Berry House - Accommodation
It's elegant country living all round the minute you step through the front door of Berry House into the wide hallway. To the right is the dining room with heritage red walls, original period features, a wood-burning stove, and centre place, a long dining table where up to 16 people can dine in style with wonderful views of the Batherm Valley.
Off the dining room there’s a games room with table football; step down into the kitchen where a 4 oven AGA sits in an inglenook fireplace that still has its original bread oven. There’s plenty of room to prep and cook, but you might be tempted to book one of our recommended private caterers (see Extras) to come and create something seriously scrumptious for you, especially if you’re here for a special occasion. Next to the kitchen is a utility room with a door leading outside – perfect for wet togs and muddy dogs after a country walk.
Left of the hall there’s a TV room/snug with views over the valley; settle down to watch your favourite soap or have a quiet chat. Next to the snug is the games room where you can rustle up a spot of in-house competition with a pre-dinner pool match. Go through to the drawing room, a very elegant space with a decorative ceiling rose, a sparkling chandelier, original marble fireplace (not working) and sumptuous sofas.
Upstairs, there’s a long landing, typical of a rambling country house. Bedroom 1 has an ensuite bathroom with a freestanding bath and separate shower. Bedrooms 2 and 3 both have use of the family bathroom across the landing, and Bedrooms 4-6 have ensuite shower rooms. The bedrooms at Berry House are all quite traditional in style and have zip and link beds (super king or twin), except for Bedroom 5 which has a double and a single bed.
Just a few strides from the front door in a cedar-clad building is the indoor saltwater pool where doors open onto a terrace. Adjoining the pool house are Bedrooms 7 and 8, each with an ensuite shower room. These rooms work well for people who like to have their own space, or for anyone who prefers to turn in earlier than the crowd. Behind the pool house in a Victorian stone barn there's a cinema room with original vintage theatre seats, floor cushions, a ceiling projector and 106" screen - and even a popcorn trolley! There’s table tennis for a pre-movie game, and because this room has a wooden floating floor it can also be put to good use as a yoga studio, making Berry House a brilliant choice for wellness retreats.
Outside an old wisteria and magnolia scramble up the front of the house, delighting your senses in springtime; at the front of the ha-ha a field can be used for rounders and football. There’s a play area for the little ones, and on the terrace, a barbecue and smoker, so it’s easy to while away those languid summer days. The hours are yours to wander round to your heart’s content; keep an eye out for wildlife because apart from several species of birds and butterflies, you might even see red deer that have come down from Exmoor to graze in the fields. You see, at Berry House it feels like you have a world of your own, far, far away from the push and shove; we wouldn't be surprised if you want to stay forever. Book today!