Hardy's View Lodge

Hardy's View Lodge was originally a shooting lodge and sits in a small coppice at Wrackleford, near Dorchester. It sleeps eight in four bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. Two are on the ground floor, each with a super-king-size zip-and-link bed that can be made into a twin if you ask when booking. Upstairs are a twin and a galleried king-size room, whose internal balcony overlooks the snooker room, so children need care there.

The entrance hall doubles as a snooker room, with a three-quarter-size table, flagstone floor, exposed stone walls and an open fire. The main living area has a second open fire in an inglenook, a Smart TV and a dining table with plenty of seating. A step down leads to a circular snug at the base of the tower, and a spiral staircase climbs to the tower itself. The kitchen has a gas oven and hob, a microwave, two fridges, a freezer, a dishwasher and a washing machine.

Outside, the front lawn opens onto fields, with a paved patio, an outdoor dining table and a charcoal BBQ. Ample off-road parking is on the gravel drive, reached along a private farm track that is not tarmacked. Electric vehicles cannot be charged here under any circumstances, and the nearest charging point is in Poundbury, about 6 miles away. Fly fishing can be booked and paid for directly with the owner, with equipment hire and an instructor.

The beach is 10 miles away, the shops are 4 miles and a pub is within walking distance. Dogs are not accepted at the lodge. The lodge suits two families or a group of friends, up to eight, who want a big house with a snooker table.