Guests say
Milton Manor is a well-received holiday rental, praised for its ample space, beautiful grounds, and suitability for large gatherings. Guests enjoyed the well-equipped kitchens, diverse recreational facilities, and the property's charm for special occasions. Some concerns were raised about maintenance issues, particularly with the bathrooms and some recreational equipment.
The property generally receives positive remarks for cleanliness, with guests noting clean kitchens, comfy beds with crisp linen, and fluffy towels. However, some guests mentioned areas needing attention, such as kitchen utensils and banquet room floors, which slightly impacted the overall impression.
The location is appreciated for its proximity to local attractions and the coast, despite a bit of a drive. The surrounding countryside and nearby walks add to the appeal, making it a well-located choice for guests looking to explore the area.
Comfort is highly rated, with guests finding the bedrooms comfortable and the property spacious. Multiple seating areas and the large dining table were highlights. Some guests noted that certain bathrooms could use updating, but overall, the property provided a comfortable stay.
Facilities are generally excellent, with a special mention of the well-equipped kitchens and entertainment options. However, there are several comments about maintenance issues such as non-working showers, the need for better instructions for the hot tub, and worn-out games equipment, indicating room for improvement.
While guests have expressed satisfaction with the property's offerings and the owner's helpfulness, there is no mention of gifts or special touches that would fall under the category of thoughtfulness. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a score in this category.
About this property
Milton Manor is a remarkable 14-bedroom Georgian country house set within six acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, created for unforgettable gatherings. A local landmark steeped in history, it combines timeless elegance with every comfort for large groups, multi-generational families, and special celebrations. Fully refurbished while retaining traditional Georgian features, the house offers a wealth of inviting spaces.
The grand entrance hall opens to a light-filled drawing room with bay windows framing garden views and an open fireplace, perfect for winter escapes, with a magical atmosphere and a hot tub for stargazing under unpolluted night skies. The bar lounge provides a refined setting for pre-dinner drinks. The snug is stocked with a vast selection of board games, while the games room promises hours of fun with table tennis, a pool table, dart board, and toys for all ages.
Two well-equipped kitchens make catering for large groups a pleasure, with the option of hiring a private chef for special occasions. Guests can also enjoy a wide range of catering styles to suit any occasion, including informal buffets, sharing platters, and served, seated two- or three-course meals, as well as celebration cakes. For added convenience and a memorable experience, guests may arrange for a mobile pizza van serving fresh, hand-crafted pizzas, or book a mobile fish and chips van offering both traditional family favourites and modern options. Helium balloons can be ordered for milestone birthdays or special occasions, making celebrations even more festive. Organising meals for large groups can be a challenge, so these catering add-ons provide both variety and ease. Guests can also pre-arrange beautiful floral displays (including table arrangements, room bouquets, and hand-tied bunches), celebration cakes, and indulgent food and wine hampers — all locally sourced and ready to enjoy upon arrival.
Guests arrange these extras directly with the suppliers, and the owner will provide further information after booking.
The second kitchen opens directly to the walled garden, ideal for alfresco dining in the warmer months.
All 14 bedrooms have en-suites with a mix of showers and baths to suit individual preference. The layout includes a mix of super-kings, doubles, singles, and family rooms, offering versatility for all party types. Two ground-floor bedrooms with en-suites provide easy access for guests with limited mobility. Traditional, comfortable furnishings, along with crisp white linen and towels supplied by a local hotel company, add a touch of luxury.
Outside, the grounds invite exploration and traditional family fun. Expansive lawns, ancient trees, and fragrant summer blooms set the scene for treasure hunts and hide-and-seek. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy the cricket pitch and football and netball goal posts. A gas BBQ, plentiful garden furniture, private entrance, and large car park complete the experience. From the doorstep, enjoy walks through Dorset’s rolling countryside. The property offers a warm welcome to pets and is perfect for exploring!
Milton Manor is also an excellent choice for corporate retreats or away breaks. The property offers complete privacy and sole use for corporate groups, making it ideal for focused team time, strategy sessions, creative workshops, meetings, and team-building activities.
