Perched on the edge of a gentle and wild valley | Cottage in Fordingbridge, United Kingdom

Wow. What a view! This home will take your breath away and quiet your soul in one swift move.
Both the well-styled house, and its annexe, are perched on the edge of this gentle and wild valley – soaking-up tranquil scenes that are filled with birdsong, ancient trees and the busy-ness of nature. Once a smugglers paradise, it's now home only to wildlife and wild ponies (who galavant about and make themselves known!). With an inviting interior, that is set-up for simplicity and relaxation, everything is focused on ‘that' exclusive view!!!
With the option for 6, 8, or 10 to be on your guest list, you can customise booking numbers to suit (our ‘Home Truths' section details this further) with use of the annexe. We love that each of the four double rooms has a proper ensuite (our favourite is the bottom annexe bedroom with it's terrace). Everything here is well-built, top-quality and sparkling clean. This is the pace to sleep with the doors wide open…
Children will love playing on the lawns or heading out into the National Park where they can run, jump, go wild and have about 200 acres of freedom for picnics and play.
** This property is available for rent with New Forest Escapes, who are a small local holiday cottage agency. Do contact us directly for best rates and availability a year in advance **
Inside
The owner is a huge 'foodie', with 4 chefs in the family. Her kitchen is very well set up, with plenty of fridge space and surfaces for preparation. There is also a warming AGA and separate hob. Just next door there is a big dining room table that will fit 10 easily. Next to it the sitting room has plenty of space for relaxing. The two sets of double doors open wide and we encourage you to open them up and let the sounds and sunlight join you for meals.
Head upstairs and past the big front door. The rooms are all along the front of the house to maximise the view. The bedroom to the right is the largest and has a good ensuite shower.
Next to it are two singles, one slightly larger than the other, then another double with an ensuite shower. The two singles share a family bathroom. It's all bright, breezy, simple and well set up for guests.
Just across the garden, 20 metres or so, is the garden annexe & it's 2 bedrooms (these rooms do not join together and are totally separate). The top annexe room has an ensuite bath and sitting room. The bottom room has it's own terrace area with table, chairs, and huge doors that open wide (this is the room that will be allocated if you book for 8 guests).
Due to the flexibility of space here, you can choose to bring a party of 6, 8, or 10 guests to enjoy Valley View (please refer to the Home Truths for more information'.
Outside
The location is a place that is steeped in stories. Directly opposite is Windmill Hill, one of the highest lookout points in the National Park. Just a few metres from the gate is the Abbots Well, also known back then as 'Alleynewel'. It was first noted (in the good year) of 1215! It is easily missed, and on first sight it looks like a badly maintained surface drain and a manhole cover. In fact both items are wooden, and the cover lifts to reveal a small pool of clear water. This wayside fresh water spring was used by smugglers and those 'on the old Southampton to London Road' to refresh horses and humans alike. There are many smuggling tales and legends that fill the history books of this area. Brandy and then tea were the most common products that were passed through the forest by the resourceful locals!
The annexe enjoys a position next to the house. With two separate bedrooms (each with their own access) & en-suites, please do take a tour to explore some more.
Hometruths
There are "unnoticeable" neighbours here. The house you might see is one of the most 'chocolate box' houses ever built. It's a tiny, pink and Grade II listed cottage. It was once home to herbalist and author Juliette de Bairacli Levy, who wrote The Wanderers in the New Forest. The book portrays an interesting picture of the Forest, from the plants and animals to forest gypsies and old farming practices.
Just across the garden (20 metres or so) are the annexe bedrooms. They do not join together and are totally separate from each other with separate entrances.
There is an extra charge for logs and kindling to burn on the fire (October- March) but feel free to BYO!
