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The Cow Shed, Toller Porcorum

Guest Rating
Rating
4.4
out of 5
Sleeps up to 15
Pets 1
Bedrooms: 9
Bathrooms: 9

The Cow Shed is a detached group accommodation property located in Lower Kingcombe, Dorset. This exceptional lodge sits on the edge of Kingcombe National Nature Reserve within the grounds of Kingcombe Visitor Centre. Groups love the nine en-suite bedrooms that sleep up to 15 people comfortably.

The property enjoys a spectacular setting surrounded by Dorset's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Rolling countryside and protected wildlife habitats create a peaceful environment perfect for group retreats and family gatherings.

Accommodation includes nine bedrooms across two floors with nine bathrooms. Ground floor features one accessible single room and two twin rooms. First floor houses one single room and four twin rooms.

 

About The Cow Shed

The Cow Shed is a detached group accommodation property located in Lower Kingcombe, Dorset. This exceptional lodge sits on the edge of Kingcombe National Nature Reserve within the grounds of Kingcombe Visitor Centre. Groups love the nine en-suite bedrooms that sleep up to 15 people comfortably.

The property enjoys a spectacular setting surrounded by Dorset's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Rolling countryside and protected wildlife habitats create a peaceful environment perfect for group retreats and family gatherings.

Accommodation includes nine bedrooms across two floors with nine bathrooms. Ground floor features one accessible single room and two twin rooms. First floor houses one single room and four twin rooms. The kitchen/diner with Smart TV provides the main social space alongside a utility room and boot room for walking gear storage.

Groups can explore Maiden Newton (2.5 miles, 5 minutes), Bridport (8.3 miles, 15 minutes), Dorchester (10.5 miles, 20 minutes) and Powerstock Common nearby. The on-site visitor centre offers wildlife gardens and café access.

The Cow Shed delivers an outstanding group experience with private grounds access and nature reserve location. Perfect for walking groups, family celebrations and educational visits seeking countryside accommodation with excellent facilities.

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At Sykes Cottages

Need To Know

More Group Cottages You May Like

What Guests Love

What do previous guests think about their group stay at The Cow Shed

Nine en-suite bedrooms

Every bedroom has its own private bathroom making group stays comfortable and convenient

Ground floor accessibility

Accessible single room with walk-in shower perfect for guests with mobility needs

Nature reserve location

Set within Kingcombe National Nature Reserve offering wildlife watching from your doorstep

On-site visitor centre

Access to café, wildlife gardens and educational facilities right on the property

Large kitchen diner

Spacious social area with Smart TV where groups can gather and dine together

Private grounds access

Exclusive evening access to beautiful gardens and communal lawn areas for groups

Getting To The Cow Shed

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

By Car

To reach The Cow Shed by car, head to Lower Kingcombe near Maiden Newton in Dorset. The property is easily accessible with convenient off-road parking available for your group upon arrival.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Maiden Newton, approximately 2.5 miles from the accommodation. From there, it's a short taxi journey through the beautiful Dorset countryside to your group lodge.

Off-road parking for multiple cars
Maiden Newton station (2.5 miles)
Located within Kingcombe Visitor Centre grounds

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Stuff for larger groups and families to try!

Kingcombe National Nature Reserve
Distance: On-site
DT2 0EQ
Powerstock Common
Distance: 1.2 miles
DT6 3TB
Maiden Newton Church
Distance: 2.5 miles
DT2 0AA
River Hooke Walk
Distance: 0.2 miles
DT2 0EQ
Kingcombe Meadows Trail
Distance: On-site
DT2 0EQ
Dorset Wildlife Trust Trails
Distance: On-site
DT2 0EQ
Maiden Newton Village Shop
Distance: 3.4 miles
DT2 0AA
Bridport Market
Distance: 8.3 miles
DT6 3LF
Dorchester Shopping Centre
Distance: 10.5 miles
DT1 1BE
Maiden Newton Railway Station
Distance: 2.5 miles
DT2 0AA
Bridport Town Centre
Distance: 8.3 miles
DT6 3LF
Dorchester Town Centre
Distance: 10.5 miles
DT1 1BE
Kingcombe National Nature Reserve
Distance: On-site
DT2 0EQ
Powerstock Common
Distance: 1.2 miles
DT6 3TB
Maiden Newton Church
Distance: 2.5 miles
DT2 0AA
River Hooke Walk
Distance: 0.2 miles
DT2 0EQ
Kingcombe Meadows Trail
Distance: On-site
DT2 0EQ
Dorset Wildlife Trust Trails
Distance: On-site
DT2 0EQ
Maiden Newton Village Shop
Distance: 3.4 miles
DT2 0AA
Bridport Market
Distance: 8.3 miles
DT6 3LF
Dorchester Shopping Centre
Distance: 10.5 miles
DT1 1BE
Maiden Newton Railway Station
Distance: 2.5 miles
DT2 0AA
Bridport Town Centre
Distance: 8.3 miles
DT6 3LF
Dorchester Town Centre
Distance: 10.5 miles
DT1 1BE

