Entire home

Ball Cottage, Winsford

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Exterior
Living area
Exterior
Living area
Room

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Winsford, Somerset
  • Tarr Steps
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Exmoor National Park
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Dunkery Beacon
    ‪26 min drive‬
  • Cardiff (CWL-Cardiff Intl.)
    ‪173 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Balcony
Garden

About this property

Ball Cottage, Winsford

Property Summary
Ball Cottage in Winsford (Somerset) sleeps up to 5 (max 4 adults). It is beautifully equipped and comfy while having all the character you would expect from a 17th-century cottage: wood and tile floors, a new wood burner in the sitting room; roses climbing up the wall.

Main Description
Ball Cottage in Winsford (Somerset) features an open fire and a disused bread oven; upstairs there’s a very old leaded window; and the floors are mainly wood or tile. The cottage has roses climbing up the wall and is set in a large garden. At the back is a beautiful spot where you can sit beside the River Exe near an old packhorse bridge. When the river is low, children have a happy time paddling and exploring. There are three bedrooms: a double bedroom downstairs, plus two bedrooms upstairs, one double and one twin. The cottage sleeps up to 5 guests (max 4 adults) so your sleeping arrangements can be flexible. The bathroom upstairs has a bath, powerful shower, large heated towel rail and a shaver point.

Sleeps up to 5 guests (max 4 adults) in 3 bedrooms
17th century country cottage
Delightful situation beside the river and on the edge of the village
Private gardens to the front and rear of the property
Easy walking distance to the village pub, shop and tennis courts
Wood burner in the sitting room and gas central heating throughout
Smart TV and DVD player
Roberts Radio with Bluetooth connectivity to stream radio, music or podcasts
Wifi, heating and electricity included
The White Company 100% cotton duvet covers, John Lewis goose down pillows and duvets and Egyptian cotton towels. Anti-allergy duvets/pillows available
Welcome Pack with bread, butter, eggs, milk and award winning homemade Mary's Marmalade
Arrive from 3.30 pm
Depart by 10.30 am

Ball Cottage sits beside the quiet Exford road on the edge of Winsford, one of the most beautiful villages in the Exmoor National Park. It's an easy stroll into the village. The sea is at Minehead, 14 miles away.

The gardens at Ball Cottage are a delight. From the back door you take some steps down to a lawn beside the river, where there is a lovely teak garden table and chairs.
Please note there are also some steep steps in the garden so young children must be supervised.

There is off-road parking available on the opposite side of the road outside the barn.

Sorry, no dogs at Ball Cottage.

Ball Cottage is strictly non-smoking.

Ball Cottage is available for weekly lets throughout the year and for short breaks (3-4 nights) during the off-season. Changeover day is Friday for weekly lets. The cottage will be ready from 3.30pm on the day you arrive. Please depart by 10.30am on the last day of your stay. We should be very grateful if you would leave the property clean and tidy so that we can guarantee it will be ready on time for our next guests.

Indoor Description
Ball Cottage sleeps up to 5 guests (with a maximum of 4 adults) in three bedrooms.

The kitchen/dining room has a gas hob, electric oven, fridge, dishwasher, kettle, toaster, coffee-maker and plug-in radio. The freezer and microwave are in the utility room. There is a full set of saucepans, kitchen utensils, cutlery, crockery and glasses; and cutlery, cups and plates for children.
In the sitting room there is a smart TV and DVD player. In the kitchen is a Roberts Radio with Bluetooth connectivity to stream radio, music or podcasts. Wireless broadband is available throughout the cottage.
An iron, ironing board and hairdryer are also provided in the cottage.
If you would like a travel cot and high chair, please request them when you make your booking so we can ensure they are put out for you.
Please note: There is no mobile signal in Winsford. You can access Wi-Fi at the cottage using your smart phone or use the cottage telephone for local calls or to receive incoming calls.

Electricity and heating costs are included in the price of your accommodation. Ball Cottage has gas central heating throughout, with a thermostat and individually adjustable radiators. There is also a new wood burner (with instructions!) in the sitting room and plenty of free logs.

Lovely bed linen (100% cotton from the White Company), goose down pillows and duvets, blankets and Egyptian cotton towels are provided. If anti-allergy duvets and pillows are needed, we can provide these. We'd be grateful if you could bring your own beach towels for day trips.
The cot, if requested, will be provided with a bottom sheet.

You will find a welcome gift of bread, butter, eggs, milk and award winning homemade marmalade when you arrive and a supply of tea, coffee, sugar, salt and pepper, loo rolls, kitchen paper and cleaning materials.

Sorry, no dogs at Ball Cottage.


Outdoor Description
The gardens at Ball Cottage are a delight. From the back door you take some steps down to a lawn beside the river, where there is a lovely teak garden table and chairs.

