Reviews
Take a look at recent reviews for our cottages.
Pilgrim Corner: “…everything you could wish for, and more.”
Brian, Lesley, Greg, Katie, Jordan, Megan, Jake and Kayleigh, August 2019
“Staying at Pilgrim Corner is really as wonderful and as beautiful as all the reviews say. We were a family of six adults and two children, and it was than spacious enough for all. We love to cook and there are more than enough utensils – whatever the recipe – with a choice to gather around the table in the kitchen, dining room or garden. Pilgrim Corner is nestled at the foot of the steps leading to the 14th century St Michael’s Church and surrounded by similar picturesque cob-walled cottages in the historic part of Minehead on North Hill, far enough away from the town to enjoy the quiet, peaceful countryside and a 10-minute downhill stroll to the sandy beach and town centre. We’ve arrived back home feeling completely relaxed and with wonderful memories of our time at Pilgrim Corner and are already comparing diaries to plan our next stay there!”
Chrissie and her family, July 2019
“We had the most wonderful time. Stunning location, the hot tub has beautiful views. It has given the seven of us wonderful memories to treasure. And we may come back another time. Thank you!”
Sue and her colleagues, May 2019
“My wife and I travelled down to Minehead with our two daughters aged 15 and 12 and our dog Kassie for a well-earned rest. Pilgrim Corner is the ideal place to do this in a beautiful well-equipped cottage. Some lovely long walks with Kassie were then followed by a lovely relaxing afternoon in the hot tub! At being at the edge of Minehead in a peaceful part of town it is only a few minutes to walk into the main area for all the shops and places to eat. From our arrival with cake and treats for Kassie along with a bottle of fizz for Tanya as it was her birthday, it was perfect! You will not be disappointed with Pilgrim Corner – we’ve already booked again!! Thanks guys.”
The Eady family, April 2019, published on TripAdvisor
“Another good stay in Minehead with wonderful walks through the woods and along the beach towards Dunster with our cocker spaniels Lola and Charlie. It’s our second stay at ‘Pilgrim’, so when we said, ‘We’ll be back’, we meant it! We’ve now also stayed twice at The Old Sweet Shop. They are both great dog and people friendly cottages. We will be back for sure!
Duncan and Elaine Peberdy, March 2019
Hannah, Danny, Gracie and Archie, January 2019
“Wow! What a lovely cottage – even better than any of the photos! We booked in January and have been looking forward to having all the family together for Christmas, counting down the months. From the moment we arrived, staying here has been a joy! Cooking Christmas lunch was a sinch, the range cooked everything perfectly – with a little help from hubby! The hot tub was used every day and was so relaxing. The dogs loved running around the paths in the garden and laid peacefully beside the hot tub as I floated in my little bit of heaven every morning! We had the perfect break and look forward to coming back again and again, everything has been thought of and it made this Christmas a really special one for ‘just the two of us’.”
Tina and Martin Brown and Frodo and Spirit the dogs, Christmas 2018
“Thank you so much for a wonderful holiday. We had an amazing time and it has made all the better for the gorgeous cottage. So well presented. The tea on arrival was much appreciated!! Can I recommend Exmoor Adventures for outdoor pursuits? We went sea kayaking with them and they were very professional. We were also lucky with the gorgeous weather. Reeves restaurant in Dunster was divine with excellent service. And we LOVED the garden and hot tub!! We hope to be back soon.”
Debs, James, Cherry, Graeme and family, October 2018
“We arrived after two years away and it is still as lovely as ever. The garden and hot tub are lovely. We had breakfast up in the garden after a dip in the hot tub most mornings. We spoke to our neighbours at The Old Sweet Shop who were also enjoying their holiday too! The cottage is as beautiful as ever, with every need thought off. The surrounding hill and walks were lovely whatever time of day. A holiday thoroughly enjoyed. We will be back be back!”
Sue, Bob, Penny, Gary, September 2018
“We can only endorse all the positive comments already made about Pilgrim Corner – beautifully appointed inside and out with every need catered for. The kitchen is very well-equipped, and everything works! We appreciated the quality – and quantity of towels supplied, and the beds and bedding were likewise excellent – thank you. We have visited Devon frequently but were delighted with what Somerset had to offer – it’s now a county to go to rather than drive through. Somerset is a good eating county, with local produce widely available, cream teas, pasties and ice creams in abundance. With thanks to our hosts for making our stay so pleasurable.”
