This charming Grade II listed cottage is situated in a quiet leafy lane in beautiful countryside, only one and a half miles from the centre of the small seaside resort of Shanklin, on the east coast of the Isle of Wight. Shanklin has a lovely sandy beach which gently slopes into the water, with a variety of restaurants, shops and traditional seaside entertainment. Apse Wood Cottage is set in over an acre of garden, surrounded by fields and woodland bursting with great walks and cycle trails. Footpaths and bridleways lead from close to the cottage to the coast at Shanklin and there is a particularly scenic trail across fields and downs to Ventnor, boasting panoramic views across Sandown Bay. The pretty village of Godshill is within a five minute drive and here, there is a friendly public house serving food, teashops and a hill top church.
Apse Wood Cottage, dating from the late eighteenth century, is an impressive and elegant property which used to form part of the Manor House. It was divided some years ago to form an individual property with its own extensive grounds. The cottage is built of Island stone and has been furnished and equipped to a high standard to provide delightful accommodation for nine people in four bedrooms.
On the ground floor there is a superb open-plan fitted kitchen with a limestone tiled floor, bespoke wooden units, a large range style cooker, microwave, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer (in barn); a charming dining area; a spacious sitting room with a wood burning stove; a light and airy double aspect room with large sumptuous sofas and arm chairs, flat screen television with Freeview, DVD player and iPod dock; a second sitting room with a sofa, chair and a television.
A beautiful oak staircase leads up to four well appointed bedrooms with garden views ; a light and spacious master bedroom with a king size bed and en-suite bathroom with bath, basin and shower; a second bedroom with a king size bed; a twin room and a triple bedroom with a bunk bed, a cabin style single bed and an en-suite shower room with walk in shower, basin and WC. In addition there is a family bathroom with bath, basin and WC, and downstairs WC. Two travel cots and high chairs can be made available as long as guest numbers including infants do not exceed ten.
Apse Wood Cottage has tranquil and secluded gardens. There is a large lawn and open shrubberies at the front of the house, as well as a covered veranda. At the rear, there is a beautiful stone terrace with garden furniture and a barbecue so that meals can be enjoyed in the sunshine, plus a protected area with sun loungers. Steps lead down to large rolling lawns, extensive borders and a pretty area with a bridge over a winding stream - a wonderful place to relax. Please be aware that the stream in the garden is unfenced, so children do need to be closely supervised and access is not permitted over the stream. There is a barn where cars, bicycles or a small dingy can be parked undercover, plus parking in the drive for several cars. There is a regular bus service within five minutes walk.