Sleek and chic, surrounded on two sides by seaside views, Keyhaven

New Forest. Sleeps up to 8

Sleek and chic, the Old Post Office is surrounded on two sides by seaside views. To the left sit the little blue boats in the Keyhaven boat harbour, and sweeping across the front are spectacular views of the bird-filled salt marshes of the Solent. The WWII fort Hurst Castle is a walk away and the chalky Isle of Wight Needles are two miles away across the sea.

The style is cool, calm and muted. There are lots of sea greens, royal blues, cream and stripes abound, but nothing competes with the pretty view, which is with you in almost every room.

It’s a short walk to vast pebbly beaches, with secret sandy bits that are revealed as the tide retreats. The house is a stone’s throw from smarty-pants Lymington, and even closer to the quirky, foodie little village of Milford on Sea.

This house is dog friendly and the extensive coastal paths stretch out around you with superb views. The nearest beaches allow dogs all year and so does Hurst Castle.

** This property is available for rent with New Forest Escapes, who are a small local holiday cottage agency. Do contact us directly for best rates **

Inside...
Keyhaven and its marshes are named ‘cû hæfen’ in Old English and is a harbour where cows and sheep were shipped to and from the Isle of Wight. Now this pretty hamlet is still a time-zone behind the rest of the world. Not much moves quickly here, except passing flights of birds settling for the evening on the tidal marshes.

The house is beautifully presented for guests. We said sleek and chic and we'll say it again. If you like matching and considered design, then this is the place for you. It's our least eccentrically presented property and everyone who stays here loves it.

Downstairs the sitting room is the biggest place for being social. It used to be the Post Office shop and serving counter and is on the corner of the building with coastal views on both sides. The kitchen is smaller and the view is directly toward the Needles.

Upstairs the style carries on. The bathrooms are big and sparkling. The bedrooms are all lovely. The two biggest are at the front with the coastal views, the twin overlooks the terrace garden at the back. Downstairs there is a good sized children's room with a bunk bed suitable for adults if you don't mind sharing.

Sleeping...
Bedroom 1 : Double bed, facing south towards the water. Travel cot.
Bedroom 2 : Double bed, overlooking the water
Bedroom 3 : Twin room overlooking the private courtyard garden
Bedroom 4 : Bunk beds, on the ground floor

Bathrooms...
One : Downstairs shower room
Two : Family bathroom with roll top bath and separate shower
Three : Shower room

All the rest...
Kitchen : Aga / Electric Hob / Fridge Freezer/ Microwave / Coffee machine (ground coffee) / Dishwasher / Washing machine / Tumble Dryer
There is also a charcoal BBQ here.
Mod Cons : Bose speaker system, TV with Freeview
Connectivity : Free WiFi and mobile signal is ok
Kids' Stuff : The house is child friendly with toys and books for children. There is 1 cot and 1 highchair. Both front and back garden areas are enclosed. There is a little swing on the gazebo in the terrace garden.
Pets : Dogs welcome by request for a small charge per dog per stay.

There is fantastic walking along the coastal path from here. The beach accepts dogs all year around too.

Outside...
To the back of the house is a small and well planted courtyard garden. The terracing is split level and there is a small pergola at the back, sometimes with a swing for very small children. Just behind the house, and out of any wind, is a large table, umbrella and chairs - all ready for outdoor meals.

The wind here by the sea can be fairly constant, the area is famed for it's sailing after all, so the courtyard has high walls, to cut out most of the wind. It works well and it's a good sun trap.

The garden to the front wraps around the house and takes the hit from the weather. It's planted with simple daisys, lavender and is laid to lawn behind the picket fence.
Garden : Pretty and private paved courtyard garden for al fresco dining
Parking : Two spaces, public car park nearby for extra cars (pay & display)

Home truths...
The cottage is in the centre of the hamlet on a very narrow lane.

When you walk to the beach, (toward Hurst Castle) there is car parking for walkers, this is flooded by the tide twice a day, but you can still walk by on a raised footpath.

This house is for outdoor loving people who want to get out come rain or shine. The front garden is enclosed and perfectly formed for small children to wander about freely. If you have older children wanting freedom then Hurst Castle beach is the place to go. Here you have all the space to go wild, make sandcastles and generally romp about.

In the summer the lane in front is popular for cyclists and walkers passing by so you can people watch from the sitting room. Since there is nothing in the village except for the pub, The Gun, which doesn't close late, it's usually very quiet in the evenings.

Accessibility...
The access to the cottage is flat and there are a few small steps in the little courtyard garden. There is a downstairs bedroom here which has bunks in it and a shower opposite.

So if you are organising a group with less mobile people then read our ideas (and tested excursions) here in our blog 'Holidaying with less mobile folk? Here's where to go, what to do!'

And if you are organising a celebration for those in their 60's + please visit our blog post 'Four easy ideas for memorable 60th, 70th & 80th birthdays'

This apartment is located in Lymington. Barton-on-Sea Golf Club and JW Day Spa and Beauty are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore New Forest National Park and Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Lymington Sea Water Baths and Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Activity Centre are also worth visiting.

More details, photos & booking info