Holly Cottage and The Retreat, Wellow, nr Bath

The situation is quite exceptional; the view from the main rooms is idyllic, overlooking a medieval packhorse bridge & ford, with the murmur of the stream, fields & hills beyond. We have suggestions and maps for some 10 lovely walks by stream, through woodland and over hillside. One of these is to the 6000 years old long barrow at Stony Littleton, the best preserved in Western Europe. The local trekking centre takes small parties out riding, with good facilities for children. There is a good children's playground in the village. Bath has one of the best adventure playgrounds in the country. The Wellow Brook is quite safe for a cooling dip on a hot summer's day. The unspoiled countryside has lovely wildlife: otters in the stream, buzzards in the sky; because there is no light pollution the stars are really bright at night.
Wellow has an old-world, informal charm (no street lighting). It is off main roads, yet so close to Bath. The Fox and Badger serves good food and a community-run village shop has most necessities - local ham, cheeses and vegetables. We are on the best side of Bath, with easy access to the Longleat Safari Park, to the Cheddar caves, to Wells and Glastonbury and to many lovely stately homes, gardens and National Trust properties. The Colliers Way Sustrans cycleway goes through Wellow; in one direction it takes you by the wooded canal path to Bradford-on-Avon; in the other direction you go to Radstock and Wells. The area has a fascinating early Industrial Revolution history and there is an interesting coal mining Museum in Radstock. There is a limited community bus service into Bath. You can avoid Bath's costly car parking and one-way street system with the Park 'n' Ride at the edge of town.