Pricing is dependent on numbers of guests, so please just enter the number on your guest list when booking. The sleeping arrangements will be allocated as follows:
- 10 guests will have use of the main house and both annexe bedrooms.
- 8 guests will have use of the main house and the upstairs annexe bedroom.
- 6 guests will have use in the main house only.
Accessibility
There is one downstairs bedroom which is in the annexe, a short walk on tidy lawn, across the garden. There is a step of 10" to get into the house through the sitting and dining room double doors. Or an almost flat entrance in via the back door. There is a gentle ramp and no stairs needed to access the house from the parking. This is approximately 40m from the back door.
Sleeping...
Bedroom 1 - Kingsize bed with ensuite. Synthetic bedding. Views facing south towards the forest.
Bedroom 2 - Kingsize bed with ensuite. Synthetic bedding. Views facing south towards the forest.
Bedroom 3 - Single bed. Synthetic bedding. Views of the forest.
Bedroom 4 - Single bed. Synthetic bedding. Views of the forest.
Bedroom 5 in Annexe - Kingsize bed with forest views. Synthetic bedding.
Bedroom 6 in Annexe - Double bed with ensuite. Synthetic bedding.
Bathrooms...
Family Bathroom - Shower over bath and heated towel rail.
Ensuite Bathroom - Shower cubicle.
Ensuite Bathroom - Shower over bath.
Ensuite Bathroom in Annexe - Bath with shower attachment and heated towel rail.
Ensuite Bathroom in Annexe - Shower cubicle and heated towel rail.
Ground Floor WC - Separate WC in the main house
Garden : The garden is just over 2½-acres and wraps around the house. The hedges and trees are tall and give excellent privacy on all sides but your own forest views. There are sloping banks and an unfenced pond in the garden.
Kitchen : The well-equipped kitchen has a traditional Aga as well as a conventional oven/hob, American-style fridge/freezer / wine fridge/ Microwave / DeLonghi Bean to cup Coffee machine / Dishwasher / Washing machine / Tumble Dryer. There is a separate toilet as well as a handy boot/ utility room on the ground floor.
Mod Cons: Sound bar / Smart TV with SKY / Electric underfloor heating / WIFI
Connectivity: There is good WIFI here with boosters set up around the house. 4G is limited with EE providing the best.
WIFI calling works very well here.
Kids' Stuff : A travel cot 102cm x 71cm, high chair. Please bring your own items for children, there are no toys, books, DVD's etc here.
Please note that the annexe bedrooms are not linked, and are designed for privacy, so even young teens may prefer to be in the house.
Pets : Sorry- Valley view cannot accept dogs. Please dp asl is for our escapes that are pet friendly.
Parking: There is parking for up to 3 cars here. If additional parking is required, there is a free National Trust car park opposite the property.
Valley View House does not currently have EV charging facilities, or access to charge your car from the mains.
Other things to note:
We want our guests to enjoy the use of the property and have a memorable time while staying with us. We have a few house rules to note, as follows;
- The property can not be used for parties or private events of any kind.
- No groups under the age of 25.
- Strictly no stag/hen dos or same-sex groups.
- Additional guests, are not permitted without prior approval.
- No music after 9pm

Perched on the edge of a gentle and wild valley is located in New Forest District. Perched on the edge of a gentle and wild valley provides accommodation, featuring Child Friendly, among other amenities. This Cottage features Child Friendly, to make your stay a comfortable one.

Perched on the edge of a gentle and wild valley has 6 Bedrooms , 5 Bathrooms, and max occupancy of 10 people. The minimum rental for this property is 1 nights, but this can change depending on the season you plan on staying. Previous guests have given good rated it, and VRBO labeled it a top-rated Cottage because of the excellent services rendered by the owner or manager of this Cottage, and has consistently provided great experiences for their guests. Most families or guests that use it recommend it to their friends and some of them are repeat guests. Cottage has a friendly neighborhood, and the New Forest District has interesting places to visit. If you want to learn more about the Cottage in New Forest District, such as places to visit and things to do nearby, you can check below to learn more.