White Gates Cottage

Description

At the bottom of the donkey-filled lane, there is an ancient cobb cottage which has been 're-loved' into the 21st Century. The cottage is over 300 years old and full of character; the walls buckle and bend, refusing to comply with modernity, and the building has a lovely energy.

The owner, an artist in disguise, is a lover of beautiful fabrics, old books, her styling is colourful, with a touch of bohemian. A local lady, she's a fan of Molly Mahon's distinctive colour-block style and the use of colour and texture here is particularly easy on the eye.

Summer guests will love the broad terrace and lawns, and winter guests will love the wood burner and huge sofa for cuddling up in.

The beach is a 15 minute walk through the forest, down the lane and onto a lovely wild beach.

**Contact New Forest Escapes directly for best rates**

Inside...
We've known this old house for a long time. A landmark in this quiet place, it has an 'oldy-worldly' feel, a bit like it's been lost to the 21st century for a while - which it really was. Whilst it's not a listed property, the owner has treated it like one. Their renovation has been sensitive and in keeping with local traditions and the final result is quite the loveliest place to take a break. The house isn't huge, it is a cottage, and the original footprint hasn't been expanded, however with the lifting of the roof space, the house feels much roomier now.

The interior style is a chic combination of modern country patterns mixed on a neutral colour palette. We love the French-style hand painted wall mural, the owner's on trend block prints, the gentle use of pattern and colour.

The open plan kitchen and sitting room area covers the main original downstairs of the cottage. To one side, in the old barn area, there is a smart new bedroom with en-suite shower. There are plenty of pretty details and we love the huge Laura Ashley sofa. Perfect for a hard days relaxing.

The stairs and a clever utility area is tucked away to the side and double height with a cracker of an ancient beam exposed above you next to a circular window.

Upstairs bedrooms both have zip and link super king beds which separate to singles if you prefer. The rooms are very comfortable and the soft furnishings, towels, cushions etc are all new in 2021. The ceilings are galleried here which makes them feel spacious. Both rooms have a view to the little lane at the front, and a Velux window up high for light. The larger bedroom has a further two beds on the floor in the eaves. Children will love it here and can squirrel away in their den and enjoy peeking at parents through the internal window set low in the wall.

The bathroom upstairs is smart and the tub full width.

Downstairs there is one bedroom and en-suite shower room. Many of our guests ask for houses with this set up and it will certainly work well for people who don't like to climb stairs.

For those interested in renovating old houses, the house walls are original cobb; made of mud and hay. On top are 4 coats of special Lime plaster which lets the walls breathe. To get the right shade on the walls, almost every colour in the Little Greene book was tried. The bones of the house are on show, they're beautiful English oak beams. The holm beam, above the fireplace, was rescued from the barn and 350 year old, the door handles have been re-loved, treasure was pulled out of the old tip area, and even the windows here were totally renovated – which is quite a thing, if you could have seen them beforehand!

The previous owner was Doris, a local forest commoner. She was born in the house. Before the renovation there was no heating, open fires, the floorboards sat on the bare soil, there were a few electric points which were the most modern part of it. Libby, the owner, says, “It was like a Sylvanian dolls house, all buckling and bending, the cobb walls were home for the local bees and the cottage was being totally reclaimed by nature. My greatest achievement at the house is that the ceilings which were so low through the house, are now a normal height, it's been a labour of love!”

Outside...
Outside the terrace sweeps the entire width of the house. Smart outdoor furniture welcomes you for endless lunches and sunbathing.

The garden is 1/2 an acre with ancient orchard trees to one side; a damson plum, some apples and soon there will be new trees and vegetable beds. The seasons bring many established wild flowers to the garden; primroses, fox gloves.

There is an old well in the garden that has been renovated and has a solid, locked safety grill on it.

The Space...
Bedrooms
Bedroom 1:Twin or Super King Beds
Bedroom 2: Twin or Super King Beds
Bedroom 3: Twin or Super King Beds

Bathrooms...
Family bathroom: Bath, loo, sink and heated towel rail.
Downstairs: Shower and loo with tiled floor.

Garden:
Kitchen: Oven with 5 hob gas / Fridge freezer / Toaster / Kettle / Dishwasher / Washing machine / Iron / Tumble Dryer / Bialetti Ground Coffee Maker.
Mod cons: Smart TV / Under Floor Heating / Roof Windows / Hair Dryer
Connectivity: Good WIFI but rural speeds. 4G and mobile service is generally good here.
Parking: Parking for 4 cars off road here.
Kids stuff: One cot and one highchair / Trampoline / Travel cot size TBC / Kids plastic plates and cups
Pets: Two medium size dogs are welcome for a small charge per dog per stay.

Hometruths...
The house footprint hasn't been extended so bedrooms aren't the biggest but don't feel cramped either. The downstairs bedroom is a little larger and has an ensuite shower room.

The house sleeps 6 comfortably, with a further two beds on the floor in the eaves of the biggest bedroom upstairs. Children will love it here and can squirrel away in their den and enjoy peeking at parents through the internal window set low in the wall.

Accessibility...
You can park within 15 metres of the front door. There are a few steps down from the driveway to the terrace and then another few steps to the kitchen area.

There is a downstairs bedroom with ensuite and once inside there are no steps.