Tucked away in the scenic village of Wedmore sits Apothecary Cottage; a pocket of peace, quiet and premium comfort.
When I arrived for two nights at the end of June, my friend Sam and I had just completed a week at Glastonbury festival. It’s safe to say we were exhausted and craving a bed and brick walls, so this cottage was everything we needed.
The space instantly felt like home. Apothecary Cottage is cosy, but the high ceilings and open plan lounge and kitchen area counteract any sense of cabin fever. It’s a dream space to hide away from the rest of the world, and, in our case, light the wood burner and watch back-to-back Glastonbury sets, with a glass of champagne in hand.
Originally a local village chemist, the property is laced with character and charming antiquities like old medicine bottles, but thanks to classy interior touches it’s modern too.
If the surrounding areas weren’t so beautiful, you could be forgiven for nesting there for days at a time. The winding iron staircase leads you to the bedroom, which is spacious, brightly lit and home to the most enveloping bed. Stacked with mounds of cushions, a plush duvet and a blanket we slept like logs both nights.
Romantic inside and out, the small open courtyard around the back of the cottage is the perfect space for a sundowner cocktail or alfresco bucks fizz, which is where the luxury welcome hamper comes in handy. To maintain an element of surprise the cottage owner asked us not to reveal the hampers’ contents, but know it’s stacked with tasty, local goods.
A short stroll from the cottage brings you to the heart of Wedmore, a quintessentially British village, where uniform houses and manicured lawns line the streets. It’s charming and postcard perfect; it’s also, importantly, home to several great pubs.
Our favourite was The Swan, where the service is as pleasant as the wine and beer selection. After a few glasses of rosé, we highly recommend a portion of their chunky chips to fuel the leisurely walk home. If, however, you’re wanting to make the most of the cottage, the local deli has a plentiful selection of cheeses, quiches and groceries.
Wedmore is perfectly situated for exploring Somerset. Perched high on rocky ground above the surrounding marshland, the village overlooks the Somerset Levels. From there, you’re a short (and stunning) drive away from Glastonbury town, Cheddar Gorge and The Mendip Hills.
We had a gorgeous day out in Glastonbury town, starting with a walk up the Tor – bring a spare bottle so you can sample the ‘healing waters’ and ending with a pint of local cider in The George Hotel and Pilgrims’ Inn, the town’s oldest pub. Perhaps less healing than the water of The Tor, but delicious still.
Though there are loads of attractions in the area, you could do worse than take your car for a drive around the beautiful local countryside. Time it to coincide with golden hour, get a special album on the speakers and you’re in for a treat.
All in all, I can’t sing the praises of this delightful little cottage and Wedmore enough. Healing by name and by nature, Apothecary cottage was the perfect respite and I can’t wait for another dose.
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For more details of Apothecary Cottage visit boutique-retreats.co.uk
Photography courtesy of Boutique Retreats.
