Manor Farmhouse, Minterne

Minterne Magna, Dorset
Self-catering
+44 (0)7535 974752
Visit owner's website

From
£180 - £528
per night
From
£1200 - £3700
per week

A traditional country house experience with plenty of space for big family get-togethers, on a very old estate with fascinating gardens

Bed

9 beds

Bedroom

5 bedrooms

Sleeps

Sleeps 12

Children welcome
Pets welcome
Babies welcome

£180 - £528 per night

£1200 - £3700 per week

The Experience

This ‘royal house’ declared itself for the King in 1660, but its roots are even older. Find leaded windows, flagstone floors and big old fireplaces, a library stuffed with books, a very comfortable sitting room and a family kitchen. A welcome hamper is filled with Dorset treats.

Delight in the gardens across the road at any time of year, with a mile long trail through a unique collection of Himalayan Rhododendrons and Azaleas, small lakes and waterfalls and plenty of places to sit. There’s a village shop in Cerne Abbas for stocking up and plenty of farm shops nearby. Drop in to one of three pubs in the village including The Giant Inn, for handcrafted local ales.

Walk through the valley and up into the hills, say hello to his nibs The Giant, then come back down the other side.

Manor Farmhouse, Minterne - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • Discovering the gardens - they are wonderful and open to the paying public but free to guests
  • Walking to the village for a pint without having to use a road
  • The peace and quiet in the house and the views over the garden
Manor Farmhouse, Minterne - Gallery

You should know

  • Only the master has its own bathroom, the others share a bathroom upstairs and a shower room downstairs
  • The stairs are quite steep - not good for dodgy knees
  • You have use of the pool and tennis court between 10am - 12pm, 4pm - 6pm April to October, shared with another holiday let

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Self check-in
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Barbecue
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Electricity included
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Pricing

Nightly price
from £180
Weekly price
from £1200
Surcharges
Extra bed/sofabed available at no charge.
1 House for 12
From £1809 beds5 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Check in
3.30pm
Check out
10am
Other details
Minimum stay: 3 nights.
Closed
Never.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Meals
Restaurants 2 miles.

Reviews

This is a lovely old farm house with plenty of space and very well equipped. A lot of thought has gone in to making sure you have everything you need and then on top of that there is a pool and grass tennis court and if that is not enough there is access to the beautiful Himalayan Garden of the main house. Finally there are lovely countryside walks. Something for everyone and we had a great time.

Mark, Dunmow

A beautiful, welcoming house, perfect for family get togethers. We loved the space, sweet (dog friendly) garden and well-equipped kitchen. It felt like we were the guests of generous hosts, with a delicious welcome hamper full of local treats, bookshelves full of books, comfortable beds and a swimming pool in a walled garden. We were fortunate to get a tour of Minterne House from Lord Digby, which completed a very special weekend in this beautiful and unspoiled part of Dorset.

Clare, Frome

I have stayed in this lovely house twice now.. in the summer and after Christmas 2021. Both times have been just lovely, cosy in winter and so lovely in summer. The garden is perfect for quiet sun bathing or for children to play safely. The house is so well stocked and comfortable.. everything we needed was there without having to hunt for it. I couldn't recommend this lovely house enough..

Georgina, London

Come for a huge dollop of history, wonderful gardens, loads of grand walks in a stunning valley and a big house to come back to. Even unsociable souls can hide with a book, children will love the garden and everyone will enjoy the pool in summer

Nicola, Sawday's Inspector

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

There are 27 acres of gardens to roam, in spring for the rhododendrons and autumn for colour. Set off on gentle strolls or serious hikes in the hills and valleys surrounding you, nearly all of which don't involve roads. Cycling is challenging on the edge of the North Dorset Downs. The Hive Beach café at Burton Bradstock serves great seafood and the Summer Lodge at Evershot a posh lunch or dinner.

Local points of interest from Henry Digby

  • Minterne garden is a haven of tranquillity to explore and landscaped in the manner of Capability Brown. Around a mile in length, Minterne boasts a world renowned and completely unique collection of Himalayan Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Well worth a visit.
  • The historic County town of Dorchester is only 9 miles away. There is a comprehensive range of shops , including many independent retailers and larger chain shops and supermarkets.
  • Dorchester boasts at least 4 museums including the Military Keep, The Dorset Natural, Historical and Cultural Heritage Museum and a Teddy Bear Museum.
  • Cerne Abbas, just 2 miles away, is a small but pretty Dorset village with 3 pubs and a well stocked village stores.
  • The Cerne Abbas Giant dominates the hill just on the edge of Cerne Abbas. This famous, historic, Pagan monument was likely built around 700 - 900AD to honour the god Thor.
  • Sherborne located 10 miles North has a 16th century castle and gardens which is open to visitors. The magnificent Sherborne Abbey was founded in 705AD. It one of the most beautiful of England's parish churches and known as the 'cathedral of Dorset'

Introducing

Henry Digby

Henry is the current Lord Digby. The house, estate and gardens originally belonged to the Churchill family and were bought by the Digbys 250 years ago. They've retained the Churchill tapestries, pictures and furniture so if you're interested and Henry has time, he is happy to give you a tour. The garden is the result of the family sponsoring plant hunting trips during the 18th-century.