With new announcements made last week about the start of easing restrictions, it seems a summer holiday in the UK this year could hopefully be on the cards after all. As long as it’s safe to do so, the government has suggested that hospitality, including accommodation, could reopen from 4th July, just in time for the summer holidays. A self-catering cottage makes a great option for following social distancing guidelines as you’ll have the exclusive use of your own property with no shared communal areas, which will have been thoroughly cleaned prior to your stay.
Nearby pubs and restaurants may not be open to their usual capacity, but many local hospitality businesses are offering fantastic take-away services. We’d suggest you bring supplies for your holiday with you but leave plenty of room to stock up at the local farm shops for scrumptious home-cooked fare to pop in the oven for an easy supper, as well as local produce and artisan nibbles and tipples!
Here are a selection of just some of our portfolio of over 140 New Forest Cottages with good availability for summer 2020.
Meg’s Cottage, sleeps 2, East Boldre
This beautifully bijou holiday hideaway is just across from one of the National Park’s largest ponds for picnicking, walks and wildlife spotting. The converted stables retains its high ceilings, beams and charm, and features a double bedroom and sunny south-facing garden.
See Meg’s Cottage availability
Forest Drove Cottage, sleeps 11, Ringwood
Gather family and loved ones together in this stunning thatched tardis-style, dog-friendly cottage. Dating back to the 18th Century, the cottage is luxuriously spacious for guests to get together without feeling overcrowded. There are two bedrooms downstairs (one is ensuite) and a further four on the first floor. A quintessential English cottage garden surrounds this picture-perfect thatched home. The garden is a joy to spend time in, with a series of lawns and restful spaces connected by bloom-filled pathways.
See Forest Drove Cottage availability
Holmans, sleeps 8, Burley
This beautiful house wins rave reviews for its outstanding location in the forest with ponies, deer, and wildlife pootling about at the bottom of the garden. Don’t be put off if you’re a dog owner as your furry friends are most welcome at Holmans and the owners have gone to great lengths to ensure the garden is as dog-proof as possible. Inside is comfortable and spacious with a popular redbrick conservatory providing a lovely spot to stargaze the inky black skies.
The Coach House, sleeps 8, Beaulieu
Located just outside one of the New Forest’s prettiest villages, this large elegant house is beautifully furnished, with classic styling and generous living rooms. There are four large bedrooms sleeping 8, one of which is impressively huge with an emperor size (7′) bed. The property fronts open forest for walks and bike rides into the woods or across the purple heather plains dotted with the National Parks free-roaming ponies.
See The Coach House availability
Gorley Firs, sleeps 4, near Fordingbridge
This simple little cottage is in the rural village of Furzehill in the north of the New Forest. Gorley Firs is in 5 acres of the owners gardens, yet very separate and completely self-contained. Inside there’s a sweet, homely cottage feel with 3 bedrooms. Outside is a large courtyard garden dotted with potted plants and surrounded by tall trees and views through wrought iron gates to the grounds beyond – perfect for alfresco dining, BBQ’s and a spot to relax and read the papers.
Shell Seekers, sleeps 6, East End
Shell Seekers is a handsome period property which mingles style and elegance with ease. Guests can enjoy a mix of traditional and contemporary rooms arranged on hardwood floors softened with pretty rugs and furnishings. Huge windows offer views across garden and out to sea and the shipping lanes of the Solent to the Isle of Wight. It’s big inside with two living areas and three bedrooms upstairs. There are two gardens – the first being a south-facing enclosed courtyard for dining out, and the other is packed with flowering cottage garden borders and a lush lawn to kick back and relax. There are forest walks right outside your door and use of a private beach, a 5-minute toddle down the lane.
See Shell Seekers availability
Gateways, sleeps 8, Copythorne
Secluded and spacious, Gateways offers a real home away from home with sociable areas for chatting about your day’s adventures and planning what to do tomorrow. There are 4 light-filled bedrooms, two of which are on the ground floor (one is ensuite). Outside you’ll find romantic wisteria draping over the arbour and vast swathes of lush green lawn framed by bountiful blooms for little ones to run around and let off steam. There’s also an attractive patio with furniture for outside meals and a bottle or two of wine.
Take a look at the full portfolio of New Forest Cottages and be ready to reserve your dates for this summer!