River Valley House The South West

Live in harmony with the country…
…WITH STYLE AND PANACHE

River Valley House is an exceptional property offering a magical stay in beautiful Dorset. Perfect for a family gathering, it sleeps up to 20 and has the most amazing indoor and outdoor spaces.

With a unique ‘boho-luxe’ style, timeworn antiques rub shoulders with contemporary furnishings. Soft leather sofas are complemented by accent chairs, the piano’s ready to play, and open fires burn cheerfully in the grate. Bespoke wallpaper and tapestry rugs lend warmth and spirit to the spacious sitting room while the light-filled kitchen-diner benefits from a Jura bean-to-cup machine, American-style fridge-freezer and bar stools to keep the chef company. Indoor entertainment is covered in the barn. Dip in the indoor pool, detox in the steam room, hit the gym, and play pool or table football in the games room.

Outside, nature is the shining star of the show and you have 14 acres all to yourselves. Swim in the natural spring-fed pond, play badminton and croquet on the lawn, follow woodland trails and pick vegetables from the organic gardens. Down by the oxbow lake, take turns in the sauna, the wood-fired hot tub and the plunge pool, while the children play for hours over the bridge on Teepee Island. As the sun dips, gather at the campfire kitchen and feast on pizzas from the pizza oven.

Make time to visit the Jurassic Coast close by, for fossil-hunting and rock-pooling or exploring Lyme Regis or West Bay, made famous by the Broadchurch drama series. Back home, the 10 luxury bedrooms offer rest and tranquillity. Six are in the main house, two are above the barn and two in an apartment in a separate annex. At River Valley House, something special awaits at every turn and you will treasure the memories you make here.

Selected by Claire

Learn more about our handpicking process

Guest Reviews

You describe River Valley House as being 'magical' and that's exactly how it felt. Our family, from kids to very big kids, had such a wonderful and memorable time here. Thank you so much Big House Experience for all your help in arranging such a memorable weekend.

Sue, Cornwall

Our stay at River Valley House was wonderful, by far surpassing our expectations. The home itself is truly beautiful, comfortable, and lends itself for large groups & family gatherings. We had originally planned day excursions, which we promptly cancelled, because the grounds are spectacular, with so many fun activities on site...the evenings spent round the outdoor fire pit were magical. We would not hesitate to book again!

Lindsay, New York

There simply are not sufficient superlatives to describe our stay. The property was outstanding and exceeded our high expectations by a mile.

Jill, Wokingham

We had a lovely welcome and nothing was too much trouble. The house and gardens were ideal for adults and children: indoor pool/outdoor natural pond and hot tub were excellent. Teepee island with the canoes was great fun. The kitchen was large and spacious with everything and more that you would need...Plenty of sofas to curl up on. We would love to return.

Sarah, Salisbury

Gallery

Highlights Grounds Living Spaces Facilities Kitchen and Dining Bedrooms Bathrooms All

Aerial View

Sitting Room

Natural Swimming Lake

Indoor Pool

Tee Pee Island

Bedroom

Kitchen Dining Room

List of Rooms & Floor Plans (PDF)

Take A Look Around

What to expect

We’ve tried to think about everything to make your stay at River Valley House just perfect. In all of our country houses to rent, we provide all the essential features to cater for a large group. Here’s a list of all the practical provisions we have at the house. If there’s anything you can’t see here but need, just ask as we’ll see what we can do.

Luxury bed linen and bath towels
Complimentary bathroom amenities
Dining table that can seat up to 20 guests
Wi-Fi internet
Heated indoor swimming pool (10m x 5m)
Outdoor natural swimming pond
Sauna, steam room and hot tub
Beautiful peaceful setting with 14 acres of stunning gardens and woodland to explore - a children's paradise with rope swings and a trampoline plus a rowing boat, paddleboards and kayaks to use on the river meandering through the grounds
Croquet and badminton
Media room with conference facilities
Gym with cardio and multi-gym equipment
3 x Sky HD TVs in the property including a 3D plasma TV in the Barn
Sonos sound system integrated with main living areas
A kitchen garden where you're encouraged to pick your own fruit and vegetables (depending on the season)
Gas BBQ and wood-fired pizza oven
A range of traditional board games and books
Cots and highchairs are available on request
A starter set of provisions, including oil, English breakfast tea, coffee and brown and white sugar. Guests are encouraged to help themselves to fresh eggs from the hen house

Location

Nestled in a beautiful valley two miles outside the Dorset seaside town of Bridport.

