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Entire home

Large rural retreat in the Garden of England

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

3 Single Beds

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Large rural retreat in the Garden of England

Large country retreat in the Garden of England, close to the Channel Tunnel & only 37 minutes on the train from Ashford to London St Pancras.

This property features:
- 2 double bedrooms (1 with a super king bed), 1 twin bed room (with a trundle bed, so 3 beds in total in that room) & one very small bedroom with a day bed that turns into a double if required.
- 2 bathrooms
- 2 reception rooms
- Large dining room
- Open kitchen
- 3-acre garden/fields


The house is situated in a remote part of South East Kent. The countryside is some of the most stunning in England. Even though it is remote, it has very quick access to the motorway and Ashford International Station (which has the high speed rail link to central London in 37 minutes) which is15 minutes away by car.

The property is perfect for a group or family who might enjoy the following:

- Trips to the coast and beach - there are several coastal spots and towns within a short drive of the house and some as close as only 13 minutes (St Mary's Bay)
- Visiting interesting and historic towns such as Canterbury, Rye, Tenterden and Whitstable
- Other family activities such as visiting Kent's many castles, the nearby safari zoo or wonderful country walks on the south downs, sandy beach only 15 away.
- Simply enjoying the peace and quiet in rural surroundings and a large garden.
- Or relax indoors in front of the open fire or wood burner

Check in is after 4pm and Check out is before 10am.

PLEASE NOTE: We charge £30 per person after 8 guests. We have to be strict about the numbers of guests staying so transparency of guest numbers is a requirement.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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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
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
We expect the house to be left as it was found and for our property to be well cared for.

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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

About the area

Ashford

Located in Ashford, this holiday home is in a rural area and by the sea. Lympne Castle and Willesborough Windmill are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Battlezone and Imagine Play Centre. Travelling with kids? Consider Marsh Maize Maze and Hollywood Bowl. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Ashford, ENG

What's nearby

  • Poulton Wood Nature Reserve - 2 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Port Lympne Wild Animal Park - 8 min drive - 11.2 km
  • Camber Sands - 28 min drive - 29.8 km
  • Canterbury Cathedral - 29 min drive - 36.0 km
  • White Cliffs of Dover - 32 min drive - 41.9 km

Getting around

  • RH and DR Dymchurch Station - 8 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Woolpack Inn - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Old School House - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪The White Horse - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Shepherd & Crook - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Rocky's Cafe - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Large rural retreat in the Garden of England pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Large rural retreat in the Garden of England?

As of 5 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Large rural retreat in the Garden of England on 5 April 2026 start from NZ$471, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Large rural retreat in the Garden of England?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Large rural retreat in the Garden of England?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Large rural retreat in the Garden of England?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Large rural retreat in the Garden of England located?

This family-friendly Ashford holiday home is located by the sea, 0.9 mi (1.5 km) from Poulton Wood Nature Reserve, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Battlezone and Imagine Play Centre. Marsh Maize Maze and Ashford Designer Outlet are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

7.6

Good

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

Reviews

Archival

10/10 Excellent

Eli (elliott) S.

A charming property with lots of character and a great, large garden - wonderful for kids.

Had a wonderful time. Glorious sunshine did contribute to that. The property is secluded and very conducive to winding down from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life. The owner was extremely friendly and helpful and even gave the kids pony rides! Although she was on site, she respected our privacy, but at the same time was there when we needed anything. The garden had plenty of space and different corners to explore and enjoy for adults and kids alike. We enjoyed beautiful quiet beaches, only a 15min drive away. There is plenty to do in the area without having to travel far. Only downside is the fact that there is a bit of a "trek" from the master bedroom to the bathroom. Other than that, no complaints and would definitely come back.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jeff W.

