The Riding House
18 guests
-
8 bedrooms, 9 beds
8 bathrooms
+3 extra toilet
sq/ft
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Come for the countryside, stay for the drama. Set in the sprawling Wiltshire estate that once belonged to the twelfth Earl of Shaftesbury, this former riding house exudes the spirit of the original stables thanks to a meticulous restoration – modern comforts meet ancient artefacts and authenticity. It's one of those homes that takes your breath away from the second you open the front door. The owners have made no effort to cover up the fact it's from a bygone era – and that's why we love it, true to the past with period artwork, original features, beamed ceilings, even a banqueting hall for grand feasts (which feels very extravagant when you're having your cereal). The velvet furnishings and exposed brick only add to the step back in time. An honesty bar is housed in a secret cupboard by the billiard table, and there are floor-to-ceiling bookshelves where you can select a novel to lose yourself in. Each bedroom comes with a luxurious roll-top bath, and the wooden dividers that once separated horses have been cleverly repurposed to create privacy screens. Outside, vast acres of the manor's parkland are yours to explore, so remember to bring your welly boots. This... home is a fine example of outstanding restoration – countryside lovers may never want to leave.
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Ask the host anything
Do you have a question about this home or the local area?
What to expect
Highlights
Stay in a 17th-century riding house in the heart of Wiltshire
Roam the grounds belonging to the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury
Challenge your court to a game of billiards
Feast like kings in the elegant dining room
Unwind in the luxurious roll-top bath, part of an en-suite for each bedroom
Find your next favourite book in the library
Discover tonnes of original features in every pocket of the home
Grab a nightcap from the honesty bar
Like what you see? Explore more of this home
Home truths
As this is an old historic home, there is a musty smell present in some rooms
Bringing your own alcohol is not permitted, but there is an honesty bar in the living room
A car is essential for navigating the area due to the home's remote location
The area is home to wildlife that might find its way into the house and spiders in particular are requested to be left alone
There is wi-fi, but heavy downloading, gaming and streaming is discouraged – there's also very limited phone signal
This home can also be rented as catered accommodation by prior agreement
Water pressure can be low at times
Check-ins are available Monday-Saturday only, year-round
About this stay
Amenities
Outdoor fireplace / firepit
Outdoor seating
Wi-fi
Pets allowed
Parking available
Garden
Dishwasher
Fridge
Bedrooms & bathrooms
8 bedrooms, 9 beds
8 bathrooms, 3 additional toilets
Extras
VIP services
Airport pick up
Arrange a chef
Baby sitting
Cab booking
Daily cleaning
Fridge fills
Laundry and dry cleaning
Luggage storage
Massage
Restaurant reservations
Tickets and experience booking
Additional fees
Dogs are welcome at an additional charge and with advanced warning
Additional fees subject to a 3.5% handling charge.
Extras are subject to availability. Please enquire with your host.
Local guide
About Cranborne Chase
Once a royal hunting ground for William the Conqueror, Cranborne Chase is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty often described as a secret landscape. Covering 380 square miles of beautiful chalk downs, ancient woodlands and river valleys that straddle Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset, its rolling vistas, expansive skies and dramatic escarpments have inspired creatives as diverse as Lucian Freud and Thomas Hardy. Its stunning sense of remoteness echoes...
Get around
Airport
Bournemouth
41 min
Southampton
52 min
Isle of Wight/Sandown
2 hr 19 min
Train station
Tisbury
46 min
Bus stop
Crane Street Fire Station
11 min
Local shops & services
Convenience store
11 min
Cafe
11 min
Pharmacy
18 min
Points of interest
Beach
Lake Beach
49 min
Booking policies
House Rules
Children welcome (1-12 years)
Infants welcome (under 12 months)
Pets welcome
Events possible (with prior approval)
No smoking
Good to know
Arrival from 16:00
Departure before 10:00
Wifi speed: 107Mbps
No air con
Cancellation policy
Up until
30
days
Cancel at least 30 days before your check-in date for a full refund.
Up until
7
days
Cancel at least 7 days before your check-in date for a 50% refund.
Not eligible for a refund once your check-in date is under 7 days away.
Host
This home is managed by Monica
This home is managed directly by its owner who will be your point of contact before and during your stay. Emmanuel and his family have been hosting guests since 2018, when the homes on the St Giles House estate were restored. He loves sharing the estate's beauty with newcomers, especially now it's been given a new life. Emmanuel is a human encyclopaedia of knowledge about the area's heritage, but what he really loves is creating a memorable experience and hearing visitors be wowed by his homes.
This home is a Plum Guide Award winner.
- Great hosts, not just great homes – We reject homes managed by hosts who don’t meet our standards of excellence.
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- Every home scrutinised by experts, they have to meet our standards.
- Hosts we knowHigh-quality hosting, with track records of high-quality hosting.
- Impeccably clean, well maintained homes.
- Peace of mind in the rare event your host cancels.
- Rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot, delivering exceptional service before, during and after your stay.