The Benson family, September 2018
Read more guest reviews for Pilgrim Corner.
Check the availability of each of our cottages and book online:
Pilgrim Corner
The Oval Dunster
The Old Sweet Shop
Stone Barn
The Oval: “The perfect match of old-world charm with modern convenience…”
The Rhodes party, August 2019
“What a great place! The cottage, the village, the castle, beaches and the friendly people. We visited all the local beaches, Minehead, Dunster, Blue Anchor, Porlock and Porlock Weir. We also visited Woollacombe beach and spent the most fantastic day (bit of a drive but so worth it). You can’t come to Dunster without going to the castle, we went in the morning, came back for lunch and went back in the afternoon – great! We had some great meals in Dunster, The Stag over the road (not too far to stagger back from), but our favourite was The Luttrell Arms, lovely food, good service, great atmosphere and friendly people. We also visited Tarr Steps, very pretty and lovely walks. The cottage is fantastic! It is so well-equipped and very cosy, and the outside area is great and sooo hot!! A lovely holiday topped off by the most fantastic weather. What more can I say apart from a massive thank you.
The Gutcher family, July 2019
“We have been visiting Dunster for many years, but this is the first time we have stayed at The Oval. The building has so much character and charm and is fully equipped with everything you could need. The extra touches left for us on arrival for mum’s 70th birthday were lovely and gratefully received after a long journey. We have had a wonderful holiday. There is so much to see on the doorstep and in the surrounding area. We hope to be back again soon.”
The Chapmans, June 2019
“Loved staying in this very historic house. It’s also very well-equipped. Many thanks for the welcome tea tray and cake – Daisy loved her treats too! Dunster is a great place to stay. Good shops, cafes, the Castle with its lovely gardens and the beach.”
Pat, Ken, Claire and Daisy the dog, May 2019
“I believe this is the fourth or fifth time of staying in The Oval over the last three years, we have stayed in two other cottages in Dunster but never out of choice! The Oval is our firm favourite, but it gets booked early so you have to be quick. It’s just a perfect home-from-home, we just can’t praise it enough.”
The Owen and Gregory family, April 2019
“Once again we have had a wonderful time here at The Oval. After staying here for many years now we feel like we’re holidaying from the second we get here. It’s lovely to step into this cottage knowing that every last detail has been thought of, and we are relaxed within minutes. We enjoy lazy mornings in this beautiful cottage with coffee on the top terrace and nightcaps by the fire. Thanks once again, and see you at Christmas!”
The Foster family, Easter 2019
“The Oval is a highly characterful, comfortable and welcoming property. The layout of all the rooms is well-considered, with the living room being beautifully proportioned. However, it is all the little touches that make it such a pleasant place to stay – a welcoming pack, a tea tray with milk, cake and so on, and loads of toys for the kids (very helpful on a rainy Sunday). We like to cook, so the fact that the kitchen is so well equipped is a real bonus. It had everything – steamers, garlic crushers, all the right baking trays and so on. This is unusual for a holiday property. As for Dunster, it is a great base for a break. The village is beautiful, with lots of places of interest to visit (the Castle, the mill etc.), shops to see and places to eat and drink. ”
Helpful Holidays guests, April 2019
Paul, Gina, Andrew, Sarah, David and Sam, March 2019
“We first discovered Dunster in 2010 and have returned each year since – which says it all. We’ve never stayed for a week during winter as we usually come at Easter, but we found Dunster and The Oval are even more beautiful at this time of year. The cottage is always warm and inviting and this time has been no exception. It has been absolutely lovely seeing 2019 in here. We’ve enjoyed walks along the beach in Dunster and Porlock, as well as Horner, but most of all we enjoyed lighting the fire and spending time relaxing here at The Oval. Thanks to everyone.”
The Foster family, New Year 2019
“We have had a lovely stay, this house and the village are amazing. Dunster by Candlelight was great. The games were a lovely way to spend the evening. Thank you very much. PS I think we will visit again!”