The property comes with a standard bbq where you bring your own coals

Please note there are also some steep steps in the garden so young children must be supervised.



Parking
The parking space is outside the brown barn opposite the cottage. Please park to the left of the barn doors.

Pets Description
This has not been completed by the owner.

Restricted mobility
This has not been completed by the owner.

Exit in case of emergency
This has not been completed by the owner.

Christmas / New Year
This has not been completed by the owner.

The region
The centre of Winsford is just a 5 minute stroll away from Ball Cottage. Here you'll find the famous 12th century thatched Royal Oak Inn, which serves great food and is family friendly. The pub now offers cream teas! A small shop is run from the Royal Oak pub selling milk, bread, newspapers, and some other basic supplies. There is also a village green with swings and a stream.

Wheddon Cross, approximately 4 miles from Winsford, is a small village with a mini-supermarket (open 7 am to 8 pm), post office, ATM and petrol station. Dulverton, around 7 miles away, is a very pretty, small town known as the southern gateway to Exmoor. Dulverton also has a mini-supermarket plus a butcher, post office, some lovely restaurants and independent shops.

Minehead is the main town in West Somerset, approximately 14 miles from Ball Cottage. Here you will find the larger supermarkets and petrol stations (Tesco, Morrisons and Lidl are all situated on the outskirts of the town), most major high street banks with cash machines, plus a range of other shops, including health food stores.

Local area
Winsford is one of the prettiest villages in the Exmoor National Park. Deer and wild ponies roam the moor above. Many birds live along the River Exe, which winds through the village (a neighbour has counted 41 species). On clear nights you can see a world of stars; Exmoor National Park has been designated England's first Dark-Sky Reserve. Winsford is an ideal centre for exploring Exmoor on foot or in the car, and there are opportunities for horse riding and fishing too.

Property manager

Chris

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Washer
Dryer
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill
Fireplace

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:30 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

About the area

Minehead

Minehead is home to this cottage. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Exmoor National Park and Holnicote Estate, while Dunster Dolls Museum and Dovery Manor Museum are cultural highlights. The Chocolate House and North Devon Hawk Walks are also worth visiting.
Map
Winsford, Somerset

What's nearby

  • Tarr Steps - 11 min drive - 5.6 km
  • Exmoor National Park - 12 min drive - 12.3 km
  • Wimbleball Lake Activities Centre - 18 min drive - 12.4 km
  • Dunster Castle - 18 min drive - 15.8 km
  • Dunkery Beacon - 26 min drive - 15.5 km

Getting around

  • Minehead Station - 33 min drive
  • Cardiff International Airport (CWL) - 173 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Tarr Farm Inn - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪The Bridge Inn - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Woods - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Withypool Tea Room - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Timberscombe, the Lion Inn - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Ball Cottage, Winsford pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Ball Cottage, Winsford?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ball Cottage, Winsford?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is Ball Cottage, Winsford located?

Situated in Minehead, this cottage is 1.8 mi (2.9 km) from Caratacus Stone and within 6 miles (10 km) of Tarr Steps and Parish Church of St. Mary Magdalene. Exford Memorial Hall and Exmoor National Park are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 30 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 30 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 30 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 30 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 30 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

8.0/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Sophie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location
Ball cottage is a step back in time. It is located next to a river and stone bridge and the garden backs onto the water so a lovely place to sit. The cottage had a few issues - the chimney was out of service and emitted a smoky smell during our stay. The bathroom floor needs attention. There is also nowhere to hang clothes to dry outside. Overall we found it a pleasant location and a short drive from the natural beauty of Exmoor - theTarr steps are only 3 miles away and Dunkery beacon a short drive. We recommend Horner Wood for a walk.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

William F.

Situated in a lovely village including a pub with an excellent restaurant. Lots of places to visit
Situated in a lovely village including a pub with an excellent restaurant. Lots of places to visit and a beautiful coastline.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lydia D.

A perfect little cottage, like staying with your Granny. Everything you need is there-we even had a
A perfect little cottage, like staying with your Granny. Everything you need is there-we even had a ‘baking day’. We sat by the river in the garden and watched kingfishers flashing by, darting under the picturesque bridges. There are walks from the cottage to Tarr Steps and along the Ex, our son enjoyed the challenging cycling, we enjoyed pootling in Dulverton, and going to Lynmouth via the Barle Valley and Watersmeet. Swimming at Cow Castle was magical. A lovely cottage in a beautiful area, and so quaint and quiet.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Louise E.

