Perfect for wild play and family escapes in the forest - with lots of extras, Brockenhurst

New Forest. Sleeps up to 9

Go wild in the countryside…

With its fab garden & idyllic Brockenhurst location (the petite pool is the absolute cherry on top), Heather Cottage is perfect for families seeking time together in the great outdoors! Little ones and grown ups alike are encouraged to climb trees, get muddy knees, make dens, discover hidey-holes, follow tracks and enjoy ‘Swallows and Amazon' style adventures… the list goes on!

Right, slap, bang, opposite the cottage, just head through the garden gate and across an unfenced lane, to discover the New Forest National Park in all her lush, leafy, woodland glory. There's a stand of awesome, gnarly, ancient oaks to clamber up, secluded ferny copses and sun-dappled glades to explore… and if you work up a VIP appetite, The Pig promises a special supper, and is just a 10 minute wander away.

Impromptu games of rounders, footie & frisbee-throwing are all there for the taking (the grassland is manicured by grazing ponies!) and so many adventures await in all directions… this is a proper escape to the countryside!

*The pool is only available to use from late May (starting with half term) – September but please do confirm exact timings with our team when booking.


** 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 and availability a year in advance **

Inside:



This charming 1930s period property is colour-washed duck egg blue under a tiled roof with dormer windows, arched porch, stained glass window panes, old-fashioned pull doorbell and interior doors of country planking with ironwork handles.

Inside the ambience is fresh, bright and relaxed in keeping with the well-travelled owners' style (he makes prosthetic legs for British Paralympians; she plays viola professionally). Along with their children (aged between 13 and 16), the house has been tried and tested as a family-friendly escape.

The sitting room is cosy with deep, squashy sofas, wooden boards, wood fire in an exposed brick fireplace (for autumn and winter stays), Smart TV and bi-fold doors onto the wooden terrace and gardens.

There is a spacious farmhouse style kitchen/dining/family room including painted cupboards, butler's sink, range cooker and old-fashioned airer and wood stove. With windows overlooking open Forest at the front and French windows onto the wooden terrace at the back, this room allows parents to keep an eye on children from a comfortable distance. In addition, centre stage, is a big old dining table seating eight to 10 people - large enough for everyone to eat together. The family room has a Smart TV and further doors onto the terrace.

Styling is chic, yet quirky combining Victorian and Edwardian pieces with retro gingham and calming neutrals. One bedroom is decorated in coastal blues and stripes, another in textured greys, while yet another, under sloping eaves, features Cath Kidston's classic spotty designs.

Altogether there are five flexible bedrooms, sleeping nine at most.

Bedrooms include two doubles upstairs, one with en-suite shower room, a double and single room downstairs (this bed is the top part of a bunk). Adjacent, there is a further shepherds-hut styled room with a single bed on the ground floor, plus mini kitchen area and ladder to a small low bed space in the eaves with king-sized mattress.

Bifold doors from the sitting room and French windows from the family room both open onto a new decked terrace that runs the length of the back of the house with al fresco dining area and relaxed seating area of wicker armchairs and sofa, topped by plump cushions, and funky bean bags for lounging.


Outside:


The back garden view is into the pony paddocks and woodland. It gets masses of summer sun making it ideal for sunbathing.

The house has a heated outdoor pool. The pool is available to use from late May (starting with half term) - September (please confirm with team when booking)
The pool dimensions are L5,49m x W2,75m x D1,32m.
The pool will be standing 1m above ground approx with a 60cm approx of surround decking.

More fun for little ones is provided by a trampoline with a safety net enclosure. The house is south-facing, getting sun all day long, so it is super-hot in the summer, and gorgeous sunsets bathe the cottage in a golden glow in the evening. A chiminea stove can be lit to take the chill off evenings outside. Finish off your day by toasting marshmallows over a fire.

Gas BBQ for guests use.





Home truths:

In the adjacent, shepherds-hut styled room the ladder up to the small low bed space in the eaves is steep and not for the faint hearted. There is no wall at the end of the bed, so definitely adults only. It can get hot up here in summer, but you can open the Velux.

The pool is only available to use from late May (starting with half term) - September (please confirm with team when booking) + all guests wishing to use the pool will be required to sign a waiver + pay an additional fee.

There is an extra charge for logs and kindling to burn on the fire (October- March) but feel free to BYO!


Accessibility:

You can park within 15 metres of the front door. The path to the front door is flat. There is a small step to access the house. There is a shower room downstairs. The deck at the back of the house is flush with floor level inside.


Sleeping...
Bedroom 1 Upstairs, double, ensuite shower. Space for a cot here too. Bedroom 2 Upstairs, double or 1 single in a kids room Bedroom 3 Downstairs, double or 1 single Bedroom 4 Downstairs, one high single bunk type bed or we can move the mattress to the floor, space for a cot. Bedroom 5 Downstairs, one pull-out double bed, or upstairs in the low eves (1 king mattress accessed by ladder)


Bathrooms...
Family Bathroom Upstairs, shower in bath En-suite Upstairs shower room WC Downstairs En-suite Shower & WC in Bedroom 5

All the rest...
Kitchen Electric oven with gas hob / Washing machine / Condensing drier / Cafetiere.
Big kitchen table seats 8-10. Mod Cons Roberts radio in the kitchen / Sound doc for MP3 players / 2 Smart TVs in the house. Connectivity The house has good WIFI and the downstairs en-suite room has an ethernet cable. Kids' Stuff One travel cot 100cm x 74cm x 74cm. Two high chairs are provided. There is a good selection of toys and games for older children (from 5 upwards). A swimming pool and a medium size trampoline with cage in the garden. Pets 2 medium sized dogs welcome here for a small charge per dog per stay. Medium sized means smaller than 20kgs.
The garden is enclosed here but Houdinis may jump out over the front picket fence. Garden Enclosed garden is well fenced behind. To the front, jumpy dogs might escape into the forest over the picket fence. Huge deck runs the length of the cottage at the back for summer evening sun. There is a gas BBQ here.
There is an outdoor pool. The pool dimensions are L5,49m x W2,75m x D1,32m. It will be surrounded by wooden decking and accessed via a ladder. Parking Parking for 2 cars on the drive and 2 others outside (off the road), in front of the cottage.


Other things to note:

We want our guests to enjoy the use of the property and have a memorable time while staying with us. We have a few house rules to note, as follows;

- The property can not be used for parties or private events of any kind.
- No groups under the age of 25.
- Strictly no stag/hen dos or same-sex groups.
- Additional guests, are not permitted without prior approval.
- No music after 9pm or use of the pool after 10pm
- We must be notified of any pets at the time of booking. Dogs are subject to a charge per dog, per stay.

This cottage is located in Brockenhurst. Buckler's Hard and Highcliffe Castle are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Paultons Family Theme Park - Home of Peppa Pig World and New Forest Museum. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Civic Centre or St. Mary's Stadium.

More details, photos & booking info