House FAQs

What are the check in and check out times?

Check in is at 4pm on the day of your arrival at River Valley House, and check out is at 10am.
Is the property close to a beach?

Yes, the property is about 15 minutes' drive to West Bay. The very beautiful and popular Lyme Regis is only 35 minutes' drive away.
Are pets allowed?

Up to two well-behaved dogs are welcome at River Valley House for a nominal fee of £5 per dog.
Is the house suitable for children?
Yes, children are very welcome at River Valley House. The following are provided for children:
- Two cots (please bring your own cot bedding)
- Two high chairs
Are the pools open year-round?

Yes, the indoor swimming pool and outdoor natural swimming lake are both open all year round. The indoor pool is heated to around 29-30 degrees.
How many guests can sit at the dining table?

There is a dining table at River Valley House that can seat 14 guests or be extended to seat 20 guests comfortably.
Are there local places to eat you can recommend?

Yes. We'd suggest the following pubs and restaurants which are within a short drive of River Valley House:

The Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis
This restaurant, run by Michelin star chef Mark Hix, serves high quality British seafood with a view of the Jurassic Coast. It uses the best of the local fish caught off the Dorset coast, often from Lyme Bay itself.

The Parlour, Bridport
A relaxed authentic Italian restaurant located on a beautiful farm just outside Burton Bradstock, providing a lovely atmospheric dining experience. They do an amazing Sunday roast.

Dorshi, Bridport

A really cosy restaurant in the heart of Bridport offering East Asian inspired street food. Dorshi has recently been featured in the 2021 Michelin Guide, giving justice to the wonderful food the team create.

The Ollerod, Beaminster
This restaurant is definitely one for the foodies. It has a lovely cottage-feel with a fire in the winter and a terrace and garden for the summer months where you can get amazing cocktails to enjoy in the sunshine. They grow their seasonal veg and herbs in their own garden, and source locally from all the amazing farmers and fishermen in Dorset.

The Three Horseshoes, Burton Bradstock

A beautiful 300-year-old thatched pub with log fires in the winter and a lovely beer garden in the summer. Dog and child friendly.

Soulshine, Bridport
A gorgeous local café in the heart of Bridport that offers delicious locally produced food, juices and smoothies. This café has a lovely courtyard at the back where you can sit in the sunshine and enjoy the great atmosphere.

Billy Winters, Weymouth & Crab House Café, Wyke Regis (scenic 40-minute drive)
Sister restaurants that are just a 5-minute walk from one another. Billy Winters offers a relaxed beach front café where you can sit and watch the kite surfers and paddle boarders take to the sea. Think wood fired pizza and home brewed craft beer. The Crab House Café offers a more formal restaurant where you can get fresh oysters from the restaurant’s own oyster beds and fine selections of seafood.

The Hive Beach Café, Burton Bradstock

This busy café serves one of the best fish and chips, fresh seafood and delicious breakfasts. Plenty of outdoor seating as well as a great selection of local ice creams to enjoy by the sea.
Are there any house rules we need to be aware of?
Yes, to ensure you have a wonderful and memorable stay at River Valley House, we ask that you understand the following important house rules:
- No fireworks please
- Not suitable for stag or hen parties
What is the nearest train station to River Valley House?

The nearest train station is Crewkerne which is a 24 minute drive from River Valley House. From Crewkerne, you can reach London Paddington in 2.5 hours.
What is the nearest airport to River Valley House?

River Valley House is a 1 hour 13 minute drive from Bournemouth Airport and a 1 hour 38 minute drive from Bristol Airport.
Will you hold a damage deposit during our stay?

Yes, we ask to hold a cautionary deposit of £1,000 during your stay at River Valley House. This is requested just two weeks prior to your stay, and is returned shortly after, assuming no damage to the property or its contents (see our Booking T&Cs for more information).
How do I book?

You can check availability and pricing for River Valley House, and place your booking request online, or by calling our team on 01242 352 747.