The Walled Garden
Dyrham, Bath, The Cotswolds, UK
Lose yourself between a tangle of honey-coloured stonework, twisting vines and ornamental pools at this unique Victorian folly. Perhaps the most elaborate vegetable store in the whole of England, The Walled Garden began life as a potato house for Dyrham Park. A stone's throw from the Baroque country house and grounds, this luxury self-catering retreat sits on the edge of the Cotswolds, not far from Bath and all its gleaming treasures.
Introduction
It's impossible not to fall for this charming garden folly from the moment you potter up the old stone steps with their hand-painted iron railings and set eyes on the view over the valley. Hugging the border of the Cotswolds AONB, this unique retreat resides in the original kitchen garden of Dyrham House and was restored by its latest owner, a landscape gardener, who converted it into a luxury self-catering cottage over two-hundred years after the first stones were laid. The house is a romantic hideaway in all four seasons; whether roaming the orchards in search of figs and pears (the owner lets you pick your own), or tipping your toes between the rainbows of the waterfall down by the river.
Inside
In contrast to the intricate restoration of the castellated Bath stone exterior, inside awaits a haven of modern minimalism. The kitchen is of bespoke design, finished with a concrete worktop in a soft shade of green. Thick linen curtains keep the cold out in winter, when the sleek, cylindrical wood-burning stove crackles away at the end of the social living space. The single-storey home includes two bedrooms either side of the open-plan kitchen-lounge; the master features a turquoise velvet chair and vintage desk overlooking the walled garden and fields beyond, while the second bedroom enjoys a French door that leads straight into the courtyard - a dream on summer mornings.
Outside
The gardens really are the crowning jewel in this extraordinary home. Beyond the apple tree walkway and through the Gothic garden door, a river, waterfall and Victorian pool all compete for attention - not forgetting the tennis court and pavilion further on. If you can be lured away, an afternoon exploring Dyrham Park is a must. The house and grounds played a crucial part of the cottage's history and are a joy to roam. Should you want a place to party after all that peace and quiet, drive ten miles south to Bath where swish natural spas bubble up at a toasty 46°C and smart underground drinking dens hide enveloped in graceful Roman architecture.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 4 guests
From £1,895 per week, £1,395 per short break - Alternative group optionUp to 2 guests
- Bedrooms and bathroomsThere are two ground-floor bedrooms, one with king-size bed and the other with a standard double, which share a Jack-and-Jill shower room accessed from bedroom two as well as the living room.
- FeaturesFire pit, use of the owners´ tennis court and use of the owners´ natural outdoor pool (pool available between 8am and midday, outside of these times available on prior agreement)
- PetsOne small well-behaved dog is welcome
Pets are charged at £60 per week or part thereof - Arrivals and departuresArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilyYes, children over five are very welcome.
- PracticalitiesThere is private parking for one car close to the property, with extra in the grounds if required. The owners also live within the estate, sharing the drive and tennis court, but the cottage and terrace are exclusive to guests. Occasionally there will be members of staff on-site tending to grounds. In the open-plan kitchen, there is an integrated fridge and small freezer, along with Dualit toaster, single oven and Baumatic induction hob. The bathroom also hides a washing machine and tumble dryer in the cupboards. For dogs and children, please note that the garden is not fully enclosed and there are areas of open water, where adult supervision is advised. If arriving by air, helicopters are welcome to land on the grounds.
- Homestay includesWelcome hamper of local produce, bottle of prosecco, fruit and herbs from the garden, fine linens and towels, fresh coffee, board games...House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more
- Private cateringSeeking a celebratory dinner or fully catered escape? Our recommended caterers will work with you to create personalised menus for your stay. Details are shared through our house book on confirming your booking.
- Eco-friendlyAir source heat pump, electric car charger
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questions
Prices & Availability
Please note, availability for this property is to be confirmed by Unique Homestays on receipt of your enquiry
Bath
If there was a prize for England´s most charming city, Bath would be a top contender. Whether soaking in the thermal spa waters of a rooftop pool, dodging rain showers by hopping between the luxury boutiques or clambering up to the top of Bath Abbey, the city never fails to enchant.
Getting there
- On the Map This luxury two-bedroom cottage retreat is within the old grounds of Dyrham Park on the south-western edge of the Cotswolds, 10 miles north of Bath.
- By Car The house is 20 minutes' drive from Bristol, half an hour from Bath and around two hours 15 minutes from London over the North Wessex Downs.
- By Train Bath Spa and Bristol Parkway are the closest for those arriving by rail, taking about 20 minutes to reach the house by taxi from either of these stations.
- By Air Bristol Airport is approximately 45 minutes away by car. Helicopters are welcome to land on the grounds of The Walled Garden.
From the owner
“Our charming old potato house was built in the late 18th to early 19th century and was in a state of disrepair when we bought the land. Since then, we have carefully restored it so that others can enjoy its magical views. To lie by the river and hear the sound of the waterfall or relax in the hammock on a sunny day is something very special.”
Dyrham Estate was formerly owned by the Blathwayt family, but now in the ownership of The National Trust and can be visited via the church pathway near the entrance to our home. The walled garden was built in the 18th century and was sold by the Blathwayts to the Smith family in the 60s, who lived here until we bought it in 2012.
The land comprised of a small, modern Cotswold-style house set in five and a half acres, with outstanding views of the valley and river Boyd. The main house (our home) was completely rebuilt using old stone to match the other houses in the village. Only old and reclaimed building materials were used, and we applied the same attention to detail when we renovated the folly.