The Johnson Family, December 2018
“What an amazing home-from-home. It has everything you need here and more. The house is beautifully presented with comfort as its top priority. It is in the heart of the village with shops, pubs and restaurants nearby. The walking is awesome and just outside the door. No need to worry about cream carpets on our return to the cottage as the floors are tiled and make it easy to arrive home, sit on the old church pew and take your boots off. Plenty of storage for them too. Summer our very old retriever was so very settled here and loved her short walks to the dog friendly shops and pubs. We will be back till we find out own perfect home in Dunster. What a great village it is!”
The Connollys, November 2018
“Thank you for a lovely welcome with cake, tea and milk in the fridge – and dog biscuits that Tino loved! Coming over from the Netherlands we had a lovely week, we walked for miles and miles, and hardly used our car. On our walks we met buzzards, a dipper, red deer, and more. The Oval cottage is wonderful, with so much character, and Dunster village is lovely, old and quaint. Exmoor is definitely an area to explore and visit again.”
Annemarie and Denise, from the Netherlands, October 2018
“The Oval is a wonderful old cottage with a palpable sense of history the moment you walk through the door. We love the sense of history in the house, the uneven floors, the wonky walls, and the steep ascent to the outdoor balcony. Lucy has provided plenty of information about the origins of the cottage, which we found fascinating. We felt welcome immediately on arrival, with music playing and a delicious apple cake plus a tea/coffee tray waiting for us. These little touches mean so much! Happy to find that the cottage has been sympathetically furnished, unlike many gorgeous old properties which sadly evoke a sigh of horror from me when I look at the brochure pictures and see modern interiors. I work in the antiques industry, so this is a top issue for me! Our only complaint is that one week isn’t nearly long enough!”
The Langleys, September 2018
Read more guest reviews for The Oval Dunster.
Check the availability of each of our cottages and book online:
Pilgrim Corner
The Oval Dunster
The Old Sweet Shop
Stone Barn
The Old Sweet Shop: “…the sweetest of Old Sweet Shops!”
The Gibbins family, August 2019
“We have had a wonderful holiday at The Old Sweet Shop; the cottage is charming, with lovely décor and thoughtful touches in the bedrooms and bathrooms. The towels were fluffy, and the beds very comfortable. We were so pleased with the carefully put together ‘Welcome’ information binders (and the yummy homemade cake), which helped us acclimatise to the area and solved any riddles on how things worked! The kitchen is very well-equipped, with plenty of room to make meals and enjoy them around the table. We loved the beautiful garden and spent ages trying to name the various plants! My husband was born in Taunton, we enjoyed rediscovering the area, which is delightful. We had days out on the West Somerset Steam Railway (we loved the station café and bookshop!) and walking part of the coastal path. We had a lovely meal at the Luttrell Arms hotel in Dunster where the food was excellent and portions enormous. We also highly recommend Oggies Pasties! Overall our holiday has been practically perfect in every way. Thank you for sharing this beautiful home with us.”
Fiona, Tim, Thomas (from Houston Texas), Wendy and George (Suffolk), and Margaret (N Lincs), July 2019
“Thank you for a lovely five days, we have really enjoyed the time we spent in this lovely cottage. Everything was here, it’s a beautiful location and we have loved the hot tub after our days out. We would love to return again, this time with our partners.”
Vicky, Beccy, Derek and Debbie, June 2019
“We have all had a fantastic week, thank you! A super cottage and a fabulous location.”
Anne, Eddie and family, May 2019
“It’s our second time here, and we’ve loved every moment of our stay at The Old Sweet Shop – so full of character and so cosy. We love the hot tub, garden, cottage and the beautiful décor. We’ll be back again. And the owners are lovely 😊. Many thanks.”
Charlotte and family, Easter 2019
“What a beautiful cottage! Everything we needed and wanted for a week away with the family. The hot tub was awesome, and the garden beautiful. The attention to detail and the information pack were first class. We definitely recommend ‘The Apple Tree Tea Rooms’ in Minehead!! Thank you for helping us to make this week special.”
The Jones Family, April 2019
“An absolutely beautiful place in splendid surroundings with nice people too. Thank you for the goodies that greeted is on arrival, very much appreciated. The recommendation of the Old Ship Aground was also excellent, with great food and drink and excellent surroundings. Thank you again – you have it so right, just keep doing it! We hope to see you again someday.”
