Welcome to Melbury Vale at Barfoot Farm, in Melbury Abbas, nr Shaftesbury, famous for Gold Hill, (The Hovis Advert) in the beautiful north Dorset countryside. Glynn and Clare, brother and sister, purchased the land and buildings, which was originally part of the larger 'Barfoot Farm', in Dec 03. Since then, with a vision, much hard work, enthusiasm, help and support from friends and family we have created a working farm with self catering, holiday accommodation:

                                                                 Melbury Vale Cottage;

Melbury Vale Vineyard;

Melbury Vale Christmas Trees;

English Native Woodland;

Horse Livery

and an

Alpaca Herd and other animals!

and also

Camping and caravanning available

There is Shaftesbury Abbey and Shaftesbury Arts Centre, where there are regular, varied and lively year-round programme of amateur and professional plays, films, art, photography and craft exhibitions, workshops, and training courses.

Town centre maps are provided for you in the holiday-let. Late opening food stores include Ivy Cross Stores and Tesco and Co-op, which are open until 10pm most evenings.

Melbury Vale is well situated close to numerous sites of interest and entertainment.

Locally, we suggest:

Compton Abbas Airfield and Museum: flight lessons available

Old Wardour Castle

Panary Bread-making courses at Cann Mill http://www.panary.co.uk 

Shaftesbury St James (especially Pump Yard)

Stourhead (National Trust property with exceptional gardens)

Fontmell Down walk (rare orchids)

Blandford Forum Town (Georgian Architecture)

Fontwell Bishop lakes - fishing

Larmer Tree Gardens   http://www.larmertree.co.uk         

Festivals: Melbury Abbas vintage ralley and rural weekend festival (July), Larmer Tree festival (July), Great Dorset Steam festival (September)          

Further afield (but all within 1 hour drive):

Avebury Ring: neolithic stone ring surroounding the village of Avebury

Salisbury: known as 'The city in the countryside', the magnificent medieval city of Salisbury has it all: historic streets and alleyways, charming half-timbered buildings, traditional English eating houses and characterful shopping streets, not to mention a superb range of attractions, Cathedral and Close.

Old Sarum (3 miles N of Salisbury)

Stonehenge (30 mins drive A350/A303)

Jurassic Coast: Lulworth Cove, Durdledoor Coast: beautiful coastline walk

Poole Harbour

Swanage Railway

Bovington Tank Museum

Monkey World: interact with chimpanzees!

Longleat: Wildlife safari park, with drive-through monkey park.

Wylye Valley Vineyard

Sherbourne: one of the most beautiful towns in England. An abundance of medieval buildings, superb Abbey, world famous Schools, picturesque Almshouse and two Castles, a pretty town with traditional shops and an abbey.

There are many other attractions and events held across the region throughout the year. For more information and booking facilities please visit the Tourism Information Centre, next to Somerfield supermarket, 8 Bell Street, Shaftesbury, or call them on 01747 853514. They will be happy to assist.

Visit http://www.shaftesburydorset.com for local information - where to eat, shop etc.

Melbury Vale is situated between the A350 and B3081 roads.

It lies about 8 miles to the south of the London-Exeter (M3/A303) trunk route. The A350 runs north/south linking the M4 at Chippenham to the South Coast at Poole and has an intersection with the A303 just west of Chicklade.

From the A350 in Shaftesbury, take the A30 Salisbury turn from the Royal Chase Hotel roundabout. After 100 metres, turn right along the B3081. Follow the road for about 1 mile into a 30mph zone at Cann Common.

At Melbury Motors (Fiat/Alfa Romeo dealership), take the sharp right turn down Mill Hollow Lane. Bear right at the bottom of the hill and you will find the holiday lets on your right after 50 metres.

For users of satellite navigation systems, the postcode is SP7 0DB.

By Rail

The nearest station is Gillingham (5 miles), served hourly by trains from London Waterloo to Yeovil Junction and Exeter.

Connecting services to most other parts of Britain are available at Salisbury and Basingstoke.

Several taxi firms operate in Gillingham, including:

Station Taxis 01747-826668

Star Taxis 01747-822228

Self-drive car hire is available from:

Dorset Vehicle Rentals, Gillingham 08000-515253 http://www.dorsetvehiclerentals.co.uk

Five Square Garage (U-Drive), Shaftesbury 01747-852726

By Coach

One National Express Coach per day to Shaftesbury from London via Heathrow Airport and Salisbury.

By Air

Nearest airports with scheduled services are Bournemouth (40 mins drive) and Southampton (1 hr drive). Services operate to these airports from many UK and Irish locations as well as some European locations.

Private aircraft can land at Compton Abbas airfield, only 1 mile away.