We have just got back from a fun couple of days in Nether Stowey, a timeless part of Somerset bordering the Quantock Hills, England’s first AONB.
We stayed at the rather splendid The Old House, near the centre of this charming village. It only has 2 B&B rooms, but there are also self-catering options.
If you can, stay in the Coleridge Suite. The house was owned by the respected Thomas Poole, who let poet friend Samuel Taylor Coleridge stay here with his family in the late 18th century, before they moved to their own cottage elsewhere in the village during 1797-98.
The suite was once the Book Room, where Coleridge would find inspiration, sometimes with friend William Wordsworth and other fellow literary luminaries of the age. Current owners Manor and Ann thoughtfully have articles and biographies of Coleridge in the room, so you feel as though you’re resting your head in a rather special place.
The walled garden is also a delight, another place where the poet would enjoy spending time in pursuit of his muse and possibly opium, to which he had a lifelong addiction.
Breakfast here in the 21st century is a splendid affair, and refuels you for walking The Coleridge Way, a long distance path now extending 51 miles through beautiful and varied landscapes, from Nether Stowey in Somerset to Lynmouth on the Devon coast.
This is a perfect B&B if you’re in the Somerset area, love poetry, walking, hills, timeless villages … and superb breakfasts.
“The Old House”:http://theoldhouse-quantocks.co.uk/
