The Sanctuary
Keyhaven, Lymington, Hampshire, UK
Hugging the southern borders of the New Forest, an idyllic rustic milieu between Lymington and Keyhaven provides the setting for this luxury cottage retreat in Hampshire. On top of the Sanctuary's chic utilitarian living space, this pocket-sized private health farm comes complete with a Jacuzzi hot tub, fire pit and his'n'hers cruiser bikes for pedalling around the countryside. Here is a utopian bubble you'll never want to burst.
Introduction
The Sanctuary marries New Forest country cottage style with upstate New York cabin culture to offer a unique self-catering couples’ retreat in rural Hampshire. Welcoming two guests and two dogs, take a morning to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Lymington's traditional Georgian Saturday street market, hop on the ferry for a day trip to the Isle of Wight, or stay closer to home with a cycle to the beach at Milford on Sea or Keyhaven’s natural harbour. Upon return, pick up some goodies from the nearby farm shop and soak up the romantic ambience of the fairy-light festooned garden.
Inside
In keeping with its former use as an art studio-come-workshop, this inspired bolthole oozes industrial style. Lofty beamed ceilings hang with exposed element lighting, softened by washed linens and natural textures. Morning or night, both bath and bedtime are guaranteed to be a chic affair at The Sanctuary. Nestled within reclaimed red brick and petrol blue painted walls, the bedroom’s super king-size four-poster bed is a masterpiece of hand-crafted metalwork. Next door in the bathroom, a zinc copper tub sits on monochrome Bert and May tiles and features an overhead rainfall shower.
Outside
Throw open the huge bi-fold doors and enjoy a pot of coffee under the pergola before a spot of barefoot yoga on the lawn - Freda in the village offers private tuition for those who would like some extra guidance. Throughout the day, local pheasants provide entertainment in the tranquil garden, only rivalled by the sight of shy deer playing in the stream behind the shady oak tree. Both a summer paradise and romantic winter retreat, the Sanctuary’s warm outdoor shower, fire pit and Jacuzzi hot tub offer couples the chance to while away lazy afternoons in the privacy of this al fresco living space, whatever the weather might bring.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 2 guests
From £1,895 per week, £1,495 per short break - Bedrooms and bathroomsOne double bedroom with super-king-size bed, one bathroom with zinc-copper bath and overhead shower.
- FeaturesJacuzzi hot tub, Kadai fire pit, cruiser bikes, powerboat charter can be arranged on prior request
- PetsTwo well-behaved dogs are welcome
Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof - Arrivals and departuresArrival Day: Friday or MondayArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilyBabes-in-arms are welcome; one cot and one wooden highchair are available.
- PracticalitiesThere´s ample parking for three cars on the driveway. The utilitarian-style kitchen has an oven, induction hob, Nespresso Artisan coffee machine, dishwasher and fridge-freezer, with a washer dryer in the laundry room. The neighbouring properties have free-roaming ducks and chickens and the garden, whilst large, is not completely fenced in. For the safety of your dog(s), we request that they are kept on leads.
- Homestay includesLuxury welcome hamper, Sonos speaker, two Samsung 4K Ultra HD Smart TVs, two Nest digital thermostats, iPad, WiFi internet, fire pit, Weber charcoal barbecue, bikes, croquet set, linen, towels, fluffy bathrobes, logs and kindling to get you started.House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more little luxuries
- Private cateringDiscover your options for private dining and fully catered breaks.
- Additional extrasA handpicked selection of unique experiences are available at this property.
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsEV charger locationsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend
Prices & Availability
Lymington
At the mouth of the Lymington River in the heart of Hampshire, this colourful coastal town has shops, a market, cafés and scenery, but the real watchword here is most certainly ´maritime´.
Getting there
- On the Map The Sanctuary is located between Lymington and Keyhaven in Hampshire on the south coast of England, close to the New Forest National Park.
- By Car Just over two hours from London by car.
- By Train The best train route from London is the one and a half hour line from Waterloo to Brockenhurst, followed by a 10-15 minute taxi ride to the cottage.
- By Air Southampton Airport is an hour drive away from The Sanctuary.
From the owner
“The peace and tranquillity our New Forest home offers is hard to beat. The playful pheasants and occasional early morning deer by the stream help provide the ultimate escape from the everyday. Lymore Valley has been in our hearts for over 15 years and our ´bubble´ is ready to indulge our guests!”
You could not be better placed to find both New Forest comforts and the freshness of the stunning Solent than at our lovely coastal sanctuary.
The cottage was originally an old workshop and art studio, which we have recently renovated into the property you see today. The reclaimed bricks give a nod to the very local Lymore Brick Company and add a unique flavour to the interiors.
