Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands

THE LOCATION
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6747" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/04/SlateCottageExterior.jpeg" alt="Exterior of mid-century slate clad, flat-roofed building." width="1000" height="571" />
One foot in the forest, the other by the sea: a quick hop from the M27 and Brockenhurst’s mainline station. Even the drive there is a joy, children will squeal at the ponies grazing fence-free and we’re only minutes from yachtie Lymington, one of the UK’s Top Ten places to live. We are, in short, slappety-band, New Forest central in all its wooded, wild-pony glory. Oh and sorry did someone say food? You’ll find the original (and *ahem* some would argue best) Pig just down the road, plus Angela Hartnett’s Hartnett Holder &amp; Co at Lime Wood and a slew of fab local pubs. <a href="https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/food-and-drink/pubs-and-bars" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">[Read: New Forest Escape’s Guide to the best pubs]</a>
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6738" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/04/SlateCottage1.jpeg" alt="Kitchen with blackboard." width="1000" height="757" />
&nbsp;
THE VIBE
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6746" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/04/SlateCottage8FEATURE.jpeg" alt="Stylish mid-century interior with cowhide rug." width="1000" height="596" />
Mad Men all the way. Mid-century furniture, sculptural lighting and a huge upstairs space, all lounge-chic &amp; Martinis with its cow-skin rug, design-tomes and log burner. There’s an outside terrace as well — think cocktail hour, followed by long, lazy dinners and hours playing board games by the fire. Owner, Liz, is a fan of Parisian flea-markets and auction room sales; it’s clear that a huge amount of thought has gone into making the space open, beautiful and a joy to spend time in. You may not want to leave.
<div id="gallery-2" class="gallery galleryid-6303 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-full">
<dl class="gallery-item">
<dt class="gallery-icon landscape"><a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/newforestescapes_slatecottage_fern_fotor/"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="attachment-full size-full" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/04/NewForestEscapes_SlateCottage_fern_Fotor.jpg" alt="Ferns in pot." width="1000" height="750" /></a></dt>
</dl>
<dl class="gallery-item">
<dt class="gallery-icon landscape"><a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/newforestescapes_slatecottage_vintageplates_fotor/"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="attachment-full size-full" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/04/NewForestEscapes_SlateCottage_vintageplates_Fotor.jpg" alt="Vintage tea plates." width="1000" height="750" /></a></dt>
</dl>
<dl class="gallery-item">
<dt class="gallery-icon landscape"><a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/newforestescapes_slatecottage_mid-century_chair_fotor/"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="attachment-full size-full" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/04/NewForestEscapes_SlateCottage_mid-century_chair_Fotor.jpg" alt="Mid-century armchair." width="1000" height="750" /></a></dt>
</dl>
</div>
Downstairs the large dining-table fits eleven easily, perfect for wine and chats into the night OR dig-in-and-eat sessions for young and old. There’s a wonderful separate space for children, attached to the main house by a glass-sided walk-way, with a vintage-y schoolroom desk, a big blackboard and toys, books, crayons, lego… seriously parents, there’s no need to bring anything.
Basically this is an ideal rental for mixed-generational families, the kids will love it (hello Shetland ponies in the paddock) but there is plenty of scope for adult-time as well. On the ground floor, there is a separate snug with another wood-fire burner, this can be converted into an additional room with a sofa-bed.
&nbsp;
PILLOW TALK
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6739" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/04/SlateCottage2.jpeg" alt="Bedroom with sculptural lighting." width="1000" height="778" />
Slate Cottage sleeps 11, plus two babies. There are four bedrooms, one shower en-suite plus two separate bathrooms. Mattresses are deep and comfortable, bathrooms sparkle with a clawfoot bath in one and a shower in the other. People with mobility issues are well-catered for with a double bedroom and a sofa-bed downstairs.
&nbsp;
FACILITIES
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6741" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/04/SlateCottage4.jpeg" alt="Mid-century dining room with funky chandelier." width="1000" height="655" />
Elegant and easy. No need to hire a lorry to trundle that toddler kit down the M3, it’s all here. The biggest deal is the play-area with tonnes of gorgeous, vintage-y toys plus books for all ages, baby to teen.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6742" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/04/SlateCottage5.jpeg" alt="Lovely vintage playroom." width="1000" height="619" />
The kitchen is well-stocked with a good selection of Bart Spices, olive oil, S&amp;P plus sauce-pans in all sizes and all the utensils you can dream of (erm, if you dream about that kind of thing. Whatever floats your boat, my friend).
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6740" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/04/SlateCottage3.jpeg" alt="Open, airy kitchen." width="1000" height="598" />
&nbsp;
OUT AND ABOUT
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6743" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/04/SlateCottage6.jpeg" alt="Cheeky pony putting nose through gate." width="1000" height="667" />
Oh cripes, where to start. This is the New Forest so things to-do a go-go: walks, cycling, check out the cabinet in Slate Cottage’s kitchen for ideas, or head over to the <a href="https://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-8yfea4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Forestry Commission’s</a> site for detailed maps of walks and cycle rides. Plus there’s the <a href="http://www.newforestwildlifepark.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">New Forest Wildlife Park</a> and days out on <a href="https://www.solentribcharter.co.uk/locations/lymington-rib-charter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the Solent</a>, but if you really want to connect with this area’s magical vibe you need to chat to the in-the-know ladies at New Forest Escapes (who all live locally). They’ll organise all manner of escapades, from unicorn hunting and storytelling; to forest bathing (a thing apparently, don’t worry no cossies or cold water involved) and sourcing the area’s very best therapists and chefs for in-house treats. If food and/or wellbeing is your thing, have a squizz at Chewton Glen’s cookery school and spa, a quick 13 minute’s motor away. Muddy’s review is coming soon.
&nbsp;
THE MUDDY VERDICT
Good for: Large families or friendships groups (including dogs) who want to holiday under the same roof without feeling on-top of each other. With a double bedroom and one sofa bed on the ground floor, Slate Cottage is also a great option if you, or someone in your group, has mobility issues.  The house is also ideal for grown-up hen-dos and VIP birthday celebration, sorry did someone say cocktail hour? And finally lovers of great design.
Not for: If you’re after a quirky, English country cottage or a property on the sea, have a squizz at New Forest Escapes’ other offerings including <a href="http://newforestescapes.com/property/gins-barn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gins Barn</a> and <a href="https://newforestescapes.com/property/the-ploughmans-cottage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ploughman’s Cottage</a>.
<a href="http://newforestescapes.com/property/slate-cottage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">newforestescapes.com</a>
Words: Mary, editor@MuddyHampshire

Child-friendly chic in The New Forest

You may also like