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Beaulieu River Views, Gorgeous Barn Conversion

Beaulieu, Hampshire

Gins Barn is our exclusive holiday home at the end of the Beaulieu River. Boasting incredible views and spacious gardens it is a fantastic hideaway location. Gins is a place of great beauty and serenity that has been described by guests as probably the best self-catering house they've ever stayed in. It is luxurious, stylish and spacious. Breathe in, calm down and relax.

A glorious slice of up-river, down-town chic, Eight people can stop the world and get off for a breather. The relaxed, luxury, quirky style is seamless throughout this place which is owned by internationally respected furniture designer Julian Chichester.

The Beaulieu River is only 80m away over the lawn and is one of the few privately owned rivers in the world. It has been in the ownership of the Montagu family for over 400 years.

The farm is so close to the sea, it's a sailing landmark. To the south is a private conservation wetland reserve, deep in clouds of chattering migratory birdlife and fields of wild ponies – all silhouetted at champagne-o'clock under big-sky sunsets and towering storms from the English Channel.

Located next door is the Royal Southampton Yacht Club that has a bar/restaurant open most Thursdays to Sundays, the perfect spot for sundowners.


** 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

Gins is owned by creatives Holly and Julian (an internationally respected furniture designer), hence the up-town chic style, along with those down-river views.

There is gallery-style art on the walls, an impressive sound system, statement lighting (check out Julian's 'Bacco' chandeliers) and antiques mixed with modern designer pieces. The accommodation feels deeply comforting with chunky exposed beams, oak boards warmed by big rugs and soft, muted colour schemes. Guests can curl up on the massive and sumptuously squishy sofa and chairs, in front of the log burner in the sitting room, and sleep comes easily in bedrooms full of country charm with iron-frame beds, wool blankets and linenfold wardrobes.

Furniture can come and go here, but for the last 6 years, the contemporary farmhouse kitchen features 6 of Julian's bobbin carver chairs. They fit beautifully round a table that seats up to eight. On warm days doors can be thrown open onto the sheltered courtyard garden for alfresco dining. The kitchen is also really well kitted-out with everything you need if you are catering for a big family celebration, including a serious cooker and huge double-fronted fridge/freezer.

This is a super place for families and friends to come together, it is also all on one level so brilliant for all generations. Gins comfortably sleeps eight adults plus small children. Yet there is space enough, with the generously sized kitchen and sitting room, for guests not to feel on top of each other.

The sitting room is big and the kitchen is a generous size for family meals. If you need more space there is the massive Tithe Barn sitting/dining room that is available to rent. Please read more about this below.


Outside

Hidden a long way down a private lane, Gins Barn comprises of a grouping of old farm buildings converted into luxury accommodation set around sheltered, sun-trap courtyard gardens which were once the stable yard.

There is a well planted, terrace courtyard just outside the kitchen window and the whole barn wraps around this space. The planting here is mature now and has become rambling and romantic with it's self seeding and spreading nature. There are huge cork trees planted in giant pots to give structure.

With hedging to screen the main house on the coastal side, we recommend you pour something delicious and take a seat on the lawned area, to soak up those exclusive views! Stretching over the vegetable garden and onto the bird reserves and Solent, this really is a showstopper. There are also resident chickens & ducks, who live at Gins and roam free, adding to the rustic-chic charm!

There is a long jetty with a small pontoon at the end. You can see far out into the Solent and stunning views up the river. In the warmer months, passing boat traffic is high, so this is a great place to sit and mull. It's also a fabulous place to go crabbing.

Please note that the turfed tennis court (you'll spot it amongst the lawn) is not available for guest's use, and although there is plenty of space to walk dogs off the lead, in the field next to the house, it's a farm field and hosts cows from time-to-time. There are many walks and wanders to enjoy, so do explore!

Next door is the Royal Southampton Yacht Club (which can be busy with boating activities during peak seasons) -providing a great spot to enjoy a sundowner as you finish off an afternoon walk!


Home truths

The owners house is onsite here. They are here and there, and travel extensively. Their older children are about from time to time. Their dog, a younger male lab' is sociable and friendly.
There is also a caretaker who lives onsite, and you may see his partner and small child too. They have their own access and garden area.

The lawn is also home to a turfed tennis court, but this is not available for guest's use.

The jetty can get busy with private boats coming and going, and may be used as an emergency landing point for craft which have had problems at sea.

A complementary basket of logs will be provided for your stay.


Accessibility

The barn is suitable for less mobile people too. There are two steps 8″ each step into the barn from the parking area. You can park right outside the main door. The doorways are wide enough for regular sized wheelchairs but there isn't any specific adaptation through the house for chairs. There is a very slight step of 2″ between the hall and the sitting room which will be a small bump for those in chairs.

So if you are organising a group with less mobile people then read our ideas (and tested excursions) here in our blog 'Holidaying with less mobile folk? Here's where to go, what to do!'


Sleeping...
Bedroom 1 : Kingsize bed with ensuite. Beyond Sitting room. Bedroom 2 : Twin bed. Beyond sitting room. Bedroom 3 : Double bed with Jack and Jill bathroom. Near kitchen. Bedroom 4 : Double bed with Jack and Jill bathroom. Nearest to kitchen.

Bathrooms...
One : En-suite shower Two : Family Jack and Jill Bathroom Three : Family bathroom with shower over bath Kitchen : Range gas oven / large Fridge Freezer / Dishwasher / Washing machine / Microwave / Nespresso coffee machine Mod Cons : 30" TV, DVD player, good music system and speakers throughout Connectivity : Free Wifi and mobile signal is good Kids' Stuff : There are two highchairs and two cots. There is a selection of books and DVDs for children.

Whilst there is a gate onto the jetty, there is only 1 wire (hip-height) hand hold on the long jetty - please stay with children at all times. The water is deep. Pets : Two medium-sized dogs (up to 20kgs) are welcome for a small charge per dog, per stay. We do kindly ask that the dogs are kept on leads whilst outside due to the chickens which live here and the surrounding nature reserve and wild game birds.

The chickens sometimes love to roam free. We ask that guests and dogs stay away from the chicken's electric fenced area. Garden : A well planted, terrace courtyard with plenty of outdoor seating and a charcoal BBQ. Access to the jetty is available for crabbing and other such water activities. Parking : Up to 6 cars

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 Brockenhurst. 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 Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Civic Centre or St. Mary's Stadium.