Beautiful large 16th century family farmhouse

A large and homely family farmhouse set in 17 acres of rolling countryside near the pretty town of Beaminster. Sleeps 11/13, in 3 doubles (one ensuite), a double with adjoining space and futon for the extra 2, a twin, a single and 2 further bathrooms. Downstairs there's a large Aga-warmed kitchen, spacious dinning and sitting rooms with log burners, and a kid's playroom. Outside there are chickens, a treehouse, trampoline, swings & lots space for kids to run wild in. Wantsley is a lovely, homely and traditional old family farmhouse (circa 17th century) that we live in with our two boys, and rent out occasionally. Close to the town of Beaminster and twenty minutes from the Jurassic coast, the house sits in 17 acres of fields and woodland. There are three bathrooms, one en-suite (shower), one large and luxurious, and one smaller and simpler bathroom. The attic room sleeps two, but is adjoined by a playroom with a futon that will take two children if required. On the ground floor there's a large kitchen with an Aga and seating for an easy 8 (plenty more chairs dotted about the house) a kids playroom off the kitchen with a DVD player. The dining room has a fire, a grand piano and a table that will seat ten on its own, or 14 with the extra table on the end. There's a spacious sitting room with a large fireplace and TV, with SKY and DVD. There are two downstairs loos, one in a utility room and one smarter one. The house faces south across the gardens and looks over a small stream (that provides the water for the house - all filtered of course) and up over the fields to the wood. There are 17 acres to explore, as well as a tree house, rope swings and trampoline (no net). The chickens produce beautiful fresh eggs when they're in the mood and if you can find them - they're completely free range. We rent out the house as a whole with access to six bedrooms and all reception rooms. The garden, fields and woods are yours to roam in. As we live in the house most of the year, our bedroom and the boys room will have our stuff in it, though we will make sure there is some room for your clothes of course :). If you're looking for a hermetically sealed designer country residence with pot pourri and Conran scatter cushions, then Wantsley isn't the place for you. It's (in original AirBnB fashion) a family home not a posh hotel, suited best for those who want to immerse themselves in the beautiful Dorset countryside and stay in a traditional farmhouse. Wantsley Farm is set in the beautiful rolling Dorset countryside outside the town of Beaminster and 20 minutes from the famous Jurassic coast. Our nearest seaside town and beach is West Bay (of Broadwindsor fame and 15 mins away), and Lyme Regis & Chesil Beach are nearby. Mapperton House (the set for the film Far From The Madding Crowd) is 5 minutes up the road. If you're keen walkers then you're in luck as there are dozens of wonderful walks nearby such as Lewesden Hill (the highest is Dorset), Pilsdon Pen, or you can just walk down the road 100 yds and then up to the Wessex Way with stunning views to the sea, and down to the nearby village of Stoke Abbott for a drink and a bite at The New Inn. Cars are a must, there's a bus service from the local village which is intermittent at best, and you have to walk to the village. It's Hardy country, what can I say. The guests have exclusive access to the main garden and (shared with the cottage) the surrounding fields and woods. We tend to go camping or stay locally when we rent out the house, so some of the time will not be far away if needed, but we're always at the end of a phone. The Beaminster valley is a remarkable beautiful spot set in ludicrously beautiful part of England, it's no wonder Hardy waxed so lyrically about the place. You'll hear owls at night and the occasional bark of a fox or badger (not sure they bark actually). Early morning walkers may see deer in our woods if they're very quiet. Dig more or less anywhere and you'll find ammonite fossils, understandable as just fifteen minutes away lies the Jurassic Coast, with myriad places to explore and some great food spots. There's plenty of parking in the drive, public transport is very very thin on the ground. We have a changing family of chickens. The chicken population wavers radically depending on fox activity as they are all utterly free range. The ducks come and go, though as I write we have a duck somewhere, but things can change. The chickens (when there are any) put themselves to bed, or at least should and just need food and occasional, water. When they're on form they should provide even more eggs, but no promises!