This cute little cottage in the coastal village of Milford-on-sea flaunts comfort and relaxation in every room. The contemporary vibe and neutral pallets are sprinkled with bursts of nautical colour and seaside fixtures and soft furnishings, creating a harmonious retreat to relax after a day exploring the coast and New Forest.
Guests will instantly feel at home in this light-filled cottage. Outside there’s a patio for al fresco dining or head inside to the lounge and flop onto plump grey sofas. There’s also a Smart TV which comes with a CD/DVD/Bluray player and Bluetooth soundbar. When the weather turns colder, this cosy little home becomes the perfect place to snuggle down in front of the fire and plan what to see and do the next day.
Driftwood Cottage has two bedrooms, sleeping two adults in a smart double in the master bedroom, and a second smaller bedroom for a third adult or child over five years on a quality sofa bed. The kitchen/dining room is fresh and bright, with grey shaker cabinets, warm wood floors and a chunky dining table and chairs. If you chose to prepare a meal ‘at home’, you won’t find it a chore in the well-equipped kitchen, which comes with a gas hob, electric oven, microwave, dishwasher, fridge and freezer. There’s also a washing machine.
It’s the location of Driftwood Cottage which makes it so special. The village of Milford on Sea is home to a collection of exciting little independent shops with shopkeepers happy to provide a warm and friendly service. But the village’s best attribute is for food lovers because you’re within stumbling distance of two of the areas best restaurants. Verveine Fish Market and Restaurant is literally opposite your front door. It’s Chef/Patron, David Wykes, combines his in-house specialist fishmongers (pop in for fresh fish to cook at the cottage) with an award-winning dining experience. It’s fine -dining in the most casual atmosphere and utterly delicious. The restaurant is in the Times Top 100 Restaurant List, Tatler Top 300 Restaurants, placed in the top 1% of restaurants in the Hardens guide 2018, gained 2 AA rosettes and has been recommended in the Michelin Guide for 6 years running.
A mere 5 minutes’ walk is La Perle. Chef/Patron, Sam Hughes, appeared on Professional Master Chef and returned to his hometown to open this exciting dining experience that’s casual, fun and delicious. Also in the village are a couple of great pubs, an excellent fish and chip bar, Thai and Italian restaurants.
Whilst the open forest, with free-roaming ponies and acres of woodland and heather laden moors, is a few minutes’ drive, for those who wish for a holiday cottage near the sea, you won’t be disappointed. Within a few minutes’ walk of Driftwood Cottage’s front door you’ll be on the beach.
The views from here are spectacular – to the east is the Solent with a clear view across to the Needles and Isle of Wight (you can take day trips from Lymington). The view then spans across Bournemouth Bay to the ancient Purbecks to the west, pinpointed by the rock formations of Old Harry’s Rocks.
Walks are aplenty from Milford on Sea, with clifftop pathways and paths through the marshlands of Keyhaven Nature reserve towards Lymington. Many of the walks take in stretches of the well-known coastal walk called the Solent Way which offers dedicated hikers an 80 mile trek from Milford on Sea, through the New Forest to the banks of Chichester Harbour.
The most popular walk from Milford on Sea would be the scenic one and a half miles pebble spit to a lighthouse and Hurst Castle. Originally built as a coastal fortress by Henry VIII, it has been extended through the centuries to the imposing bastion it is today. Its most recent use was an armoury store during the second world war and a visit depicts a fascinating story.
It’s worth noting that if you have a group of families and friends looking to holiday near each other, yet retain your own accommodation and space, you could book Driftwood Cottage’s neighbours, May Cottage – sleeps 4, and a few steps further to The Hideaway – sleeps 4.
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