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The Wellhouse & Wellhayes Barn gallery Gallery

Deckchairs on the pontoon overlooking the lake at The Wellhouse & Wellhayes Barn in Dorset

Exterior of The Wellhouse and Wellhayes Barn in Dorset

Large sitting room with log burner and bi folding doors

The Wellhouse & Wellhayes Barn gallery 4 - Gallery

Large modern kitchen with kitchen island

Exterior of The Wellhouse & Wellhayes Barn in Dorset

Bright and airy master bedroom

The Wellhouse & Wellhayes Barn gallery 8 - Gallery

The Wellhouse & Wellhayes Barn gallery 9 - Gallery

The Wellhouse & Wellhayes Barn gallery 10 - Gallery

The Wellhouse & Wellhayes Barn gallery 11 - Gallery

Glasses of whiskey sititng on the coffee table in front of the log burner

Bathroom with free standing bath tub

Cosy double bedroom with log burner

Cosy sitting room with corner sofa

Master bedroom with log burner

Stairway leading to the upper floor

Study next to the master bedroom

Cosy kitchen with a traditional aga

Cosy twin bedroom

Available on 04 Aug 2025

The Wellhouse & Wellhayes Barn

Lyme Regis, Dorset
Self-catering
+44 (0)7796991606
Visit owner's website

Per night
£240 - £650

Per week
£1685 - £3920

2 places

Sleeping from 4 – 8

Children welcome

Pets welcome

By a lake, enclosed by woodland - a contemporary house and barn, full of handmade furniture – laze in a hammock, walk the Jurassic Coast

Per night
£240 - £650

Per week
£1685 - £3920

Your dates are available!

2 Guests 04 Aug 25 - 01 Apr 26

Visit the owner's site and book direct with them. No fees or fuss from us.

Use our quick form to drop the owner a line asking anything you need to know.

Ask a question

The Experience

Folk with a yen for a country escape close to the coast, and a taste for James Verner’s modern rustic design style will love the Wellhouse and next door Wellhayes Barn.

Light pours through tall windows into the house’s striking open-plan living space, with massive wood-burner. James’ furniture, and interesting art are dotted about. The barn is just as bright and lovely, with a wheelchair-friendly downstairs bedroom, an open-plan living area and an upstairs bedroom with long green views and wood-burner.

Both kitchens have all you need; catering can be arranged if you come as a group and there are excellent restaurants and markets nearby in Lyme Regis, Bridport and Axminster. Relax in the wood-fired sauna by the lake, have a swim or go boating. Wander the woods with red kites overhead; walk to Lyme Regis in under an hour.

We think you'll love

Boating, swimming and gazing at the lake
Feeling nicely tucked away in a peaceful setting
The imaginative use of wood – and how light floods the buildings

You should know

The staircase in Wellhayes could be tricky for some
The approach track is steep and bumpy
You need the car for shops and restaurants

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 £240
Weekly price: from £1685
Surcharges: Extra bed/sofabed available at no charge in Wellhayes Barn.

1 Barn for 4: From £2403 beds3 bedrooms
1 House for 8: From £4874 beds4 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Check in

4pm

Check out

10am

Other details

Minimum stay: 3 nights, 7 nights in high season. House & barn can be booked together to sleep up to 12.

Closed

Never.

No smoking

Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.

Dogs

Surprise dog treats in the welcome hamper.

A great base for dog walking - explore the footpaths through woods and fields that start and finish at the door.

Meals

Restaurants 10-minute walk.

