Cool Place of the Day: The Old Forge, Dorset

Every day, a new place to discover or explore from coolplaces.co.uk

Tim and Lucy Kerridge run a small but highly desirable B&B in the heart of rural Dorset, not far from the charming country town of Shaftesbury. But they also let out a beautifully converted blacksmiths forge – The Smithy – that sleeps two, along with three cosy glamping options: a gypsy caravan and a couple of shepherds' huts.

The Smithy is a great place, rustic and at the same time contemporary, decorated with the Kerridges' old blacksmiths tools and fab old retro signs (many of which pertain to their love of classic cars) but with all the mod cons you could possibly need plus its own outside terrace and vine-covered pergola.

In a nearby field you'll find Rosie, a 1930s gypsy caravan that also sleeps two; lace curtains frame the windows and there's a small kitchen and fan heater to keep you warm, plus the nearby Tuck Shop which has sweets and goodies and a fridge, sink and crockery for picnics, and the Glampers Kitchen, where you can cook up the local sausages and bacon provided (just put your money in the honesty box).

Rosie shares a field with Sam the Shepherd's Hut, which provides cosy accommodation for another couple and is furnished in a pretty, old-fashioned style with country furniture, retro tins and containers and quilts. Finally, there's Mabel, another Shepherd's Hut, a short walk away across a stile and some stepping stones, furnished in the same retro style. It shares the Tuck Shop and Glampers Kitchen with Sam and Rosie – and of course the glorious views over the surrounding green hills – but each of the glamping options has their own bathrooms and loos.

Whether you opt for glamping or The Smithy, sitting outside of an evening, nursing a glass of wine while your sausages sizzle, is a treat indeed – especially if Scrumpy Jack, the Kerridges' tame donkey, has come by for a visit.

Cool Places is a website from the creators of Rough Guides and Cool Camping, suggesting the best places to stay, eat, drink and shop in Britain (coolplaces.co.uk)