Hillside Cottage in Wiltshire | Cottage With a Hot Tub

About Hillside Cottage

Immerse yourself in the tranquillity and charm of Hillside Cottage, a picturesque retreat nestled in the serene Donhead St Mary, just outside the historic market town of Shaftesbury. This 19th-century gem, set amidst lush woodland, promises a calming escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Accommodating up to 10 guests across five beautifully appointed bedrooms, including three with en-suite facilities and a ground-floor bedroom with terrace access, Hillside Cottage is the epitome of comfort and convenience.

The property is also pet-friendly, ensuring your furry friends can join in the fun.

Indulge in the luxury of a wood-fired hot tub under the stars, adding a touch of indulgence to your stay. The cottage boasts a modern open-plan living space, complete with a fully equipped kitchen and a cosy sitting room with a woodburning stove, perfect for socialising and creating cherished memories with loved ones.

Step outside to discover terraced gardens and a patio area, ideal for al fresco dining or simply soaking up the serene atmosphere.

Hillside Cottage is a haven for relaxation, offering a unique blend of modern amenities and rustic charm.

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At Sykes Cottages

Need To Know

✓Oil central heating with woodburning stove
✓ 2 x electric ovens and gas hob, microwave, fridge, chest freezer, 2 x dishwasher, Smart TV and full fibre WiFi (150mb)
✓ Fuel and power included in rent
✓ Bed linen and towels included in rent
✓ Ample off-road parking
✓ Terraced gardens and patio with furniture, gas barbeque and wood-fired hot tub (arriving in September)
✓ One well-behaved dog welcome
✓ Sorry, strictly no smoking
✓ Shop 1.5 miles, pub 0.3 miles
✓ Note: Steep hill to the woods below, children to be supervised outside
✓ Note: Hot tub will be available from September onwards
✓ Please note: This property is suitable for family holidays
✓ Note: No stag/hen parties or similar
✓ Note: This property may not suitable for people who are are less mobile or for wheelchairs due to steep location, althought the path leading to property has a handrail
✓ Please contact our reservations team for more details
✓ Please contact our reservations team if you are booking within 3 days of arrival date
✓ Note:There is a Type 2 electric car charge point at the property
✓ There is a flat fee charge of Â£30 to use the facility during your holiday
✓ Note: The ground - floor bedroom is accesed via two steps

Cottages Near Hillside Cottage

Milton Manor

6 Miles

Heart of England » Wiltshire

Sleeps 33

Pets 1

Hot Tub

Bedrooms: 14

This stunning historic manor nestles in the heart of Milton on Stour, Dorset. Woodburner. Enclosed garden. Hot tub. Pet-friendly. Shaftesbury 7.5 miles.

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Chase House

8 Miles

Heart of England » Wiltshire

Sleeps 15

Pets 1

Hot Tub

Bedrooms: 7

Chase House in Tollard Royal, Dorset, is a luxurious retreat that sleeps 15 guests in seven bedrooms. This historic property features a medieval hall, Tudor dining room, and a large, well-equipped kitchen. Enjoy the beautiful gardens, Japanese pavilion, and optional hot tub. Nearby attractions include Shaftesbury (8 miles), Salisbury (20 miles), and the New Forest (30 miles).

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Vallis Oak Villa

17 Miles

Heart of England » Wiltshire

Sleeps 12

Pets 1

Hot Tub

Bedrooms: 6

A fabulous, detached house settled in Frome, Somerset. Hot tub. Woodburning stove. Private parking. Warminster 8.3 miles; Shepton Mallet 11.2 miles; Bath 15.2 miles.

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Helpful Info To Get More From Your Stay

What do guests love about this accommodation?

Guests adored the peaceful and immaculate setting of Hillside Cottage, praising the well-equipped facilities, including the hot tub, and the beautiful decoration. The spacious kitchen area was a hit for socialising, and the property's proximity to scenic walks and attractions like Shaftesbury and the coast made it a highly recommended stay.

Getting there

To get to Hillside Cottage, if driving, take the A30 and follow signs towards Shaftesbury. For rail travellers, the nearest train station is Gillingham (Dorset), a short taxi ride away.

Nearby Essentials

During your stay, you'll have convenient access to a selection of nearby amenities, including some of the area's tastiest takeout options. Click any of the postcodes for a map along with handy driving instructions and the fastest route from your accommodation.

