The Cow Shed

The Cow Shed is a detached house at Lower Kingcombe, within the grounds of Kingcombe Visitor Centre and on the edge of Kingcombe National Nature Reserve. The village of Maiden Newton is 3.4 miles away. Dorset Wildlife Trust owns and runs the house, and the visitor centre grounds have an on-site cafe, orchards and wildlife gardens.

Nine bedrooms sleep 15 guests. The ground floor has two twin rooms and a single, and upstairs are four twins and two more singles. Every bedroom has its own walk-in shower, basin and heated towel rail. Shared space includes a kitchen/diner, a first-floor dining room, a utility room, a boot room for walking gear, and a snug with a selection of books.

The kitchen has an electric oven and hob, a microwave, a fridge/freezer and a dishwasher, and the washing machine is in the utility room. Heating is by biomass, there are a Smart TV and WiFi, and fuel, power, bed linen and towels are included. A highchair is available. The house is self-catering, but catering can be arranged through the cafe partner, and Swallow Barn nearby can be hired for meetings, workshops or extra social space. A communal lawn has furniture, and there is parking. Pets are welcome.

The river is 0.2 miles away and a lake 0.6 miles, while the shop is 3.4 miles and the pub 3.5 miles. Smoking is not allowed, a good-housekeeping bond is payable, and the minimum stay is a strict three nights. It suits a large family or a group of friends who want one house with private shower rooms for everyone.