In the garden, we are sure you will find pheasants in abundance and the occasional, shy deer too. Relax in the hot tub and explore the surrounds at your leisure; we are lucky to have plenty to see and do nearby.
Above all, there’s one thing we absolutely demand of all our guests: to have a really good time!
The Chamberlain Family
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Lymington with an insider’s perspective.
To Do
Explore The New Forest
Once a royal hunting ground for William the Conqueror, the New Forest became a national park in 2005. It covers a mammoth 566 square kilometres, including one of the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pastureland and heathland.
To Do
Aero Power Boat
Adrenaline junkies and water babies will be in their element on holiday here. For days spent adventuring the Solent, guests can exclusively hire the owner’s sleek “Aston Martin of the Seas” power boat.
To Eat
The Gun Inn, Keyhaven
The Gun Inn is an independent pub that´s owned and run by friends of the owners. With dishes created by The New Forest Chef, and all produce sourced locally and seasonally, this is the place for a memorable Sunday roast in historic surrounds.
To See
Flora and Fauna
There are so many opportunities for wildlife spotting nearby, whether you visit the acres of woodland and open heath in the nearby New Forest, Keyhaven Marshes or simply bird and deer-watch from the comfort of The Sanctuary.
Guest Testimonials
We would like to thank you both very much, we had a lovely weekend in your beautiful place, the whole experience was second to none, from the moment we arrived. Your home is full of character and has a really nice feel in a peaceful location, you just switch off as soon as you walk through the door. It was a nice surprise to receive such a thoughtful and generous hamper, thank you. The garden and hot tub were amazing with all the lovely decking. We would love to return in the near future.
We have had a lovely four day stay in your beautiful property. Lovely to listen to the birds signing in the tranquil garden - when the weather allowed us to sit outdoors! As the previous visitors said, the property is so full of character and looks amazing. Lovely welcome hamper of goodies much appreciated and now back to reality Friday morning!
Thank you for such an enjoyable stay at The Sanctuary. What a welcome you provided for both us & Twiglet. We have gorged on the hamper all week, but thankfully also walked it off! We needn´t have packed as much as we did, I don´t think we have ever stayed somewhere that caters for every need so well. Really enjoyed playing board games in front of the roaring log burger & our spa night with face masks! Going to make our return trip in the summer so we can make the most of the stunning garden! Thank you again.
From the moment we arrived at The Sanctuary, it captured our hearts. We have had the most blissful honeymoon and, in all honesty, do not want to leave. The space you have created here is outstanding, we have wanted for nothing and have enjoyed every second. The décor here is modern, thoughtful and incredibly tasteful. We have loved the little touched e.g. Dyson hairdryer and luxury shampoo and body wash which have really elevated our stay. Thank you for the wonderful hamper and goodies, they all went down a treat. We are counting down the days until we can return here. It´s been perfect!
I haven´t felt this relaxed for a very long time! Thank you for a wonderful stay in this little piece of paradise. Can´t believe I have to go back to ´real life´ now. I will miss The Sanctuary but I certainly hope to return in the future. Thank you.
Many thanks for a lovely stay in a fantastic environment. We have enjoyed every minute! Thank you for the hamper and your local guide which was invaluable. We will book again.
This was our 6th Unique Homestays holiday and as usual, a wonderful break away that left us feeling totally recharged and refreshed. The Sanctuary is stunning and we loved every minute of our stay. The attention to detail and quality of the accommodation is outstanding and we would love to return one day. Excellent property and location for our dog also, very appreciative that the owners allow treasured pets to share the luxury!
This has been a wonderful week for us. The Sanctuary is beautiful and being blessed with a week of sunshine meant we were able to enjoy it to the fullest. Thank you so much for the hamper of goodies and fridge of treats, we enjoyed them all. We both feel relaxed and refreshed and looking forward to our next stay already!
We have had the most amazing week here at The Sanctuary and loved every minute of it. You have created a truly magical hideaway, with every comfort and luxurious detail which has been very much appreciated and made our Golden Celebration very special. Thank you for the wonderful hamper and the bubbly and all the gorgeous goodies in the fridge. We have loved the hot tub, listening to the owls and pheasants in the garden and many wonderful walks.
A beautiful way to welcome September and the perfect spot to recharge our batteries. Thank you for the welcome hamper, such a comfortable bed and every possible need catered for in this truly luxurious cottage. We enjoyed Keyhaven and everything it has to offer: a lovely walk to the small harbour, across the ´spit´ to the castle and the little ferry back. The Cliffhanger beach walk has stunning views, not to mention the best bowl of mussels at the cafe! Do take a drive to see the beach huts further along the coast, and a must-do treat, dinner at Verveine - fabulous!