Service	Distance (miles)	Postcode
Pharmacy - 1.5 miles	SP7 8AD
Train Station - Gillingham (Dorset)	4.6 miles	SP8 4QQ
Pub - The Mitre	0.3 miles	SP7 9AL
Dog Walk - Duncliffe Wood	6.2 miles	no postcode
Supermarket - Tesco	1.7 miles	SP7 8PF
Indian Takeaway - Chutneys	1.5 miles	SP7 8AD
Chinese Takeaway - The Jade	1.5 miles	SP7 8AD
Italian Takeaway - La Fleur de Lys	1.5 miles	SP7 8AD

For families with Kids

This destination is fantastic for families, with plenty of space for children to play in the garden. Nearby attractions like Longleat and Paultons Park, home of Peppa Pig World, offer exciting day trips for the little ones.

Is Hillside Cottage A good location for couples?

For couples, this serene location offers a romantic woodland escape with cosy fireplaces and a hot tub. Nearby, enjoy days out at historic sites like Stonehenge or the picturesque Jurassic Coast for a memorable experience.

Dining and Cafes

Closest to the cottage is The Mitre (01747 853002), offering traditional pub fare. For a gourmet experience, visit The Beckford Arms (01747 870385) or King John's Head (01725 516207). For morning coffee, The Rising Sun is a short stroll away.

Within walking distance of your cottage

A short walk away you'll find the historic town of Shaftesbury, with its iconic Gold Hill, charming local shops, traditional inns, and welcoming pubs.

Quickfire FAQs

Does the accommodation include a hot tub?

Yes, guests can enjoy the luxury of a wood-fired hot tub, perfect for relaxing evenings under the stars in a serene woodland setting.

Is the property pet-friendly?

Yes, one well-behaved dog is welcome at the property, making it an ideal choice for pet owners looking to enjoy a break with their furry companion.

How many people can the cottage accommodate?

The cottage comfortably sleeps up to 10 guests, with five tastefully decorated bedrooms, three of which include en-suite facilities for added privacy and convenience.

What type of heating is available at the property?

The cottage is equipped with oil central heating and features a cosy woodburning stove in the sitting room, ensuring a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout your stay.

Are there any outdoor spaces for guests to enjoy?

Yes, the property boasts terraced gardens and a patio with furniture, providing a picturesque setting for outdoor dining, relaxation, and enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

Is there off-road parking available?

Ample off-road parking is provided for guests, ensuring a hassle-free arrival and peace of mind for the duration of your stay.

Hillside Cottage Reviews

Hillside Cottage ticked all the boxes for me. So spacious, beautifully and tastefully decorated. Well equipped kitchen with all crockery, glasses and white goods and large cooker to facilitate eight guests. Hot tub was a delight to use on a cold November evening star gazing. Views around the property were mainly trees into a valley but brought an array of wildlife and birds, squirrels, pheasants and even a Woodpecker. Would definitely like to come and stay again .

10 friends & family gathered for 70th birthday celebrations & were delighted to find the cottage spacious & v comfortable for such a gathering & had a great weekend. We enjoyed walking from the property into Shaftesbury for a look around & lunch, & then another local autumnal walk from the property the following day. We found our way around the kitchen which had most of what we needed however an electric hand mixer would be a great addition to the kitchen utensils! Would happily recommend this property & stay again.

A wonderful holiday for three generations. Concerns about The Slope and garden proved unfounded providing you are steady on your feet the path down is no issue and there was ample space on the garden for little legs to run round and for older ones to stroll. It's a beautiful location and a clean, well stocked comfortable home.

Thomas

A fabulous house for a family gathering. Great communal social spaces and comfortable bedrooms really make the house perfect for a group of people to spend time together, and if necessary apart! The gardens are lovely and watching the wildlife is just one of the added treats. The wood fired hot tub was especially fun to spend time in. Ample parking on site and brilliantly located for day trips to Salisbury, Longleat, Bath etc. Would recommend to anyone.

An excellent property. Everything we needed was provided. The house was beautifully clean. The outside spaces were well used by all generations and the dog. Plenty of space for games. A good selection of games and puzzles were supplied to supplement the ones we brought. Bedrooms were very comfortable. We had a fantastic holiday.

