Big farmhouse gives guests proper coast and country living.., Hythe, Southampton

New Forest. Sleeps up to 11

This big farmhouse gives guests proper coast and country living. It's a real find for groups and families who want to spread out, have fun, and celebrate. You'll even have free peacocks to decorate the garden as you cook your pizzas!

We love the huge open plan kitchen, massive table, the long windows that fold back onto the terrace. The music room has a gorgeous kids theatre. The house is big and roomy everywhere, simply styled, and has a fun energy. The owners are both musicians and their love for entertaining is obvious. The upstairs sitting room is a cracker.

Since 1970, the farmland has been a conservation area and is run by the whole family who still live here. The rewilding is central to the view here. You'll find acres of wild flower meadows, 300 year old oak trees and views of the Solent through them. The land is home to plenty of deer who often pop in and out of the garden like it's their own. (That's the point here, it is theirs).

Next door to Furzedown Farm House sits the award winning Noble Bee Honey Company. You will see some of the hives in the meadow beyond the garden and the Noble Bee offers experiences to learn about the bees and to go into the conservation area which is also adjacent to the house. The Guinea Fowl live next door and often visit the lawn. You might see rare breed pheasants too – they are bred next door.

Getting out and about from here is easy. Pretty Beaulieu village, with lovely cafe's, the Palace and car museum, is a 7 minute drive west, across the National Park heath. Or head south to the long shingle (sandy in a few places) beach at Lepe Country Park. You can wild swim, walk the coastal path, spot ferries and enjoy the cafe.

You must also walk to the Hythe ferry. It's a short trip to Southampton Town Quay. You'll pass the royal ships when they are in berth, huge ocean liners, then dock in the Town Quay just a short walk from restaurants, cafe's and museums of town.

What a totally brilliant place.


** 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 **


Inside:


The original house was built in the 1970s and has since shaped into the 21st century; with the worst of the era redesigned and the best of it reloved.

The front door opens into a huge open plan kitchen and dining area. The kitchen is set up for cooking with masses of surface preparation area, and a small bar area to one side. The focus here is the table. It's a solid piece of oak, felled on the farm by the owner's brother. It seats the full 14 easily, with plenty of elbow room and space for a high chair or two. There is also a trestle is provided for extra space for serving food.

Come winter or summer, this room is particularly lovely and full of light. The bifold doors roll right back to the terrace which make for great indoor/outdoor living.

There are two bedrooms downstairs. The largest, a super king with masses of space, has doors that open onto the terrace. Next door is another super king room and also a reasonable size. There is a shared shower room here, which, like all of them here is smart, very functional and a generous size.

The stairs here are pure 70's and in good condition - useful for those who need a handrail.

Upstairs the sitting room has another bifold window system to let the view in. The balcony is full length of the room and a solid table is a perfect spot for morning coffee and chats. The room has original flooring; piranha pine from Brazil. It also has an absolutely cracking view through the mature oaks and to the Solent. The view is better in winter when the trees are not in full leaf, but in summer it's genial, green and bucolic, with the boats passing distant, and the ocean liners looking like passing giants.

We love the enormous moss green velvet corner sofa here. It's a whopper and so comfortable.

There are 3 bedrooms upstairs. The biggest has a giant bath in the main bedroom, a lovely private balcony, and space enough to swing several cats. There is an ensuite loo and shower here too.

There is another super king bedroom and a twin room. Both share a family shower room here.


Outside:


Spread out and relaaaaax... the garden is approximately 1/3rd of an acre so there's plenty of room for you all to be at one with the great outdoors.. and peacocks!

The lawn is mainly flat, and well-fenced here, with vegetation that runs a little wild (watch the nettles). Whilst the kids play, grown-ups can pick a seat - we'll take the sofa - whilst the pizzas cook!

The views here are very good from upstairs. The mature oak trees hide much of the Solent, so the view is better in winter with the leaves off the trees. The Titanic, on it's last journey, passed by the house. You can track ships on modern smart phone apps to see what is coming and going which is quite fun.

Conservation is the way of life here. Once the garden for a large country house (now a hotel nearby) the area has been rewilded and loved by the Noble family since 1970. You will see plenty of wildlife. At dusk there are owls who hunt on the wild flower meadow at the bottom of the garden. You can see the bees going about their work from here too. There is a collection of 15 or so hives that live there. The farm is some 40 acres that stretch away from the house behind, front and one side and then to the Solent. You can walk from the house toward the National Park and heath, or follows the Solent, crossing few roads, on the footpath through the farm.