Is The Cow Shed Right For Your Group

Discover why this cottage is the one for your party or family reunion...

For Families
Children love exploring the wildlife-friendly gardens and communal lawn areas within the visitor centre grounds. The on-site nature reserve offers educational opportunities with wildlife watching and nature trails starting from the property. The boot room provides storage for outdoor equipment and muddy boots after adventures.
Groups Will Love...
Nine en-suite bedrooms make The Cow Shed exceptional for group stays. Every guest enjoys private bathroom facilities with walk-in showers and heated towel rails. The ground floor accessible room ensures all group members can stay comfortably together in this purpose-built group accommodation facility.
Pet Friendly
Pets are welcome at The Cow Shed with excellent facilities for four-legged guests. The boot room provides ideal storage for leads, toys and pet equipment. Extensive grounds within the nature reserve offer perfect walking opportunities, while the nearby river and woodland trails provide exciting exploration for dogs.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at The Cow Shed

Kingcombe Visitor Centre Café

Located On-site from your accommodation.

Postcode: DT2 0EQ

The White Horse Inn

Located 3.5 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: DT2 0AA

The Greyhound Inn

Located 2.8 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: DT2 0BE

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about The Cow Shed

How many people does The Cow Shed accommodate?
The property sleeps up to 15 guests across nine bedrooms. Each bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom for maximum comfort and privacy.
Is The Cow Shed pet friendly?
Yes, pets are welcome at The Cow Shed. The property includes a boot room perfect for storing walking gear and pet equipment.
What kitchen facilities are available for groups?
The large kitchen/diner includes electric oven, hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washing machine. There's also a separate utility room with additional washing facilities.
Are there accessible facilities at the property?
Yes, there's a ground floor accessible single bedroom with walk-in shower. The property offers ground floor accommodation options for guests with mobility requirements.
What's included in the grounds access?
Groups have exclusive evening access to the visitor centre gardens and communal lawn areas. During the day, you can access the on-site café and wildlife-friendly gardens.
How far are local shops and pubs?
The nearest shop is 3.4 miles away and the closest pub is 3.5 miles from the property. Maiden Newton village with more amenities is just 2.5 miles away.
What outdoor activities are available nearby?
The property sits on the edge of Kingcombe National Nature Reserve with walking trails starting from your door. There's also access to Powerstock Common and river walks just 0.2 miles away.
What parking is available for groups?
The property provides off-road parking for multiple vehicles. The exact number of spaces accommodates the group size staying at the property.

