In the heart of the New Forest National Park is Brockenhurst, a lovely village with donkeys and ponies wandering freely around.
Lively by day but very quiet by night, the village has several tea shops, pubs and independent shops including a butcher, greengrocer and bakery.
Cross the ford at the end of the street and you are in the Forest, with its many walking and cycling routes.
In the centre of this traditional village lies The Apothecary, a spacious apartment spread over two floors with its rare private parking space and just 7 minutes walk from the train station that connects with Southampton, London, Lymington and Dorset.
This charming, light and spacious first-floor duplex apartment sleeps six guests in good-sized bedrooms, making it ideal for families or a group of friends looking to explore the National Park from a very peaceful base.
After a busy day exploring the forest or the towns, coast and countryside of Hampshire and Dorset, climb the stairs to relax in the contemporary, open-plan living space.
Prepare dinner in the fully equipped kitchen (or buy it in) and gather around the large dining table to discuss the day’s adventures.
Alternatively, soak in the bath or freshen up in the waterfall shower before you retire to light and airy bedrooms, furnished with the original Victorian fireplaces and with plenty of storage for your belongings; there is a second-floor twin room that children will love, a second-floor double and first-floor double.
There is also a study which can serve as an extra bedroom.
The Apothecary is close to an upmarket bar and coffee shop as well as other convenient local amenities, village pubs and restaurants, including: The Pig, The Snakecatcher, The Huntsman, the Foresters Arms and a farm shop stocked with local produce.
This charming village is also very close to some of the region's most beautiful scenery, including: Blackwater Arboretum, Rhinefield Ornamental Drive with its magnificent trees, Whitefield Moor and Longslade Bottom.
The nearby Common is a great place to relax with a picnic and for the young ones to splash in the stream and there are many miles of walks across the heather and gorse covered hills or through the woods.
There are many well signposted cycle routes to discover and bikes can be hired in the village.
Horse riding lessons, a round of golf and a trip to a water park are options.
On a sunny day head to Lymington, a picturesque town on the south coast with a ferry service to the Isle of White, and explore the Lymington Sea Water Swimming Baths, museum , Quay Side, and Nature Reserve or the nearby beaches of Milford on Sea.
You could also visit Burley (known for its connection with witches), Lyndhurst with its local history museum or nearby Beaulieu, which hosts the world famous National Motor Museum.
The beautiful Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway are a few miles away, and a little further afield are Christchurch, Salisbury, Bournemouth and the vibrant and multicultural city of Southampton, with its large shopping centre.
The Apothecary is ideally situated for those seeking a memorable trip to the New Forest, staying in a lovely, peaceful apartment in a beautiful village just yards from the open forest.