What a fabulous escape you have created here! We have loved every minute and every gorgeous detail. We came for our anniversary and it has been a truly magical stay and we´ve created wonderful memories. We just wish we would stay for longer! The decor, hot tub and Christmas decorations were all perfect! Thank you so much!
Wow! What an amazing place you have created. It has been a wonderful experience staying at The Sanctuary for our honeymoon; we couldn´t have asked for anything better. We have enjoyed walks along the beach, cooking in the fabulously equipped kitchen and dinner at Vervire - which was amazing. The hot tub is such a treat! Thank you for the hamper full of local delights, it was much appreciated, including the fizz too! We cannot wait to return.
Well, what a sanctuary this is, and just what we needed. Beautiful location, the most amazing living space, the whole experience has been food for the soul and a change of scene; from you know what! Walking to the beach to watch the sunset, sitting in the hot tub gazing at the stars; you are surrounded by beauty. We have already booked to come back next year, the 2021 calendar is getting booked up, so we could not miss doing this again! We are sad to leave, but happy to look forward to our next trip.
Thank you so very much for creating this wonderful place that we have been able to enjoy these past four days. This is now our 10th Unique Homestays holiday and by far, all have been fantastic. The attention to detail is amazing and the quality of everything does not feel like a ´rental´. The testimonials were glowing, so we had high expectations and they were surpassed at The Sanctuary. Best welcome hamper ever, and from the moment we arrived, we felt relaxed. We will be forever grateful for these few days here; for one small moment, the craziness of the world we are living in was a distant memory.
Wow, what can we say about this amazing place? From the moment we arrived and saw the hamper with fizz, we knew would be having the most fantastic honeymoon! The setting is just beautiful. Everything about The Sanctuary is perfect! Thank you so much, we hope to return one day!
What an absolute dream. You’ve thought of everything we could ever need. We’ve had the most relaxing stay and would 100% recommend The Sanctuary to anyone who wants to relax and leave all their cares at home. The hot tub is lovely, but the bath was the perfect way to relax after a day in the forest. There was not one moment where we needed something and it wasn´t there - even when we needed a zip lock bag to take the pumpkin and squash soup home that we made after we went and picked our own at the pumpkin patch! We’ve had the best time!
We could not have asked for anything better than The Sanctuary, as soon as we walked through the front door it felt like a home from home. You truly have thought of everything both inside and out. The hamper you left was a lovely thought. We´ve been very lucky with the weather and the location is amazing - five minutes from the beach! We made full use of the hot tub in the evenings, as well as the log burner to warm up on a cold night. Our only regret is that we aren´t staying for longer. We will definitely be coming back! Thank you ever so much.
What a fantastic secluded place to celebrate me reaching my 50th! You seem to have combined all the very best elements from all the properties we have stayed in over the years and combined them with beautiful design and the best quality... the hot tub, bikes, outdoor shower, fire pit etc! Thanks also so much for the most generous welcome hamper we have ever had! We loved walking and cycling and Keyhaven marshes and Lymington. Dinner at La Perle was lovely... and soaking in the hot tub! Of course we would love to come back one day!!
Thank you so much for the most amazing stay for our honeymoon. The Sanctuary is the perfect place to come for luxury and relaxation! We absolutely love the design and decor, lots of thought has gone into it which is why this place is so amazing. Thank you also for the hamper on arrival, we thoroughly enjoyed the local produce. We would recommend for anyone to come here, it has been just perfect!
This weekend was everything we hoped it would be, an absolute Sanctuary! The space is beautiful and the attention to detail is what makes it! We loved cycling down to the beach via Mr. Pinks and eating our chips on the front. We even had a fantastic roast at the Oak Inn and found a great spot at the Ocean Reef to people watch. The unexpectedly beautiful weather (15 degrees in Feb) meant we could enjoy the house to its full and it definitely has house goals! Thank you for the lovely hamper this will be a stay we won´t be forgetting any time soon!
Unique extras
Enhance your stay with a unique experience from one of our preferred suppliers. From professional in-house chefs to luxury at-home spa therapists and wine delivered to the door, see what’s on offer for your bespoke escape.
Press
Below are a selection of features in which The Sanctuary and Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.
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Britain´s Most Luxurious Holiday Rentals
The Sunday Times
September 2018The best cottages to rent in Cornwall
House & Garden
June 2023Britain´s greatest villages untouched by mass tourism
The Telegraph
June 2023Best cabin stays in the UK
The Times
May 2023Staycation in splendid isolation
Country Living
May 2023Britain´s best holiday cottages
The Telegraph
May 2023Best holiday homes in the UK
Conde Nast Traveller
May 2023A look inside The Fable x The White Company
House Beautiful
May 2023
Collections > Honeymoons > UK > Hampshire > Lymington > The Sanctuary
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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.
