*This post features a hosted trip via Kip Hideaways but all imagery & thoughts are my own as always!
Last week I went on a little road trip down south to explore a couple of beautiful locations hosted by the wonderful Kip Hideaways. The first stop was a picturesque little shepherd’s hut nestled in a peaceful valley area. It’s essentially a microcosm of the wider New Forest setting – there’s pheasants and deer roaming around but you’re also super close to the nearest town if you fancy a day trip…
It’s definitely not your usual outdoor camping affair – the hut boasts everything from a kingsize bed to a luxury kitchen area and even a smart TV. It’s beautifully decorated and the hosts have considered everything in terms of amenities! There was even a welcome hamper of local produce on arrival as well as fresh pizza ingredients for the new pizza oven located in a little shed just behind the hut. Every inch of the hut was so well considered and stocked with thoughtful things to keep you entertained. There was board games, an indoor log burner and even a coffee machine…
I can’t imagine that anyone would have a bad time here. It’s an ideal little getaway for a couple as the setting is very romantic but it’s also the type of place that I’d love to stay by myself and just read/write and soak up the surroundings.
The shed also comes with two bikes that you’re welcome to use throughout your stay. We rode into Milford on Sea which was just ten/fifteen minutes max and there’s plenty of spots to lock the bikes up safely if you fancy browsing the local shops/cafes. You can also carry on until you reach the sea front where you can walk for miles in either direction – such beautiful views on a bright sunny day…
We also took the car into Lymington one afternoon – a lovely little town with lots of Georgian architecture to marvel at. (FYI, we heard that there’s a very good farmers market held here every Saturday!). There’s also lots of restaurants/bars here if you fancy a change from cooking back at the hut. We were here at the start of the week so it was pretty quiet everywhere which I secretly enjoyed – Manchester feels busier and busier these days so any opportunity to visit a sleepy seaside town is very much welcomed. I love city life but places that feel like they are in the middle of nowhere are always good for the soul! I was sad to drive away from this little beauty spot, and will be dreaming about the linen bedsheets/adding them to my ever-growing homeware wishlist immediately! (I believe they were by Soak And Sleep and I have quite frankly never known comfort like it).
Some further recommendations from the host incase you fancy planning a visit anytime soon…
You’re on the edge of the New Forest National Park. Spend your days cycling across open heathland past wild ponies and purple heather, or walking through ancient woodlands and listening to birdsong.
Head to the beach; shingly Milford on Sea is a mile away, with a rainbow of beach huts and beautiful sunsets.
Explore the Solent by boat, admiring vibrant sailing towns and colonies of nesting seabirds. Or hop on a ferry and day-trip to the Isle of Wight.
Take a sunrise walk along Hurst Spit with a thermos of hot chocolate!
Paddleboard along the Beaulieu River, stopping for lunch at The Master Builder’s.
Photographs taken on a Contax T2 using Portra 400 film
Location: New Forest Hut hosted via Kip Hideaways!