‘The perfect place’ for walking holidays, as described in the July 2023 issue of Travel+Leisure magazine, Rushay is a beautiful 9 bedroom Edwardian country house and cottage, with a tennis court and huge gardens, which sleeps 20 and stands just a mile from the beach at Charmouth. 

With four reception rooms, open fires, two fully equipped kitchens, and excellent shopping in the lively market towns of Bridport and Lyme Regis, there’s so much for family groups and holiday makers to enjoy, from the sea itself to a terrace BBQ to table football and tennis.

Built for the agent of this Dorset estate in 1906, with a converted stable cottage across the yard, Rushay has huge swooping tiled roofs, principal rooms facing south and west, high ceilings and waxed wooden floors. Their bay windows overlook the garden to the unspoilt countryside beyond, and fill with light. At the top of the oak stairs, five bedrooms off the landing have white floors and walls that redouble the sense of air and space. At the top of the back stairs, a broad winding flight takes you to the attic dorm.

Drop your wellies, beach bags, snorkels and coats in the boot room, and circulate through the house. From the boots, step through a study/play room into a big sober hall. Off it lies the drawing room with a log fire, and the dining room. The dining room was opened into the kitchen in the 1960s, and we have updated the kitchen with plenty of prep space on the mahogany island and counters, kept cosy by the traditional two-oven Aga that never goes out. There’s an electric hob and oven, too, and doors leading into the laundry and the pantry. It’s a great house for cooking (but ask about hiring a private chef for an evening, too!)