Big family-sized Edwardian country house: comfort on Dorset's Jurassic coast

WELCOME TO RUSHAY
A magnificent Arts and Crafts country house (from 1906) sleeping up to 20 guests, with separate cottage, private tennis court, and sprawling gardens, just a 20-minute walk from Charmouth's stunning Jurassic Coast beaches.
THE SPACE
Main House: 6 bedrooms (5 doubles plus en-suite 4-bed attic room), 2 elegant sitting rooms with log fires, formal dining room flowing into a beautifully equipped kitchen with Aga, induction hob, and electric oven. Plenty of prep space on the mahogany island makes cooking for crowds a joy. A boot room, study/playroom, pantry with American fridge-freezer, and laundry complete the ground floor.
The Cottage: Newly renovated self-contained retreat across the courtyard with 3 double bedrooms (one ground-floor en-suite), second bathroom, full kitchen, and cosy sitting room - perfect for multi-generational gatherings where everyone has their own space.
Total: 9 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 2 full kitchens, 4 reception rooms
OUTDOOR PARADISE
Your private estate includes a full-sized hard tennis court, sprawling lawns beneath mature beech, oak, ash and walnut trees, an apple orchard, wildflower croquet lawn (spectacular with orchids in spring), and a west-facing stone terrace with professional-grade Argentinian asado BBQ - ideal for those long Dorset evenings.
THE LOCATION
Walk straight from the garden to the sea in 20 minutes. Charmouth beach offers world-class fossil hunting on the Jurassic Coast and safe family swimming. Historic Lyme Regis (3 miles) beckons with its famous Cobb harbour, while Bridport's vibrant market town (10 minutes) provides excellent shopping and dining. Axminster station (10 minutes) offers mainline rail connections.
LOCAL FLAVOUR
The area is a foodie's paradise: dine at 101 Bridport, Tom's Lyme Regis, or Brassica in Beaminster. Stock up at Felicity's Farm Shop (rare breed pork, local cheese, organic vegetables) or the village honesty box. The Baboo organic ice cream truck makes daily rounds.
Ancient Iron Age hill forts crown the surrounding hills, offering breathtaking views across the Marshwood Vale to the sea and into two counties. Woodland walks, small fields, and timeless countryside surround you.
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS
Kate and Jason have created something special in over thirty years in the Dorset countryside. Kate's distinctive interiors have been featured in World of Interiors and Ben Pentreath's English Decoration, while Jason writes a column for Country Life magazine. Their warm, idiosyncratic style makes Rushay feel like a beloved family home - because it is.
We can recommend a private chef who knows the house well if you'd like a night off from cooking.
WHY GUESTS LOVE RUSHAY
Perfect for family reunions, milestone celebrations, or friends gathering - there's space to be together and space to retreat. Drop your wellies and beach bags in the boot room, light the fire in the drawing room, gather around the kitchen island, or escape to the cottage for a quiet moment. This is a house that works beautifully for groups, with room to breathe and endless opportunities for making memories.
Whether you're fossil hunting, hill walking, cooking feasts, playing tennis, or simply relaxing with loved ones, Rushay offers the perfect English country house escape.