With its private pontoon, Myrtle Cottage is where memories will be made. Adults lounging in chairs on the pontoon, in the sun & sipping a cool drink, or children squealing with excitement as they try their hand at crabbing. Or just fish or swim off the lawn. Sunny day BBQ’s using the outdoor kitchen/BBQ facilities, & evenings sitting around the firepit or soaking in the hot tub. Adults & children will just love it. On the south coast, 1hr 20 mins from SW London & very near the New Forest. MYRTLE COTTAGE - EXTERIOR: This beautiful wisteria covered 18C Grade II listed cottage offers a 12m private pontoon accessed directly from the lawn which is available for guests use only. You can bring your own RIB, paddle boards, kayaks etc, or hire them locally. There is a slipway a few 100 meters down the lane and local marina's. The outdoor kitchen/BBQ & dining area has a glass roof which is covered with grape vines for dappled shade. Its facilities include gas & kettle BBQ's; oven; induction hob; dishwasher; 2 fridges, & butler sink with cold water tap. All with uninterrupted views across the pretty flower beds & lawn to the river. At night there is festoon lighting and outdoor ceiling heaters so you can continue to enjoy your dining experience into the evening. ON THE WATER: As it is literally on your doorstep, one of the best things you can do is to get on the water. It's fun and easy! The hiring of canoes, kayaks and paddle boards (SUP) are minutes away. Maybe hire 'Gull', a lovely 15ft classic clinker launch, which seats 8 comfortably, is electrically powered and easily helmed, so bareboat charter if you have boating experience, and if not, a skipper can take you out so you and your party can sit back and relax. They can collect you from Myrtle's pontoon, and drop you back. Take your own picnic & refreshments and head up river (tide permitting) to a stunning tranquil oasis or down river and just watch the activity on the water. Or enjoy cream tea's / platter boards up river on Betsie Jane, a Gentleman's River Launch, and just take in the stunning views. For a true thrill, privately charter a skippered RIB with friends and family, and blast cross the Solent to the Isle of Wight for a waterfront lunch at the amazing The Hut in Colwell Bay, or The George in Yarmouth or The Terrace in Yarmouth. There is also a local pink river taxi that can collect you from our pontoon (tide & operating hours permitting & just say it is Myrtle Cottage, next door to the Jolly Sailor Pub), which can take you down river to the beautiful historic waterfront village Hamble Le Rice. Hamble has some great gastro pubs, cafe's etc . A day trip to the lovely Isle of Wight? There are ferries from Southampton where you can go as foot passenger or take the car, or go by the only remaining passenger service hovercraft in the world (working all year) as a foot passenger from Portsmouth to Ryde. There are also diving, power boat & sailing boat courses available. LAND BASED: Well, there is Peppa Pig World / Paultons Farm; Marwell Zoo; Portsmouth Historic Dockyard where you can visit Nelsons flagships HMS Victory & HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose museum or take a boat tour around Portsmouth Harbour and the Naval Dockyard; Netley Abbey is 13th century and the most complete surviving abbey built by the Cistercian monks in southern England; Royal Victoria Country Park is a 200 acres of mature woodland and grassy parkland, bordering Southampton Water with its shingle beach, and offers coffee shop, miniature train rides plus much more, and Manor Farm which is a working farm where children can feed the animals, amongst other activities. Or maybe walk down the river path with some carrots to feed the donkeys in a local field whilst stopping off for a bite to eat or a drink on route. There are great local eateries within walking distance as well as being an excellent base to visit the beautiful New Forest and surrounding areas. The options are endless and all available locally. The house notes folder at the cottage gives full information and contact details on a huge number of things to do. On booking confirmation, information on directions and things to do will be emailed to you, should you wish to book anything prior to arrival. MYRTLE COTTAGE - INSIDE: Inside the cottage has a lovely charming feel and is stylishly dressed with a mix of modern and antiques. The ground floor is parquet with rugs, and ceilings are beamed throughout. The kitchen has an old pine breakfast table and seating for 6; induction hob; dishwasher; tall fridge; two ovens; microwave; coffee machine and TV. There is also a lovely sitting room with 2 x 3-seater sofas and 2 tapestry covered chairs; TV and open fireplace. The dining room has an inglenook fireplace and a fruitwood dining table, seating six comfortably. The favourite bedroom in the village is the children's 'secret' bedroom which is accessed by a little door 1 meter high and beamed sloping ceiling. They tend to not want to leave this room. Enjoy a great night's sleep in comfortable beds, dressed in crisp white Egyptian cotton bedlinen. Fluffy bathroom towels, and swimming towels are provided, along with hair dryers, and fans. The luxury hotel toiletries are Made in Britain, eco and vegan friendly with cruelty-free ingredients, and made from 100% recycled 'Prevent Ocean Plastic' . Books, games and some children's toys are provided. It really is a fairy tale cottage in a magical location which both adults and children will love and want to return to.