more about this place...

Inside: The cottage is 275 years old, made from cob and you can tell from the shapely walls, with it’s wobbles and curves that it’s a place wth a history. Whilst modernised, the feeling here is a place that is loved for what it is. Thankfully no one has tried to make it chi-chi with modern lines. Nooks and crannies abound. The kitchen floor meanders. The stairs creak. It is all completely charming. The whole house is decorated in pale creams, greys. There are warm-toned fabrics, kilim rugs and mahogany furniture sits happily beside tribal drums, beach treasure and giant picnic baskets.

The kitchen is central to the slow life here. This is the place for endless cups of tea, (I won’t write endless glasses of wine) around the old table. The royal blue AGA sits like a granny and presides over it all. Fiona, who has lived here for over 15 years, describes the tiles behind it, as delft – “lookey-likey”, adding, “when I bought the cottage I didn’t like the tiles behind the AGA, but never got around to changing them, now I’m rather fond of them”. The all important table seats 6. It sits without a wobble on the sloping and well loved floor, patched to match the thatch…

The sitting room extension is a good size with two huge sofas and a massive ClearView wood burner. In summer, open the doors to the terrace, in winter, cuddle up and settle in.

The ceiling height in the house is better than many old cottages. Those who are 6 foot tall will be ok but have to duck through doors. Bedrooms upstairs are smaller. The main bedroom upstairs and the bedroom downstairs are the biggest. The double upstairs is small, the bed is 4 foot wide.

What we love: This place is perfectly set up for guests who want to explore the area. The coast at Tanners Lane is a 3 minute drive. This spot is perfect for sundowner cocktails in tin mugs, dog walking and bird watching. You can walk to Lymington from here and we will give you the best spots for picnics, time out, yoga and reading.

Outside: Surrounded by pretty cottage flowers, the garden terrace is a private, sun trap and has a table for 6 and seats for 10. It’s a perfect spot for summer BBQ’s. There is a small pond here, mid-thigh deep – so children must be good swimmers and careful. It’s not fenced and is 50 metres away from the back door (there is a good line of sight from the kitchen sink). To the side of the cottage the garden is untouched except for the path that meanders through the wild flowers, a haven for bird life, grasses, herbs and insects.

Good to know:
The owner/Fiona may stay in the separate annexe. This won’t disturb your stay.  She tends to the garden and is full of information about the local area – feel free to chat to her about ideas for your stay.