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The Sanctuary | Luxury Self-Catering Cottage | Lymington, New Forest

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.

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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 £1,550 per week, £1,350 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
  • Private cateringSeeking a celebratory dinner or fully catered escape? Our recommended caterers will work with you to create personalised menus for your stay. Details are shared through our house book on confirming your booking.
  • RetreatsFrom foraging weekenders to crash courses in cold-water therapy, our bespoke retreats bridge the gap between luxury and back-to-nature philosophies. Create a hand-crafted stay that puts connectivity at the fore.
  • Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsEV charger locationsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend

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The suntrap garden is complete with a firepit
Luxury self-catering accommodation in Milford On Sea, New Forest
From al fresco dining to reclining, the outdoor space is a real haven

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´.

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Lymington
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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!”

From the owner

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.

Explore The New Forest

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.

Aero Power Boat

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.

The Gun Inn, Keyhaven

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.

Flora and Fauna 

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 booked this break to mark a special date and slowdown to cherish time. The Sanctuary is exactly what this has been for us, peaceful, calm, cosy. Many guests have commented on the attention to detail; candles by the bath, marshmallows for toasting, sleep scents for bedtime. Our dog Paddy also loved his luxuries. We are exceptionally sad to leave but are grateful to be feeling recharged and rested following our stay. Everything exceeded expectations.

Thank you for an amazing weekend getaway. The Sanctuary was absolutely divine and we´d certainly love to return. The finish and little touches are really beautiful and stylish. I´m going to pinch some design inspiration as I do up my new home!

Thank you so much for having us here at The Sanctuary! As soon as you walk in the place oozes class. You have made our ´mini moon´ one to remember. We had the most lovely meal at The Gunn Inn and The Pig. Tips to guests, if it rains borrow the wellies! This place literally has everything you could need on your break so feels like a home from home. The decor is incredible too, we can´t wait to come back!

This was our fifth or sixth visit to The Sanctuary. We love it. An extremely magical place, total relaxation and rejuvenation. Thank you! We will no doubt be back. P.S. Amazing hamper, thank you for spoiling us!

Just spent an idyllic week at The Sanctuary: such a wonderful location with fantastic walks from the doorstep. The property has all you could ask for, both inside (what a perfect kitchen- everything you could ever need and more!) and outside. The jacuzzi, outdoor shower and plentiful seating were all greatly appreciated despite the ´mixed´ weather. Cannot recommend this property enough- thank you so much. Looking forward to visiting again.

The Sanctuary is such an apt name for a beautiful and restful place and it was a perfect location to celebrate my birthday, along with our Siberian Forest Cat. Who was very intrigued by the visiting chickens. A huge thank you to you both.

We´ve wanted to stay here for ages and finally, our mini-moon gave us a wonderful excuse. It´s the best of all the holiday cottages we have stayed in. Amazingly well-equipped, relaxing, private and perfectly dog-friendly! We wish we had booked for longer and will definitely be back. Thanks so much for the welcome basket- it was fab. A perfect little treat and a perfectly named sanctuary.

These past few days have been completely restorative. Normally when we stay at places I´m up packed and ready to go on the final morning. I don´t want to leave here and am lingering over breakfast and enjoying the view of the garden. Such a treat to have so many delicious vegan goodies provided for us. Thank you so much for the extraordinary space to relax.

Our second visit and just as good as the last time- even though the weather was ´mixed´ - mostly walked from the house although did visit Exbury Gardens and we had a ride on the steam train. Loved it!

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!

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.

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

From private chefs to luxury at-home spa therapists and adrenalin-fuelled retreats, once you’ve booked your stay we’ll introduce you to our owner-recommended suppliers to create a truly bespoke, memorable escape.

Press

Below are a selection of features in which 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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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.

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