The Old Smithy

The Old Smithy is a semi-detached former farmer's cottage in a rural spot close to the West Dorset hamlet of Dottery, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The hamlet is 1.5 miles from Bridport, and the shop and pub are the same distance. The sitting room has a woodburning stove, and the rent includes a starter pack for it along with fuel and power.

Beyond the sitting room are a separate dining room and a galley kitchen with an electric fan oven and hob, a microwave, a toaster, a washing machine, a tumble dryer, a fridge/freezer and a slimline dishwasher. An electric combi boiler supplies hot water and central heating. The king-size bedroom has a Freeview TV, the second bedroom is a twin, and there is a bathroom with a shower, basin and WC on each floor.

Three steps lead up from the sitting room to the kitchen and the ground-floor bathroom, and three stairs climb from the landing to the first-floor bathroom. The front garden is enclosed, two cars can park off the road, and the country road may carry tractor traffic in busy farming periods. One well-behaved dog is welcome; smoking is not allowed. The minimum stay is four nights, with changeover on a Saturday. It suits two couples or a family of four who like having a bathroom each.