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  • The Skilling - Dorset - 1021105 - photo 1
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The Skilling

(Ref. 1021105)

Bridport, Dorset Show on map

4.9

Sykes rating

  • 14 Guests

  • 5 Bedrooms

  • 4 Bathrooms

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Hot tub
  • Off road parking
  • Ground floor accommodation
  • Ground floor bedroom
  • Garden / Patio
  • Cot available
  • Highchair available
  • Pub/shop < 1 mile
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • house (20)
  • great (19)
  • well (18)
  • our (17)
  • stay (17)
  • family (17)

50 Customer Reviews

  • "We loved our stay at the Skilling, really well set-up for our family stay, clean and comfortable and well located for both Bridport and the beach."

    Thank you!

    Reviewed by AngelaMar 2024

  • "Second wonderful stay and hope to return again!"

    Reviewed by DavidJan 2024

  • "We had five family groups staying comfortably in the property."

    We couldn't fault the property and its facilities, with the kitchen providing everything that was needed. There was a generous hamper of local produce provided on our arrival, a lovely touch. We have no hesitation in recommending it to others. Bridport itself had some interesting independent shops and of course there was lots of coastal places to visit.

    Reviewed by CarolineDec 2023

  • "What a beautiful location and the house was so well equipped."

    Plenty of room for our 60th birthday celebration.The welcome basket was full of lovely goodies and thank you Louisa for letting us arrive early.

    Reviewed by NaomiNov 2023

  • "Property was very clean and very well equipped."

    The property works well for a large family, very well thought out, with beautiful views. The hot tub was great and well maintained during our stay. The location is good, easy for beach and shops just a few minutes by car. The welcome gift was a kind thought. Many thanks to Louisa and her team for helping to make our family holiday so enjoyable and memorable.

    Reviewed by SusanOct 2023

  • "The property was so versatile."

    The contact was so helpful and friendly. It was very well equipped and made for a pleasant weekend for 14 of us 8 adults and 6 children.

    Reviewed by GeoffOct 2023

  • "Great family space and well equipped."

    Excellent location .

    Reviewed by HelenSep 2023

  • "The Skilling was an ideal property for my family (three generations with eight adults and three children under 17 months)."

    It is spacious and very well equipped. The mature garden is on a slope and has levels; while not a problem for us, this may be a limitation for slightly older infants. The location, on the outskirts of Bridport was superb; the town centre and West Bay are within walking distance. The owner provided a generous welcome basket of local foodstuffs.

    Reviewed by PhilipSep 2023

  • "Lovely house and fascinating garden."

    Well positioned to Bridport town which is walkable from property. This is an upside- down house which allows great views of West Bay and surrounding areas, the only downside was the upstairs laminate floors were quite noisy for anyone trying to sleep downstairs. We really appreciated the many toiletries, toilet rolls, washing up stuff, bin bags etc which are usually meagerly supplied in holiday homes. Highly recommend this house for families and groups.

    Reviewed by BarbaraJul 2023

  • "We were a family of 7 adults, 2 teenagers, 2 toddlers and 1 dog."

    The property was ideal for us all. It had everything we needed and more! Would highly recommend this property.

    Reviewed by DonnaJun 2023

  • "Amazing property."

    Would highly recommend. Good location, beautiful views, very clean and extremely well equipped. Thank you - we had the most wonderful stay.

    Reviewed by DeborahJun 2023

  • "Ideally located property for the surrounding area and walking into Bridport."

    Reviewed by RichardMay 2023

  • "A beautiful, well-equipped property that’s ideal for family gatherings or groups of friends getting away together"

    Reviewed by KevinApr 2023

  • "It was ideal for a large family gathering and everything was provided for the enjoyment of all the guests, ages ranging from 17 months to 70."

    The garden was great, so beautiful with all the birdsong and plants and many places to sit and contemplate. The hot tub was a big attraction and the garden games provided were excellent. The balconies were amazing and the rooms very comfy. At night we loved playing Trivial Pursuit which was one of the many games provided. There was also a very wide selection of books. You could quite happily just spend the whole time on the premises. However, there was much to explore on the doorstep! We the grandparents did not use our car at all as there were many walks including one to West Bay. The brewery tour was a must for the beer lovers and we loved the culinary delights of Bridport!

    Reviewed by Anne-marieApr 2023

  • "Great house, couldn’t have asked for more"

    Reviewed by DavidFeb 2023

  • "The property Skilling was beautiful and has everything you need there."

