Entire home

Charming Dorset Escape for Families and Friends

Family-friendly holiday home in Gillingham with a fitness centre

Photo gallery for Charming Dorset Escape for Families and Friends

Formal living room
Front door to main house
Dining
Master bedroom
Entrance to Northmoor House

Reviews

9.6 out of 10, Loved by Guests
7 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 18

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Gym
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Colesbrook, England
  • Place, Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Place, Stourhead Garden
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Place, Stourhead
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Airport, Bristol (BRS-Bristol Intl.)
    ‪68 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

7 bedrooms (sleeps 18)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

1 King Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 6

1 Double Bed, 2 Single Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Bedroom 7

1 King Bed, 2 Single Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo

Bathroom 4

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Bathroom 5

Toilet

Spaces

Kitchen
Kitchenette
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

Charming Dorset Escape for Families and Friends


This warm and welcoming family home is the perfect retreat for those seeking a blend of countryside charm and lively fun. Set in the heart of Dorset’s stunning countryside but just 7 minutes’ drive from the local train station, the house provides the ideal space for multi-generational families or groups of friends to come together and create lasting memories. With plenty of space to relax and play, it is perfectly suited for two or three families traveling together and beds to sleep up to 16 guests, Northmoor House offers a mixture of cozy comfort and exciting amenities.

The heart of the house is its large, family-friendly kitchen and old fashioned larder. The kitchen table seats 8. There is a beautiful big living room with open fire and Smart TV, there is a second Smart TV in the study/playroom, and a TV monitor with DVD’s in the large sleepover room. Family gatherings can be enjoyed in the grand dining hall, which comfortably seats sixteen, or outdoors under the lush garden vine, where the private dining area creates a magical setting for al fresco meals. There are two large coal BBQs, outdoor seating and sun loungers.

Upstairs, you’ll find four bedrooms: a spacious master bedroom with its own en-suite bathroom, two smaller bedrooms with double beds, and a large attic room with king size bed and space for a cot if needed. Bedroom 2, 3 and 4 share a family bathroom with bath and separate shower. Bedroom 5 is a ground-floor guest bedroom with an en-suite shower room which is ideal for older family members or anyone with mobility challenges.

Across the courtyard, the fun continues with a fantastic sleepover space that’s perfect for a family or teenagers. This self-contained area, located above the games room, can sleep up to six. There is 1 double bed, 2 single beds and 1 double sofa bed which can be made up on request). There is a shower room and simple kitchen in this wing, providing a sense of independence while keeping everyone close together.

The ground floor features a music room with piano, a study/playroom, and a formal sitting room, offering something for everyone to enjoy. There is also a also boot room and utility room with washing and drying machines.

Outside on the terrace there is seating for up to 18, BBQ, outdoor seating, cricket net, croquet, badminton, football net and basket ball net.

Kids and adults alike will love the well-equipped games room, which has table tennis, darts, a snooker table, and even a punch bag! For tennis enthusiasts there are 2 public tennis courts almost opposite the house.

For an extra touch of countryside charm, children are welcome to collect fresh eggs from the resident hens each morning—without the responsibility of caring for them, as we live in a separate cottage on the far side of the courtyard, and will tend to the animals. We are also on hand in case you have any questions or need help with anything during your stay.

Please note that parties are not allowed at this property – it is for guest use only. Sound systems are not permitted.

Despite its rural seclusion, the house is perfectly located for exploring the best of Dorset and beyond. Glorious countryside walks begin right from the doorstep, winding through rolling hills and picturesque villages. A short drive away, you’ll find world-famous attractions such as Stonehenge and the beautiful Stourhead House and Gardens, while the city of Bath, with its historic charm and vibrant shopping, is just 50 minutes away. For family adventures, Cheddar Gorge and Go Ape at Moors Valley offer thrills and excitement, while the stunning beaches of the Jurassic Coast are just over an hour’s drive. Closer to home, the nearby market town of Frome is perfect for boutique shopping and delicious dining.

Practicality is also at the forefront, with a spacious turning circle and parking for up to six cars. Northmoor House is just five minutes from Waitrose for all your shopping needs and close to Gillingham train station.

Northmoor House is a much loved home for most of the year and is not designer smart: the crockery doesn’t match and the walls are wobbly, but its quirky charm and character make it an inviting and unique place for all the family to enjoy.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Gym
Outdoor space

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House Rules

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 25 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No candles or smoking in the house. No dogs on furniture. Please leave the house tidy with all rubbish put outside. No stag nights or hen parties

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Gillingham

Gillingham is home to this holiday home. Some of the area's popular attractions include Center Parcs Longleat Forest and Longleat Safari and Adventure Park. Travelling with kids? Consider Gartell Light Railway and Mill on the Brue.
Map
Colesbrook, England

What's nearby

  • Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs - 11 min drive - 11.4 km
  • Stourhead Garden - 11 min drive - 10.8 km
  • Stourhead - 11 min drive - 11.1 km
  • Gold Hill Museum - 13 min drive - 10.5 km
  • Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden - 14 min drive - 10.6 km

Getting around

  • Gillingham Dorset Station - 6 min drive
  • Bournemouth (BOH-Bournemouth Intl.) - 74 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The George Inn - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Spread Eagle Inn - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Walnut Tree - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Hunters Lodge Inn - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Udder Farm Shop - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming Dorset Escape for Families and Friends pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 25 kg per pet.

How much is parking at Charming Dorset Escape for Families and Friends?

On-site parking is available at the property.

Where is Charming Dorset Escape for Families and Friends located?

Set in Gillingham, this family-friendly holiday home is within 6 mi (10 km) of Stourhead Garden, Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs and Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden. Gold Hill Museum and Stourhead are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 4 out of 5 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 5 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 5 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 5 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 5 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.2/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sytze B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay, lovely house and very friendly host. Stayed here with a group of 13 including young children who loved it as well. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bob S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Plenty of room for everyone, and our bikes in the outside areas under cover.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Suma S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Perfect stay for multiple and/or multi generational families. Reasonable amount of stuff to do within the property - even if the sports equipment all a bit dated. Loved having the piano (which, although old was in tune and perfectly playable.) Very friendly and considerate host.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thomas S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely host with excellent communication. Laura supplied us with loads of information about the property and responded straight away with any questions we had.We booked the house for a large family party and it was perfect for all the different ages. Everyone loved it.Highly recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lyndsey A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Four generation gathering

The perfect location for our extended family gathering. The property offered something for all generations having ample space both inside and out for everyone to be together but also allowing for quiet time as needed with its many rooms and great facilities. Thank you
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

About the host

Hosted by laura lye

Host profile image
I take care of a number of properties in the area and I'm always on hand for help and advice!

Why they chose this property

This is a beautiful area with wonderful walks, stately homes, castles and places of interest. It is about 1 hour drive to the beach

What makes this property unique

This property is perfect for large groups and there are many different zones so everyone can be sociable or have their own space.

Languages:

English
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