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The Cow Shed Reviews

Another great experience from Sykes. A few niggles but won't list them all. Its a fair assumption that if it gets fully booked for a large famaily, at least 2 or 3 couples might actually like to sleep togethet!!! Also, cooking for eight adults took some juggling with small saucepans. Overall, very pretty area but accommodation could do with some TLC, especially in Fallow Deer bathroom. It wouldnt put us off staying again.
The House was alot closer to the visitor centrecafe than expected we knew it was on a Nature reserve but thought we may have had a little bit more privacy as during the day we couldnt sit in the upstairs lounge as its all floor to ceiling glass windows lots of people walking past looking in maybe putting some frosted film to go half way up the windows would help. BUT apart from that all 12 of us had a great time. The House is very well equipped and having the bedrooms all ensuit was brilliant. It's in a beautiful area will recommend it to others
A brilliant place for a group to stay. Lots of en suites and good break out spaces lovely setting with a bird hide, friendly staff at the visitor centre and a sense of being away from it all.
We had a wonderful short break. We were a group of 13 people aged from 4 to 84! Friendly staff. Easy parking. Beautiful setting. We would recommend. Thank you.
A really superb location with great accommodation . Everything was provided and squeaky clean .Bed arrangements are appropriate for all mixture of visitors. Kids LOVED it and spent a couple of happy hours in torchlight at the outside 'kitchen'. We all loved it...great walks on the doorstep , interesting visitor centre and yummy cafe. All staff we encountered were helpful and friendly. A great choice... we'll be back!
Described as having WiFi but the signal was virtually nonexistent. Also, not enough chairs and a very cramped lounge area. The shower in the accessible downstairs bedroom was very cold and the temperature variable.
Ashley
The Cowshed was ideal for our large family gathering to celebrate x2 70th birthdays. Each room has its own bathroom and all the beds were very comfortable. The location was beautiful with some lovely walks on your door step. My only criticism would be that the lounge is tiny, this house would really benefit from a large lounge. There is a large seating area at the top of the stairs but it wasn't a very usable space for us. We happily sat around the large dining table in the evenings though.
Jacquie
A comfortable and spacious property. We stayed for a couple of nights for an extended family meet up with 10 adults. We found the property very clean and comfortable.
Very good price. The lack of a large loungesitting room was a disadvantage. We included seat cushions and a folding table for the kitchen in our luggage The upper gallery sofas are too bulky for the best use of the limited space. We included garden chairs in our luggage. A lovely quiet base in the marvellous nature reserve. Very helpful and charming staff
Angela
Well equipped property in a beautiful location. Brilliant for children and nature lovers as the reserve with its facilities is on the doorstep. We were fortunate with the weather as when we were full at 15, we laid food out in the kitchen and ate on the picnic tables outside. You couldn't seat 15 at once in the kitchen. Great selection of books and games and 2 TVs we didn't watch with comfy seating! Only quibble was that when we had an issue with a blown fuse and a loss of power in part of the property on the Saturday evening, we couldn't reach an emergency number that worked.
Heather
A lovely place in a gorgeous setting. Perfect for a group to spend time together and go walking and to the seaside. We will book again.
Being someone dealing with group residential trips and Possibley being on the ... Being someone dealing with group residential trips and Possibley being on the spectrum it would have been nice to have been able to speek to Syke cottages over the phone and having people dealing with upcoming holidays
A lovely venue. The students were very happy staying there. No complaints. We definitely hope to come again. Kingcombe is a real gem! A biodiverse arcadia from the madding world.
Gillian
The house was great for our walking group of OAP's. Not very comfortable to sit together in the evenings, but we managed. Majority of the 11 of us had very cold showers most of the week. Would recommend to other groups.
We had a lovely long weekend staying here for my Mums Birthday. The cottage was well equipped with plenty of towels, kitchen equipment, etc. It was such a lovely setting and so nice to have the whole of the gardens to ourselves in the evening. Great area amazing cottage with plenty of space, would definitely book again. Thank you
Lesley
Beautiful location staff on site were friendly and helpful accommodation was perfect for our party of friends having twin rooms with ensuite was such a bonus. The cafe offered a great menu was sorry that it wasn't opened for two days off our stay would highly recommend this property to anyone wanting to visit the area.
Excellent property in a great location. We visited the nature centre, walked to the hide to see lots of wildlife, and enjoyed the tea room very much. We've already booked for next year!
Lovely big property clean tidy and in a fantastic remote location Designed to ... Lovely big property clean tidy and in a fantastic remote location Designed to be a social environment due to the small tv room Small issue with hot water upon arrival but this was quickly rectified Would recommend
Bangareswara Sarma
What a lovely cottage and surrounding environment. Really enjoyed staying at this cottage, 4 families gathered for a get together and all enjoyed. We have not seen any cottage with somnay bedrooms and ensuite on every room. Only downside for me is small living area but with big kitchen we didn't have problem chatting instead there. Wifi reception is little downside of you are working from home type person but otherwise lovely place to stay and we will come back again of we have a chance next time. The surrounding wildlife and walking routes are great to spend time in the morning.
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Unit 8, Dorset Business Park, Puddletown Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8QL