Splendid Isolation

Properties with space enough to work and play

The long-term effects of ‘lockdown’ mean that we are going to view our homes, the space they provide and their location, differently. At Spencers we predict a further exodus from London and more built-up areas to places such as the New Forest area where it’s easier to access the great outdoors.

We are already aware of purchasers looking for outbuildings to function as home offices, studios, games rooms or simply for storage, and we expect this to increase. The focus is on having enough flexible space to live, work and play comfortably.

Some want homes with sufficient grounds for children to run wild. Others are looking for the convenience of easy access to open Forest. In the New Forest area, we are fortunate. There’s a variety of property, including character cottages, country houses and equestrian estates, that can offer splendid isolation and masses of space, yet are still close to local communities with facilities such as surgeries and village stores. We have selected just one example from each of our offices.

Maiden Cottage

Marketed by our Lymington office, is a charming period property that has been recently refurbished. Flexible accommodation includes an open plan kitchen-sitting-dining space, a further reception room or bedroom and a glorious garden room overlooking the water. The master bedroom suite on the first floor has a south facing balcony and both house & garden enjoy glorious, uninterrupted views across the Solent. There is a tree house, direct access to the sea wall for walking into Lymington, and opportunities to get away from it all on the water as Salterns Sailing Club is nearby.

Tangmere House

For sale through our Brockenhurst office is a country house on the edge of Sway that has been extended and reconfigured to provide flexible living accommodation throughout. Both the sitting room and kitchen/dining room feature magnificent, full-height vaulted ceilings and doors opening out onto the extensive rear terrace. The secluded south-facing grounds extend to almost an acre and include a sun terrace, lawns and woodland, where a charming sitting area set among the trees is reached by a bridge over a brook. In addition, there are a number of outbuildings, including a stylish studio with woodburning stove, workshop and a double garage with converted utility room.

Hill House

Marketed by our Ringwood office. Want space and plenty of it? This substantial Edwardian country house has accommodation in excess of 4,000 sq ft across three floors. With galleried entrance hall, kitchen-breakfast room, three reception rooms, six bedrooms, four bathrooms, plus self-contained office/studio, the house can easily be adapted to multi-generational living and working from home. Well-screened behind electric gates, Hill House is located in a semi-rural location down a country lane two miles from Ringwood. Grounds extend to some four acres, including outdoor heated pool, paddock, stables and store; plus open Forest is just half-a-mile away.

Chubbs Farm

Available through our Burley office, is a traditional New Forest property with direct access to the open Forest yet positioned on the outskirts of one of the most sought-after villages in the area. Features include farmhouse kitchen with Rayburn, generous sitting-dining room with woodburning stove and south-facing conservatory. Nearly two acres of grounds includes gardens and extensive equestrian facilities with yard, stables, large brick built barn, manège, two paddocks, plus vegetable patch and chicken run. In short: the good life!