People often forget that the New Forest National Park has 40 miles of its own coastline. Within a few miles of the forest’s boundaries are award-winning sandy beaches, castles, cliff top walks, a nature reserve and brightly coloured beach huts which can be rented for the duration of your holiday. Take a look below at just some of our New Forest Cottages close to the beach.
The Old Barn, Exbury, sleeps 2
Set in the pretty village of Exbury in the southern part of the New Forest, The Old Barn is the perfect house for a romantic break and just a mile from the coast. Inside it’s truly spacious, with a large eat-in kitchen and separate comfortable lounge. Upstairs is the only bedroom decorated in a palette of soft greys and crisp white and home to a sumptuous king size bed. Outside is a private garden surrounded by lofty trees, mature bushes, lawn and sweet patio for al fresco dining and late night tipples under the stars.
The village of Exbury is synonymous with the magnificent Exbury Gardens whose 200 acres of woodland gardens house the famous Rothschild collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, as well as bright banks of colourful flower beds and feature gardens. Exbury village is only a mile to the coast and a few minutes more to the beach at Lepe Country Park. Lepe’s beach is beautiful beach and is less than a mile across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Go for the day to play ball games in the fields, sunbathe on the beach and see the interesting remains of mulberry harbours and commemorative information plaques detailing how the area was used as a debarkation point for the D-Day landings in WWII.
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Shell Seekers, East End, sleeps 6
This is a luxury home with heaps of space to sprawl out in two large sitting rooms filled with sofas, TV’s, fireplaces and pretty views. There’s also a galleried reading nook upstairs with far reaching views for some alone time – you’ll never feel squashed in or on top of each other in this holiday home. Shell Seekers huge eat-in kitchen, with a classic Aga and all mod-cons, is a big hit with guests, and outside there’s a dining area and blooming cottage garden plants that surround a plush lawn where you can enjoy cocktails as the sun goes down. There are three beautifully designed bedrooms which can be configured in a mix of kingsize or twin beds to suit your guest list.
Shell Seekers is surrounded by open forest, so you’ll see lots of the famous free-roaming New Forest ponies and donkeys outside your window! The house is just a five-minute toddle to a private beach at the end of Tanner’s Lane. It’s not a swimming beach, but very much a secluded and tranquil spot to spend days with a picnic and walks along the shore with local wildlife, especially the ponies who love rolling in the sand.
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Driftwood, Milford on Sea, sleeps 3
This sweet little cottage has bags of character, comfort and charm. Inside it’s bright, spacious and elegant with subtle nautical dressings. Relaxation is paramount at Driftwood with deep, comfy sofas to snooze in. There’s a good size double bedroom and a second bedroom for a third guest. Outside you’ll find a dinky patio for al fresco dining, but we’d really suggest you eat out as much as you can if you’re staying in Milford on Sea as it has some of the very best restaurants and eateries in the area.
Milford on Sea has a pebble beach flanked by pastel painted beach huts. It’s a popular spot for walking, swimming and lazy days topping up your tan. Keyhaven Nature Reserve is a short stroll north east from the beach and makes for an enchanting day watching rare and migratory birds fish for their dinner in the marshes. The main draw to this beach though is to walk the one and a half mile pebble spit to King Henry VIII’s coastal fortress Hurst Castle which you can go inside and Hurst Point Lighthouse for far reaching views across the bay.
The Cottage, Christchurch, sleeps 4
This lovely former fisherman’s cottage is right in the heart of historic Christchurch, a town just a few miles south west of the New Forest. The Cottage has shops and restaurants on your doorstep as well as a weekly street market on Monday. The simple layout in a palette of creams and neutrals plays to the abundant natural light which streams through the windows. There are two bedrooms – a double and a twin, both with blackout blinds and a good size family bathroom. Outside a white picket fence lines the lush lawn of the cottage’s back garden making a splendid spot to kick back in the sun after a day exploring.
Just 2 miles away is prestigious Blue Flag award-winning Avon Beach. It’s a gorgeous beach with soft, golden sand, shallow swimming and one shop, a take away, restaurant and café for snacks and refreshments. Walk west a few minutes to Mudeford Quay for crabbing and buy fish from straight from the fishing boats as they come into the vast natural harbour crowned by Christchurch’s mighty 12th Century Priory.
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Number Four, Hordle, sleeps 5
Number Four is in the countryside near the village of Hordle, which is 3 miles from the coast. This family home really is geared up for youngsters with so much for them to do they’ll be worn out and begging to go to bed when the stars come out! The rooms inside are warm and inviting with plenty of social space to gather. You’ll find a downstairs single bedroom – good for teenagers wanting their own space, and three more bedrooms upstairs. Outside are two patios, a BBQ, a fire pit and a mighty 1200 m2 sports pitch, swings, an orchard, adventure playground and a go-kart – phew!
The beach at Barton on Sea is a must for fossil hunting, a half mile or so further the pebble and rocks gradually turn to soft sand. This area is called Highcliffe Beach and completely natural, so no shops or fish and chips, just a beautiful beach with easy access to go swimming. Climb the steep wooden steps or take the zig-zag path to Highcliffe Castle, once the home of luxury London store owner, Harry Selfridge. The castle stands in pretty gardens and has a lovely café for cream teas which is open all year round.
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The cottages above are just some of the 150 or so of our self-catering New Forest Cottages. Take a look at our full portfolio here