Driftwood holiday house, sleeps 12 in Sandbanks in Poole, Dorset
Outside looking in at Driftwood
Location of Driftwood from the air.
Modern kitchen at Driftwood
Bringing the outdoors in at Driftwood
Comfortable seating at Driftwood
Master bedroom at Driftwood
Driftwood rear aspect from the air
Ensuite at Driftwood
Dinner with a view at Driftwood
Dine in style at Driftwood
Living dining area at Driftwood
Well equipped kitchen at Driftwood
TV area at Driftwood
Games room at Driftwood
Room with a view at Driftwood
Views from the balcony at Driftwood
Bedroom 2 at Driftwood
Family bathroom at Driftwood

Driftwood

Poole

Toad Hall Cottages logo

Sleeps 12 | 6 bedrooms | 4 bathrooms | Games room | Sea views | Beachfront

Overview of Driftwood

Driftwood is designed around its position beside Sandbanks Beach, with the main living accommodation elevated to maximise the coastal outlook. Rather than concentrating everyone into one communal room, the house provides several different areas where a group of 12 can spend time together or separately.

The main open-plan living and dining area is on the middle floor. Large windows and glazed doors bring in plenty of natural light and frame the sea views, while the dining table seats all 12 guests together. Alongside this space is a separate television room, providing an alternative retreat for films, sport or quieter evenings.

The kitchen is integrated into the main social area and includes a large fridge freezer, double oven, hob, microwave and dishwasher. There is plenty of preparation and storage space for group catering, making the layout equally practical for informal breakfasts or larger evening meals.

A further change of pace is available downstairs, where the games room has a pool table, television and seating. This separation from the main lounge works particularly well for teenagers or mixed-generation groups.

Outdoor space is focused towards the coast. The main terrace provides room for dining and relaxing outside, while the upper sea-facing bedrooms have access to a balcony. From the rear of the property, steps connect with a private path shared by neighbouring residents, leading directly to the promenade and beach.

Driftwood at a Glance

Feature Details
Sleeps 12
Bedrooms 6
Bathrooms 4 plus cloakroom
Games Room Pool table and TV
Living Spaces Main lounge plus separate TV room
Parking 3 to 4 cars
Sea Views From principal living and sleeping areas
Balcony Sea-facing upper balcony
Terrace Outdoor dining and seating
Beach Access Direct via shared private path
Shops & Dining Approximately 5 minutes' walk
WiFi Yes

Who is Driftwood Best For?

Driftwood is particularly well suited to groups who want the beach to shape their holiday rather than simply being somewhere they drive to for the day.

The bedroom arrangement gives couples, adults, teenagers and children several options, while the separate TV room and games room help prevent the main living area becoming the only place everyone can gather.

It is also a strong choice for watersports-focused groups. Poole Harbour's sheltered waters are close by, with sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking and other activities widely available around Sandbanks.

For groups planning to explore further afield, the nearby chain ferry makes Studland and the Isle of Purbeck far more accessible than their position across the harbour might suggest.

Why is Driftwood a Great Large Holiday Home?

  • Direct access onto Sandbanks promenade
  • Six-bedroom layout for larger groups
  • Separate TV room away from the principal lounge
  • Ground-floor games room with pool table
  • Dining space for all 12 guests
  • Sea-facing terrace and balcony
  • Flexible twin and super king sleeping arrangements
  • Easy access to Poole Harbour and Studland

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Driftwood directly on Sandbanks Beach?

The property sits immediately behind the beachfront. A private path shared with neighbouring residents leads from the house to the promenade and beach.

Does Driftwood have a games room?

Yes. The ground-floor games room includes a pool table, wall-mounted television and seating.

Can the bedrooms be arranged for different types of groups?

Yes. Alongside fixed super king and twin rooms, some bedrooms have zip-and-link beds that can be configured differently when requested in advance.

Can everyone eat together?

Yes. The dining area has seating for 12, so the full group can share meals around one table.

Is Sandbanks suitable for watersports?

Yes. Sandbanks and Poole Harbour are well known for watersports, with sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking and other activities available locally.

Can you reach Studland without driving around Poole Harbour?

Yes. The Sandbanks chain ferry carries cars, pedestrians and cyclists across to Shell Bay, making Studland and the Isle of Purbeck easy to reach.

Bedrooms & Bathrooms at Driftwood

Driftwood's bedrooms are split between the ground and upper floors, leaving the middle level for the principal living areas. This creates useful separation in a house accommodating 12 people.

Four bedrooms occupy the upper floor. The two sea-facing rooms both have ensuite shower rooms and access to the balcony, while the remaining bedrooms share the family bathroom. Two further bedrooms are on the ground floor close to the wet room.

Group Accommodation Layout

Bedroom Sleeping Arrangement Bathroom
Bedroom 1 Super king-size bed Ensuite shower room
Bedroom 2 Twin zip-and-link beds Ensuite shower room
Bedroom 3 Twin beds Family bathroom nearby
Bedroom 4 Twin zip-and-link beds Family bathroom nearby
Bedroom 5 Super king-size bed Ground-floor wet room nearby
Bedroom 6 Twin beds Ground-floor wet room nearby

The zip-and-link rooms give groups additional flexibility when deciding whether they need more doubles or twin beds.

