and games.

The one double bedroom is served by a first-floor bathroom with a freestanding roll-top bath, a separate shower, a basin and a WC. The cottage stairs are steep and twisting, and the owners say they may be unsuitable for the infirm. There is no garden.

Roadside parking is available for two cars. Two well-behaved dogs are welcome, and the cottage is non-smoking. It suits a couple with dogs who want a village base with a stove for the evenings and are comfortable on steep stairs.