Muse

Introduction

Muse began life as a modest outbuilding to an 18th-century farmhouse. Left neglected, it might have been lost entirely had a Swedish-English couple not spotted the farmstead’s potential at auction and restored its barns and byres with the help of local craftsmen. Today, its light-filled and contemporary interiors create a studio-like space that's adorned with art. Beyond, the pastoral landscape presents its own canvas with a seasonally shifting colour palette. This private hideaway is an idyll for couples or those seeking a solo escape, while larger groups can book Aria, a homestay for six on the same estate yet hidden by trees.

Inside

Expansive arched windows flood this single-storey home with sunlight and frame views of verdant greenery, dissolving the boundary between indoors and out, art and life. The main kitchen-living space, with its whitewashed walls, clean lines and overhead skylights, carries the bright, airy calm of an artist’s studio. Throughout, modern and historic artworks sit in dialogue with one another; in the bedroom, a vast Stuart portrait delivers a dramatic chiaroscuro counterpoint to the otherwise serene palette of creams and ochres. The gallery-like atmosphere at Muse is perhaps unsurprising given the owners’ have made careers of sculpting and art.

Outside

Set amidst 45 acres of countryside, a gentle stroll unveils meadows, free-roaming geese and chickens, a river, and an apple orchard where guests are welcome to picnic or pluck fruit for homemade pies. You may also hear the nostalgic whistle of passing steam locomotives drifting across the landscape. Just beyond, the rolling Quantock Hills invite exploration: in summer, their slopes are adorned with vibrant heather, whilst autumn brings a tapestry of russet bracken and golden gorse. After a day spent outdoors, a deep copper bathtub in a wooden cabin beside the house invites languid soaks beside a crackling woodburner.

• PricingFrom £1,295 per week, £995 per short break
• FeaturesOutdoor bath tub
• PetsSorry, no pets allowed
  
• FamilyBabes-in-arms are welcome
• PracticalitiesThere is private parking for two cars. Please note, the road to the property is narrow and rough; please be advised if driving low-slung cars. The owners live in the main farmhouse over the river, but will not disturb your stay. The open-plan kitchen diner features a Bosch electric oven and four-ring induction hob, slimline dishwasher, undermount fridge with ice box, microwave, Aarke sparkling water dispenser and Krups pod coffee machine with Nespresso milk frother. A separate utility room houses the washing machine and tumble dryer
• Private cateringWhether you're looking for a fully catered stay or a one-off meal for a special occasion, discover your bespoke catering options
  
  Explore private dining

The Quantock Hills

Exposed summits with far-reaching views across Exmoor and into Devon, deep wooded valleys and undulating farmland leading to pretty chocolate box villages; the Quantock Hills AONB is an outdoor lovers delight on the northern coast of Somerset.

View property location Destination guide

Getting there

• On the map Muse sits on the western edge of the Quantock Hills AONB, Somerset.
• By car Muse is approximately three and a half hours drive from London, and an hour and a half from Bristol.
• By train Taunton train station is around half an hour's drive away from the house, with regular routes to London, which have a journey time of around two hours.
• By air Exeter Airport is an hour's drive away, while Bristol Airport is around an hour and 15 minutes. Both have car hire available in advance. Helicopters are welcome to land on the grounds of Muse.