    We had a lovely stay with friends and family. Louisa was very helpful and only a message away if you need anything. Would definitely recommend to family and friends and would return. Thank you

    Reviewed by EvelinaFeb 2023

  • "Thank you for having us at the Skilling."

    A great house for 10 of us and our babies/children to get together for the weekend. Loved our stay! Thank you again, Matt

    Reviewed by MatthewJan 2023

  • "The bedrooms were laid out exactly as requested for our family needs and all was clean."

    The layout of the living floor worked very well for extended family of 8 adults and 6 young children. The lovely new kitchen was superb and well kitted out, I mentioned a couple of minor items I personally would have liked but certainly not essential, like a rubber spatula, kitchen tongs for turning food and I can't even remember the other. The problem with the drainage was sorted out quickly and efficiently. A thoroughly good family Christmas and I would happily recommend the house for other families. Perhaps a simple guide for the working of the hob would help in the file provided.

    Reviewed by OliverDec 2022

  • "Yet another great stay at The Skilling, we came for a Christmassy break as 3 families with teenagers and fab time had by all."

    New kitchen is lovely. We WILL be back!

    Reviewed by KellyDec 2022

  • "Lovely stay at the Skillings new kitchen was amazing ."

    Lots of new China and cutlery from last year, everyone enjoyed the stay .

    Reviewed by LindaNov 2022

  • "Excellent accommodation with outstanding views."

    There was ample room for all of us and the house was fully equipped with everything we needed for our stay. We will definitely be re booking.

    Reviewed by EmmaNov 2022

  • "This property is in a great location being close to Bridport town centre and West Bay."

    It is very well appointed and maintained. We enjoyed the spacious living areas and hot tub. The kitchen was a good size for a larger group and had all the utensils and appliances which we needed. We had 4 cars and managed to fit them all in on the parking area with a little car jenga. This area of Dorset has lots to do with walks, beaches and fossil localities. We had a thoroughly enjoyable stay.

    Reviewed by MarieSep 2022

  • "We had a great stay at The Skilling."

    Things we particularly liked- the view across the valley, being able to walk into town, the well equipped kitchen, space for 4 cars to park. We didn't use the garden or the hot tub as the weather was very unsettled, but it is quite steep. There's a nice balcony outside the kitchen which we definitely would have used had we not had torrential rain!

    Reviewed by JennySep 2022

  • "Felt the property was very well equipped, one of the best we have ever stayed ..."

    Felt the property was very well equipped, one of the best we have ever stayed in Situated in a perfect spot, just far enough out of the town but within easy walking distance of both West Bay and Bridport The owners couldn’t do enough to make sure you had a truly wonderful and unforgettable holiday Would I return again 100% Can’t wait till next year

    Reviewed by RobinAug 2022

  • "We were a three generation holiday and thoroughly enjoyed our holiday as it is a very nice large house with extremely good facilities for all ages."

    We especially enjoyed the garden bbq area and hot tub which is regularly service by the owner.The location is great and very quiet at night. The only issues we had were some old breakfast cereals left under the dining table and the double bed on the first floor was uncomfortably hard. In my feedback to the owners they mentioned that there was normally a mattress topper but they had sent it away for cleaning. At the time I accepted this reason but on reflection when you are paying over £5k for a week it occurred to me they ought to be able to afford a spare.

    Reviewed by ColinAug 2022

  • "A very interesting property and garden."

    The equipment was exceptional and gave the impression that the owners had treated the property as a home with everything you might need. Our children loved the garden with so many nooks and crannies! The lower garden with a games shed and wildlife hide were an unexpected bonus. The hide looked as if it had been imaginatively set up by a teacher or park ranger. All in all a delight. However people with mobility issues would find this a challenging property.

    Thank you for your lovely comments. We are delighted that you enjoyed the lower part of the garden. This was our lockdown project. We only open it to guests, at our discretion, during the summer which is why it doesn’t appear on our listing. In the winter it is muddy and the badgers have cubs so we close the gate and use the summerhouse to store the additional garden furniture. You make a good point about anyone with mobility issues. The garden is steep with lots of steps, some of them uneven. There are also a couple of steps to the front door and short flights of steps from our mezzanine floor up to the living rooms and Bedroom 5 and down to the other four bedrooms. On the positive side, once guests have made the short climb to the first floor, the kitchen, dining room, lounge, balcony and Bedroom 5 (which has an ensuite shower room and toilet) are all on one level and this is usually the bedroom chosen by our older guests. Property Owner

    Reviewed by PatJul 2022

  • "Excellent holiday home throughout, well equipped kitchen, lounge, dinning room and bedrooms."