Wonderful cottage in the Kent countryside - perfect base for a week's holiday

We stayed at the cottage for a week in August. By the end we had six adults (including 4 visiting from Switzerland) and two young children. The cottage was very comfortable and well equipped. It gave my fellow travellers (read: the in-laws) a genuine rural english living experience. They even got the hang of using the Rayburn! There are four main bedrooms, one of which comfortably accommodated my two young children. The fifth bedroom is in a very cosy and pretty hut ... in the middle of a field with ponies. Quite an experience for those willing to try it. There are two living rooms but, to be honest, around the large dining room table was where most of our evening chats took place. On side of the house there are two bathrooms, one with a modern shower, plus a further shower/WC outside when times are desperate. In the vast gardens there was a lot to explore and plenty for my kids to play with, including a sandpit and swings. There were a few quirks. We found the kitchen lacked some of the equipment we needed like a peeler (now contributed) and the roofs/doorways are quite low in two of the bedrooms, leading to some head bangs. Then the pot-holed driveway to get to the house is not for those who get car (or sea) sick easily. But as long as you accept these as endearing quirks of a rural, lived-in cottage with a history of its own, and then you'll love it. As we were arriving on Sunday evening we pre-ordered a food delivery from a large supermarket (ok, Waitrose) a few days before and were happily surprised to find it all unpacked and put away in the fridge/cupboards when we arrived. For us though, one of the best things was the location. Only 15 mins from the M20 we used it as a base for day trips to Camber Sands beach, Rye, Canterbury, Leeds Castle and the White Cliffs of Dover; each around 30 mins drive from the cottage
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 1 August 2021
So pleased you enjoyed your stay Jeff. Thank you for the lovely review. Rachael
Archival

2/10 Terrible

m jain

Very disappointing!

When we arrived we had to wait as the cottage was not ready to check in. The cottage was not cleaned up properly especially the kitchen, some of the appliances, cooking utensils, flooring, rugs, one of the bathtubs and so on. Prior to submitting this review we shared our disappointment with the owner and received an apology . The cottage came with a hut and we had to walk through the field, pass a part of the car park to use the toilet which was very inconvenient. The owner did accept for not making it clearer when we made enquires prior to booking the cottage. We had a message from the owner thanking us for leaving the cottage spotless!. The owner suggested we could stay 2 nights for free at the end of summer which we did not accept. If you intend to stay at the cottage please double check prior to booking as we do not wish others to have experiences similar to us.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 1 August 2021
I hope that people viewing this persons review will take into consideration the very different reviews received from other guests. Along with them we have only received positive reviews from other guests on another website. Unfortunately the guest who stayed has not been totally honest. Some of the issues she has referred to are correct and can be explained but she did not initially complain about them. She only informed me she was going to write me a bad review when I informed her that I was aware that more people stayed at the property than had been booked for, which is not permitted. Therefore I feel her review is largely malicious which is very disappointing for me as I care a great deal about making sure my guests are happy. There was a slightly later check in, of 15 minutes. This was because my cleaner could not come in to do the job but only informed me at the last minute so I had to come down from London where I was for the day with my two young children to do the clean, which was not an issue for me but unfortunately I did run out of time. The guests seemed very unperturbed about it, especially when I explained. And I have since found another cleaning lady to help me with the changeovers. When they arrived they seemed happy with the house and told me not to worry about finishing up the final touches. The only thing they seemed annoyed with was the distance of the hut to the house and they also didn't seem to realise that we live in a lodge house outside the perimeters of the property which also seemed to bother them. It later became apparent why, when other people showed up that hadn't been booked for. It is also very frustrating for me that they clearly did not read the description of the property properly as the position and distance of the hut to the house is very clear. I am confident and hopeful that the next guests who book through OD will give us a lovely review which I hope with go further to assure people when booking that this is a lovely property and in no way can it be considered as low as 1*.
Archival

8/10 Good

jillian g.

very nice

there is a need to understand that you are in a very old property, we thought it was excellent.. Lots of room, good host.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2017
Archival

8/10 Good

Richard G.

Relaxation in wonderful country cottage

We had a wonderful week in the cottage. It was the perfect size for 2 families of 4 and offered relaxation and peace due to its location in the rural Kent countryside, yet was close to many amenities. The cottage was clean and well presented on arrival, with some lovely small touches made by the owners. If anything the photos do not do the property justice, as we found the property more spacious than expected. Communication with the owners was excellent and it felt as if they really cared about your stay and that everything went well. Overall we loved it, just wish it was for 2 weeks and not the 1!
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