Reviews

The first and lasting impression is of warmth and light. James’s lovely modern furniture blends well with beautiful antique pieces, quirky headboards, good art and the delicious wood burners in two of the bedrooms. The piece de resistance has to be the gorgeous lake however, for a swim or a gentle row or just to lounge in one of the hammocks with a book. It would be a wonderful place to rent in its entirety for a special occasion

Rachel Sawday's Inspector

John, London Mar 2025

Wellhayes is one of those rare magical places that one occasionally stumbles across if you're lucky. James and Emma have created a unique haven of peace, calm and elegance. I have stayed in the both the Wellhouse and The Barn. Waking to the sound of birds and a view across the lake in the early morning is wonderful start to any day. The log-fired sauna is something else… this is a place eat well, sleep well and re-charge. But if you fancy tripping the light fantastic toe, the flesh pots of Lyme, with its tempting micro-breweries are an easy temptation only a short cycle ride away…. Enjoy.

Pascale, SALISBURY Jun 2024

We had a magical three nights in the barn following our wedding. The location was amazing, not far from the buzz of Lyme Regis but tucked away in a lush green valley. We particularly loved the hot tub and swam in the lake everyday. Our hosts were friendly and kind but also respectful of our space. We are hoping to return again for our anniversary and I have also told lots of friends about this hidden gem.

Emma, London Jan 2024

Wellhayes is breathtaking, the photos do not capture the magical atmosphere & space that has been created. The beauty of the lake is spectacular, the trees reflected, the stillness, the abundant wildlife (kestrel, nuthatch, lesser spotted woodpecker, owls, roe deer, foxes, & wild ducks) surrounds you. The wood fired sauna is a must have, it’s an intimate space in which to chat, directly overlooking the lake. The interior style is quirky, with incredible attention to detail & all modern comforts. I will be back. Thank you for a truly wonderful stay.

Rosie, Bath Nov 2023

We loved staying in this beautiful place. Blissfully quiet and idyllic and immersed in nature. We loved the sauna and the lake and the walk into Lyme Regis is beautiful. The accommodation is absolutely top notch, warm and luxurious with lovely views of the trees and the lake. Can’t wait to stay again.

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Location

The neighbourhood

Contemplating its own lake in quiet countryside, Wellhouse is ten minutes’ drive (45 minutes’ walk) from Lyme Regis: fishing trips from the harbour within the famous cobb; fine food at Hix Oyster and Fish House; fabulous fossils on Monmouth Beach, pubs, independent shops. It’s three miles to the farmshop. 20 minutes’ drive to arty Bridport with its food and vintage markets; eight to Axminster (River Cottage is nearby); London by train two and a half hours; three by road.

Local points of interest from James Verner

The area is well provided for with restaurants: Rock Fish (Lyme Regis), The Bull Hotel (Bridport)The River Cottage Kitchen (Axminster),The Seaside Boarding House (Burton Bradstock)
Wellhayes provides a great place from which to explore the world heritage site of the Jurassic Coast with first class sailing and water sports, mountain and road biking as well as walking merely a stone’s through from the front door.
Numerous footpaths and bridleways connect to the house to enable one to walk or cycle into the surrounding countryside, Lyme Regis and the Jurassic Coast.
Lyme Regis abounds with cafes, galleries and wonderful pubs not to mention the landmark Cobb and its sandy beach which gives fun in buckets and spades! Try fish and chips on the Cobb, or oysters and fizz at Hix.
Take trip to the wide streets of Bridport for its vibrant open air market (Wed and Sat). Culture abounds at The Arts Centre and The Palace. Slader's Yard at West Bay shows internationally acclaimed art and furniture, the Watch House Cafe serves great food.
Visit Beer Fisheries for fresh fish straight off the boat, The Marine House Gallery for renowned local artists followed by lunch at the Anchor Inn, also in Beer, which overlooks the beach where the fishing boats are hauled up over the shingle.

Introducing

James Verner

The friendly Verners and their lurcher live in the Wellhouse and began the restoration and careful development of their chosen corner of rural Dorset in 2013. James grew up in the area and is a designer and furniture maker; his creativity makes their light-filled properties really stand out. They’ve poured energy into landscaping too and there are more plans in the pipeline. When Emma and James vacate the house, helpful housekeeper Kelly is on hand.