Robert

We had a lovely time at Hillside Cottage, a comfortable , very clean house. There were eight of us, three generations, lots of space and very well equipped house. A lovely well kept garden, would be less of a worry if the end of the garden was fenced off from the very steep drop, as we had two children in our group. Emily the housekeeper was very helpful, checking in on us to see if we were happy with everything. We stayed for two weeks, and appreciated the end of week clean and change of linen. Lovely fresh flowers and hamper were also appreciated.

The property was excellent. Modern, and very clean and tidy. Our dog had a great time exploring the grounds. The local House Manger, was brilliant. Very quick and willing to help with any queries that we had regarding the property and a major help with a medical emergency that we encountered during our stay

Malcolm

Fantastic well equipped property. Superb location, ideal for family holiday, plenty of space inside and outside, would recommend, probably the best rental property we have used for the price, and we have purchased many over the last few years.

Michael

All was great thanks, plenty to do in the area and the cottage was great.

Hillside cottage was exactly as described, beautiful. There is absolutely nothing I can fault. The team do an amazing job on the cleaning side, it was immaculate. There were gifts of tea and cakes and other bits on arrival, that made it so welcoming. Emily popped in to make sure we were ok, which was another nice touch. These comments were not just from me, my three children and their respective husbands and wives all said the same ! So, thanks for letting us share your home. We loved it

Judith

A wonderful property just how it was described.

Deborah

We really enjoyed Hillside cottage and the accommodation was just perfect for us. We are a group of 4 couples enjoying a new years break and found that we all had the space to be together or to find a quiet spot to ourselves. We enjoyed being able to walk out the door and find amazing hikes just on the doorstep, although we did have pretty miserable weather. The cottage itself was really well equipped and there was plenty of room to store all left over goodies from Christmas as there are two fridges and a big chest freezer and two dishwashers. The log burner in the lounge and dining room were very welcome after a long walk in the mud and the rain. We did try the hot tub once, but it wasnt a lot of fun in the rain, but had to be done! Maybe it would be nice put up some outside lights by the hot tub as we did fumble around with torches. Overall this was lovely cottage and we had a fabulous time.

This was the third year for our family staying away over the Christmas period. The property was really lovely and unlike some was well stocked with things like dishwasher tablets, logs etc and beautifully decorated. All in all a very enjoyable stay in a lovely setting.

When we booked there was no mention of the several short flights of steps throughout the ground floor. None have hand rails. This makes it very difficult for those of us with mobility issues. The ground floor bedroom was particularly hazardess. I think the website is now more accurate. It is not suitable for those with mobility issues. In every other respect it is a very handsome and comfortable house. It has a lovely, peaceful setting. Perfect when the sun is shinning.. We could not find any small side plates but maybe we didn't open quite enough cupboards of which there are a lot. We were a party of4 couples who like to cook so the kitchen area was a perfect space for us to socialise. We very much enjoyed our stay.

Excellent holiday property thank you. Only a couple of minor things, but overall very enjoyable.

Timothy

Proved to be an excellent choice. Superb location, wonderful accomodation and amenities.

What a fabulous house! Our group of 8 friends had a wonderful stay at Hillside cottage in May 23. The house and grounds are immaculate and the manager Emily was very accommodating and helpful. Great location for walks into Shaftsbury or drives to the coast. We highly recommend it!

Lovely stay One of our party who has MS spoke to Sykes before we booked to discuss her limitations etc and was reassured it would be ok. As it was she couldnt come at the last moment But had she come she couldnt have stayed due to all the steps and the height of the steps. So although the website does say not great for elderly or people with mobility issues Its a shame the Sykes representative gave misleading reassurance with that matter. Otherwise lovely stay and great position immediate access to walks for dog. Very quiet position Had to supervise dog in garden as there are pheasants, and also there was discarded used Bbq coals dumped over the little wire fence along with all the grass waste which I found my dog licking off the fat! The garden is not secure but lovely and big. The door off entrance hall near toilet needs shaving as sticks Great stay and visited Bath, Salisbury, Lulworth cove and Dawdle Door all under an hour away.

Wonderful stay here, the house was beautiful both inside & out! Great location for getting out and about exploring areas such as Bath, Shaftesbury, Jurassic Coast, Corfe Castle, Swanage we did them all would definitely stay here again 10 out of 10

Charlotte

A beautiful and extremely well equipped holiday home. Lovely walks from the house and the hot tub was a bonus. We had a few problems with the cooker but Emily was brilliant and sorted it out quickly for us.

