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  • A house with a garden at Little Orchard in Chard
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Little Orchard

(Ref. 1174073)

Thorncombe Nr. Chard, Dorset Show on map

Sykes rating

  • 8 Guests

  • 4 Bedrooms

  • 2 Bathrooms

  • Pets: Yes

Features

  • Off road parking
  • Ground floor accommodation
  • Ground floor bedroom
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Cot available
  • Highchair available
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

1 Customer Review

  • "Filthiest property I have ever stayed in - long term build up of grime as well as evidence from previous visitors including food crumbs on furniture, pubic hair in the toilet bowl, grease and food debris in oven and other appliances, empty crisp packets and socks under the beds, plus so much dust on every surface it triggered my asthma."

    I could list many more examples of poor housekeeping and have photographic evidence of such. Bed mattresses are hard and uncomfortable, chair with broken leg in lounge, no hot water unless you boost the system and wait for 45 minutes which would be challenging if you were a large group and was not mentioned prior to booking. Sheds in the garden full of trash. Too much clutter in the house for a holiday let gathering dust and dead flies, drawers full of stuff. Shame as this house has so much potential and is a lovely location, but it has been seriously neglected. We were so grossed out by what we found that we showered and cooked in a relatives house and opted to spend as little time there as possible, and despite the clear lack of effort to prepare the house for its guests and keep it hygienic, they have the audacity to request that guests also strip the beds before leaving - ordinarily I would not mind, but when the place is in that state I kind of think it is a cheek!

    The owner writes: I'm very sorry you had an unhappy time at the cottage. However, I'm mystified by your review. First, the housekeeping, linen, and cleaning is managed by a long-standing professional company who look after more than 150 holiday cottages in the area. They attended the property just three days before your visit. They did not report anything out of the ordinary. Obviously, the empty crisp packet and sock were missed. I apologise. The previous guests 10 days before your visit made no comment or criticism on the cleanliness. The guests who arrived 3 days after you also made no comment or criticism of the cleanliness. Indeed, they described the cottage, among other things as comfortable, praising the excellent log burner, as well as saying they would be happy to return. The mattresses are standard "medium firm" with additional mattress toppers for comfort. Most experts consider this to be a healthy option. The hot water system is driven by solar panels in our attempt to look after the environment. I accept the instructions are not clear on how you boost the hot water. We are rewriting. You complained about the storage shed (not immediately visible and padlocked) containing stuff. Yes, the storage shed is used for storing stuff, mainly summer items like outdoor Jenga and children's summer toys. Why was it necessary to peer through the window of an out of sight shed and comment? The cottage is probably 200 years old with nooks and crannies. It is attended by a professional cleaning company before and after every guest visit. The guests immediately before and after you made no comments on the cleanliness. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Sally1.0Dec 2025

Summary

  • Four bedrooms: 2 x double, 1 x family room with double & a single bed
  • 1 x ground floor bedroom with single day bed with optional pull out (can be made up as a double bed on request)
  • Bathroom with bath, hand held shower, basin, heated towel rail, and WC
  • Ground-floor bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC
  • Kitchen/diner
  • Utility
  • Sitting room with woodburning stove
  • Snug
  • Oven, induction hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, coffee maker, kettle, toaster
  • TV, selection of books and games
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Off-road parking for 3 cars
  • Garden with lawn, patio and furniture
  • Two well-behaved dogs allowed
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Shop 0.1 miles, pub 1.6 miles, river 0.8 miles

The property

Little Orchard is a Grade II listed cottage, believed to date back to the 1800s, set in the village of Thorncombe on the borders of Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

With parking for three cars and welcoming two well behaved dogs, it offers a comfortable and practical base for families or groups. Step inside to the homely snug, which leads through to the lounge where the woodburning stove forms a cosy focal point and the seating overlooks the garden.

The kitchen/diner sits just beyond, with wooden worktops, a dining area and a display cabinet of pottery.

A separate utility room houses a washer–dryer, providing helpful facilities for longer stays. The cottage offers four bedrooms: a ground floor room with a single day bed and optional pull out that can be made up as a double, plus three bedrooms upstairs—two doubles and a family room containing both a double and a single bed.

There are two bathrooms: a ground floor bathroom with a bath and hand held shower, and an upstairs bathroom with a bath and shower over. The large secure gardens (front and back) include a generous lawn for relaxing or play, along with a patio area suitable for outdoor dining or evening drinks.The area is also known for its dark skies, making it a pleasant spot for stargazing on clear nights - there is little light pollution in the village.

Thorncombe itself has a village shop for everyday essentials and coffee and cakes.The church sits at the heart of the community.Nearby Chard offers a wider range of amenities, including supermarkets for stocking up.

Barleymows Farm Shop is also close by and is popular for its local produce, butcher’s counter, deli goods and café—an easy stop for fresh ingredients or a relaxed breakfast or lunch. Local attractions are plentiful.

Forde Abbey and Gardens is close by and offers a popular day out for all ages.

The surrounding countryside provides extensive walking opportunities, with numerous footpaths and countryside walks leading directly from the village.

The Jurassic Coast is within easy reach, with the South West Coast Path offering impressive views along some of its most scenic stretches.Lyme Regis is around a 20 minute drive and is well known for its beach, independent shops and iconic Cobb harbour.

Charmouth is another excellent coastal destination, home to the Heritage Coast Centre and a fossil rich beach where visitors can enjoy fossil hunting along the shoreline. Altogether, Little Orchard offers a peaceful and well located base for enjoying both the countryside and coast at a relaxed pace.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £300.

Where you’ll be staying

View on map

CHARD

Tatworth 1.7 miles; Crewkerne 8 miles; Yeovil 21.7 miles.

Chard is a delightful market town and parish resting between the Blackdown Hills AONB and the town of Crewkerne. The town is known for offering access to the fantastic Forde Abbey & Gardens and hosting the Chard & District Museum/Heritage Centre, as well as being close to the delights of Chard Reservoir and Fern Animal Sanctuary. Dining options include the Bath House Hotel & Restaurant, where you can enjoy hearty dishes, as well as Saraiva's Restaurant, the ideal spot to try Portuguese cuisine. Within easy reach of the town is the Dorset AONB, where you can enjoy walks through Stonebarrow and Milldown Nature Reserve, as well as exploring the famed Cerne Giant.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas

How we calculate the "Was" price

Our 'Was' price shows the average price for this property over the last 60 days, so you can see how today's price compares.