Quirky converted church with original features

Steeped in history & oozing with character, there’s plenty of space to congregate with your favourite people at our gorgeous Old Church… Sing for your supper around the organ, and enjoy aperitifs beside the altar- this 17th Century gem is quite the find! The space Marrying old & new to perfection, you’re bound to be smitten from the start; just walk the aisle to admire the artworks and adornments under magnificently high ceilings & showstopping arched windows. Whilst its 400 year old heritage sets the scene for a seriously special stay, lots of playful touches are also set to surprise & delight… Flip the table to go from supper-to-snooker in a jiffy, hit the books to reveal the secret bell tower, or gather everyone on the mezzanine for a marathon games-a-thon. Although our heavenly hideaway offers all you need to hunker down; the forest is also right on your doorstep, and acres of fun await. For day tripping, the nearby town of Ringwood is also perfect for a riverside potter & pint, but closer to home (literally just a few doors down), your local Sunday carvery is absolutely top-notch… very lucky you! ** This property is available for rent with New Forest Escapes, who are a small local holiday cottage agency. Do contact us directly for best rates and availability a year in advance ** INSIDE We love how the interior design throughout our renovated church is sympathetic to its old bones, whilst being equally as 21st Century-staycation savvy… The ground floor is a complete showstopper. Arched windows drench the space with light, and extraordinarily high ceilings create undeniable wow-factor! From dramatic chandeliers and designer paintings, to religious relics and record players- centuries worth of design & innovation combine to form an original and elevated New Forest escape. With its open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas spread out amongst a charming patchwork of flooring (including the church’s original brick aisle!)- ambling around the altar whilst playing snooker, or having a tinkle on the organ before a TV binge, creates quite the surreal juxtaposition! The separate storage room for buggies & bikes down here is extra handy; as is the Dutch door that sections off the swish downstairs bathroom, the sparkling utility area, and the stairs to the mezzanine level… Head up halfway to admire the heavenly architecture from a height, or grab a beanbag & fire up the TV from the entresol’s nifty nook. When you are ready to retire, follow the spiral staircase to the top floor where three cosy bedrooms, and an additional two bathrooms, are cocooned amongst the eaves. The beamy low ceilings add an abundance of charm and, whilst the master boasts an exposed brickwork feature wall & king size bed, the whimsical wallpapered doubles are equally as charming (all three have the bonus of blackout blinds). As a plot twist to your normal bedtime reading; swing open the bookshelf to reveal the old bell tower and marvel in what a glorious getaway you have found! Sleeping... Master bedroom Super King bed with synthetic bedding. Hairdryer. Bedroom 2 Double bed with synthetic bedding. Bedroom 3 Double bed with synthetic bedding. Bathrooms... Family Bathroom - Downstairs Bath with basin, mirror and wc. Bathroom 1 Shower with basin, mirror and wc. Bathroom 2 Shower with basin, mirror and wc. All the rest... Kitchen Electric oven / Induction hob / Dishwasher / Fridge/Freezer / Microwave / Wine cooler / Kettle / 4 Slot toaster / Filter & Nespresso coffee machines / Hot Tap / Washing machine. Connectivity Great WiFi connection. Mod cons: Smart TV / Fans in the property. Kids' Stuff A travel cot - 120cm x 60cm / High chairs and children's crockery & cutlery are available + there is a fab array of games on offer. Pets Dogs are welcome in the downstairs area here - with a small charge per dog, per stay. The garden has a low wall, so please keep pets in sight. OUTSIDE The old church graveyard surrounds the building and your hosts have created a designated garden area for you to enjoy. You are also lucky enough to have Ibsley’s surrounding woodlands on your doorstep! The Old Church also benefits from a hot tub to soak away stress in – perfect for leisurely dips and hitting that relaxed holiday vibe. Acres of surrounding forest await your exploration, and the handy bike/buggy store room, makes it easy breezy for you to get out & about in a flash Garden Garden table & chairs / Rear gated exit leading to the forest / Gas BBQ/ Hot Tub Parking Off street parking for one car on the driveway, plus free street parking for any extra vehicles. EV Charging There is no EV charging available at this property. Home truths Due to the unique layout at The Old Church (namely the mezzanine level, the spiral staircase and the old bell tower hideout), we kindly ask guests to supervise young children at all times. The stable door (next to the kitchen) helps to separate access to the split level and first floor, but please do speak to our team for full safety information prior to your stay. The bedrooms have limited headroom, the ceiling height might be a bit tricky for taller people. Please also be cautious of the exposed wooden floor beams, as they may pose a trip hazard when getting in and out of bed. Please note that The Old Church is located off of a busy main road (although there is minimal noise inside). For security reasons there is a camera installed outside of the property. As we change the hot tub water for every booking, if you arrive on a changeover day, it may take till later on your arrival day until the optimum temperature is reached... trust us though, it'll be well worth the wait! Accessibility Accessed via a small set of stairs, followed by a narrow spiral staircase, each of the Old Church’s three bedrooms are located on the upper floor. Alongside the two upstairs bathrooms on this level, every room has been built around the beams & slanting walls; so care will be needed throughout. Please note, the master bedrooms requires the most agility, as to access the bed guests will be required to step over a beam. There is a slight step up to the TV/ sofa area on the ground floor, and another step on the mezzanine level; but please do refer to the pictures and talk to our team for more in-depth information. Please refer to the virtual tour to explore the property. All bedrooms are located over the second floor. Booking Information Included in your booking cost are: all bedding and linen, towels for the house, kitchen essentials, any baby kit you've requested and cleaning the house after you leave. We also supply some treats to get you going for tea when you arrive. Enjoy! Guest access All of it Other things to note Dogs are welcome for £50 per dog per stay. Airbnb will only take payment for 1 dog, so our team will contact you to take payment for any additional dogs on your booking and for details of age and breed.