Be together in the breathless hush

In breathlessly quiet rural Lambourn, the loudest sounds are the horses’ hooves across the gallops. This is a village locked into a more-genteel era, but a house that comes straight from today. Get together in Ridgeway House, dine together, shoot some pool, let the party bubble over into the hot tub.

Wind your watch back a few decades

It’s breathlessly quiet here in Lambourn, in the heart of the Berkshire chalk downs, close to the Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire borders. The loudest noise you might hear is the thundering of horses’ hooves across the downland gallops.

Ridgeway House sits in crisp rural air in a village that seems locked into an altogether more-genteel era. Wind back your watch a few decades, breathe deeply and adjust your pace of life. This is a place where the postie still offers up a cheery wave and wading fly fishermen flick their rods ceremonially in the gushing river.

The location is perfect for groups, hens and families looking to remember what it’s like to be together. And the house won’t disappoint, either. Light, bright and modern, it comes with exposed oak beams, wooden floors and sofas that are invitingly soft. Get up to 16 together for film nights, or for games, giggles and guilty pleasures.

Drink and dine around the oak table, swap stories, make plans, make it a late one. After dinner, let the party bubble over into the hot tub. If the clouds pop open, cue a game of pool or two. At night, notch open the windows of the big and beautiful bedrooms to drift off to the hoot of an owl or the breeze through the boughs.

Hot Tub, Gardens and Grounds

The biggest and best garden might be the West Berkshire chalk downs, where the soft, springy turf has spawned many a champion racehorse. On crisp, misty winter mornings, there’s no finer sight than conker-shiny horses kicking up divots as they thunder past across the high ground.

There are no thundering hooves at Ridgeway House. Just the quiet simmer of the hot tub in the garden. After your evening meal, with the inky black sky clear of light pollution, lie back with some bubbly in the bubbles and trace the endless constellations across the big skies.

During the day, the built-in coal barbie sits ready to receive your sausages, steaks and shish kebabs. Mix up a salad, set the Sauvignon to chill and get together around the garden furniture for more great times.

Living SpacesLiving SpacesLiving SpacesLiving Spaces

Living Spaces

Three big squishy sofas in the lounge and large Sky TV on the wall suggest gatherings for family film nights or to catch the match. Delve into the DVDs or, if you’d prefer to chat, dock your iPod to serve up the soundtrack to your stay. Wifi hums throughout, so you won’t miss a beat.

If the clouds close in across the chalk downs, the games room stands ready. Light floods in from the French doors and hours disappear around the full-size pool table. Further kiddie diversions are available in the shape of toys, books and DVDs.

Cooking and Dining

The Flavel range cooker with its four-door oven and hob, stands ready to rustle up a roast. If that’s too much trouble, you can call up our chef. Down tools as he puts on his whites and creates a culinary masterpiece for your whole party. From a one-off celebration to a fully catered break, our whisks are ever-ready.

The dining room is a spectacular meeting point. Get up to 16 together around the oak table as the open-plan arrangement allows tantalising aromas to waft in from the kitchen. Review the day, laugh, chat. Remember what it’s like to dine and drink together.

Out in the rural air, there’s no finer sound than the sizzle of steaks accompanied by the satisfying thwock of a popping cork. The built-in coal barbecue sits ready out on the patio. Butter your baguettes, put the drinks on ice and toast the taste of summer.

Out and about, The Pheasant Inn in Hungerford offers hearty English staples, real ale and the chance to bring your own wine. The Bell at Boxford comes with free fast-fibre wifi and a menu laced with tiger-prawn linguini and ribeye steak that’s a cut above as well. Harrow at Little Bedwyn’s the place to taste a Michelin star.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms are bright, breezy and big, with relaxation built in. This is the hotel accommodation where you choose the guests and get the freedom to come and go as you please. At night, there’s a special pleasure in opening the windows and breathing the crisp rural air.

There are five bedrooms at Ridgeway House, sleeping 16 in crisp-cottoned comfort. Downstairs, the bedroom to the right of the kitchen comes with an en-suite. Upstairs, there’s one en-suite and a shared bathroom. There’ll be no leg-crossing on the landing.

All bedrooms are kingsize with zip and link beds. Two bedrooms have en-suite shower rooms and the other bedrooms have shared access to family bathrooms. There is also two king sized sofa beds downstairs in the living room. The walls come in cool pastels and there are solid, oaky touches in the fixtures and fittings.

What People Say

What People Say

"What a fantastic weekend! Great weather, great company and a beautiful house. What more could you ask for." - Allan
"Such a pretty house, I adored the rustic beams it gave the place such a homely feel. The house is very well thought out, the children loved the pool table and the garden was large enough for countless games of cricket in the sunshine. A really special weekend, one I won't forget, thank you so much for making our stay so enjoyable." - Annabelle
"A touch of country luxury. A heavenly house surrounded by gorgeous countryside. The house is beautifully furnished and is so light and airy. We had a brilliant time and would highly recommend it!" - Edie
"We had a great time and the house was perfect. Even better than on the pictures! The house was great for getting everyone together and has been decorated to a very high standard." - Hannah

Pool, pets and paraphernalia

Go back in time to Ashdown House or behind the scenes of TV’s Downton at Highclere. Watch the horses on the Lambourn gallops or peruse the pots and paraphernalia at the Hungerford Arcade. Kids can meet, fed and pet the animals at Roves Farm or brave the outdoor pool at Northcroft Lido.