Wonham House - Accommodation
As you near your journey's end and make your way up the long sweeping driveway to Wonham House you'll feel any worries gently slip away; you know it's going to be a very special holiday. Park up, get out and have a stretch, and admire the glorious views over the Exe Valley, then in you go, through the porch to a long, wide hall. Straight ahead is the snug, a lovely room for quieter moments; gather the children round for story time after a wintry walk in the fields, share a tray of hot buttery crumpets beside the fire.
Left of the hall there's a country style kitchen; prepping and cooking for a large group isn't a problem here because this room is so well equipped. If you have something very special to celebrate hire private caterers (see Extras) to create a scrumptious feast for you; if it's a warm day have champagne and canapés on the terrace.
Next to the kitchen is the dining room, a beautiful room that evokes the grandeur of days gone by; light pours in through the full height windows, chandeliers hang from a ceiling adorned with cherubs and roses, the floor is original Parquet. There's a marble fireplace with a wood-burner for the colder months, and centre place is a long table that sets the scene perfectly for raising a toast to that notable birthday or anniversary.
Next to the snug is the drawing room, perfect for afternoon tea, evening cocktails or old fashioned parlour games; there are plenty of chairs and sofas, huge windows make the room bright and airy. Across the hall there's a utility/laundry room, and access to the rear courtyard, ideal for when you come back from a walk with muddy boots. Tucked away by the back door an old stone staircase takes you down to the basement, where there's a soundproofed movie room room with an 86" screen and a huge U-shaped sofa for comfortable viewing. There's also a wine cellar and a private bar (also soundproofed) down here so you really can play Lord of the Manor.
In the middle of the hall a grand carved oak staircase leads up to the first floor where off a long landing are Bedrooms 1-5. Go left to Bedroom 1 (the master bedroom), down at the end; there's a super king bed, a dressing room and an ensuite bathroom with a roll top bath and separate shower. Bedrooms 3 and 4 both have a king size bed and use of the family bathroom or the shower room just across the landing. Bedroom 2 has a super king bed and an ensuite bathroom with a bath and separate shower; on the other side of the landing, Bedroom 5 has zip and link beds (super king or twin), and an ensuite shower room. The bedrooms on the first floor are classic country house style and bathrooms veer towards the traditional; the views are an absolute delight to wake up to.
Carry on up the stairs past a beautiful stained glass window to the second floor; up here interiors have more of a mid-century feel with a backdrop of fabulous colours. To the left is Bedroom 6, straight ahead are Bedrooms 7 and 8, and round to the right is Bedroom 9. All have zip and link beds (super king or twin) and ensuite shower rooms. Bedrooms 1, 7, 8 and 9 can all accommodate extra guest beds at no extra charge - please see the Floor Plans for details and note that these must be selected at least 7 days before your arrival date.
Between Bedrooms 6 and 7 steps lead to the enormous games room where you can play pool and table tennis; spectators can relax on the sofas and beanbags.
Outside the gardens are to the front and sides of the house, with meandering paths and walkways; on the lower terrace there are original Victorian benches set into recesses in the wall; it's said that when Wonham was a hunting lodge for an MP, government business was often discussed there, out of earshot. Just outside of the kitchen there's a terrace that catches the morning sun, a wonderful spot for coffee.
On the terrace at the West side of the house is the outdoor pool, heated for use from Easter to the end of October, and the hot tub, which can be used all year. Take a swim or a soak with those fabulous views of the Exe Valley before you, have a leisurely bbq, stroll around the garden and the wider grounds, explore the woodlands. Just idle away hours of luxury togetherness with the people you love most in the world. Wonham House is where wonderful memories will be made, of family holidays you'll never forget.