This picturesque, double fronted, detached, 18th century former boatbuilder's cottage has recently undergone renovation work, with the addition of a large double-height oak-framed open-plan extension, which gives the property an excellent balance of character features mixed with contemporary charm. Bailey Cottage is situated in a quiet location opposite the village railway station, a stone's throw from the River Hamble, in the village of Bursledon, Hampshire This idyllic home offers fantastic accommodation for a family or group of ten guests wanting to explore the South Coast, with a selection of beaches, the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth and the national parks of the New Forest and South Downs all within easy reach. Enter the property through the charming gate, down the path that passes the immaculate, enclosed lawn, and into the original part of the cottage to discover a wonderful games room with pool/air-hockey table, sure to keep children entertained for hours, as well as a sitting room with charming Georgian windows, a TV and Xbox console for endless entertainment and a large couch that transforms into a double bed for two guests, while through the set of double doors is a small snug area with a library of books, ideal for curling up to read in a quiet space.

Head into the fantastic, newly-built, open-plan living room, the true jewel in this property's crown, with limestone flooring with underfloor heating, huge vaulted ceilings filled with Velux windows, allowing plenty of light to flood in, along with large bi-fold doors that open up onto the patio area. This amazing space has a stunning dining area with window seating and offers pretty views out onto the garden, as well as a high spec kitchen, complete with all of the appliances you could wish for, including a large American-style fridge/freezer, a grand Range gas cooker, Nespresso machine for your morning caffeine fix and a wine cooler, so you can celebrate your holiday over a chilled glass of fizz, while the large island provides a breakfast bar and ample preparation space for creating delicious home-cooked meals – a welcome hamper with local goodies is thoughtfully provided by the owners in the welcome pack. The seating area is the perfect place to relax in the evening, admiring the garden view and enjoying the warmth of the woodburning stove, while you enjoy a book from the bookshelf or make plans for the remainder of your stay. There is also a handy utility with washing machine and tumble dryer, as well as a cloakroom with basin and WC on the ground floor. Head up the staircase to the first floor to discover two spacious super-king-size double bedrooms, both with Eve memory foam mattresses to ensure you enjoy a good night's rest. One of the bedrooms benefits from an incredible dressing room with endless storage space for your belongings, served by the incredible family bathroom, with generous corner bath and separate walk-in shower, with a heated towel rail for added comfort. The other has a separate en-suite shower room. The second floor has been designed with younger guests in mind, with a twin bedroom with zip/link beds, complete with Velux windows so you can admire the outside world from your bed, as well as a selection of soft toys and books, while the final bedroom also has zip/link beds and is set up as a super-king-size with sloping ceiling and Velux windows, so you can again admire your surroundings from the comfort of your bed.

Outside there is ample parking available on the driveway, with a pretty front lawn and to the side, the patio is accessed through the bi-fold doors in the open-plan living room and offers a seating area and a hot tub, ideal for adding a luxurious feel to the end of your day.

There are two local pubs within walking distance, the Jolly Sailor, with outdoor seating along the river bank, and The Navigator, both of which serve excellent food if you feel like taking a night off from cooking, while you can also enjoy pretty riverside strolls and a visit to the restored Georgian windmill. The small local Bursledon train station provides links to Southampton and Portsmouth, excellent for shopping, museums and learning about the history and heritage of the cities, with Southampton offering an interactive model of the Titanic, which departed from Southampton in 1912, at its SeaCity Museum, while Portsmouth's historic dockyard is home to warships HMS Victory and HMS Warrior, as well as the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the D-Day Story museum.

You can also reach these cities via a boat trip from the pretty marina, or head further afield to the magnificent Isle of Wight for excellent walking opportunities and pretty beaches. There is a selection of beaches along the south coast within driving distance, and you can also rent kayaks or stand up paddle boards on the river, take some lessons and practice your watersports skills. For a family-friendly day out, Paulton’s Park, home to Peppa Pig World, is not to be missed, while several great country parks and Marwell Zoo are all within a 20-minute drive. Walkers and cyclists will relish their location, a stone’s throw from the South Downs National Park, where you will discover chalk hills, wooded areas and excellent stargazing opportunities, as well as being close to the New Forest National Parks, where you can discover a diverse selection of wildlife and enjoy incredible birdwatching opportunities. Bailey Cottage is a remarkable property with endless opportunities to explore and discover the South Coast.

Burlsedon is a pretty Hampshire village, along the River Hamble. It offers a great selection of restaurants, cafés and shops, as well as a pretty Georgian windmill and a train station providing links to the wider South Coast area. Stroll around the marina, or hop on a boat and take the scenic route to Southampton or Portsmouth, avoiding the motorway and traffic. Southampton is less than six miles away, where you can visit SeaCity Museum, which features an interactive model of the Titanic, as well as Southampton City Art Gallery, Solent Sky Museum and the Tudor House & Garden. Portsmouth is known for its maritime heritage and historic dockyard, which houses the warships HMS Victory and HMS Warrior, as well as being home to the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the D-Day Story museum. The closest beach is the pebble beach of Weston Hard Woolston, under four miles away, while a host of sandy beaches can be found slightly further down the coast along The Solent. The South Downs and New Forest National Parks are also within easy reach.

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