Historical Hideaways

Lying within the New Forest, where open heaths, wild ponies and miles of footpaths stretch from the door, this detached, 19th-century holiday cottage forms part of the outbuildings to a country house. Comfortably converted with a simple country style, it enjoys a conservatory and a private, enclosed garden. With Bournemouth’s sandy beach, Salisbury, the New Forest Lakes, riding and golf all nearby. Shops 2 miles, pub serving food 2 miles.

Enjoying a wonderfully peaceful, scenic and rural location, surrounded by fields where horses graze, this delightful, detached, Grade II listed cottage is accessed via a long gravel driveway, set back from a country lane, yet only 10 minutes drive to Lymington or 5 minutes to Brockenhurst. The popular local pub serving fine fayre is within ½-mile via a footpath or ¾-mile by road. Pond Cottage has been lovingly and carefully restored, offering tastefully styled accommodation yet retaining some superb features. The highlight of this super property is the wonderful kitchen/dining room with underfloor heating and a suspended mirrored light from the apex. French doors lead from here onto a patio terrace which leads to the enclosed gardens, where plentiful wildlife including deer, pheasants and many birds can be seen. Contrary to the name of the cottage, there are no ponds in the property’s own fenced grounds, however there is a large pond in the grounds of the next door property.

Ideal for families and couples, there is a double bedroom on the ground floor with a ‘Jack ‘n’ Jill’ shower room, and three further bedrooms on the first floor, one 5ft double with TV, one double and one single with a pull-out bed. There is a shower over bath on the first floor, plus an additional toilet in the ground floor utility - the cottage sleeps 8.

The ever-popular New Forest is part of the National Park, and is a haven for ponies. Extensive walks, cycling and riding routes cross the heathland. There is plenty to do in the area for all ages, all year round. Nearby Brockenhurst has ‘best in county bakers’, plus cycle hire, shop/post office and pubs/restaurants.

The popular sailing town of Lymington is only 10 minutes drive, with its pretty harbour, cobbled pedestrianised streets, boutiques, eateries and pubs, and ferries to the Isle of Wight. Other places of interest include Beaulieu Motor Museum, Buckler’s Hard, Marwell Zoo, Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park, New Forest Owl and Otter Park and Southampton with its maritime history, to name but a few! Shops 2 miles, pub/restaurant ½ mile.

Tucked away alongside the unspoilt salt marshes of the North Norfolk coastal landscape, a listed site of Outstanding Natural Beauty with views of Cley windmill and village. This wonderful, detached, single-storey brick and flint cottage is full of character and charm, and is situated down a private road, located off the coastal road on the edge of the village of Cley next the Sea. Comfortably furnished, this holiday cottage boasts a woodburner, wooden floors, beams and an enclosed rear garden. Excellent bird watching opportunities, walking and cycling can be found direct from the doorstep. The property is pet friendly, with an enclosed garden. Cley next the Sea, ½ mile, has a shingle beach which can be accessed by footpath, and an eco-friendly visitor centre containing a cafe, shop and information centre for birds and wildlife of the salt marshes. An award-winning deli, cafes, art galleries, a pub, smoked fish house and windmill are within easy reach. Blakeney Quay is a 10-minute walk or a 2-minute drive away. Beach ½ mile. Shop, pub and restaurant ¼ mile.

This traditional flint and brick holiday cottage is one of a pair tucked away in a small courtyard of four properties in the heart of this bustling seaside town, within walking distance of the harbour. An excellent sandy beach is 1 mile further. Ideal for a family holiday by the sea and exploring the beautiful North Norfolk coastline. Sailing, windsurfing, boat trips, riding and cycling available locally. RSPB bird and nature reserve close by. Holkham Hall parkland and beach are 2 miles. Bustling Burnham Market, 5 miles. The Sandringham Royal Estate and museum, 10 miles. City of Norwich for theatre, excellent shopping malls, outdoor market and the famous Norfolk Broads are an hour’s drive. Shops and pubs 800 yards.

Lock Cottage offers the perfect place in which to relax and unwind, having a stunning location overlooking the water meadows, a natural habitat for bird and wildlife, so be sure to bring binoculars! Lock Cottage has been renovated to a very high standard and offers spacious and contemporary living, boasting its own games room with table tennis and first floor balcony terrace taking full advantage of the amazing views. Located on the edge of a peaceful village with a local shop and pub a short walk away, the cottage neighbours an impressive water mill and water meadows with miles of riverside walks, fishing and canoeing. Set between the Broads and the North Norfolk coastline, the cottage offers an excellent holiday location. The Broads are just a short drive away and at Wroxham, the ‘capital of the Broads’, daily boat hire is available to explore the famous waterways abundant with bird and wildlife, as well as many inns, restaurants or cafés that can be found along the riverside. Norfolk’s coastline with soft sandy beaches is readily accessible, as are RSPB bird and nature reserves, the coastal path offering bracing walks and the traditional seaside resorts of Cromer and Sheringham which offer a range of amenities to suit all ages. Explore the many traditional market towns, National Trust properties and gardens along with the popular city of Norwich renowned for its excellent shopping and beautiful Norman castle museum. For activities appealing to children try Banham Zoo, Wroxham Barns and Craft Centre, Bewilderwood at Horning, Dinosaur Adventure Park at Lenwade, West Runton Shire Horse Centre or Splash fun pool at Sheringham. Shop and pub ¼mile.

