A characterful Somerset retreat with a heated pool, wild swimming, sauna and bold interiors, offering space to gather and unwind.
Key Highlights
Private Pool
Wi-Fi/Internet
Walk to Restaurant
- A heated pool in the walled garden, wood-fired sauna, cold plunge and a private stretch of the River Mells give guests several very different ways to spend a summer afternoon.
- This is a serious entertaining house that still feels relaxed. The marble kitchen, dining room for fourteen, wine cellar, terrace and Argentinian grill make celebrations easy without turning the property into an events venue.
- Different generations can get on with different things. There is a gym and Pilates reformer, football and lawn games, a children's playroom, pool, river and plenty of space to find somewhere quieter.
- Limestone Gem is exceptionally useful. The separate stone annexe gives part of the group genuine independence without detaching them from the stay
- Somerset's best addresses are remarkably close. Frome, Bruton, Bath and Stourhead are all accessible, although Phene House gives guests very little reason to hurry away.
Accommodates14 - 18
Bedrooms7
Bathrooms7
Private Pool
Wi-Fi/Internet
Walk to Restaurant
Walk to Village
Pets on Request
Gym/Fitness Room
Heated Pool
<1hr to Airport
Sauna/Steam
Working Fireplace/Woodburner
BBQ
Historical Sites
Horse Riding
Rural Location
Outstanding Landscapes
Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
Tourist Towns & Villages
Ideal for Teens
Cots (Cribs)
High Chair(s)
Animal farm
Zoo
Caves/Pre-historic site
Ruins
Climbing
Rafting
Kid-friendly museum
Kid-friendly excursions
Trampoline
The House
Phene House offers seven individually designed bedrooms in the main house, alongside Limestone Gem, a self-contained stone annexe included with the stay.
Ground Floor
- Entrance Hall: Grand reception hall with original Victorian tiled floor, decorative plasterwork and original pitch-pine staircase
- Living Room: Generous sitting room with working fireplace
- Family/Media Room: Relaxed second living space with wood-burning stove
- Dining Room: Formal dining room with seating for up to 14 guests
- Kitchen: Bespoke Jo Berryman-designed kitchen with Macchia Vecchia marble work surfaces, sculptural copper extractor hood and integrated Miele appliances
- Garden Room/Private Gym: Dedicated fitness space with Pilates reformer, rowing machine, red light panel, stationary bike, free weights and yoga equipment
- Children’s Playroom: Dedicated indoor play space for younger guests
- Utility Room: Laundry and utility facilities
- Wine Cellar: Private wine cellar, which can be stocked ahead of your stay
- Cloakroom: Ground-floor guest cloakroom
- Doors opening onto the rear terrace and gardens
First Floor
All seven bedrooms are individually designed and feature Vispring or Savoir mattresses.
- Bedroom One: Emperor bed (200 x 200 cm) with ensuite shower room
- Bedroom Two: Super-king bed (180 x 200 cm) with ensuite bathroom
- Bedroom Three: Super-king bed with private bathroom located opposite
- Bedroom Four: Four-poster super-king bed with bathroom shared with Bedroom Five
- Bedroom Five: Super-king bed with bathroom shared with Bedroom Four
- The Loft: King-size bed, luxury sofa bed and ensuite shower room, sleeping up to four guests
- Bedroom Seven: Super-king bed with ensuite shower room
Limestone Gem – Separate Annexe
- Self-contained stone annexe located beside the main house, with a private entrance and its own key
- Sleeping Area: King-size bed with additional sofa-bed option
- Bathroom: Private bathroom
- Kitchenette: Private kitchenette for greater independence
- Full access to the main house gardens and facilities
- Particularly well suited to grandparents, a nanny or guests who would appreciate additional privacy
Exterior Grounds
- Grounds: Approximately 12 private acres with mature gardens, established trees and wildflower meadow
- Walled Garden: Restored walled garden with old stone walls, espalier fruit trees and mature planting
- Swimming Pool: Seasonal heated outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers and parasols
- Outdoor Shower: Shower located beside the pool area
- Sauna: Wood-fired sauna housed within a converted horse-box
- Cold Plunge: Cold plunge located alongside the sauna
- River: Private stretch of the River Mells running along the edge of the property, with access for wild swimming subject to natural river conditions
- Outdoor Dining: Terrace with space for outdoor dining
- Barbecue: Argentinian grill for outdoor cooking
- Firepit: Outdoor firepit for evenings in the grounds
- Football: Five-a-side football pitch
- Garden Games: Croquet and lawn games
- Trampoline: Outdoor trampoline
- Parking: Ample gated private parking
Additional Facilities
- High-speed Wi-Fi
- Sonos sound system
- Working fireplace and wood-burning stove
- Books and games
- Laundry facilities
- Private gym and fitness equipment
- Children’s playroom
- Wine cellar
Phene House has never been interested in behaving like a conventional country house.
Behind its handsome 1882 Somerset-stone exterior, gothic arches and original tiled floors meet contemporary art, mid-century furniture and rooms alive with colour and pattern. Gothic arches, tiled floors, old stone and fireplaces remain with contemporary art, mid-century pieces, saturated colour and unexpected pattern. The result feels glamorous without becoming precious; a house assembled with instinct rather than decorated by formula.
Seven individually designed bedrooms are joined by generous drawing and dining spaces, a marble-lined kitchen and the separate Limestone Gem annexe, allowing fourteen or more guests to come together without sacrificing privacy.
Outside, twelve acres unfold around a restored walled garden, where the heated pool sits beneath mature planting. Elsewhere there is a wood-fired sauna and cold plunge, private gym, football pitch and a stretch of the River Mells for wild swimming.
Lunch might begin beside the pool, move to the terrace and finish around the firepit. Dinner can be cooked over the Argentinian grill or left to a private chef. And with Frome, Bruton and Bath within easy reach, Phene House has Somerset at its disposal, though leaving it may prove the harder decision.
- Please note that a maximum of 14 adults are allowed per booking. On request, up to 4 additional children can be accommodated so please enquire for more details.
- The outdoor swimming pool is seasonal rather than open year-round.
- Wild swimming takes place in the River Mells and is therefore subject to natural conditions.
- Phene House is intended for family gatherings, groups and celebrations.
- The grounds include natural water, a swimming pool and extensive outdoor areas, so children should be supervised appropriately.
- Limestone Gem is separate from the main house and is particularly useful for guests wanting additional privacy.
- Bruton Lodge is a separate neighbouring property and is not included in a standard Phene House booking unless the full estate is reserved.
Oliver's Extras
- Chef/Cook Available
- Maid Service Available
- Pre-Stocked Fridge Available
- Yoga Classes Available
- Housekeeping Available
- Guided walks
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to travel services we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport transfers
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!
