Dog-friendly Cottage Getaways

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.

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.

Directly opposite Sandown’s popular sandy beach and offering superb far reaching sea views, this delightful terraced Victorian former coastguard’s cottage is one of a row of similar properties set back from the road which leads to the town in one direction and Bembridge in the other, with local buses stopping close to the property. Having been refurbished, Culver Cottage offers comfortable and homely family accommodation. There is a sun room to the front of the holiday property, which is also ideal for storing beach kit or bikes. Sandown is well known for its seaside entertainment, including a zoo (where Tiger Island is filmed), amusement arcades, and outdoor fun such as putting, trampolines, crazy golf, as well as a leisure centre with indoor pool and various pubs and restaurants along the seafront. Scenic walks can be enjoyed along cliff-top paths, and much of the coastline is designated Heritage status. Also for the outdoor enthusiast, try watersports, golf, riding, fishing, hang-gliding, sailing or birdwatching. Other places of interest include Carisbrooke Castle, Osborne House, Ventnor Botanical Gardens, the rock formations of The Needles, Blackgang Chine, Robin Hill Adventure Park, the Garlic Farm, the Donkey sanctuary, Amazon World, the steam railway, Flamingo Park, Falconry centre, Dinosaur Museum, Pearl Centre and butterfly park. There are many hidden coves dotted around the island, or why not enjoy a cream tea at one of the various tea rooms located in the historic villages of Godshill, Old Shanklin or Brighstone. Shop, pub and restaurant 200 yards.

A spacious, detached house furnished to a good standard, with some sea views from upstairs. Situated in a quiet residential area, just a few minutes’ walk from sandy Seagrove Bay. At low tide you can walk miles along the sands in either direction to unspoilt Priory Bay or to Puckpool Park for cycling and play area. Seaview village is ½ mile away with excellent pubs and food, right on the seafront. There are many attractions on the island to suit the whole family, including Carisbrooke Castle and Ventnor Botanic Gardens. Visit Osborne House and gardens, once the summer time home of Queen Victoria, now open to the public during the summer season. The nearby town of Ryde offers something for everyone including bowling alley, ice rink and indoor swimming pool, as well as many shops, pubs and restaurants. The picturesque maritime town of Cowes, the yachting centre of the world offers a shopping area, museums and historic buildings, and car ferries from Portsmouth to Fishbourne or Lymington to Yarmouth offer alternative days out. With its temperate climate and superb sunshine record, this makes an ideal location for holidays to suit all the family, at any time of year. Shop and pub ½ mile.