The Old Barn

Exbury, Hampshire
Self-catering
Visit owner's website

From
£67 - £140
per night
From
£550 - £850
per week

Former blacksmith’s workshop in a chocolate-box corner of the New Forest, where clematis climbs the trellis and all you hear are the birds

Bed

1 bed

Bedroom

1 bedroom

Sleeps

Sleeps 2

£67 - £140 per night

£550 - £850 per week

The Experience

On an estate with real pedigree – it was once owned by the Mitfords – and perfect for two; a quiet, very spacious, bolthole a short drive from beaches and river walks. The owners next door will leave the essentials, a basket of logs and hand made local goat’s milk soap. There’s a sofa for each of you or snuggle up together for films in front of the fire.

It’s outdoorsy here between forest and beach: sailing on the river, spotting ponies roaming the heathland, space for muddy boots and bicycles. The garden is secluded, furnished and full of trilling birds, take out books and board games for evenings al fresco.

It’s just over two miles to Lepe Beach or the Royal Oak pub at Hilltop, and Exbury Gardens is a walk away – take a detour via Mr Eddy’s Tea Rooms and back along the river for views of Buckler’s Hard.

The Old Barn - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • Having forest walks and also wonderful beaches
  • The setting, in the most charming village
  • The feeling of space
The Old Barn - Gallery

You should know

  • No children or pets
  • It’s not for those who want excitement on the doorstep

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Self check-in
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Barbecue
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Electricity included
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Pricing

Nightly price
from £67
Weekly price
from £550
Damage deposit
100
1 Cottage for 2
From £671 bed1 bedroom

Information

Special offer: Late availability short breaks from £110 per night. Quiet, private cottage with large living space, log fire & own garden. Beaches, New Forest walks and glorious Exbury Gardens nearby.

Booking information

Check in
From 3pm
Check out
10am
Other details
Minimum stay: 3 nights.
Closed
Never.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Meals
We are only minutes away from the Montagu Arms, with its Michelin restaurant and brasserie.

Reviews

The Old Barn hides its charms well. The arrival is to the back of an inauspicious garage and an ordinary side door. But, inside is one of the best equipped and fitted out holiday homes we have stayed in. Huge kitchen-diner with top of the range equipment that looks new. Comfortable soft furnishings, tasteful decor (someone understands colour) and a King Size bed with a good mattress. Decent bathroom-shower room too. Outside is a small, pretty garden with seating etc. We've visited twice and it ticks all the boxes for a country bolt hole. Highly recommended.

Rob, Mells

A very peaceful location & extremely clean - equipped with everything you would need .

Kathy, Tenterden

I stayed at the Old Barn at Exbury for a week during August 2024. The accommodation is spacious and well appointed, and is an excellent base for exploring both the New Forest and the Dorset and Hampshire coast. Exbury Gardens and Beaulieu Palace House are close by, as is Lymington, so there is plenty to do without travelling far. Ponies, cattle, donkeys and deer on the local roads are something to look out for (I met them all), but that’s part of the charm of the area.

Chris, Warrington

Very well appointed property. Great location.

Chris, Sutton, Surrey

A return visit to the Old Barn which was as delightful as usual. The location of the village within the New Forest and the quality of the facilities of the Old Barn was just as comfortable as usual. Would recommend for a relaxing holiday.

Penny, Brighton

Normal sawday high standard cottage. Spacious, well appointed and very cosy. The kitchen was superb with everything needed if for 'home' cooking if required. Exbury gardens were superb and well worth a visit. Plenty do do and see, we did not eat out as we made full use of the cottage and were able to sit out for wine and Prosecco.In conclusion an excellent break and a revist is on the cards.

Steven, Great Glen

Peaceful, well-furnished house. Very comfortable and in a good position to explore the New Forest and surrounding area.

Ivor, Crowborough

Lovely spacious barn, clean and comfortable. We very much enjoyed our stay and hope to return.

Michael, London

Return visits can often be a disappointment. Not here; everything as impeccably clean as before, cosy sitting room with log burner and comfy bed. Lovely individual touches with artworks and a more than well equipped kitchen. Self catering maybe but we took breakfast at The Lookout at Lepe with views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Good food and view to match. I think a third visit is on the cards as we came home refreshed and relaxed.

John, Dorking

The Old Barn was a beautiful roomy and cosy conversion with a small garden which we sat in everyday after exploring this lovely peaceful area of The New Forest and the coastline only a few minutes away! The kitchen and bathroom were well equipped and the Lounge was comfortable to laze in after dining! Thank you Kate and Red for hosting us. Barbara and Terry Powell

Barbara and Terry, Lewes, East Sussex

We enjoyed a delightful stay in this spacious and tasteful barn conversion, full of home comforts. Well equipped and with lots of inspiration to guide exploring the local area and very handy for Exbury Gardens. It would be lovely to experience this corner of the New Forest in all seasons. The Old Barn is so much more than a holiday bolthole, ideal for relaxing after a busy day walking or cycling round Beaulieu and Buckler’s Hard. Cannot wait to return.

