A SOMERSET SUMMER WITH BELLE DAUGHTRY
Belle in her garden
We catch up with photographer and stylist Belle Daughtry who shares her enchanting Somerset life on Just Belle, detailing her slow life in a Somerset village where she tends to her garden, fills her home with vintage finds and inspires us to venture out into the English countryside…
Tell us a little about your little patch of Somerset heaven
My family relocated to Somerset a few years ago in lockdown. I feel so lucky to call it home here. We were always drawn to the West Country. The rolling landscapes and creative community. We found the cottage online at the end of lockdown and after the first viewing, we knew it was the one. We are at the top of the hill, overlooking Glastonbury and the Tor. From every window, we look out at rolling hills. Although only a small home, we have tried to make every nook and corner beautiful and functional.
Where is your favourite spot to spend your mornings at home?
When I am at home in Somerset, I like to start my day with a swim at the local swimming pool. It’s such a perfect way to start my day. I come home afterwards and I’ll sit in the sunroom and have breakfast and tea while catching up on emails.
Do you take inspiration from any local gardens for your own home?
I visited one of my favourite gardens just last week in Batcombe. The Batcombe House garden is open twice yearly through the NGS open garden scheme. Libby Russell, the garden designer and owner of the garden, has created the dream English garden filled with an abundance of roses, cut flowers, vegetable and rolling lawns.
Which walks do you love to do? Do you have a favourite view?
My favourite walks are in the fields surrounding the cottage. We share the footpaths with our neighbours in the lane so we have the paths to ourselves. My little dog Pep loves to run through the fields every evening walks. All the viewpoints look out to the Glastonbury Tor in the distance. We also love to walk locally at Stourhead and King Alfred’s Tower.
Batcombe House Garden
And best pub for a pitstop after the walk?
My new favourite spot is the Beer Hall by Woodshedding brewery at Westcombe farm. The hall is such a cool spot with its lime green painted interiors and industrial style decor. It’s super relaxed serving English ales and Westcombe cheeseboards and landrace bread (which is produced in the unit next door)
We’re about to dive into summer, do you ever go wild swimming?
It’s something I have always wanted to do. As I mentioned earlier, I start most days with a swim at the local pool. I grew up by the sea so I really miss the beach. One day I hope to move coastal for a mix of coast and country. But for now, we drive to the Dorset coast which is just under an hours drive. Eype beach is my favourite swimming spot.
Somerset is full of quirky towns and villages, do you have a favourite?
The Somerset folk are so lucky to have so many wonderful spots on our doorstep! It’s so hard to choose but I have always loved Mells village.The postcards charm cottages are swoon worthy. Mells is home to one of my favourite pubs, The Talbot Inn. A perfect spot for Sunday roast after a walk around the village. You can then shop vintage china from a cottage doorstep opposite the pub and find yourself wandering into The Walled Garden for tea and cake in the greenhouses.
The Walled Garden, Frome
Your wardrobe is so unique, where do you look for your treasures?
I have inherited my love of clothes from my mama. Her great style has always been an inspiration to me. When I left school at 18, my first job was a shopgirl at Cabbages & Roses in Chelsea. It was here where my clothes obsession began as I watched and listened to the design and production process which happened in the office above the shop.
Since then, my work as a content creator and photographer has introduced me to an entire new world of brands which resonate my style. Some recent favourites I have been working with are O’Pioneers, Eka, Sezane, Damson Madder and Heart & Daisy.
Belle at home
And your favourite place to find your beautiful homeware?
At the Shepton flea! We live nearby to the Shepton Showground which hosts the giant Shepton flea most months of the year. Many of my favourite treasures have been found at the flea. You can walk for miles and rummage through boxes. It’s like being at a French antique market.
We also love to attend the Country Brocante fairs which are hosted by my friend Lucy Haywood. The fairs are in Sussex, Somerset, Hampshire and Oxfordshire all over the year. My other favourite treasure hunting spots are the Old Albion in Bridport, Lark Vintage in Frome and the Walcot Street antiques market on Saturday morning in Bath.