Nearby are the Cranborne Chase and Dorset Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the historic town of Shaftesbury, home to the iconic Gold Hill. For coastal adventures, the UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast lies within an hour’s drive. Milton Manor offers space, privacy, and charm year-round, making it a true destination you’ll want to return to again and again.
A small bustling North Dorset market town in the heart of the Blackmore Vale, well served by a good selection of local shops, inns, restaurants, and a direct rail link from London to the West Country. The town was immortalised by John Constable's famous painting of The Old Town Bridge, which now hangs in the Tate Gallery. The Blackmore Vale, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is part of the Stour Valley, vividly depicted by Thomas Hardy in Tess of The D'Urbervilles, as 'Vale of the little dairies', with lush green countryside and a 'patchwork quilt' of fields. The area abounds with pretty rural walks and offers numerous National Trust properties and historic houses within a short drive, such as Stourhead, Longleat and Wilton, whilst the wonderful Dorset Heritage Coast is also an easy drive.
Accommodation
Over three-floors.
Fourteen bedrooms all with en-suites and heated towel rails.
Ground floor - Bedroom A: king with ensuite shower room, Bedroom B: single with ensuite shower room.
First floor - Bedroom 1: king with ensuite bathroom, Bedroom 2: Family Suite with super-king and an interconnecting door to twin with ensuite bathroom, Bedroom 3: 1 x bunk with ensuite bathroom, Bedroom 4: double with ensuite shower room, Bedroom 5: single with ensuite bathroom, Bedroom 6: twin with ensuite bathroom, Bedroom 7: double with ensuite bathroom, Bedroom 8: Family Suite with super-king and single with ensuite bathroom, Bedroom 9: super-king with ensuite shower room, Bedroom 10: double with ensuite shower room.
Second floor - Bedroom 11: Family Suite with double and twin with ensuite shower room, Bedroom 12: Family Suite with double and single, ensuite bathroom and adjoining door to a further single.
Grand entrance hall.
Drawing room with open fire.
TV room.
Snug with TV and open fire.
Games room with table tennis, pool table, board games and fridge.
Open-plan kitchen/diner with fireplace.
Utility.
Oil central heating.
Double oven, fridge/freezer, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine.
DVD player, selection of DVD's and WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Two travel cots and two highchairs available on request.
Off-road parking for 6 cars, and an additional large car park to the right of the driveway.
Enclosed walled garden with lawn, patio area, furniture, cricket pitch, pond and BBQ.
Hot tub.
Three well-behaved pets welcome.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop 1.4 miles, pub 0.9 miles.
Note; Please do not allow children in the tree house or near the pond unsupervised.
Note; No stag/hen parties, or similar.
Note; Check-in 4pm, Check-out 10am.
Note; There is a Good Housekeeping Bond of £1000 for this property.
Note; Note: Pets are to be kept downstairs.
No fireworks allowed.
Please note: Due to the size of the property, it may take a while for the showers to get warm.
Pre-prepared or in-house Catering options can be arranged with the owner.
Reviews (22)
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Lesley
We had 25 family members staying, ranging from 8-70, all celebrating my husbands 70th birthday. There was plenty of space for us all, comfortable bedrooms and an amazing games room. There were also cupboards full of games and toys, great for the children. The grounds are beautiful and well maintained and the kitchen areas had everything you could possibly need. The surrounding country is great for walks and not too far from the coast. One slight comment about the hot tub- it's not the sort with jets and bubbles! More like a spa bath, enjoyable but not what was expected. If you have a big family celebration coming up this is the perfect place to stay. Definitely recommended!
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Roz
Games room excellent. Only tips for making this rental 100% would be more labour-saving catering machinery - no rentals seem to get that parties may want to do their own cookery operations. And for a big heritage property like this, the heating doesn't hit target temperature till day 2 !!! We had a blast anyway thank you Charlotte & Richard !
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Bronwen
What a fantastic house. Spacious and clean bedrooms, various other communal rooms to hang out in, a lot of outdoor space for kids to run around and the all-popular hot tub too! Favourite part must have been the very long dining table which was able to seat us all. So many discussions and much laughter happened right there. Overall a real treat to have stayed at Milton Manor and we do hope to be back again next year.