Roy, Gillian, Jane, Mike, Esme and Martin, April 2019
Linda, March 2019
“OMG! What an amazing cottage. We stayed as a family ageing from 4 to 64 and everyone had a brilliant time. We followed your recommendation for an early evening hot tub dip during the Friday night bell-ringing at the church – it was magical. Lovely blustery walks along the beach blew the cobwebs away.”
The Vaseys and Brittons, February 2019
“The Old Sweet Shop is truly unique, a very special place to stay and in every respect exceeded everything we had hoped for. We would All like to thank you for providing a truly wonderful and magical Christmas holiday experience…5* all the way. If you are looking for the perfect property in a beautiful location you will not be disappointed, Minehead and the surrounding areas have so much to offer all age groups any time of the year. First class, well maintained property in every respect, exceptional personal customer service from the owner’s Lucy and Paul who have simply thought of every ingredient required for a thoroughly luxurious and relaxing Stay. Having previously worked in the travel industry for over 30 years I have no hesitation in recommending this property and look forward to our next visit.”
The Myatts, December 2018
“We have just had the most lovely weekend in this tastefully renovated listed building. It has everything you might need and so much more. A lovely village minutes away and a selection of pubs which serve great food! The Old Sweet Shop is luxurious, and nothing has been too much trouble! We had a very successful Christmas lunch, and a homemade cake and a jar of old sweets on arrival…we would definitely visit again. In fact, we have voted it our best weekend venue to date!!! Thank you.”
Trudi and friends, December 2018
“Woo amazing, thank you so much, especially for all the extras, it really adds to the holiday. The beds and bedding are so comfy. We love the parking – and we never moved our cars. This place is very special with a warm welcome, we will be back of course!”
Stella and Kevin, November 2018
“I came with four friends for my 50th birthday. This cottage has exceeded all our expectations for its cleanliness, and the lovely little extras – a cake, a jar of sweets, milk in the fridge. The décor is to a very high standard, with fantastic huge fluffy towels. This cottage is dog friendly – I think the dog wants to leave last!! Plenty to see and do around Minehead, Dunster and Watchet. The steam train is a must. Definitely a great stay, we will recommend it.”
Kerry & Shaun, Phil, Brian, Cath, Liz, October 2018
Read more guest reviews for The Old Sweet Shop.
Check the availability of each of our cottages and book online:
Pilgrim Corner
The Oval Dunster
The Old Sweet Shop
Stone Barn
Stone Barn: A converted barn oozing character & style
The Mingays, August 2019
“Stone Barn is on the most beautiful road. The Barn itself is so homely and well thought-out. It’s a luxury to have an en-suite to each bedroom. It’s also so quiet and dark at night that you’ll find yourself sleeping so well and for so long. The hot tub was lovely for the cooler evenings and aching muscles. We all enjoyed our stay including two dogs who were welcomed with a big bowl of water and treats. Lucy, Paul and the team are doing a great job. It’s the best holiday let we’ve stayed in.”
The Darlings, August 2019
“Huge thank you for making our stay at the Stone Barn as easy and comfortable as possible. We found North Hill perfect for a quick stroll into town, yet far enough away to feel away from it all! The weather has been kind to us, and the Barn is so well-equipped that we’ve either lazed in the garden during the day or pitched up on the sandy Minehead beach for the day. We will recommend Minehead and especially Exmoor Character Cottages back home.”
The Fee Family, July 2019
“We have had a lovely week at Stone Barn. So peaceful. The Barn itself is very comfortable and of a very good standard. Lucy and Paul have been so helpful: thank you for making our holiday so enjoyable.”
Anne, Ed, Jack, Harry and Frankie the dog, July 2019
“We have enjoyed staying in Stone Barn and loved North Hill, wandering around especially in the quiet of the evenings – even though it’s up hill! The Barn itself is beautiful, very well furnished and with everything you could need, especially in the kitchen. We know Exmoor well, and after a few years’ absence it was good revisiting familiar sites. To return to the hot tub was the icing on the cake! Thank you for such a lovely week.”
