Myrtle House was built in 1867 by the great grandfather of the present owner. The house has been extensively and sympathetically renovated and modernised with the retention of many original features. The result is a comfortable and spacious family home. It stands surrounded by its own gardens, farm buildings and fields. There are also panoramic views of the Blackdown Hills to the west.

The house is situated in Horton, a quiet village 3 miles west of Ilminster. Ilminster is a small market town with a particularly splendid Parish Church in the Perpendicular Style. Horton is joined to another village, Broadway. There are all the usual amenities: pubs, village store and post office. The nearest seaside resort is Charmouth (18 miles away). Lyme Regis and its Cobb (harbour; featured in 'The French Lieutenants Woman') and five beaches, are also nearby. By car, Sidmouth and Weymouth (on the South Coast) are within easy reach- excellent beaches, particularly safe for small children. On the North Coast, Minehead can be visited using the steam train on the West Somerset Railway.

For the naturalist

Historical buildings and gardens in the immediate area

Barrington Court - Beautiful Jekyll-inspired gardens and a Tudor manor house

Forde Abbey and Gardens - An elegant former Cistercian Monastery set in 30 acres of gardens.

Montacute House - A Renaissance manor house filled with historic treasures. There is also an exhibition of 17th- century textile samplers and a 'Long Gallery' exhibiting Elizabethan artwork. It was the film location for Sense and Sensibility in 1995

Hestercombe House Gardens - Lovely gardens designed by Gertrude Jekyll and Edward Lutyens

Cothay Manor - Renowned as the finest example of a small medieval manor house in England, this structure dates back to the 14th century

Lower Severalls Gardens and Nursery - Enchanting gardens set in the rolling hills of South Somerset

East Lambrook Manor Gardens

Exploring the villages

Dowlish Wake - with its Perry Cider mill; genuine 'Scrumpy' cider can be purchased.

Hinton St George - famous for its Ham Stone buildings that date back over several centuries.

South Petherton & Martock - Attractive small market towns that are well-worth exploring. Martock has a number of antique shops.

Broadhembury (near Honiton) with its picturesque thatched houses.

For days out - all especially good for young children

Cricket St. Thomas Wildlife Park

Faraway Country Park

Cheddar Gorge

Wookey Caves

Pecorama near the pretty little fishing village of Beer

Also within reach (about 90 minutes by car ), is the Eden Project

Historic Cities

Bath, Exeter, Salisbury and Wells.

Sports

Eighteen-hole golf courses are available at Windwhistle near Chard, and Halstock, and also at Taunton (nine-hole). Horse riding is available.

Eating out

There are many pubs that provide good fare at reasonable prices and restaurants with very high standards. A penchant for cream teas? Hornsbury Mill is only 4 miles away and there are plenty of other such venues in the district.

Major Attractions

The Fleet Air Arm Museum - at Yeovilton (7 miles from Yeovil). Open daily. For more information call (01935) 840565

Haynes International Motor Museum - Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 7LH. Tel.(01963) 440804

"The Swannery" at Abbotsbury, near Weymouth, is the only managed colony of nesting mute swans in the world

The Bovington Tank Museum: Houses one of the best collections of tanks and armoured vehicles in the world. A must, for anyone with even a remote interest in the genre

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