Nestling in the pretty Norfolk countryside close to the heart of the Norfolk Broads, Willow Barn (ref CZB) and single-storey Beech Barn (ref CZU) and Alderfen Barn (ref UK30458) are detached holiday properties dating back to the 1700s, situated in the grounds of the owner’s home. Providing a perfect retreat for discerning larger family groups, these converted barns offer spacious and comfortable accommodation boasting beamed interiors, wood-burning stoves and enclosed separate gardens with private hot tubs, and for a special meal or family celebration gourmet meals can be arranged with the owner.
For Beech Barn (ref CZU), between Easter and the 16th July, and the 1st September-1st November, for 7 night bookings the owner is offering free boat hire for one day.
Beech Farm Barns are ideally located for all the family and for nature lovers there is an abundance of bird life. Within walking distance is Alderfen Broad, which is situated in The Broads National Park, a bird watcher’s delight. For the children there is BeWILDerwood Adventure Park with its treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges and boat trips, which all combined makes a great day out. Nearby is the attractive Broads village of Horning with its selection of tea shops, restaurants and pubs. A day boat can be hired directly from the owner, or book a trip on the Mississippi steamer. The sandy beaches of the North Norfolk Coast are only 10 miles away. Alternatively spend a day in the fine city of Norwich with its magnificent cathedrals, castle, museums, theatres, market and vast array of cafes and shops. There is a wealth of National Trust properties to visit in the area which include Felbrigg Hall, Garden and Park (one of the finest 17th-century country Jacobean houses in East Anglia), Blickling Hall (a magnificent house with woodlands and lakeside walks) and Sheringham Park (beautifully landscaped and renowned for its spectacular displays of azaleas and rhododendrons in late spring). Shops and pub 1½ miles.

Beech Barn (CZU), Willow Barn (CZB) and Alderfen Barn (UK30458) can be booked together to accommodate up to 32 guests.

This charming, semi-detached, Victorian holiday cottage is conveniently situated only a couple of minutes walk from the centre of the delightful market town of Fordingbridge, which is known for its medieval bridge with five arches, as well as its local independent shops, eateries and church. Enjoying its own enclosed, lawned garden and two private car parking spaces, Bert’s Cottage is named after the owner of the property. Ideal for families or couples, there is so much to do locally for all ages, including a waterpark close by for windsurfing, sailing, fishing and watersports. There is also horse riding and golf in the area. Also nearby is a family campsite which allows visitors to use their indoor pool, Jacuzzi and bike hire. There are many scenic walks within easy reach, some of which meander along the River Avon which runs from nearby Salisbury to Christchurch. There are beaches at Bournemouth, Sandbanks and Poole, and the New Forest National Park offers excellent walking. There are day trips to the Isle of Wight from Lymington and there is also the Beaulieu Museum to visit. Also within easy reach are the cathedral cities of Winchester and Salisbury, Christchurch Harbour, and family days out such as Marwell Zoo with Peppa Pig World, historic ships at Southampton and the New Forest Wildlife Park. Shop, pub and restaurant 300 yards.

This delightful, period home stands semi-detached, and offers light and airy, carefully co-ordinated holiday accommodation, with good use of tasteful themed coloured walls and contemporary additions. It is ideally located right in the heart of The New Forest, only 200 yards from the centre of Burley, which attracts many visitors’ year round with its tea rooms, pubs, manor house, cycle hire, quaint gift shops and ice cream parlour. There is also a spa in the village where you can spend a day relaxing. Roaming ponies and cattle can often be found outside the cottage or wandering through Burley – it certainly makes a change from a traditional traffic jam!

The unspoilt forest and heathland with wandering ponies and cattle are what makes the New Forest famous. Miles of beautiful walks are available, as is golf, or alternatively the surrounding area can be explored by car or on bicycle via the many cycle paths, where you can discover some of the appealing villages, towns, attractions, and gardens such as Lyndhurst, the sailing town of Lymington (with ferry terminal to the Isle of Wight), Beaulieu Motor Museum, Exbury Gardens and the riverside village of Bucklers Hard. The county of Hampshire itself was enjoyed by Jane Austen with her house and museum in Chawton and her resting place in Winchester Cathedral. Further afield but well worth a trip is Christchurch, Monkey World and the Tank Museum near Wool. Marwell Zoo, Peppa Pig World, ‘Go Ape’ adventure park, The Owl and Otter Park and nautical maritime history at Southampton, with retail shopping outlets, are also within easy reach. The coastline with its beaches at Bournemouth, Sandbanks and Poole is within a short drive, with golden beaches and has many popular activities such as windsurfing, boating and swimming. Shop 200 yards, pub and restaurant 250 yards.