Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Sparkling celebrations, glittering gatherings

Wessex Manor in Dorset is where sparkling celebrations and glittering gatherings come with a baronial backdrop. Amid 23 acres of sweeping Dorset greenery, you’ll get everyone together to cook up a storm in the outdoor kitchen, take tea on the terrace, raid the games room and curl up on squishy sofas. Throw another log on the fire and raise a glass to family and friends.

The place that time forgot

Get everyone down to Dorset for sparkling celebrations and glittering gatherings. Live to the manor born in a house built for entertaining in the grand Georgian style. Renovated, reinvigorated and reinvented, Wessex Manor retains its 19th-century grandeur and character, yet comes wired for the modern world.

Today, picture rails and parlours sit alongside broadband and barbecues, snooker and table tennis. It’s warmed by gas and solar heating. The books in the library are joined by DVDs. You’ll find far more than a hobby horse in the playroom. And the grass lawn, perfect for a game of football, croquet, or cricket, will keep everyone occupied till bedtime.

Looking south to Portland and the sailing mecca of Weymouth, Wessex Manor stands proud and just a little bit posh. Entertain at the outdoor kitchen and bar, splash in the shallows of the River Wey within the grounds, plunder the library, curl up on squishy sofas, and sip a scotch at the snooker table.

Get together with those who matter, put another log on the fire, spin some tales, play some games, have a crack at croquet or cricket. Eat well, walk lots, soak up the sun on the terrace and unwind in the hot tub beneath star-lit skies. Make some memories in the place that time forgot.

Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Hot tub, outdoor kitchen and grounds

The timber gates and long gravelled drive promise so much, and the Grade II manor house won’t disappoint. But what’s beyond the walls? Wessex Manor sits in 23 acres of rolling lawn, orchard and river frontage. It’s a hide-and-seek heaven, a place to let your kids run free, with your mind free of worry.

You can walk the grounds before lunch. Cross the bridge over the source of the River Wey, splash in its shallows, pass the stables and walled garden. Maybe you’ll make the most of the outdoor kitchen and bar, cooking up some pizzas in the wood fired oven or sizzle some sausages on the gas barbie, enjoy drinks on terrace, then follow the lawns down to the ha-ha.

When you’ve recovered, it’s time to discover the walled garden with its orchard and stone outbuilding. Find a quiet spot to relax and admire the wonderful views. Arrange hire of the hot tub where you can gaze at the star-studded skies.

Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday HomesWessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday HomesWessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes
 Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes
Living SpacesLiving SpacesLiving SpacesLiving Spaces

Living Spaces

Wessex Manor is a monument to the gracious living of glorious times past. It’s recently refurbished, yet all the Grade II-listed features are here. The wood-panelled walls, the butler’s pantry, the picture rails, the chandeliers – all present and correct.

Yet the magnificent grandeur is overlaid with modern convenience, so that families old and young can enjoy holidays full of fun and freedom. That’s why wifi floods the building and why the book library comes loaded with DVDs. The flat-screen TV suggests a family film night.

Everywhere is open fires. Light the logs on chilly evenings, pour the wine and let the conversation flow. There’s a playroom for the kids and a billiards room for competitive dads. The drawing room looks built for games of charades, the library will lend you books without a fine.

Rooms here are never-ending. You’ll live like Lords and Ladies as you discover the butler’s pantry, the boot room, the fuel store, the larder and the scullery. To complete the experience, we can even provide a chef and butler.

 Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Cooking and dining

The Lacanche gas range might just be the largest you’ve ever seen. It sits in a fully fitted island kitchen. Chop and chat, prepare the veg as you sip your wine. At Wessex Manor, cooking the meals is as convivial as the company you’ll enjoy as you eat them.

Of course, you might prefer a fully catered holiday, or just a special-occasion meal. Call up our chef, let him pull a culinary cracker, then sit back while we wade into the washing-up. Become the host with the most at the outdoor kitchen and bar, cooking up homemade pizzas in the wood-fired oven or throwing some local meat on the bbq.

The setting is scrumptious. Beneath the chandelier in the dining room, in front of the freshly lit crackling logs, you’ll want to linger a while. As you drink and dine, you’ll review the day with tales and gales of laughter, then make plans for more tomorrow.

Down the road in Dorchester, pick from over 100 restaurants, from Thai to Chinese to Vietnamese and Lebanese. It’s a similar tale in Weymouth: from moules marinieres at Manbo’s to gluten-free fish and chips at The Old Harbour.

 Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday HomesWessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes
 Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Bedrooms

Sleeping 24 in supreme comfort, Wessex Manor comes with bedrooms that feel like home – only a whole lot grander. Things are quiet here deep in the Dorset countryside. Open the windows a crack and you’ll drift away to the gentle breeze in the trees and the hoot of an owl in the copse.

Head up the main staircase from the entrance hall or by the rear staircase from the boot room, for the bedrooms. Each takes two comfortably. With two double sofa beds, Wessex Manor can accommodate up to 24 guests.

Master suite The Lulworth is bright, yellow and sunny. It comes with western views of the meadow and southern views of the sea. Ponder in the dressing room and linger in the bath and shower room. There are more spectacular views in the twin-bedded Tyndale and Amandolier rooms across Wessex Manor’s fields to Portland beyond.

The double-bedded Ringstead and Haverstock rooms share an en-suite bath and shower room. In the North Wing, the Lucerne room is a single with pull-out bed frame, while the twin-bed Pinchbeck is loved by children. At the end of the house is the Richmond room, a queen-bed with delightful bath and shower room. An accessible bedroom is situated on the ground-floor.

 Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Midweek Variety

Special Occasions – Just married? Need the perfect place to get together with the extended family? Or maybe you want a big birthday bash to remember? Wessex Manor can host up to 24 as the ideal intimate midweek setting for any special occasion. Make it yours for the day or longer.

Active Breaks – With 23 acres of gardens and grounds to play with – not to mention beautiful Dorset on the doorstep – Wessex Manor can become your home away from home, where you’ll find top Dorset sites just crying out to be cycled and walked, no matter your experience level. Grab a pack and go explore!

Murder Mysteries & Cooking Classes – Let’s make things mysterious! Or tasty! Why not do both? Wessex Manor can play host to many seasons and themes. Its centuries-old walls have heard many a whisper, kept many a secret close. But for how long? Hold the ultimate murder mystery night right here in style. When you start to get hungry, there’s no better setting for a masterclass in the art of cooking seafood with the best local produce than the spacious kitchen complete with range cooker, large island and polished granite countertops.

Whatever your event or occasion, Wessex Manor can play host to your event and are open to hear your creative celebration ideas, please ask for more information.

 Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  Wessex Manor - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes
What People Say

What People Say

Wow, what a place to gather & celebrate all manner of significant birthdays. We peaked on Sunday with 23 family members from 1-93 and a combined age of 1012 for an epic roast. It’s been wonderful to have the space to get together and still have room to be apart too. An amazing house in a beautiful location. Thank you. - The Baldock Family
Wow, we have all been rendered speechless by this perfect house. We have all enjoyed the outdoor spaces, duck racing in the stream being a particular favourite with grown ups and kids alike. Roaring fires and sumptuous meals have helped us make many, many wonderful memories. Wessex Manor is just too special not to come back to. - The Barnes Family
A beautifully situated house with everything you need. We were able to enjoy the terrace in the sun which was wonderful. The house is very comfortable and I would highly recommend!" - Elizabeth
'A truly perfect period house that has been impeccably refurbished with no expense spared. It is managed seamlessly by Sarah-Jane who was very communicative and accommodating. - Katie
'We’ve had such a wonderful stay in gorgeous Wessex Manor. It was so lovely to wake up in the morning to such wonderful views. Our kids have all been entertained and loved the added bonus of the table tennis and snooker table. It was so lovely to spend time with friends drinking, chatting and singing (a bit too loudly). This is the perfect party house.' - Rebecca and Stephen Beill, Wandsworth, London
Absolutely brilliant stay! We had 22 people in fancy dress and black tie and saw 2016 in style! Beautiful house for a big group of friends. - Jenni
We spent the weekend celebrating my 30th birthday. We have all had a fabulous time, the house has been absolutely perfect. The rooms are so comfortable and the views are stunning. We will definitely be back. - Emily
An absolutely amazing house, beautiful condition and stunning views. THE perfect location for a special occasion. The housekeeper was SO helpful arranging bedrooms for us before hand. We celebrated a 30th birthday here and it is definitely a weekend we will never forget! - Laura
The perfect place for a big group! Lovely rooms, ample space, fantastic grounds. The owners were most helpful with any extras we needed. Really well located for any ventures to the coast. Highly recommend. - Jessie
A fantastic house for a family get together. We had a great time, lovely walk to the park and use of the garden for the kids. - Claire

Soft sands on the south coast

Welcome to a south-coast world of soft sands, treasure trails, skateparks and dinosaur museums. Grown-ups can walk the stunning South Coast Path, ride the RIBs at Lulworth, sail, surf or swim, and head to Weymouth for pubs, clubs and wine bars where you’ll toast the moonlit views across the bay.