Our 2nd time at this beautiful cottage , cosy , warm and homely . Fantastic walks from the cottage ,
Our 2nd time at this beautiful cottage , cosy , warm and homely . Fantastic walks from the cottage , lovely tea rooms , loved listening to the owls every evening while sitting outside in the garden . Ball cottage is an amazing cottage in a stunning village, we will be booking for March .
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Had a lovely week in Exmoor, despite all the rain - fantastic autumn colours on the trees. Delightf
Had a lovely week in Exmoor, despite all the rain - fantastic autumn colours on the trees. Delightful cottage which is very cosy with a lovely log fire and all amenities needed in the well stocked kitchen. The cottage is in a beautiful location - lovely to walk straight out into the riverside garden and along to the little packhorse bridge at the back. The craft fair in the village hall was an added treat - we've never met such a friendly bunch of stall holders and talented crafts people.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

ANGELA G.

We had a lovely holiday at Ball Cottage and would definitely book again.
We had a lovely holiday at Ball Cottage and would definitely book again.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kerry H.

A little corner of heaven! We were blessed with good weather and spent a lot of time in the garden b
A little corner of heaven! We were blessed with good weather and spent a lot of time in the garden by the river. Bliss!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Martyn T.

We were surprised by the presence of a lovely secluded rear garden with the River Exe flowing throug
We were surprised by the presence of a lovely secluded rear garden with the River Exe flowing through it, a great place to enjoy a BBQ and evening glass of wine. The cottage is located adjacent a quiet country road, so vehicle noise was not an issue. The firmness of the double bed mattress we used, was similar to ours at home so we enjoyed a good nights rest following a number of walks. Al in all a very enjoyable break!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Christine G.

We enjoyed an absolutely fabulous time at Ball Cottage. The bed was so comfortable. All equipment y
We enjoyed an absolutely fabulous time at Ball Cottage. The bed was so comfortable. All equipment you could need. The location next to the river was superb with lots of privacy. The village of Winsford was so friendly with a superb Royal Oak Inn and Bridge Cottage tearooms and everyone so friendly. Would highly recommend.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Penny R.

A charming character cottage with a well equipped kitchen in a pretty village with fantastic tearoo
A charming character cottage with a well equipped kitchen in a pretty village with fantastic tearoom that we only tried towards the end of the week and wished we had visited earlier. The garden and river setting was exceptional and it was hard to tear our three children away in the morning as they wanted to paddle for hours.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Olivia W.

The perfect holiday cottage! Very homely, comfortable and thoughtfully equipped. Practical too wit
The perfect holiday cottage! Very homely, comfortable and thoughtfully equipped. Practical too with lots of space for boots and coats. Fire lit easily and gave out loads of heat. Amazing to have the river in the garden. It was great to have a village shop.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Amy G.

We had a lovely stay at Ball Cottage. The cottage itself was very comfortable. We loved exploring th
We had a lovely stay at Ball Cottage. The cottage itself was very comfortable. We loved exploring the area.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Liz G.

Cosy cottage, well equipped and with delightful riverside garden. Walks from the door and pub, shop
Cosy cottage, well equipped and with delightful riverside garden. Walks from the door and pub, shop and tea shop for eating in or out.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Wendy M.

We had the most wonderful stay at Ball Cottage; it really is an idyllic location. To start with, o
We had the most wonderful stay at Ball Cottage; it really is an idyllic location. To start with, our booking experience with The Best of Exmoor was excellent. We had really personal customer service from a small company, and we’ll definitely book through them again. The cottage itself is delightful and a stay there is like stepping back in time - but with all mod cons! Good Wi-fi too. It is very well equipped, and everything was spotlessly clean. A jar of marmalade for us and wildflowers on the windowsill were lovely touches. The gardens are stunning with the beautiful riverside setting. We spent a lot of time watching the dippers and grey wagtails and even a kingfisher. Winsford is a lovely friendly village with a great pub and tea rooms (when open) and some fantastic walks around and about. We can’t wait to stay again.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Chris M.

Third time at the cottage and always a charming and relaxing holiday.
Third time at the cottage and always a charming and relaxing holiday.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jim M.

The house is in a beautiful location. It's by a road but the road is very quiet indeed with very lit
The house is in a beautiful location. It's by a road but the road is very quiet indeed with very little traffic. Wisford as a whole is very quiet so it's a very relaxing place to get away from it all. The river in the garden is wonderful - it's a beautiful place to sit by the river, we spent quite a lot of time there in the morning and evenings. There are lots of great walks to do nearby - within about 30 minutes drive there is open moorland, woodland, rivers and coastal walks, all of which were surprisingly quiet. The village shop is very small with a tiny range of goods and only open for a few hours in the mornings so we did one big shop for the week. The pub and tea rooms lokk good but we didn't go in them. The House has beds for 6 (2 doubles and 2 singles) but overall it was a good size for 3 of us, 4 adults would be manageable but cramped in the kitchen and the living room and kitchen really aren't big enough for 5 adults. I'd say that it's an absolutely ideal house for a family with children over the age where uneven steps and a small fairly shallow river in the garden are a concern. Overall it's a great place to stay and we really enjoyed it.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Thomas M.

