Between The Magnolias in Southampton, Hampshire

Between The Magnolias Self-Catering

It’s the personal touches that set this cottage apart. A welcome hamper with milk, bread, eggs, juice and even a bottle of wine awaits your arrival in the kitchen. Though with the nearest village of Bransgore just two miles away, stocking up shouldn’t be a problem either. There’s something of a Tuscan villa feel to the cottage itself, with wooden shutters adorning the windows and a pergola outside above a wrought-iron table and chairs. In sunny months, a barbecue dinner is on the cards, and the hosts can arrange for a local butcher to prepare some meat for you. Inside, the living room is a cosy space and the dining area is a picture of country-chic with a classic dresser displaying the crockery. In a nod to tradition, the master bathroom has a gorgeous roll-top rub, perfect for a soak after a day exploring the cycling trails and hiking paths of the nearby New Forest. If you don’t fancy cooking, there’s a 17th-century inn a fifteen-minute walk away.

Home truths:
*There is parking for two cars at the cottage, and having a car is recommended to get around
*Your hosts can organise loads of extra services like a private tasting menu, full butler service and celebration parties
*Both beds are zip-link so can be arranged as king-size or two twins, just let your host know which you prefer
*The host requests shoes be removed before entering the cottage