Fossil Barn

Fossil Barn is a conversion in the grounds of its owners' 17th-century thatched manor in Chickerell, just outside the town boundary of Weymouth. Its centrepiece is a hand-built oak and glass-fronted living area with solid oak flooring, looking out on a garden that is enclosed and gated, with a patio lit by feature lighting and a lawn with furniture.

Two bedrooms sleep four: a king-size with an en-suite shower room, and a twin. The main bedroom has a handcrafted stained glass fossil window. A separate bathroom has a bath with a shower over it. The kitchen has wooden worktops, an oven and hob, a microwave, fridge, freezer, washing machine and dishwasher, and a TV with Freeview, a DVD player, an iPod dock and WiFi. Fuel, power, bed linen and towels are included, and guests are met with welcome tea and coffee and a Dorset apple cake.

Entry is by low steps to the kitchen, and there are about 12 steps from the parking area to the front stable door. The off-road space takes one vehicle only, and there is more parking on the street. Chickerell has shops, two pubs, a restaurant, a chemist and a post office, and a shop and pub are five minutes' walk. The Fleet is within a mile.

No pets or smoking are allowed, and infants who sleep in cots are not accepted. Check-in is on Saturday with a seven-night minimum. It suits two couples, or a couple with older children, looking for a quiet base outside town.