At the edge of a peaceful Somerset hamlet only a few miles from Exmoor National Park, Valleys Reach dates back to the 14th century and once served as a farmhouse. Now it’s a gorgeous large group holiday home, full of charm and character, with a gentle welcoming ambience. 7 bedrooms sleep 14 and there’s an annexe available for 2 more guests (charged). The views from the front of the house are wonderful, rolling softly across the valley and out over the hills.
Go through the porch into a wide hallway and on the right is the living room, with original ceiling beams and an inglenook fireplace with a wood-burning stove; heritage red walls and Chesterfield sofas add to the cosiness. Beyond this is the drawing room, with underfloor heating and a woodburner; plenty of chairs and sofas make this a great room to get together for cocktails before dinner, for afternoon tea or an evening of games.
Straight ahead in the hall a lobby leads to a shower room and a covered area, ideal for muddy boots after a walk in the fields. To the right there’s a gravelled courtyard and the hot tub. Round to the left of the hall is the games room with a half size snooker table and steps down to the dining room, also accessed from the hall. A long table sets the scene for happy dinner times, armchairs invite you to sit beside the woodburner, French doors open onto the terrace.
Off the dining room is the kitchen with a utility and scullery area to one side; well-equipped with a big commercial cooker, this is a kitchen that makes catering for a large group easy and is great for private caterers if you hire them to create a celebration feast for you.
Upstairs, right of the long landing a small hallway leads to Bedrooms 1 and 2 and a shared bathroom, a set up that makes a brilliant suite for a family. Bedroom 1 has twin beds, Bedroom 2 has a small double, the bathroom has a bath and overhead shower. Along the landing are Bedrooms 3-6; Bedroom 4 is a twin room, the rest are doubles, and all have ensuite bathrooms with a bath and overhead shower. Bedroom 7 is off a landing halfway up the stairs and has zip and link beds (super king or twin). The annexe has a double bedroom and an ensuite wet room; being self-contained it’s perfect for perhaps an elderly couple who like to turn in earlier than the rest of you.
At the front of the house there’s a large terrace with outdoor furniture, a lawn and adjoining paddock. The views over the countryside are gorgeous and to sit out there on a spring day with the scent of wisteria hanging in the air is a dream. Valleys Reach is so much more than a place to stay; it’s a place to unwind and just for a while, to belong.