Oak Vale The South East

A forest hideaway in stunning Surrey

Step off the world for a while in this beautiful house, hidden in a forest vale. Oak Vale is a picture of understated elegance in neutral tones and natural materials, utterly in harmony with its forest home.

Bring family or friends and once you’ve settled in, gather in the open plan living space where the woodland views are framed through sliding glass doors. The smart country kitchen is fitted with luxury appliances and preparing dinner (you are welcome to use vegetables and herbs from the garden) doesn’t mean shutting yourself away, as cooking, dining and lounging are all together in this sociable setup. A modern wood burner keeps things cosy, and on sunny days you can spill onto the terrace. Save the separate drawing room for more reflective moments or take up the action in the games and cinema room.

Outside, there’s 1.5 acres of garden, landscaped into the vale, with tiers containing a lawn for tennis, croquet or cricket, a heated swimming pool and a large dining terrace with a gas barbecue. Wherever you are, feel the breeze in the trees and soak up the sights and sounds of the forest, maybe even catching a glimpse of the two wild horses that graze the heather, or the deer who make the forest their home.

When the day is done, the bedrooms offer sanctuary with soft tones, sumptuous beds and forest views. Whether you’re in the oak-beamed master bedroom with a freestanding Lusso Stone ‘egg’ bath and rain shower in the ensuite, or one of the two ground floor rooms with doors to the terrace, peace and tranquillity are assured. A separate, self-contained annex has a double bedroom and a sofa bed.

Visit the local village for the artisan baker, independent wine merchant and a lovely deli. Picnic sorted, there are walks from the doorstep and many more within a short drive and the boot room is more than big enough for all your boots, hats and coats. There are also lots of quaint country pubs locally as well as a great choice of restaurants. Amazingly, this tranquil valley hideaway is just 50 minutes from London by train.

Selected by Claire

Learn more about our handpicking process

What we think

We’re pleased to introduce our latest addition to the Big House Experience collection. Nestled in the Surrey Hills, this delightful modern house offers the chance to escape from the world and relax in picturesque woodland surroundings, amongst family and friends.

Claire, Big House Experience

Gallery

Highlights Grounds Living Spaces Kitchen and Dining Bedrooms Bathrooms Facilities All

Exterior

Living Dining Area

Lounge

Kitchen

Master Bedroom

Swimming Pool

Aerial View

List of Bedrooms (PDF)

Take a look around

What to Expect

We’ve tried to think about everything to make your stay at Oak Vale just perfect. In all of our big houses to rent, we provide all the essential features to cater for a family 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.

Welcome treats on arrival
Luxury bed linen, bath towels and separate pool towels
Well-equipped kitchen including Britannia range cooker, 5-ring induction hob, Fisher & Paykel fridge freezer, dishwasher and Nespresso coffee maker (additional fridge freezer in the boot room)
Dining table in the kitchen/dining room that seats 16 comfortably
Free Wi-Fi
Bluetooth music system
40” TV in the open-plan kitchen/dining/living room with Netflix and Amazon Prime, and 32” TV in the annex
Cinema/games room with cinema screen (Netflix and Amazon Prime), large L-shaped sofa and table tennis table
Log burners in the open-plan kitchen/dining/living room and annex and an open fire in the drawing room (logs provided from trees felled on the site)
Grass tennis court (available June – September) which can also be used for croquet or cricket (tennis rackets, balls, cricket pads and bats available)
Heated outdoor swimming pool on the south facing terrace (available 1 Apr – 30 Sep)
Al fresco dining space for 16 and a gas BBQ (gas provided) on the upper terrace
Vegetable and herb garden (help yourself to seasonal produce)
Tree house with power and lighting
EV charging point
Hot tub (new for 2024 bookings onwards)

Location

Situated between Farnham and Haslemere, within the South Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Surrey Hills.

House FAQs

What are the check in and check out times?

Check in is at 4pm on the day of your arrival and check out is at 10am.
How many cars can park at the property?

There is parking for 6 to 7 cars at the property.
Are pets allowed?

Up to two well-behaved dogs are allowed at Oak Vale, subject to a fee of £50 per dog. Dogs are not allowed upstairs or on soft furnishings. The property is fully fenced once the front gate is closed.
Are children welcome?

Children are very welcome at Oak Vale. A travel cot and highchair are available on request (please bring your own cot linen). Children's cutlery, crockery and cups are also available and one child’s chair to enable a 2-5 year old to sit higher up at the dining table. Please note, parents should supervise children at all times due to the swimming pool and stream at the bottom of the garden.
Are stag and hen parties allowed?

Sorry, Oak Vale is not suitable for stag or hen parties.
When is the swimming pool open?

The outdoor swimming pool (9m x 4m) is available from 1 April to 30 September and is heated to 28 degrees. The pool area is fenced with a safety lock and there is a pool cover. Please supervise children at all times.
Can I arrange a supermarket delivery to the house?

Yes, you can order online with Tesco, Waitrose or Ocado for a delivery direct to the house. We usually suggest booking a delivery for after 4pm on the day of arrival.
How many guests can sit at the dining table?

The dining table in the open-plan kitchen/dining room seats 16 guests. There is also an outdoor table on the upper terrace for al fresco dining that also seats 16.
Can you recommend any local places to eat out?

Yes, we'd recommend the following pubs and restaurants, all within 30 minutes' drive of the property (click on the links below):

Pubs (lovely country pubs with great atmospheres and decent pub food)

The Fox and Pelican, Grayshott (1 mile) – walkable if you don’t mind a steep hill!

Bel & The Dragon, Churt (3 miles)

The Holly Bush, Frensham (4 miles)

The Three Horseshoes, Thursley (5 miles)

The Duke of Cambridge, Tilford (5 miles)

The Deer's Hut, Liphook (7 miles)

The Duke of Cumberland Arms, near Fernhurst (south of Haslemere – 9 miles)

Restaurants

Coppa Club, Haslemere (British/European seasonal food)

Moma, Haslemere (Japanese/Mediterranean fusion)

Gurkha Durbar, Grayshott (Nepalese curry – also take away)

The Bayleaf, Grayshott (Indian curry – also take away)

Applegarth Farm, Grayshott (Authentic British garden food - brunch, lunch & dinner)

Pulpo Negro, Alresford (Michelin Star – Tapas)
What is the nearest train station?

The nearest train stations are Haslemere (5 miles) or Farnham (9 miles), both served by taxis (taxi rank outside).
What is the nearest airport?

The nearest airports are Heathrow (37 miles), Southampton (48 miles) or Gatwick (49 miles).
Will you hold a damage deposit during our stay?

Yes, we ask to hold a cautionary deposit of £1,000 during your stay at Oak Vale. 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 and place your booking request online, or by calling our team on 01242 352 747.

When booking, we ask for a deposit of 33% of the total price, with the balance due 12 weeks prior to your stay (or the full balance when booking within 12 weeks of your stay).