Best of British Getaways 2025/ 10 Best Self-Catering Rural Retreat 2025 – Dorset & Excellence Award in Luxury New Forest Getaways 2025 The travel sector has played a crucial role in advancing the UK’s financial landscape, serving as the very backbone of the country’s economy. This understanding is championed by Provenance Holdings, a family-operated business striving to convert properties into luxury getaways that not only boost British tourism but also support small local businesses and local communities. This vision was realised with the purchase and large-scale renovation of Cross Farmhouse in Dorset, a retreat that has been recognised in the Best of British Getaways 2025. We took a closer look below. Cross Farmhouse was purchased by Provenance Holdings in 2019, with the aim of creating a rural retreat catering to the needs of diverse guests, prioritising the guest experience, and becoming Dorset’s very best British getaway. The journey came with its own particular challenges; renovations were delayed due to restrictions stemming from COVID-19, though the team forged ahead and were nonetheless able to accept their first guests in August 2020 – shortly before lockdowns were enforced once again. The team immediately began to market the property, first through an online agency and Airbnb, with the latter providing significantly better returns. From there, a website was established to support direct bookings at Cross Farmhouse, and the property started to build a remarkable reputation. Now, having operated Cross Farmhouse for five years, Provenance Holding is actively monitoring the UK tourism industry closely, while analysing returns on the property to determine whether further expansion is viable. Today, Cross Farmhouse stands as a luxury self-catering getaway positioned in a rural location at the edge of Alderholt, Dorset. The farmhouse has been entirely renovated and refreshed since its purchase and now provides spacious yet cosy accommodation that is not only tastefully decorated but also easily adaptable for up to eight people, offering guests a selection of four king-sized rooms that are each fitted with their own en-suite bathroom. Guests visit Cross Farmhouse for a variety of reasons, whether seeking a short-term stay for a weekend getaway, attending family reunions and weddings in the local area, or celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and various other milestones. Regardless of their reason for visiting, however, each guest is united by an appreciation for luxury, which is offered at all levels of the Cross Farmhouse experience. The ability to target the higher end of the tourism sector is made possible by Cross Farmhouse’s status as a side business, meaning that its owners are not bound by having to turn over large volumes of guests each week to maximise profits. With this model, the retreat offers long weekend getaways, with early check-ins and later check-outs than the norm. This is widely regarded as an important aspect of the luxury getaway, enabling guests to get the most out of their time away without feeling rushed by an early departure. The property itself has been renovated with comfort, luxury, and quality in mind. In addition to boasting luxury king-size bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, Cross Farmhouse offers a well-equipped kitchen and dining area, a comfortable living space, and a dedicated workspace with Wi-Fi for working. What’s more, guests can stay warm and cosy with underfloor heating running throughout the house and an electric fire in the lounge, which also features a 65 inch television. Beyond its accommodation, Cross Farmhouse offers guests an exclusive retreat into the heart of rural Dorset. The property is situated just on the edge of both the New Forest National Park and the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, offering endless walking and off-road cycling opportunities. It is also surrounded by country villages and communities; the neighbouring village of Fordingbridge is of special note, with a pub on the river and many small businesses to explore for local produce. From its unrivalled amenities to its owners’ unwavering commitment to the highest standards of cleanliness, quality, and overall guest experience, Cross Farmhouse has certainly cemented itself in the minds of every guest it serves. The property has earned well-deserved celebration for its outstanding offerings, with its most recent acknowledgement being the Excellence Award in Luxury New Forest Getaways 2025, alongside recognition as Dorset’s Best Self-Catering Rural Retreat 2025. In light of this significant success, the Owner of Cross Farmhouse shared: “We are excited to have been recognised for this award in the Best of British Getaways, which was our goal from the outset: to be the best in the area for what we offer, at affordable prices. We hope our business can build on this recognition, which may enable us to expand our offerings in the future or add further properties to the portfolio.” Company: Provenance Holdings Ltd / Cross Farmhouse Web Address: www.crossfarmhouse.com
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