Sunday 7 July 2013

Our Holiday Cottage in Frampton, Dorset

Can't believe it is a week since we returned from this lovely cottage in Dorset. A busy week too, how time flies.
Weather quite dull and cool at times while away but now we are in a heatwave that we are told will last the month.
Suddenly jumping into the upper 80's is welcome but takes a little getting used to when it comes so suddenly


Our parking space when we arrive at our cottage called The Elbow. 
I guess it is called that as it double-backed on itself once inside


Originally a 16th century Nun's dormitory and part of the local Abbey. The plasterwork ceiling and decorative stone and flint show it's high status in the 17th century when it was converted into a farmhouse with a large barn attached to it. The barn was later converted into 3 workers cottages which is now converted from 3 into one large cottage where the owners of our cottage live.
You can still see the 3 sets of doors and windows on the front of what is now know as the Wessex barn.
At some point it was also run as a Coaching Inn.
Interesting lying in bed and wondering about all that could have gone on there!






The blue door in corner in centre of picture our entrance


via this pretty rose arch


Love the window seat


Standing on the steps into the kitchen and reflected in the large wall mirror. Barbara taking photographs as usual while Alan is watching the tennis on TV and reading the newspaper. 


Interesting to see the original Tudor plasterwork on the ceiling 


Looking down from the kitchen


and out and up from the kitchen door





onto a small private terrace with a BBQ shed in the background



Looking down onto the surrounding fields


The original stone and flint at the back of our cottage and a closer view of the thatched roof


Once upstairs, part of the corridor leading to the bedrooms
This is where the holiday cottage was divided from the owners cottage and with 2 ft wide walls either side it was certainly soundproof. 



My own personal bathroom
(Alan preferring his power shower en-suite)
I quickly learned not to fill the bath too much or one would float



and the stairs down into my bedroom


I always enjoy playing with mirror reflections



It was certainly the best cottage we have stayed in and there is so much to do and see in the area,  beautiful countryside, beautiful gardens, beautiful villages, stunning coastline (the Jurrasic Coast) and beaches  and wild flowers everywhere.
Stay tuned over the next couple of months as I post lots of photos.
Oh! and I must not miss out the friendliness of the owners who did all they could to help and assist us including setting up the wi-fi for my laptop on arrival







22 comments:

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

What a wonderful place to stay. It is lovely and to think that it has so much history too. I love seeing the old kept up so well and am sure it must have been a wonderful holiday for you. I always look forward to the beautiful pictures you take. It's very hot here too and rainy. Rain for a couple of weeks now. I feel like we live in a rain forest. Hope you have a wonderful Sunday there.

Needled Mom said...

It looks like an incredible and comfortable place to stay. The history behind the residence sounds so interesting. I can imagine lying there and thinking about the years and years of history there. I loved the gardens!!!

Balisha said...

What a lovely place to stay. I enjoyed the little camera tour that you took me on. Aren't those claw foot tubs grand?
Balisha

Bernideen said...

Looks very cozy!! Lovely buildings and flowers.

talesfromagarden said...

What a beautiful cottage and in a great spot too!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

You got to this first post faster than I expected! That garden is certainly pretty, and the rose arch too. Like you, I think I would get to wondering about all that went on within those walls down through the centuries and about the people who lived there. I'm glad you had such an enjoyable cottage to call home while you explored the surrounding countryside.

Enjoy your warmer weather. Summer seems to have arrived both there and here.

Crafty Gardener said...

What a gorgeous cottage to stay in Barbara, everything looked so clean and inviting.

Terri said...

And we're off on another adventure!
Hugs

Elizabethd said...

You do find some lovely places to visit! How interesting that the ceiling is still in situ, it gives a real feeling of history.

Elizabeth said...

Yes, a most lovely cottage!
How clever you are to find such gems.
I look forward to reading about your adventures in the surrounding villages etc.
Horribly hot here too!

Lorrie said...

This cottage is so charming. How interesting to stay in a place full of history. There would be a lot of scope for the imagination there.

La Petite Gallery said...

How interesting, I would be wondering all over that beautiful place. Great roof, I saw them putting one on, it was so interesting. I keep seeing what looks like Banana trees in English
Gardens, wouldn't they freeze?
Loved the post. yvonne

Two Cottages And Tea said...

What fun for you! Looks like a dream come true! What a sweet cozy cottage! I will be waiting to see more of your trip!
Nancy

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

What a wonderful, lovely place to stay.

Trisha said...

Barbara, looks like a trip back in time. How wonderful. Bet you could spin some intriguing tales as you look through your pictures. I probably couldn't pass up the chance. Have a wonderful and Blessed day, Trisha

Adrienne said...

What a wonderful place! I almost felt as though I had gone along with you.
~Adrienne~

Anonymous said...

It looks lovely there. Quaint, yet comfortable.

Cathy said...

How enchanting! I would be like you, lying in bed wondering who and what all had taken place in that house!

Scriptor Senex said...

That looks like the ideal place to stay. We have always stayed in self-catering cottages like this and have only had had one bad experience in all our years.

Gracie Saylor said...

Barbara! I have just had a months long visit with you and so enjoyed the photos of your wonderful flowers and travels. While I was on the road this last month, I thought I was keeping up with reading my favorite blogs, but somehow missed all of your posts :-( At any rate, now that I am caught up, I do thank you for posting :-)
xx,
Gracie

Lori Zehr said...

That was a beautiful cottage and gardens! As I looked at it, I was constantly reminded of some of the pictures in my favorite English gardening books--to the point that I will check to see if the place is one that might have been featured. The similarities were striking! Thank you for the tour!

Pete and Jan said...

Just spent 2 weeks at the Elbow (30/8 till 13/9) very quaint . Peter and Jane are very good hosts.the weather was excellent for our stay and as you rightly said there is so much to do and all within a short drive from the cottage.