Hampshire holiday lodge, England

Environment

When we converted the Lodge into self catering accommodation, we felt its timber constructed Scandinavian origins blended in well with our timber framed 17th century thatched cottage. We feel that the Lodge and our cottage is a good example of how something quite new and different can blend well together.

Where possible, we have used local sources, including, for example, the crockery which came from Grayshott Pottery just a few miles away.

We also try to be as environmentally friendly as possible. We collect water from the roof in a water butt which we then use on the garden, fairly essential given the current drought! We also recycle everything that we can and of course ask out guests to do the same where they can. Different waste bins are provided.

Being based in the heart of the countryside allows our guests to experience some of the lovely wildlife up close and personal. We have birdfeeders in the garden and have been treated to many different birds. This ranges from Magpies, Wagtails, Robins, Bluetits and Wrens through to the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker which is a most welcome recent addition. Over in the field beyond the garden, spotting deer and badgers is not uncommon and they occasionally even come in the garden, when they are feeling brave.

We have flower borders in our cottage garden which attract bumble bees and butterflies.

Community

We are enthusiastic about our local community and do our best to promote it to anyone who comes to stay. For example, the local pub, the Red Lion, is our personal favourite as it has a really good wide ranging choice of food options on the menu and offers a local guest beer. It has a public bar and a saloon bar and restaurant.

There is a strong local community which puts on a May Fair, including a May Queen, and a Flower Show in the summer. These take place on the village green and are very popular. There is also a busy Village Hall and the local church is being restored by voluntary donations.

Another good recommendation is Alice Holt Forest where there are numerous walks and trails around the site. This is within reach of the Lodge on foot but is some 4 miles away. Selborne can be reached on foot, with two excellent pubs. The footpath is on the side of the cottage.

We have used local and specialist craftsmen when doing any work on the cottage or Lodge (e.g. thatcher), from the more recent extension done by a local builder to the plumbing work, again done by a local man.

There are lots of local attractions that we promote to our guests too, from Jane Austen's house at Chawton, always popular with people coming to the area. There is also a direct walk from our house to Selborne where Gilbert White lived. The gardens there are beautiful with twenty acres of ancient parkland and beautifully restored gardens.

Grayshott Pottery is 6 miles away and anyone who likes our crockery can be directed there to buy any bits and pieces that they might want to take away with them.

Landscape

There is an excellent view from our garden across a field, which is edged by Oakhanger Stream, to the woods (or hanger) beyond. It is just as picturesque as it sounds! If you climb to the top of this wood covered hill there is a lovely view which you can also see from the garden. The walk to Selborne takes you past Priory Farm, named after the Monks Priory, long since destroyed. Oakhanger has an ancient, pre-Roman history and the road outside our house is on the line of a Roman Road. Some local roads are very narrow with steep banks, allegedly some of the oldest in southern England.

There are several places of interest nearby for those keen on preserving nature. Within the village there is Shortheath Common, an ancient common land and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, well known for its Nightjars and Woodlark. Also, Noar Hill near Selborne has lots of interesting flora and fauna including wild orchids and amazingly the occasional glowworm!

The landscape is rolling and interesting with lots of woods and farmland. I am a member of a walking club and go on different walks each week. We never do the same walk twice in a year.

I hope this demonstrates how perfect the area is for those who want to totally relax and enjoy the countryside.