You will find a warm welcome if you come to stay at The Empire Farm's Garden Lodge. This part of the house has recently been totally refurbished to a high standard, and now provides completely self-contained and very spacious accommodation for up to 6 people. It has full central heating and is double-glazed throughout.

Bookings

If you would like to stay in the Garden Lodge,
you can check availability and pricing,
and book online. Go to:

www.welcomecottages.co.uk

and enter Property Reference W40898

Kitchen Dining Room The Kitchen Dining Room is fully equipped to a high standard. The worktops are granite, and there is an integrated fridge, dishwasher, oven and ceramic hob, and a microwave. Adjoining the kitchen is a walk-in larder, in which there is a freezer, and a utility room that contains a washer/dryer, iron and ironing board.
	Double doors to the lounge can be opened to provide a very large open-plan living area, or they can be closed to provide privacy or a quiet area if required.
Lounge The lounge is spacious and very comfortable, with original flagstones on the floor and an open fire. There is even a reclining armchair for Dad! There is Sky satellite TV, including both film and sport channels. If you'd rather watch a film, there is a DVD player and we even provide some DVDs for your enjoyment. There is also a stereo radio/CD player, and some CDs for you to listen to. On the bookshelves, you'll find a selection of books and games, as well as guides to the local area and it's attractions.
	Bedrooms and Bathrooms The property has three very spacious and comfortable double bedrooms, each with it's own bath/shower room. The Master Bedroom has a four poster bed, and an en-suite bathroom with power shower, sink and WC.
Bedroom 2 has twin beds, and an adjoining bathroom with power shower, sink and WC. Bedroom 3 has twin beds, and a nearby bathroom with bath, sink and WC. There is also a large downstairs cloakroom with WC.
	Children, Gardens & Games Children are welcome. For the very young, we can provide a traditional wooden cot and a mattress, though you should bring your own bedding. There is also a high chair. Guests have full use of a secluded walled garden area with a patio, garden furniture and a barbecue. If you look at the bottom left corner of the photo, you will notice that there is a working well in the garden, but this does have safety bars fitted.

The garden area is also due to be renovated, with landscaping is due to commence in Winter 2007-8. The pond in the picture will be dismantled, both for safety and aesthetic reasons, but it is currently child-safe, with a protective grille covering it. Children will enjoy feeding the goldfish.

There is also a games room where you can play Table Football and Table Tennis.

Farmland

There is a pretty comprehensive selection of farm animals, and you'll see sheep, ducks, geese, pigs, chickens and rheas. If you are really keen, you can even help us feed them in the morning!

Guests are welcome to wander around the farm's 100 acres, and take in it's fields, stream, ponds and small areas of woodland. There is usually plenty to see, for the farm is rich in wildlife, and you are almost certain to see buzzards and even deer (if you are quiet!) while you explore. At dusk you may even see a barn owl.

The farm is crossed by several footpaths, and there are a couple of very pleasant circular walks that will take you through the surrounding countryside, which is mostly flat and easy going.

Eating and Drinking

There are many good pubs in the area, which we would be happy to recommend. If you don't want to drink and drive, there is a local village pub less than 5 minutes walk away.

Activities

There are lots of things to see and do in the area. You might want to visit a National Trust property such as Stourhead or Montacute, or take in Glastonbury and the Tor. You could visit the Fleet Air Arm museum at Yeovilton, sit on the beach at Weymouth, or spend a day with the Lions at Longleat. Or even shop until you drop at Clarks Village outlet stores in Street.

Here is a more comprehensive list of places to visit and things to do during your stay.

Getting About

If you don't have a car, or would prefer not to have to use one, Templecombe Railway Station is only a 5 minute walk away, with direct services to London via Salisbury and to Exeter via Sherborne and Yeovil.