Sylvia, Bob and Laura, June 2019
“Just wanted to say thank you for the welcome touches and how much we’ve enjoyed our first visit to Minehead, staying at the beautiful, well-equipped Stone Barn. It’s in a lovely quiet location – yet near enough to wander into town. We recommend cream tea or a slice of cake at Lisa’s Vintage Chic and the Sunday Carvery at Stones, both are dog friendly. And a day trip on the steam railway! Thanks again, hopefully we will see you again soon!”
John, Alison and Ruby the dog, June 2019
“Lovely Barn with beautiful décor! We loved the comfy beds and the hot tub was used nearly every evening. We highly recommend the steam train, especially for young children, it was enjoyed by everyone. Dunster was by far our favourite place – yummy fudge from the Chocolate Shop, and a great cream tea at the tearoom next to the watermill. The castle itself was very interesting – even our five-year-old loved it. Also, we recommend the Wheelhouse restaurant in Minehead for dinner. Thank you for the lovely welcoming lemon drizzle cake, it was much appreciated after a long journey! We wouldn’t hesitate to stay in one of your beautiful properties again.”
Paula, Tom, Jo, Sam, Richard, Jessica and Bethany, May 2019
“After 60 years of living in and knowing Higher Town in Minehead, it is always a joy to return to the area with our extended family to stay at Stone Barn and The Old Sweet Shop. It is wonderful to see the updates to the cottages (all for the good), and we have all LOVED staying here this Easter. There are never enough days to fit in all those walks and eateries! Thank you Lucy & Paul for all your expertise and thoughtfulness – so appreciated.
Michael & Judy Peters (Suffolk), Alexander & Emma (London) and Charlotte & co (Oxon), Easter 2019
The Davies party, April 2019
“A big thank you very much to Lucy, Paul and team for providing us with such a memorable week to relax and spend much-needed time catching up with family in an environment as special as this. The girls enjoyed everything, from the Disney bedroom to the hot tub. You have done wonders here and we really appreciate your hospitality. We will be back!”
Paul, Dee, Lydia, Ellie, April 2019
“What a wonderful barn! It’s in a stunning part of Minehead. It’s open plan, bright and very well arranged in every detail. Upstairs are the most fabulous views and living accommodation with all the comforts you need. Downstairs is spacious and both bedrooms have en-suites. Towels, bedding and beds are the best – and so comfy. Outside has a very well-kept garden and private corner for the hot tub. The parking was right by your bedroom which made packing so easy. And the location means we were able to walk everywhere. The hosts are there if you need them but leave you to enjoy your holiday. Lush cake, milk and plenty of helpful hints and tips for your stay. Going home now to book again!
The Hamblins, March 2019
“Beautiful Stone Barn located in the old town of Minehead. The owners Lucy and Paul have thought of everything!! It is furnished and decorated to a high specification. The welcome pack, which included tea, coffee, milk, sugar, water and cake was really appreciated after a long drive. The hot tub was relaxing in the evening, especially for star gazing. Stone Barn lived up to the photos and the real thing is even better. We will definitely be back again. Thank you again to Lucy and Paul for a memorable break.”
Tina, February 2019
“I recently stayed at Stone Barn. 4 Adults, 2 kids and 1 dog. I was very impressed with the accommodation, it was really well equipped, the owners have thought of everything and more. The furnishings, decor and finishing touches make it a very comfy, cosy home from home. The hot tub is an extra special touch. The enclosed garden is a good place for the dog to roam, with now place to escape. A lovely stay in Minehead. We have already booked for next year. Looking forward to going back.”
Paula and family, January 2019
“What a wonderful place! The Barn is beautiful and full of character and fantastically equipped. We will never forget our Christmas Day here, looking up at the beautifully lit church on Christmas evening was magical. The kitchen is great, and we found everything we needed to cook a full Christmas dinner. We have had such a relaxing break. The barn is so comfortable and peaceful. We walked our dog Gemma along the beach every day, then she relaxed in the garden while we hopped into the hot tub – perfect! Thank you, we have truly made memories that we will never forget.”
Sam, Andrew, Joe, Ollie and Gemma the dog, Christmas 2018
Read more guest reviews for Stone Barn.
Check the availability of each of our cottages and book online:
Pilgrim Corner
The Oval Dunster
The Old Sweet Shop
Stone Barn
Explore our site and check out our photo galleries, reviews and availability. We look forward to welcoming you to one of our character cottages soon!