    Plenty of cleaning materials provided, especially hand wash. Garden area was very good.

    Reviewed by TerryMay 2022

  • "Lovely comfortable house with glorious views towards the countryside and coast - felt at home as soon as we walked through the door."

    Reviewed by JamesMay 2022

  • "Absolutely beautiful place excellent facilities and the hot tub which we used at least twice a day."

    Just one point could you make the sign to the property bigger and instructions to get there better. We were going up and down the hill trying to find the house and asked at 3 or 4 local people who did not know where it was we had to get the cleaners to show us where it was in the end

    We are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay. Thank you for the lovely comments. We are so sorry that you had difficulty finding the house. A friend of ours made us a beautiful new sign which blends in perfectly with the spring flowers on the bank. In retrospect, this is not great if you are trying to find the house for the first time. We will replace it with a bigger one. Property Owner

    Reviewed by BrendaMar 2022

  • "We had a fabulous weekend stay at The Skilling."

    Great for a large family get together. Everything you need and good communication from the owner. Lovely area to stay in and really easy to find. You are in the countryside, a walk from the sea and a walk to a bustling town all at the same time. We would have loved to stay for longer as still plenty to see and do.

    Reviewed by JeanMar 2022

  • "Wonderful xxxxx"

    Reviewed by LeanneFeb 2022

  • "Fabulous week at the Skilling."

    6 Adults and 6 grandchildren ( under the age of 10)And 2 dogsThe Skilling was large and comfortable with easily enough space. The garden was secure and a great adventure playground for the children. Sitting on the large balcony at night with a hot chocolate star gazing was a great way to occupy the children for half an hour before bed. Lol.

    Reviewed by DavidFeb 2022

  • "Lovely house with brilliant facilities, arrival hamper was a lovely touch ."

    Owner was lovely and made sure with had everything we needed . Lovely location for exploring local area .

    Reviewed by SarahJan 2022

  • "Thankyou, The house was perfect for our family celebration."

    The beds were all comfortable and the house was so clean. The hot tub was an added bonus. Would visit again

    Reviewed by KirstyJan 2022

  • "We booked this house as it looked ideal for 3x families with older children (14 people) for a pre christmas break /50th birthday celebrations and we were not disappointed."

    The house was perfect, location was fab, hot tub great and amazing views, not a single complaint from anyone. We can’t wait to return next year. :-)

    Reviewed by KellyDec 2021

  • "An amazing place to stay the views were out of this world."

    Fantastic accommodation and lovely welcoming property. Really lovely and helpful owners thank you for a wonderful stay

    Reviewed by DanielleDec 2021

  • "The best equipped house we have ever stayed in with lots of kitchen resources and more than enough seating (which is very unusual for large parties)."

    Lots of cleaning materials provided which was very much appreciated as this too, is often an extra responsibility for the shopper on arrival. Completely stress free.

    Reviewed by DaphneJul 2021

  • "The Skilling is ideal for a large family group such as ours."

    We had plenty of room to be together but also maintain some privacy. The welcome hamper was a lovely touch, thank you. The views from the balcony toward West Bay are wonderful. The house is roomy and well cared for. The garden is private and filled with delight in terms of secret areas, fragrances and places to sit. The hot tub was a huge hit with us all. The house is in a great location we enjoyed walking into Bridport which is very pleasant with many independent shops. The market on Saturday and Wednesday was worth a visit too. Overall we felt the house offered a super base for a large group, close to local beaches and shops for food supplies. The only negative was the noise each day from building work being completed down the hill. It started at 07:30 Monday to Friday and went on all day. Tranquil it was not, but we appreciate there’s not much the owners could do about it and looks to be nearing completion. The living area was comfortable and well thought out. The kitchen could have had a larger fridge considering the amount of people visiting. Overall we all had a good holiday experience.

    Reviewed by RobinJul 2021

  • "We loved our stay at The Skilling."

    It was everything promised and more. It provided the perfect base for our family holiday. The basket of goodie was very much appreciated too! My husband loved the apple cake!

