Only minutes away from the Forde Abbey House and Gardens, this Elizabethan manor home sits on five acres of landscaped gardens. Stroll out every morning with a book, thermos and picnic blanket, imagining yourself in a Jane Austen novel as you go. Surrounded by tranquillity and the elegance that only a stately home like this can provide, you’re encouraged to relax in style. Enjoy whiskey and charades in front of the open fireplace as the logs crackle, and wander the historic halls towards the kitchen where you can work together to put breakfast on the striking, solid wood dining table. Smell the roses in the backyard, and remember a family portrait in front of the imposing manor. In warmer months, you can play croquet at sunset, cook up a feast fit for a king using the gas or wood-fired barbecues and finishing of the evening around the fire pit or in the wood-fired hot tub. Skirting the border of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you can spend days exploring the scenic area, including the Somerset Hills that's on view from the manor. And if you fancy a day at the beach, you're in luck – you'll have access to your very own beach hut at Lyme Regis. Home truths: *It comfortably sleeps 16 adults, plus 5 children sharing rooms with parents or other adults *There are five unfenced ponds in the garden here, so children will need to be supervised at all times *This home is spread over three floors, with no internal lift, but there’s a ground-floor bedroom and bathroom here for those with reduced mobility *The upper floor bedrooms are accessed via the two staircases - please note some steps are slightly uneven *Due to the location of this home, we recommend hiring a car to get the most out of your stay – there's ample parking available at this home *Your host can provide a cot and high chair for free upon request *There's a dedicated office here if you need to catch up on some work during your stay