We encourage guests to arrange to visit the award winning Noble Bee honey shop next door. Guests can ask for a 'honey tasting' session in the house, plus a 2 hour conservation experience tour. For more details please contact Founder, Simon Noble, on email simonthenoble@hotmail.com. Find out more about the Noble Bee at www.thenoblebee.com. You can see the the process from hive to honey pot, including a rather beautiful honey spinner. Do take some cash to buy scented and beeswax candles, and various honeys. There are some beautiful flowers grown here in old greenhouses that are being slowly restored, plus some rare breed pheasants and poultry. More of the family live here on the farm still following traditional local industries.

We need to mention the Guinea Fowl and peacocks again. They roost in the tree outside the upstairs master bedroom and genuinely believe that they are the true property owners and the lawn in particular belongs to them. They are bribeable for cute photos with bits of bread...


Home truths:


The area across the road is the outskirts of Hythe village. The coastal green belt starts at the road and encompasses the farm.

Slowness is celebrated here and it's only the traffic on the lane which moves at any speed. There is a 40mph limit there, so it's not fast but you may hear it.

Peacocks, and Guinea Fowl are beautiful but... can be noisy in the mornings, especially from March onwards and walk on the roof / terrace near to the Master bedroom. In summer if you have windows open you might want to close them in the night. They are double glazed so this does block out almost all the farm-y noise.

The birds also poo. Kids running around on the lawn will inevitably step in some from time to time. The birds are all vegan (!) so there poo is harmless and the owners family just wash their feet off being coming inside. For all their pooing and communicating, they really are beautiful and well worth the reality of nature!

The garden has a good sized lawn area for family games but under the trees the undergrowth that gives the garden charm is filled with nettles so just be warned.

There is a couple of extra twin sized mattresses that can be used for small kids but you will have to bring your own linen and they would have to be moved into a different room.

For your safety, please do take extra care on the balcony (especially if allowing younger guests out here, who should be supervised at all times) and do not lean on the railings.

There is an extra charge for logs and kindling to burn on the fire (October- March) but feel free to BYO!


Accessibility:


You can park within 5 metres of the front door. It is level to enter the house and there are two very good downstairs bedrooms here.

There are no specific considerations for those with limited mobility and the sitting room has to be accessed by the stairs. There is a good handrail.


Sleeping...
Master Bedroom Downstairs - Super king with ensuite. French doors open out to garden. Sofa bed can be used for a child. Bedroom 2 Downstairs - Super king. Bedroom 3 Upstairs - Super king. Bedroom 4 Upstairs - Super king with in-room bath tub and ensuite. Private balcony overlooking the garden. 28'' TV Bedroom 5 Upstairs - Twin beds
Bathrooms...
Master En-suite Large Shower cubicle. Downstairs. Family Bathroom Large Shower cubicle. Downstairs. Ensuite Bathroom Bath and shower (bed 4) Family Bathroom Large Shower cubicle.


All the rest...
Kitchen Electric double oven / Induction hob / large Fridge Freezer / Dishwasher / Washing machine / NEFF Microwave / Wine fridge / Slow cooker / Cooking books / 4 Slice toaster / Cafetiere. (Sorry no coffee machine) Mod Cons Freeview and DVD player / 2 TV'S have Amazon Firesticks with Netflix/ Prime/ Disney Apps / WIFI / Hair dyer / Tooth brush charger in bathroom mirror with lighting Connectivity Good WIFI but rural speeds. 4G and mobile service is generally good here. Kids' Stuff There are two highchairs and two cots L - 98cm, W - 68cm, H - 74cm. Please also bring a bottom sheet and bedding for the little ones staying in the travel cots
Kids plastic plates and cups. The music room has drum kit and guitars
Fancy dress outfits for 2-5 year olds. Pets No dogs sorry - they will upset the balance of nature, the peacocks and the wild fowl here. Guide dogs are welcome of course. Garden There's an open outlook, plenty of space to play and a proper swing hanging from a high branch. Please be aware of the nettles and undergrowth below the trees.
Charcoal BBQ / Pizza oven / Large lounger set / Sun loungers / Badminton set. Parking Up to 4 cars by the drive entrance.
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

This cottage is located in Southampton. Southampton Cruise Terminal and New Forest Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore New Forest National Park and Holbury Manor Ponds Country Park. Traveling with kids? Consider Paultons Family Theme Park - Home of Peppa Pig World and New Forest Wildlife Park.

More details, photos & booking info