The Vivat Trust purchase historic buildings throughout the United Kingdom. These buildings are restored and turned into vacation rentals (holiday cottages) to bring in an income for the trust. I made my booking by phone and paid with a credit card.

Three of us rented The Chantry, a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom house in Bridport, near the coast in Dorset. The house dates from Medieval times - 13th - 14th century. It is magnificent. The house was beautifully renovated and furnished. The stone walls are thick, the ceilings are high, the rooms are a good size, the curtains and furniture are beautiful. You know you are in an historic building but you get modern-day luxury. Everything was comfortable.

We cooked several meals in the kitchen. They left the best welcome basket I have ever seen - with basics for breakfast, snacks and for a quick dinner. There is a nice garden behind the house, with a big outdoor table and chairs. There is off road parking.

There are partial frescos in the dining room (covered in glass) and carved stone work in several rooms. You can see where the "garderobe" (toilet) was in the master bedroom (now just an interesting stone niche). In the top level bathroom there are some steps leading to a small door that brings you out onto the roof! The first and second floors (US second and third) have good views.

Bridport is a lovely town with several restaurants and pubs, and good local shopping. We went to their antique market. There is a Waitrose (my favorite supermarket) on the High Street, just a 10 minute walk from the house. And one mile south brings you to West Bay on the coast. The pebble beach is at the foot of the red Jurassic Coast cliffs. You can walk the South Coast Path from here. 20 minutes drive west to Lyme Regis and 30 minutes east to Dorcester - a great location.

The only downsides are that the house is on the main road in town (but it is not that busy and you don't hear the traffic noise in the house) and the floors and doors are very squeaky, so you can hear other people in your group moving about. Noise traveled between the two bedrooms also. But, I would happily rent this house again just to be able to stay in such an historic building.