Stylish Family Friendly Home Perfect For Celebrations.., Lymington

New Forest. Sleeps up to 11

Looking for big family house? Open forest, stretches of wild coastline and mid-century cool? Then Slate Cottage is a chic bolthole between Forest and coast that has been renovated and refurbished with super-chilled group holidays in mind.

The accommodation is set with two bedrooms on the ground floor and two upstairs, plus the playroom can be transformed into another bedroom using the sofa bed, which makes this property extremely versatile for multi-generation families or family friends.

Celebratory meals are usually a big part of family get-togethers, often rental houses or holiday cottages are limited by small dining tables. This is certainly not the case here, the central dining room is spacious and seats twelve easily. Come morning, you'll all be around the kitchen table which seats eight.

** 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

Inspired by an artist's studio, this individual, architect-designed property of whitewashed brick, slate and glass was built in the 1960s. The owners have styled an interior that is all about the mid-century look, while the accommodation has been arranged to be adaptable; to suit multi-generational family groups or a couple of families taking time out together.

Reception spaces are inviting and sociable. These include a central dining hall with vintage drinks trolley, 1960s' haberdashery unit and an immense refectory-sized table that can seat 12 comfortably. It is perfect for celebratory meals, which in our experience are usually a big part of family get-togethers. There's a bright, light, airy kitchen with another generously proportioned table. This one is recycled from a school science lab bench and seats eight easily – ideal for relaxing over breakfast, mid-morning coffee with pastries, and brunch.

Off the dining hall, a glass corridor leads to what was originally the site of the old artist's studio – now a family room or snug, even an extra bedroom if required, with garden views, vaulted ceiling and wood-burning stove.

For the perfect entertaining space, the first-floor sitting room runs the length of the house and features high ceilings, full height windows facing south and west, and a roof terrace among the tree tops where you can sip a glass of wine or G&T while the sun goes down. Perfection. The room itself is effortlessly stylish with exposed brickwork, painted panelling, reindeer hides strewn across oak boards and quirky details such as a bike saddle upcycled as a table light. Come winter, this room is indulgently cosy, just light the wood-burning stove and snuggle onto a low sofa for ultimate relaxation.

Versatile bedroom accommodation can meet the needs of most families with two large bedrooms on the first floor, two more good-sized bedrooms on the ground floor and the family room with sofa bed. Plus there are three sparkling bathrooms – one with a freestanding tub.

Slate Cottage mixes up comfort and luxury with practicality and eclectic elements. It starts in the big entrance hall (great for muddy dogs and muddier kids) with utilitarian wire racking for boots and bits and bobs alongside a cactus displayed in a birdcage. It continues with statement pieces of furniture, sourced from Parisian flea markets and local vintage emporiums, against an uncluttered colour palette of greys and white.

Bedrooms are calm retreats for grown-ups. Beds are topped with cosseting throws and oversized textured cushions and schemes are quietly glamorous - greys with highlights of silver and wood. Kids' rooms include a hideaway of a bedroom with fun bunks, fluffy feathery lampshade and whacky wigwam for let's play make-believe, plus a playroom with old-fashioned toys.



Outside

The lawned gardens with mature trees back onto a paddock where sometimes, calves being reared in the shelter, sheep grazing or resting new forest ponies who like to say hello.
There's an open outlook, plenty of space to play and a proper swing hanging from a high branch. There's also the possibility of spotting deer and a real sense of living the country life and being in touch with nature.


Sleeping...

Bedroom 1 : Kingsize bed and en-suite shower room
Bedroom 2 : Super king or twin room
Bedroom 3 : Kingsize bed on ground floor
Bedroom 4 : Bunk beds with truckle bed on ground floor
Bedroom 5 : Snug/playroom has a sofa bed.

Bathrooms...

One : Downstairs shower room
Two : Downstairs family bathroom with roll top bath
Three : En-suite shower room (Bed 1)

All the rest...

Garden : Third of an acre garden that backs onto the paddocks at the rear of the property, it is enclosed but the gate itself needs to be shut to stop kids and dogs wandering. There is a charcoal BBQ.
Kitchen : Double oven / Gas hob / Fridge freezer / Microwave/ Nespresso machine with milk frother & Cafetiere / Dishwasher / Washing machine / Tumble dryer
Mod Cons : Two Smart TV's / BT Freeview / Bose sound system
Connectivity : Free WiFi is reasonable speed (for a rural area!) and mobile signal is ok here for most providers
Parking : Up to 4 cars
Kids' Stuff : 2 travel cots (93cm x 66cm and 115cm x 57cm) and 2 high chairs are provided. There is a good selection of toys here. Most are in the playroom and suit children from 1-6. Next door to the playroom there is another smaller playroom with an old school desk in it. There are masses of lovely reading books too. The garden is enclosed but Houdini's will escape - the front gate must be kept closed to stop kids going onto the lane. There is a full enclosed little garden off the kitchen for toddler garden play.
Pets : 2 dogs up to 20kgs are welcome for a small charge per dog, per stay. We would consider a third dog staying.

Home truths

There is no cattle grid here. To keep kids enclosed you'll need to open and close the gate. It's not really a negative, but we thought we'd point it out.
For guests staying in the Snug/playroom - there are curtains on the doors leading out to the playroom but there is nothing stopping the light coming in from the glass walkway. So in the summer it can be quite bright, quite early!
Tucked behind a main road, you may notice a little road noise at Slate Cottage.
There is an extra charge for logs and kindling to burn on the fire (October- March) but feel free to BYO!

Accessibility

There is a kingsize bedroom, and a children's bedroom downstairs with two bathrooms - 1 shower (there is a step in to the shower) and one with a bath.
The playroom has a wall mounted TV, so if the stairs to sitting room are not possible, guests can watch TV downstairs.
There's one step in to the house at the front door, access possible at the rear through the french doors (step in to) to the playroom or to the front of the kitchen (one step up). The ground floor is all one level except that there are two steps down to access the playroom.
There is a handrail on the stairs - part of the wooden structure of the stairs on the right hand side.

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
- 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 Lymington. New Forest National Park and Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Lymington Sea Water Baths and New Forest Museum. Traveling with kids? Consider The Needles Landmark Attraction and Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway.