THE LOWDOWN

Well hellooooo, Somerset! If you want a reminder of why booking a rental property can be an awesome idea, just scroll below. This stunning LA-inspired house, Reservoir View, perched in an old quarry on a hilltop just outside the village of Cheddar (yes, of cheese fame) was home to yours truly and a merry clutch of girlfriends for two days, and we didn’t want to leave. Ever.

THE VIBE

Part for the brilliant Luxury Cottages portfolio, whose USP is super-special, premium properties with hotel-level service that you often can’t access elsewhere, Reservoir View lived up to the billing and then some.

It offers the kind of mash up I like – Hollywood Hills villa vibes meets Jane Austen countryside, with a sprinkling of Mad Men on the interiors.

Sleeping eight, but with the kind of space that could accommodate twice that number (the hallways are wide enough to drive a car through), the double height atrium sets the tone, rising to a quite stupendous open plan space that takes in two separate eating areas – one for you, one for the kids? – plus two living rooms, a huge kitchen with every gadget you could possibly need, including an air frier and a state-of-the-art coffee machine I was too stupid to work.

The styling is pared back in the two balcony areas with its wooden decking and a muted palette of stone and gunmetal grey, and in the bathrooms offer luxurious simplicity.

The communal interiors, by contrast, are the extroverts at the party, all about colour and impact. So against the white walls and clean lines there are mustard kidney sofas, a statement flame-effect burner with green fabric ‘chimney’ stack, vibrant blue chairs, and some seriously indulgent slouchy black velvet sofas in the ‘TV’ area, whilst drinks trolleys, sputnik chandeliers and sunburst mirrors wink to the ongoing trend for Sixties interiors.

THE BEDROOMS

Three of the bedrooms are super-king-size (the fourth is a twin room, whose beds can be zipped together to make a super-king-size bed on request). My advice is to book the property yourself, therefore giving you natural first dibs on the enormous master bedroom that has its own double height atrium, dressing room plus ensuite bathroom that is arguably bigger than my entire first flat and views out onto the goats absently grazing on the hillside. That said, you’ll be happy wherever you lay your hat – the two other super-king-size rooms, for example, also have en suites plus access to a separate outdoor terrace.

Overlay all this with a hot tub, separate games room, outdoor ping pong table and a cool five bathrooms, and you’re starting to get the picture that Reservoir will work brilliantly for both friends, extended or multiple families – even reluctant teens may be enticed to come along with the promise of their own space.

SCOFF & QUAFF

Four women with mighty hangovers… OK, I confess it, we couldn’t quite be bothered to charge up the BBQ while we were there, though on a sunny summer’s day it would be a lovely thing to do. Instead, with a fridge the size of an iceberg, we stocked up on food at the supermarket and kicked back. We did, however, venture out to a fabulous little Italian restaurant, La Rocca, in Cheddar village – a 15 minute walk or couple of minute’s drive from the property. Also in the village, Lion Rock is the mighty breakfast choice right opposite Cheddar caves.

OUT AND ABOUT

Cheese lovers, you’re about to enter your happy space. As you’d expect Cheddar itself trades heavily on its famous produce, and you’ll find the village a typical mix of tourist shops, tea rooms and and fromage specialists. Cheddar caves are worth a visit, and exploring the gorge (or driving through it if you’re short of time) is a must – Cheddar is England’s largest gorge at nearly 400ft (122m) deep and 3 miles (4.8km) long and offers spectacular views. You can actually walk it from Reservoir View using this National Trust trail. Or for a less challenging route, Cheddar Reservoir (Reservoir View’s namesake) is worth a stroll, again doable with a walking route from the property itself.

Axminster, at the foot of the Mendip hills and just a few miles from Cheddar, is well worth a drop in for its medieval square with King John’s Hunting Lodge taking pride of place, plus a 13th century church. Wednore, a few miles further, is a pretty village that offers two pubs and a smattering of boutiques. You can visit the original Thatchers cider farm in the foot of the mendips at Sandford or if you’re a culture vulture, take the short historical city of Wells with its stunning Cathedral. For longer day trips there’s Wooky Hole for the kids, and Avalon Marshes with its excellent wetlands with wildlife and centre within half an hour. The chi-chic Bruton is about 45 minutes away and Bath around an hour.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Are you looking for a ‘wow’ property? You’ve got it. Ideal for groups of friends – multiple couples or girly breaks are the sweet spot along with, dual or extended families. The house is dog-friendly too.

Not for: You’re in the countryside and you will need to get in your car to move beyond Cheddar’s one-day charm. Wild ones swerve elsewhere, this is a chill out zone, not a party pad.

Book Reservoir View through Luxury Cottages, from £853 per night, sleeping 8.