    Reviewed by ShirleyJun 2021

  • "Our family party consisted of 3 generations and the Skillings was ideal for us in respect of accommodation (particularly bedrooms and bathrooms) and the location - perfect for access to Bridport and various coastal resorts."

    The owners were easily contactable and responded immediately to any issue we raised. Already thinking of when we can next book. Loved the hot tub!!

    Reviewed by StephenJun 2021

  • "The house has stunning views and the location is great for access to all local attractions and amenities."

    Lots of space and no shortage of facilities for families or groups staying . Lovely welcome note and goodies along with contact from the owner before and after stay which was a lovely touch. A recommendation of the Ropemakers pub in Bridport was also welcomed and spot on!

    Reviewed by CarenMay 2021

  • "Really loved our stay at The Skilling."

    I had originally booked it due to its location but have totally fallen in love with the house. Every day was a joy sunshine or rain Just loved the views each day across the hill to the sea. We both loved the Hot tub and the garden in general is a delight. The house provided everything we needed & our bed was very comfortable & all the other bedrooms looked equally wonderful. There is surround sound & our wonderful hosts provided everything we needed to make our stay perfect.

    Reviewed by ElaineApr 2021

  • "Fantastic cottage in a gorgeous location."

    The upside down arrangement works great, and the cottage was extremely well stocked for cutlery/plates/consumables etc, and the hot tub was a bonus . Met the owners who were exceedingly helpful, and useful sourc eof local information. Would recommend very highly!!

    Reviewed by DavidApr 2021

  • "Why do people need to go abroad when we have holiday properties like this in our country, The property had everything you could need that caters for everyone and pets."

    Have already recommended the property to others. Covid friendly.

    Reviewed by StephenSep 2020

  • "The Skilling met all our holiday needs."

    Easy parking, 5 good sized double bedrooms, spacious well equipped kitchen, large living room, sizeable balconies upstairs and downstairs, Well positioned to walk to town or the beach whether at Eape or WestBay and the large Morrison’s supermarket is only a quarter of a mile away. We had one minor issue on arrival which was dealt with quickly and helpfully by the owners who otherwise remained unobtrusive. Would definitely return.

    Reviewed by JohnSep 2020

  • "We were a family of 8 adults and very much enjoyed staying at The Skilling."

    We hardly used our cars as it’s proximity to Bridport and West Bay was great. There’s a small trek back up the hill walking on the road which was fine for us as we were all adults but I would think if you had children or elderly people with you you might think twice. Not much garden space for lounging around but lovely to have the hot tub. The house is an upside down house to make the most of the views to the sea, all the bedrooms we used had en-suite which, given the Covid situation, was really helpful. Nice and clean, well stocked with equipment. The owner was extremely helpful and prompt in her communications with us. Lovely stay.

    Reviewed by LeonieAug 2020

  • "Fantastic setting and good layout for families and hot tub was a bonus and lovely and clean and hot."

    Fantastic area for outside activities. Staff everywhere were friendly and helpful . Owner very helpful and good communication when contacted. Thank you. Useful to have had :- Pegs ( I brought my own) There was only 2 long plastic tumbler and no small tumbler plastic tumblers for children No cups and saucers More mugs needed for larger parties would have been helpful or smaller mugs for coffee as mugs were very large Hairdryer in each room would have been helpful as had to share. Definitely recommend. It’s one of the best holidays we have had.

    Reviewed by JaniceJul 2020

  • "Lovely house for a family gathering."

    Well equipped. A hand juicer would be useful and a tea cosy. Hot tub great.

    Reviewed by ValerieFeb 2020

  • "Very comfortable house for large groups, everyone enjoyed the hot tub and the location for shopping, eating out was great, though the hill to get back to house when walking made us puff!"

    !

    Reviewed by CarolynJan 2020

  • "We were so pleased with the property and with its location in particular that we have booked this house again with a group of friends for later this year."