All concrete elements were replaced and the entire building - other than the Cotswold and Ashler stone - was removed to a complete shell! The folly was restored to its former glory and the remains of the building were carefully restructured to create a contemporary open-plan design that, to the outside world, appears a traditional Cotswold dwelling in pretty, peaceful grounds.
Living here is a little piece of paradise. Meandering through the winding beech walkway to the tennis court is a marvellous place to enjoy in the late afternoon with a gin and tonic! From the river is a gate to the paddocks where the ponies graze and sleep in the summer - you can often catch a glimpse of them through the windows.
Kate and David
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Bath with an insider’s perspective.
To See
Dyrham House and Park
Those not wanting to stray far from their peaceful abode can almost roll out of bed to admire this elegant 17th century mansion. Once part of the estate but since separated and taken on by The National Trust, Dyrham House and its grounds, including tranquil pool gardens, an orangery and deer park, are a joy to roam.
To Eat
Cotswold Inns
There is a generous scattering of traditional Cotswolds pubs all within easy reach of Dyrham. Think rustic decor, fine ales and wholesome food served up beside a crackling fire - the perfect way to spend an afternoon following a country stomp.
To Do
The Cotswold Way
Guests have easy access on to The Cotswold Way as the cottage sits proudly on the route. Follow the pony paddocks, just beyond the river at the bottom of the garden. This 102-mile undulating route follows the ridge through the Cotswolds AONB passing peaceful countryside as well as the pretty villages of Broadway, Winchcombe, Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge.
To Do
A day in Bath
Despite its utter Englishness, Bath really is a continental wonder, right up there with the likes of Nice and Florence. This golden city on the edge of the Cotswolds is a honey-pot for tourists, but there are still plenty of hidden delights to discover along the canal. Summer brings pop-up supper spots and street performers and winter, superb Christmas markets.
Guest Testimonials
Read reviews on TrustPilot and Google
Thank you so much for a relaxing break away from reality. We have loved our little bolt hole and have found it incredibly peaceful. The Walled Garden is very special, and lots of attention to detail has been taken and was very much appreciated. We loved our hamper! We had great meals at the Bull, Cross House, and the King´s Arms, and we enjoyed breakfast at the farm shop. Thank you again for sharing this with us.
Thank you so much, we´ve had such a wonderful stay. We really appreciated the recommendations; we´ve had lovely meals at The Bull and The Cross House, and Luls´ fig jam was really delicious! This trip was very much about some much needed R&R, which we got in spades. Thank you for allowing us to stay in your cosy summer house, we hope to come back!
A fantastic week at the beautiful Walled Garden. Beautifully designed and well equipped, we especially enjoyed the apple cake! The perfect location for exploring. We´ve had great trips to the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Bath, Tetbury, and a perfect day at The Newt in Somerset. We´d definitely recommend a meal at The Pig too! Many thanks.
Many thanks for your warm welcome and hospitality. We had a lovely week exploring the surrounding area and further afield. Such a beautiful part of the country. Thanks again!
The owner was very warm, generous and welcoming. We really appreciated her meeting us on our arrival. We felt at home wandering in the grounds of her beautiful property. The owner was always available for any queries yet she never imposed on our stay.
The property has the most fabulous, magical grounds with a tennis court and an owner who is very relaxed to allow guests the freedom to roam. Thank you for such a wonderful stay and for allowing us to create such lovely memories here.
The owner has gone above and beyond to make her homestay a delightful getaway. We highly recommend booking a stay at The Walled Garden. Unique Homestays has provided consistently excellent service and we look forward to future opportunities to explore other homestays.
It was lovely to meet the owners and enjoy a much needed retreat from the city! It´s been a very comfortable stay at The Walled garden. Here´s hoping the new addition to the orchard provide you with all the fruit you desire.
This has been a tranquil few days of rest and taking time to saviour this beautiful garden. The owner´s vision and hard work are evident in every detail. Thank you for the warm welcome and ability to make someone feel at home from the first moment you arrive. We wish the owners continued success with this remarkable project; may it bring continued happiness and satisfaction in the years ahead.
Thank you so much for our short stay, for being so welcoming and for all the extras! We loved staying here, adored the garden, and will certainly be back the next time we need a break. A really great homestay!
Thank you so much, we have had an amazing time in such a special and unique place. The weather was perfect during our stay and we thoroughly enjoyed days out to Bath and an afternoon visiting Dyrham Park. The highlight of our stay was relaxing and reading by the river. Thank you.
Thank you for a great stay! What a fabulous place. It is certainly well worth all your hard work! Our holiday at The Walled Garden could not have been better, even the weather did its bit!
Thank you for a lovely, relaxing weekend in this beautiful house. We had everything we needed and were very comfortable. We appreciated the goodies too! The view is gorgeous, even in the rain!
Thank you for an amazing stay. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in this little piece of heaven. The house and grounds are absolutely beautiful; good luck on the rest of the project. We hope to be back and see you again soon.
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.
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25 of the best autumn getaways
The Times
November 2024Good manors
Condé Nast Traveller
November 2024Ways to improve your life—from our experts
The Times
October 2024The UK´s most relaxing riverside stays
The Times
October 2024At one with nature
25 Beautiful Homes
September 2024Healing waters
Condé Nast Traveller
September 202425 of the UK´s best lakeside stays
The Times
September 2024Highland fling
25 Beautiful Homes
September 2024
Collections > Holiday homes 2-3 hours from London > UK > Somerset > Bath > The Walled Garden
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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.