Very well equipped house with plenty of room for everyone. Good to have a big table to gather round in the kitchen, big fridges and plenty of shower roomsbathrooms. The hot tub was a big hit with our young adults but we were surprised to find it is wood fired and has no bubbles understandably eco friendly and a lovely place to wallow under the stars but it may be worth highlighting what type of hot tub it is and how it needs to be fed and nurtured if the water is to remain warm. Please can the owner change the curtains in the downstairs bedroom? They don't fit the window! Also, there were many, many flies and wasps gathering in the conservatory room. Probably not much to be done about that and thanks for leaving a waspfly killer spray, which helped a bit. Finally, I think the electric car charging point was new and not mentioned in the Sykes description but would have been a bonus for one of our family members who came in an electric car. Please can that be included in any future listing of this property? All in all though, a lovely house for our family holiday thank you

Natasha

We had a fantastic stay. It is a beautiful and peaceful home with wonderful facilities and is very well equipped. The children and adults had a wonderful time.

Hillside was a beautiful home , stunning . It was immaculate, very well equipped, there was nothing that we wanted and couldnt find ! Very comfy beds , lovely crisp bedding , loads of storage . When we arrived there was a beautiful vase of flowers , a delicious sponge cake, scones , clotted cream , milk etc , a wonderful welcome . We loved the hot tub , and absolutely everything about our holiday .

We had a very enjoyable stay at Hillside Cottage. It was a family booking with 5 adults two elderly in their 80's and children. We really enjoyed the fireplaces, the lovely kitchen and conservatory and the hot tub. The table tennis table was also a huge hot with the children. The location is ideal for Shaftsbury and not too far from attractions like Longleat. The main downsides were that the cottage was not suitable for the elderly with a very steep path down to the cottage from the parking area with plenty of steps also on the inside. There were no shower mats or shower tidy's which meant bending down to pick shower gel and shampoo off the floor when slippery, not a problem for most but again not ideal for the elderly. The listing may also need a look as some of the beds noted as King Size were not. Despite some of these issues we would recommend for a booking of adults and children but not the elderly.

Judith

I'm not sure if the 'us' in 'how likely are you to recommend us' question is Sykes Cottages or Hillside Cottage. If it's Hillside then it's a definite 10 if it's Sykes probably a 7 I've had no real interaction with Sykes. This needs to be a more specific question if Sykes say 'Sykes' if it's the venue say 'your holiday venue' Now to Hillside What a DELIGHTFUL place to stay HUGE thanks to the owners for sharing their amazing home. The welcome package was a beautiful touch, the beds, sofas, chairs were all super comfy, everything was spotless yet also homely. We spent most of our time in the kitchendiningsun room ... but the living room was moved in to late evening and for child TV time. We were there for my mum's 75th birthday weekend a surprise for her all she knew was the postcode! Me, my older brother and younger brother with his wife, two children 3 & 5 and their dog. It was perfect the wood burning hot tub under the full moon and stars a highlight, the layout fabulous, the kitchen FULLY equipped, the views, the local pubs friendly and good we rested, relaxed and played a joy. My sisterinlaw was particularly delighted with the number of childdog safety gates already in place. NOTE If you're in a bedroom with a Velux window they DO have a blind the blind is electronic and on a switch by your bedside light!! it took me two nights to figure this out just as well I was awake by nieces anyway!

Alastaire

This cottage is lovely and has everything you need to hide away in the country. The bedrooms are beautiful, the kitchen dinning area is spacious, the lounge is very relaxing and the hot tub is fantastic! We really enjoyed our stay here and hope to be back one day. I'd definitly recommend this cottage to anyone looking to lock themselves away from the world!

Carolyn

Lovely house in a beautiful setting with plenty of room for our multigenerational family. The finish and quality of the house is excellent and it was warm and welcoming during a cold February week. The house was wellequipped, but we would have appreciated the addition of a high chair and a travel cot, which we were surprised werent provided as its advertised as perfect for families. The hot tub was great, once we got the hang of heating it to the right temperature!

This house was amazing! We loved it and after 15 years of girl weekends away this was our favourite x

Louise

Beautiful property, well equipped and in lovely peaceful location with great walks on doorstep

Tracey

Enjoyed every minute of this holiday in this beautiful property near Shaftesbury. Exceptional holiday home in a lovely peaceful setting, yet close enough to amenities. Enjoyed everything about it and would love to go back.

The owners had thought of everything, great welcome pack, great facilities, fantastic location. Well done to the owners and management team.