Sue, Oxford

Lovely relaxing stay in The Old Barn. Good facilities and comfortable accommodation. The area is full of interesting towns such as Lymington and many good places to eat. This was our third visit and would recommend as a great place to holiday.

Penny, Brighton

Absolutely perfect base to enjoy the area. Beautifully furnished and amazingly well-equipped. We thought we must be the first visitors to a new conversion, but see that others have loved it too. Thanks to owner Kate who was friendly and helpful. We had planned to eat out a lot but in the end, enjoyed more evenings in because we were so comfortable (and also some of the "smart" restaurant's prices were outrageous). Totally recommended.

Rob, Mells

Very peaceful & comfortable place to stay. Ideally situated with short drives to the beach and New Forest villages. We stayed for a week but should have booked for two

Helen, Chichester

We had a lovely stay at The Old Barn. Such a comfortable place to stay in the New Forest. It is well equipped with all you need for any stay.It is located in Exbury which is a very peaceful village well situated for the coast, the forest and nearby towns such as Beaulieu and Lymington. The Red Lion in Boldre provides an excellent Sunday Lunch. Overall a memorable holiday.

Penny, Brighton

Fabulous place to stay and explore the New Forest from. Felt like a home from home. Would happily return.

Phil, EASTBOURNE

We thoroughly enjoyed our short break at the Old Barn, Exbury. The cottage was very spacious, quiet and comfortable. The beautiful strolls through Exbury Gardens and along the river together with the embracing sea breeze and shell collecting as we walked along the Solent shore at Lepe Beach, made for a very relaxing break.

Gary, STOURBRIDGE

Finding somewhere for an out-of-season getaway isn’t that easy. The Old Barn gave us tranquility, lashings of space, quality furnishings and interesting pictures. Outside the clouds didn’t move so nor did we, apart from a stroll around the village. We needed peace; we needed quiet - we read our books, wrote letters (!) watched a DVD and a bit of TV. We left feeling healed and relaxed. Another successful Sawdays choice.

John, Dorking

Very quiet location,excellent property with everything you need, comfy bed , will definitely be returning.perfect for that cosy break.highly recommend

Paul, Chalfont St Peter

Most enjoyable visit. Accommodation in Old Barn was first class.

David, Caterham

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

Traditional Exbury is one of the New Forest’s prettiest villages, surrounded by saltmarshes and creeks with a soundtrack of church bells, birdsong and the occasional clip clop of hooves. The nearest shops are in Blackfield (two miles) but it’s Beaulieu (four miles) you’ll fall in love with; the village is home to the Montagu Arms, the Motor Museum, grand and gothic Palace House and a river for boating and unhurried strolls. The Isle of Wight is a short ferry ride for a day out. The Pig at Brockenhurst (eight miles) is a great pick for a special supper, or it’s just a bit further to Limewood.

Local points of interest from Kate Johnson

  • Exbury Gardens-a spectacular 200-acre garden, world-famous for the Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, rare trees and shrubs. Paths meander down to the Beaulieu river and there is a small steam railway if you prefer to view by train
  • Historic Beaulieu is the next village. Visit the famous Motor Museum, Palace House (home of Lord Montagu) and the ruined Cistercian Abbey. Browse the lovely art gallery. Treat yourselves at the Michelin starred Montagu Arms or enjoy tea & cake at café.
  • Bustling Lymington with its waterfront and marinas is a short drive away. There are plenty of shops and galleries to browse and cafes & pubs to linger in.
  • Visit the Isle of Wight. The passenger or car ferry goes from Lymington to Yarmouth. There are great walks, pubs, seafood restaurants, Osborne House - Queen Victoria's retreat and plenty of sailing to watch.
  • Walk or cycle through the fabulous heathland of the New Forest on one of the many paths. See the ponies, cows, deer and even pigs that roam free. Many of the walks take in one of the lovely pubs.
  • Visit the beach. Lepe with stunning views to the Isle of Wight, and D-Day remains is a 5 minute drive; Calshot with pretty beach huts is a 10 minute drive.

Introducing

Kate Johnson

Red and Kate run a non-alcoholic drinks company, Highball Cocktails, which have won Great Taste awards. They’ll leave a key for you to let yourself in but are on hand if you need them. They came to Exbury for the peace and quiet and space to keep a boat on the Beaulieu River – any chance they get, they’re off around the Solent or across to the Isle of Wight.