Poorton Hill

Poorton Hill is a detached house for up to 15 guests, set in large private grounds at South Poorton, near Bridport, with Beaminster also close by. It is reached along country lanes, and the house stands high enough to look over the Dorset countryside.

A grand hallway with a separate WC leads to the lounge, which has a wood burner and doors to the garden, and on to a music room with a piano and a dining room with a glass front. The kitchen has a range-style electric oven and hob, a fridge/freezer, a microwave and two dishwashers, and the utility room has two washing machines, a tumble dryer and a fridge/freezer. There is a snug with a TV and DVD player, and the house has high-speed fibre internet.

There are eight bedrooms in all: three king-size, three twin, one double and one single. Each king-size room has its own en-suite. Three bedrooms are on the ground floor in the left wing and another king-size is in the right wing, with the other rooms upstairs. The grounds have large unenclosed lawns at the front and back, garden furniture, a steep wooded slope behind the house and a large uncovered pond, so children need watching.

The house has a private water supply. Barbecues, fireworks, dogs and stag or hen parties are not allowed, and guests are asked to keep noise down at unsociable hours out of courtesy to neighbours, and fireworks are ruled out because of the livestock. The pub is 1 mile away, the shop 4 miles and the beach 6 miles. It suits a big family gathering or a group of friends who do not need to bring a dog.