Location of cottage was perfect for us, visited the local pub the Royal Oak for dinner twice, food a
Location of cottage was perfect for us, visited the local pub the Royal Oak for dinner twice, food and service very good. Plenty of walks around area. Had no problem sleeping, beds really comfy and the back garden area by the river excellent for drinks after a day out walking. Tom M
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Robert F.

Very pretty cosy cottage , very comfy beds described as a marshmallow bed by our daughter, having t
Very pretty cosy cottage , very comfy beds described as a marshmallow bed by our daughter, having the river at the bottom of the garden a real bonus in an amazing location
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Denise C.

Such a quaint cottage in an amazing location. Enjoyed our morning coffee sitting by the river, a gre
Such a quaint cottage in an amazing location. Enjoyed our morning coffee sitting by the river, a great start to the day! Would love to return.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Louise E.

Gorgeous cottage in a beautiful location , our 3rd time back in Winsford . Great for walks , wildli
Gorgeous cottage in a beautiful location , our 3rd time back in Winsford . Great for walks , wildlife, and peace and quiet . Just lovely to get away and see red deer, stags , buzzards, stoats . Magical place and so relaxing walking all day to come back and sit in the garden with our cup of tea watching the river .
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

We had a lovely, relaxing break over a long weekend at Ball Cottage. The location in the beautiful v
We had a lovely, relaxing break over a long weekend at Ball Cottage. The location in the beautiful village of Winsford was perfect. Although the cottage is on a main road through the village, it was surprisingly quiet with little in the way of through traffic. The cottage is cosy, very well equipped and was spotlessly clean. The bedlinen was lovely quality; and the towels provided were good too. We were treated to a jar of homemade marmalade which was a thoughtful touch. The garden with the river running through was a delight; there are a few steps down. There was a lot of rain when we were there, so we took the steps down carefully. The heating worked very well, and having the open fire burning in the evenings was a real treat. We loved our stay and would definitely return.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Philip C.

A very comfortable and character cottage with a lovely garden next to a typical Exmoor stream.
A very comfortable and character cottage with a lovely garden next to a typical Exmoor stream. The quirky steps inside and out might be an issue with elderly visitors or a family with toddlers
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Alan W.

Lovely old cottage with a delightful river running through the back garden. Comfortable and very wel
Lovely old cottage with a delightful river running through the back garden. Comfortable and very well equipped. Winsford is an attractive village and well placed for walks from the door or drives to further stunning scenery, including the coast.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Zalie B.

I can honestly say the cottage is just idyllic. The location is utterly perfect for recharging the b
I can honestly say the cottage is just idyllic. The location is utterly perfect for recharging the batteries. Verdant landscape, soothing river, early birdsong….
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Jenny B.

Delightful old cottage next to the river Exe. Walks from the door and the most peaceful setting. Esp
Delightful old cottage next to the river Exe. Walks from the door and the most peaceful setting. Especially welcome in the hot weather was the cool interior.

About the host

Hosted by Chris

Host profile image
The centre of Winsford is just a 5 minute stroll away from Ball Cottage. Here you'll find the famous 12th century thatched Royal Oak Inn, which serves great food and is family friendly. The pub now offers cream teas! A small shop is run from the Royal Oak pub selling milk, bread, newspapers, and some other basic supplies. There is also a village green with swings and a stream.

Wheddon Cross, approximately 4 miles from Winsford, is a small village with a mini-supermarket (open 7 am to 8 pm), post office, ATM and petrol station. Dulverton, around 7 miles away, is a very pretty, small town known as the southern gateway to Exmoor. Dulverton also has a mini-supermarket plus a butcher, post office, some lovely restaurants and independent shops.

Minehead is the main town in West Somerset, approximately 14 miles from Ball Cottage. Here you will find the larger supermarkets and petrol stations (Tesco, Morrisons and Lidl are all situated on the outskirts of the town), most major high street banks with cash machines, plus a range of other shops, including health food stores.

Local area
Winsford is one of the prettiest villages in the Exmoor National Park. Deer and wild ponies roam the moor above. Many birds live along the River Exe, which winds through the village (a neighbour has counted 41 species). On clear nights you can see a world of stars; Exmoor National Park has been designated England's first Dark-Sky Reserve. Winsford is an ideal centre for exploring Exmoor on foot or in the car, and there are opportunities for horse riding and fishing too.

Languages:

English