How does the layout work for a group of 12?

The house sleeps 12 entirely in permanent beds, so there is no need to use sofa beds or temporary sleeping arrangements.

The two ensuite sea-facing rooms are natural choices for couples, while the flexible twin rooms can be adapted according to the make-up of the group. The two ground-floor bedrooms are useful for guests who prefer to sleep away from the upper bedroom floor.

This arrangement can work particularly well for several family units sharing one property because the bedrooms are distributed rather than concentrated along a single corridor.

Bathroom Layout

Driftwood has four bathrooms plus an additional cloakroom.

  • Two sea-facing upper bedrooms have private ensuite shower rooms
  • A family bathroom serves the remaining upper bedrooms
  • A large wet room serves the two ground-floor bedrooms
  • An additional cloakroom is positioned on the living floor

Having facilities on all three principal levels helps reduce unnecessary movement through the house when it is at full occupancy.

    Facilities & Information at Driftwood

    The practical facilities at Driftwood reflect the demands of a larger group, particularly for self-catering, laundry and entertainment.

    The kitchen includes a large fridge freezer, double oven, hob, microwave and dishwasher, with enough cupboard and preparation space for group catering. The adjoining dining area seats 12.

    A separate utility room on the ground floor contains two washing machines and an additional fridge, useful for longer stays or groups bringing plenty of food and drinks.

    Entertainment is distributed across the house rather than concentrated in one room. The main lounge is complemented by a separate television room, while the games room adds a pool table and another TV.

    Outside, the sea-facing terrace has space for dining and relaxing, with a barbecue and access towards the beach. The balcony above provides another place to sit and take in the coastal outlook.

    Facilities

    Category Facilities
    Kitchen Large fridge freezer, double oven, hob, microwave and dishwasher
    Dining Table seating 12
    Living Main lounge and separate TV room
    Entertainment Pool table, TVs and streaming facilities
    Laundry Two washing machines
    Outdoor Terrace, balcony, outdoor furniture and barbecue
    Parking Off-road parking for 3 to 4 cars
    Beach Access Shared private path to promenade
    Connectivity WiFi

    Important Information

    Information Details
    Maximum Occupancy 12 guests
    Bedrooms 6
    Bathrooms 4 plus cloakroom
    Parking 3 to 4 cars
    Beach Access Direct via shared private path
    Shops Within walking distance
    Restaurants & Cafés Within walking distance
    Watersports Available around Sandbanks and Poole Harbour
    Short Breaks Available at selected times
    Check-in 3:30pm
    Check-out 10:00am

Location & Things to Do Near Driftwood

Sandbanks is unusual in having water on both sides of the peninsula, with the open coastline facing Bournemouth Bay and the sheltered expanse of Poole Harbour immediately behind. Driftwood's position makes it easy to enjoy both without turning every outing into a car journey.

Sandbanks Beach is directly accessible from the property and has held Blue Flag status for decades. Its broad golden sand is popular for swimming and family beach days, while the promenade is useful for walking and cycling outside seasonal restrictions. During the main summer season, lifeguards patrol designated sections of the beach.

On the harbour side, conditions are generally more sheltered and the area is one of Dorset's major centres for watersports. Sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, kayaking and other activities are widely available, making this an especially good base for groups who want to spend time on the water.

The Sandbanks chain ferry is one of the most useful features of the location. It crosses to Shell Bay in only a few minutes and carries pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. From there, Studland Bay opens up four miles of sandy beaches, dunes and heathland, with walking routes continuing towards Old Harry Rocks and the Jurassic Coast.

Brownsea Island offers a completely different day out. Boats run across Poole Harbour to this National Trust island, where woodland, heath and lagoon habitats support red squirrels and a wide variety of birdlife.

Poole itself is worth exploring for the historic quay, harbour cruises and waterfront restaurants. Bournemouth lies in the opposite direction, while Corfe Castle and Swanage become straightforward day trips once the ferry is used.

For a large group, the strength of Driftwood's location is the variety available within a relatively compact area: beach days, watersports, walking, wildlife, harbour trips and dining can all be combined without travelling far.

Nearby Places

Place Approximate Distance Why Visit
Sandbanks Beach On the doorstep Swimming, beach days and coastal walks
Poole Harbour Close by Sailing, paddleboarding and kayaking
Sandbanks Ferry Short distance Quick crossing to Studland and Purbeck
Shell Bay Short ferry crossing Sandy beach and harbour views
Studland Bay Short ferry journey Four miles of beaches, dunes and heathland
Brownsea Island Short boat trip Red squirrels, wildlife and woodland walks
Poole Quay Short drive Harbour cruises, restaurants and maritime atmosphere
Old Harry Rocks Via Studland Landmark coastal walk and Jurassic Coast views
Corfe Castle Easy day trip Historic castle and Purbeck village
Bournemouth Short drive Beaches, shops and family attractions
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