We had a lovely holiday, the cottage was very comfortable. Clean and well presented. Three generations of the family stayed here for a week. Plenty of places to visit and when at the cottage we enjoyed the outside garden and hot tub. Barbecue was easy to use. We woke up one morning to see a young deer in the garden. Over all we had a great holiday Ruth and family

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Attractions Near Hillside Cottage

While there'll be plenty to keep you entertained an Hillside Cottage itself, if you plan to get out and about and see some of what Wiltshire has to offer, here are some of the nearby attractions you can enjoy during your stay. Please note that some of these activities and days out are paid and it's always a good idea to book in advance to secure your place where applicable.

Found a special day out near your cottage? Please let us know and we'll add it so that other visitors can enjoy it too!

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park - BA12 7NW

about 13 Miles

You may have seen this amazing attraction on the BBC1 Animal Park programme. This is actually the first safari park outside of Africa where you can get close to the animals from the comfort of your own car. Some of the highlights include the zebras, the wallabies in wallaby wood and the sea lion escorted cruise to Gorilla Island. And of course the magnificent lions and tigers are a must see. This really is an animal experience with a difference and you can save money by booking your tickets online. This attraction is open until the end of October. Check out their website to see some fantastic video podcasts of the park.

Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum - SP1 2EN

about 16 Miles

The Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum is located in the Salisbury area of Wiltshire and will appeal to those looking for an educational and cultural day out. The exhibits are centred around the history of Salisbury and South Wiltshire from prehistoric times to now. There are plenty of activities on for families and children during school holidays so don't forget to check ahead to see the latest events. There are a gift shop and a cafe on site.

Monkey World - BH20 6HH

about 21 Miles

Monkey World is not only a local attraction but the work they carry out is amazing. Rescuing and rehabilitating monkeys and assisting governments around the world to stop the smuggling of primates are just some of the purposes of the centre. You get to see the primates themselves many of which have become famous from appearing on the TV show Monkey World - a documentary about this place. Open year round we think this is one of best attractions in Dorset and you even get the chance to adopt a monkey if you choose.

Loch Lomond Sealife Centre - G83 8QL

about 21 Miles

The perfect place to visit on a rainy day this large Sealife Centre is currently offering 2 tickets for £15.00 when you book online. Top attractions include the amazing shark tunnel, the rock pools and the otter enclosure. This year Loch Lomond Sealife Centre is also home to Cammy - the only Giant Sea Turtle in Scotland! The centre also offers visitors an educational experience with talks and hands on events taking place daily.

Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park - DT2 8PY

about 22 Miles

Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park is a magical place to visit with grand gardens and plenty of animals to meet. From goats and ponies to alpacas and pot bellied pigs this attraction is excellent value for money. You can feel free to explore the grounds too which are especially lovely on sunny days. You will see majestic floral displays, stone terraces, a temple and even a lake.

Dorset Teddy Bear Museum - DT1 1JU

about 23 Miles

This family orientated museum is dedicated to Teddy Bears both old and new Edward Bear and his family of people sized bears are one of the main attractions. You can buy teddy bear gifts from the quaint shop including top notch brands. The Steiff Teddy Bear and Merrythought bears are very popular. Open 7 days a week all year round (except 25th and 26th December) this is a perfect all weather place to visit.

Paultons Family Theme Park - SO51 6AL

about 26 Miles

This is a really fun and memorable attraction which is suitable for day trips or short breaks. You can buy your tickets online which will help you beat the queues especially in school holidays as well as save money. With a whole host of attractions and thrilling rides there might not be enough time in the day! Exciting rides include the Edge and The Cobra. More family friendly rides for younger children include the Magic Carpet Ride and the Flying Frog. We are sure the whole family will have fun at Paultons so check out their website for the latest opening times and admission costs.

Paultons Park - SO51 6AL

about 26 Miles

Paultons Family Theme Park has recently been greatly improved to include many new attractions for younger visitors. The brand new Peppa Pig World features 7 amazing new rides and an Indoor Play Area to keep the little ones amused for hours. Of course those looking for more adrenaline boosting activities will not be disappointed either as there are over 60 rides in total to try out. The mighty Edge ride and the terrifying Cobra rollercoaster are the ones to go for if white knuckle rides are your thing. Live entertainment is also on offer several times throughout the season including some amazing family shows such as "The Light Fantastic" which takes place this October.