Once a former rectory, this stunning holiday home in Somerset for 20/22 guests (16/18 in the main house and 4 in the Dovecote) provides a most beautiful, peaceful country mansion for rent. The adjacent Dovecote offers a more contemporary haven, stylishly designed with comfort and luxury in mind. It sits in 17 acres of gardens and woodland, with a small lake, and an abundance of colourful flower beds. Read the blog about our visit here.

Social spaces

Leading from the hall with its beautiful flagged floor are the four main reception rooms. The Morning Room with three tall sash windows overlooking the gardens, the Snug with an open fire and a view of the south facing terrace and gardens, the sitting room with pine floors and an open fire and the large, book lined dining room with its extensive library.

The elegant orangery is a light, bright space at any time of year and is large enough to use for a meeting, if you are looking for a corporate away day venue. Otherwise, it’s a fabulous space to enjoy views over the garden.

The large farmhouse kitchen, which has a glass roofed dining area, is ideal for guests to gather, eat and chat. It contains a four oven Aga, set into a beautiful stone fireplace. There is also a separate electric oven and induction hob. There is a good sized walk-in larder, and a separate utility and boot room leading to the back door. The Dovecote has its own small modern kitchen with electric oven and hob.

Bedrooms

For large group holidays, the accommodation is ideally flexible – comprising seven super king double bedrooms,  (five of which can be made into twins), one double bedroom and two twin bedrooms.  The first floor has four bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms including the master bedroom, which has an en-suite with a shower and a large claw foot bath for a truly decadent soak (bring your own champagne!). The second floor has four bedrooms with two family bathrooms. In the adjacent Dovecote there are two bedrooms which share one large family bathroom. All the bedrooms are stylishly designed and furnished, with sumptuous bedding. (click here to see the house floor plan).

Fun spaces

On the lower ground floor, the table tennis room is a great places to unwind and have a friendly (or not so friendly!) competition. With other games too, a darts board and large indoor/outdoor games, like Jenga, there’s plenty to keep your group amused. The cinema room is here as well, with sofas for chill out movie watching on the large screen.

On the ground floor is the snooker room, with a three quarter size table, a piano. lots of books and bags of space for spectators, or singers!

Pool, hot tub, tennis court, sauna and gardens

The heated pool, sauna and hot tub are always popular at a party house and as these gardens have a southerly aspect, you can choose to be in the sun all day long. For extra fun, there is a hard tennis court as well as a croquet lawn, football pitch and large trampoline in the garden. The outside facilities are great for large family holidays, so you can combine on site entertainment with occasional day trips. To explore the immediate Somerset area, there are 13 bicycles of varying sizes for you to enjoy too.

During your stay

If you decide to venture away from the house and grounds, there’s lots to keep everyone amused. A trip to see the Lions and other animals of Longleat is a great family day out, as is a ride on the either the West or East Somerset Railway for steam train buffs (young and old).

Haynes Motor Museum is worth a visit to see their fantastic collections of cars and bikes. Toddlers can ride mini cars and diggers and there’s a karting circuit next to the museum for older children and adults. If motors aren’t your thing, the café will be!

If you’re there on a race day you could have a flutter at Wincanton Races, or visit Sherbourne Castle or Stourhead for a fascinating day out.

A few small points

• Guests with children should be aware there is an unfenced swimming pool in the garden.
• Arrivals from 4pm / Departure by 10am (Monday to Friday) Departure by 4pm (Sunday)
• We recommend taking out your own personal travel insurance prior to booking.

The History

Somerset Manor dates from 1686, when it was the village Rectory. It was owned by the same family, who continued to provide the village with rectors, until 1897. Today, this is a very well cared for big house, with a fantastic team led by Jenny, who will welcome you on arrival.

Location

Somerset Manor is 4 miles from the A303 near Wincanton. The nearest mainline station is Templecombe, on the London Waterloo line, or Castle Cary on the London Paddington line.

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