    Reviewed by DouglasDec 2019

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Summary

  • Five bedrooms: Bedroom 1 has a superking bed with steps leading down to an additional single bed, A further child’s trundle bed is available on request
  • It has an en-suite bathroom
  • It is ideal for a couple with children
  • Bedroom 2 has a superking bed which can be split to form 2 singles, with two additional child’s trundle beds available on request, It has an en-suite shower room and a TV with integral DVD player
  • It is ideal for a couple with small children or if up to four children want to sleep in one room
  • Bedroom 3 has twin beds which can be joined to make a super-king on request, It has a door leading to the family bathroom which can be used as an en-suite if there is no-one using Bedroom 4
  • Bedroom 4 has a king size bed
  • Bedroom 5 has a king size bed and an en-suite shower room
  • It is ideal for grandparents or couples without children as it is on a separate floor to the other bedrooms and has level access to the communal areas
  • Cloakroom with basin and WC
  • Utility
  • First-floor kitchen/diner with balcony
  • First-floor dining room with balcony
  • First-floor sitting room
  • Gas central heating
  • Double oven and gas hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, TV, WiFi and a selection of books
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Up to three travel cots, two highchairs and stairgate available
  • Ample off-road parking
  • Large matured garden with furniture, barbecue and hot tub
  • Pets welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Shop 0.4 miles, pub 0.7 miles
  • Note: No more than 10 adults (bringing four children) are encouraged to stay at the property at one time
  • Note: There are a couple of stairs down to some areas of the ground floor including bedrooms so the property may not be suitable for those with limited mobility
  • Please note that due to current government restrictions, all rooms advertised may not be available, however, please contact the office to discuss discounts for smaller parties
  • Summer House
  • Second summer house with games and patio area only open in the Summer ( Easter - end of October ) see pictures 56-73

The property

This large family house is situated in the heart of the West Dorset countryside, close to the market town of Bridport and overlooking the coast at West Bay.

Offering a quirky layout and plenty of social space, this property is perfect for a multi-generational family or for couples or families holidaying together.

The front door leads into the mezzanine floor which has a hallway with storage for coats and boots, a downstairs cloakroom and access to the garden via a fully-equipped utility room.

A short flight of stairs leads down to four of the five bedrooms.

Two spacious family rooms with en-suites have doors which lead to the veranda, garden and hot tub.

Each of these rooms can accommodate up to two adults and two children, with pull-out beds and up to three travel cots available.

In addition, there is a family bathroom, a room with a super-king size bed which can be configured as two singles and a room with two singles which can be configured as a super-king.

The fifth bedroom is on the first floor and has a king size bed.

All rooms have ample hanging and storage space.

Take the stairs up from the hallway to the living rooms which boast a multi-room speaker system and ceiling fans which keep the temperature pleasant on the hottest of days.

The well-equipped kitchen has a breakfast bar, dining area and a door leading to the balcony, which is a sun trap from which you can enjoy panoramic views of the coast and countryside.

The dining room can seat twelve in comfort and has a further door to the balcony, whilst the sitting room offers comfy sofas, a large TV and a variety of DVDs, books and games for all ages.

Take a stroll round the mature, wooded garden, which offers a number of seating areas in which you can congregate as a group or enjoy quiet time alone.

Relax in the six person hot tub or enjoy a drink by the side in total seclusion.

Soak up the sun in the daytime or enjoy an enchanting lamp lit evening experience.

A large patio at the side of the house offers a shady area for alfresco dining and the adjoining summerhouse has all the tools and tableware you need for a picnic lunch or barbecue.

The house has parking for up to five cars and with so much within walking distance you could happily leave them there for the duration of your stay.

The lively and attractive town of Bridport is a fifteen minute walk away and a twenty five minute walk takes you to the harbour and beaches at West Bay, which was immortalised by ITV’s Broadchurch… or you can head to Eype for a quieter beach.

Everywhere you go you will be charmed by the landscape of the Jurassic Coast, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a World Heritage Site.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £200.

View on map

About the location

BRIDPORT

Lyme Regis 10 miles; West Bay 2 miles.

The attractive market town of Bridport grew up around the River Brit, and was shaped by its extensive history of rope and net making. The long, wide streets and alleyways between the houses were once where the flax strands were twisted into rope, while today those streets are filled with an interesting variety of shops, restaurants and inns. Bridport’s market is regularly featured on the River Cottage TV programme. 2 miles south of Bridport is the dramatic Jurassic coast at West Bay, now a World Heritage Site, home to the backdrop for TV's Harbour Lights and the coastal setting for popular Broadchurch, whilst the picturesque resort of Lyme Regis is within 10 miles. A superb base for exploring wonderful West Dorset.

Please note - this property accepts bookings to start on Monday and Friday
Please note - the hot tub is not to be used after 10pm.

This property has a £200 Good housekeeping bond

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas