Syms Cottage, Cutcombe

Property Summary
Syms Cottage in Cutcombe is a traditional characterful period cottage accommodating up to 4 guests in two double bedrooms. Syms is suited to couples. There are amazing walks within the Exmoor National Park (inc coastline) & wonderful stargazing in the dark skies reserve. We are are dog-friendly!

Main Description
Syms Cottage is full of character, boasting a date stone marked 1831, and enjoys superb far-reaching views to the rear across the neighbouring farmland. There are fabulous walks direct from the door, particularly the slopes of the moor towards Dunkery Beacon and the lovely river valleys. Syms Cottage is also on the route of the famous Coleridge Way.

The property is tasty decorated throughout. The front door leads into a small entrance porch providing useful space for boots and coats. The cottage-style kitchen has a small dining table to seat 4, and to the rear is a pantry where the fridge, toaster and microwave is situated. The sitting room features a large inglenook fireplace with exposed stone, bread oven and wood-burning stove. The John Lewis sofa converts to a bed if should guests prefer to sleep downstairs or have restricted mobility (please contact if you would like to book additional linen).
The bathroom is situated on the ground floor (off the sitting room via a lobby area) and is comprised of a bath with electric shower over, hand basin, toilet, electric wall heater and a heated towel rail. The wooden steep stairs lead up to the two double bedrooms. The master bedroom has fabulous views across the valley and surrounding farmland to the rear of the property.
There is a small courtyard to the front which enjoys the afternoon sun. There is not a garden to the rear, just wonderful views of the valley, where you can lose hours watching the sheep!
Just across the road, private off road parking is suitable for up to two cars.
Please note, this is a charming old cottage and some of the doorways, including the front door, are of limited height. The wooden floors are old and in places, not flat which provides character but please take care not to trip. The cottage is well maintained and tastefully furnished.
Mobile phone signal on Exmoor can vary from good to non-existent. We cannot guarantee you will obtain a signal from any provider. However, if you have a smartphone (with app) you will be able to connect to the WiFi to make calls.

Syms Cottage is dog friendly and welcome up to 2 by prior arrangement (maximum of one medium-size dog or two small dogs). A one off supplementary fee of £15 will be added to your invoice per stay. Please do not allow your dogs on the furniture or upstairs or leave them alone in the property at any time. Larger dogs may be considered (noting size of the cottage), please do not hesitate to ask.

Syms Cottage is available for week-long bookings and short breaks. The property will be ready from 4 pm on the day of your arrival. Please depart by 10 am on the last day of your stay. Please leave the property clean and tidy so that we can guarantee it will be ready on time for our next guests.

This property is strictly non-smoking.

Local amenities
Wheddon Cross is a thriving community and offers many local services for a small village. The village shop is a well-stocked mini-supermarket incorporating a Post Office counter, petrol pumps, cash point machine and has long opening hours. The Rest & Be Thankful Inn is the village pub which serves food and is child and dog-friendly. The village also has a first school, church, playing field, public conveniences, and various bus services.

Minehead is the nearest town, approximately 9 miles away. Here you will find the larger supermarkets and petrol stations (Tesco and Morrison's are both situated on the outskirts of the town), most major high street banks with cash machines, plus a range of other shops throughout the town.

Indoor Description
The kitchen appliances and equipment include fridge (small freezer compartment), electric oven with hob, microwave. 4 slice toaster, kettle, a variety of cookware, kitchen utensils, teapot, coffee pot, cutlery, crockery and plenty of glasses!
The living room has a 4k television (40inch screen with wifi and Freesat), and BT Infinity broadband is available throughout the property at no extra cost.
A hairdryer is also provided in the master bedroom for your convenience. There is also sensor night light in the master bedroom.

Bed linen, duvets, and one set of towels per person are provided. Please bring your own beach towels if you wish to take towels with you on day trips.
If you are bringing your dog/s please bring a towel or two as the moors can be very wet in the winter. There are hooks in the porch to help to dry the towels and wet clothing. There is also an airer on the master bedroom which can be used over the bath or outside).

Electricity and heating costs are included in the price of the accommodation. Syms Cottage is fitted with electric heaters, a heated towel rail and fan in the bathroom, plus a wood-burner in the sitting room which can provide significant extra heat, if required. Some logs, kindling and matches will be provided to get you started, further logs can be purchased from the shop in Wheddon Cross.

Tea, coffee, milk, and some biscuits or cake will be in the cottage for your arrival so you can enjoy a cuppa straight away. Some non-perishable items including salt, pepper etc will be provided.
Cleaning materials such as washing-up liquid and surface cleaner will be present in the property (left hand side under sink)
One or two toilet rolls will be provided (additional ones in the lobby area next to the bathroom).


Outdoor Description
To the front of the cottage is a small courtyard with a bistro table, two chairs and a wooden bench. Cushions for the bistro chairs are in the hall cupboard.

Syms Cottage has a separate outdoor space with seating available for the convenience of guests. It is a space which is under development as you will see from the photographs and the virtual tour, but it will be a wonderful place for guests to relax.

It is separate to the property (just across the lane). It has a place to park in front of the garage. Behind this is open area with cottage fencing. It has two gates from which it is accessed from the quiet lane. It has a bench and seats. It is a work in progress/slightly unkempt (so not yet a garden) but when the weather is nice, it is pleasant to sit outside. See last picture.

Syms Cottage is a great place to take advantage of the stargazing opportunities as it's within the Exmoor Dark Skies Reserve.

Note - Syms Cottage does not have a garden to the rear of the property. However, there are stunning open countryside views across the valley from the living room window seat where you can spend hours watching the sheep or goats or Exmoor ponies (dependent on what our neighbouring farmer decides to use the grazing for).

Parking
Syms Cottage has off-road private parking for up to 2 cars, it's just a short walk from the front door.

The on-street parking is not suitable for large commercial vehicles as the lane is narrow.
Electric vehicle charging is not available.

Pets Description
We are dog friendly! Due to the size of Syms cottage, we accommodate a maximum of two medium sized dogs.

Please contact us if you have specific questions.

Restricted mobility
This has not been completed by the owner.

Exit in case of emergency
Exit through the front door into the courtyard, onto the public road. If this is not accessible, exit from a ground floor window at the front of the property (onto the courtyard) or if exiting a window at the back of the property, turn right and right again around the back of the cottage where you will be able to access the public highway.

Please note the use of candles, fireworks or Chinese lanterns is not permitted.

Smoking (including the use of vapours or e-cigarettes) is not permitted inside the cottage.

Christmas / New Year
Guests who stay book to stay for a week at Syms from Christmas Eve through to New Year’s Day will arrive to food festive treats!

The region

Wheddon Cross is often called the 'crossroads of Exmoor' -- a friendly village at the junction of the A396 and B3224, right in the heart of the National Park.

Standing at around 300 metres above sea level, Wheddon Cross is the highest village on Exmoor. It sits in the parish of Cutcombe, with the ancient parish church of St John just a short walk away in the neighbouring hamlet. The village grew up around its important crossroads, where travellers on the old coaching routes between Dulverton, Minehead and Simonsbath would stop to rest.

Village Amenities

The Rest and Be Thankful Inn stands at the centre of the village -- a 19th-century coaching inn serving food, local ales and accommodation. Wheddon Cross also has a well-stocked village shop with post office services, a petrol station with ATM, free public toilets, a children's play park, and an active village hall hosting regular community events.

Nearby Towns

Minehead (8 miles) -- The main town of West Somerset, with larger supermarkets (Tesco, Morrisons, Lidl), high street banks, a sandy beach, and the terminus of the West Somerset Railway.

Dunster (7 miles) -- One of England's best-preserved medieval villages, dominated by its castle and famous yarn market. Excellent independent shops and places to eat.

Dulverton (10 miles) -- Known as the southern gateway to Exmoor, with a National Park Visitor Centre, independent shops, a butcher, and several pubs and restaurants along the River Barle.