Smugglers Cottage

Customer rating

3.3★

5 Guests
2 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Pets Yes
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Features

Off road parking
Ground floor accommodation
Open fire
Garden / Patio
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Seaside
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

6 Customer Review(s)

Robert
June 2026

“The property is historical and expect height issues in every doorway if you are over 5-6", the stairs are particularly challenging if you have any mobility issues whatsoever.”

Some of the electrical sockets are not working, the downstairs shower room is a haven for woodlice and is both a step down and at the same time a low doorway. The conservatory is a full of cobwebs and some of the furniture is worn and dated. Saving grace is the garden which is large and peaceful with a myriad of shrubs and trees and occasional Squirrel. The kitchen is well fitted however the draining board being wood is swollen wet and black with all worktops very sticky. Suggest additional ...

Some of the electrical sockets are not working, the downstairs shower room is a haven for woodlice and is both a step down and at the same time a low doorway. The conservatory is a full of cobwebs and some of the furniture is worn and dated. Saving grace is the garden which is large and peaceful with a myriad of shrubs and trees and occasional Squirrel. The kitchen is well fitted however the draining board being wood is swollen wet and black with all worktops very sticky. Suggest additional signage for ALL low doors, and a deep clean, finally the instructions for rubbish disposal were rubbish as some was left from the previous occupiers who i expect were just as baflled as we were. If the above was undertaken with clear instructions for waste plus more comfortable bedding we would be happy to book again.

- Robert, June 2026

Dear Guest We are sorry your visit to Smugglers’ Cottage did not meet your expectations, and I hope you didn’t hurt yourself while there! I myself am arthritic and have had 2 major joint replacements but am fine with the stairs, perhaps I am mindful of the various occupants through time for whom a steep staircase would have been the least of their worries. In addition, Smugglers’ Cottage was the last in a number of potential holiday lets we viewed, all old thatched houses, and it may surprise you we settled on this one as it was by far the least hazardous to move around in! I will however reconsider the guest fee and revisit the property description with Sykes, re emphasising the low ceilings and steep staircase alongside the benefits to dogs and children of the garden. We are making a rare visit to the cottage this weekend with a deluxe mattress topper and more kitchen equipment inc cutlery, chopping boards and utensils and will be meeting an electrician with a list of jobs, including the ones you highlighted, in mind. The kitchen worktop probably needs stripping and recoating and I have spoken to our housekeeper about the rubbish you came across, this being the first time this has been reported, but she said all rubbish is always taken so I can’t comment there. I will certainly consider a deep clean of the cottage. As for woodlice and cobwebs, unfortunately these creatures are determined to gain access and quickly do so between cleans, in our own house we regularly host worms and frogs that somehow get into the kitchen from the garden via 3 other rooms! Property Owner
Nicola June 2026

“This is our second visit to the cottage and we booked it as our dogs love the garden .”

The location is good for the beach and restaurants We could see there have been some minor improvement's however the bed in the main bedroom was for us extremely uncomfortable and a topper is definitely needed . The furniture in the conservatory lounge is very worn and threadbare in places . Furniture in the lounge has not been moved for a while as there were lots of dead wood lice as well as silver fish in the bedroom . There is a need for more cutlery as we had to constantly wash up . Appreciate its for 5 but just to have 6 knives forks is really not enough. A smaller frying pan and chopping boards would be helpful as the wooden one is not suitable for prepping meat and then veg . The light in the conservatory doesn’t work and there was no hairdryer as stated.

- Nicola, June 2026

Dear Guest Thank you for your feedback and I'm sorry your stay at Smugglers' Cottage fell somewhat short. We are indeed in the process of getting a mattress topper for the master bed. I have spoken to my housekeepers about the cleaning and I am sorry if the furniture appears a bit battered, it does seem to be deployed as a combat zone between children and dogs. We rarely find the time to come down and stay in �Snugs� ourselves but on our next trip we will stock up on more cutlery, appropriate chopping boards and smaller frying pans as you suggest. The hair dryer was reported missing by the cleaners and instead of bringing another one down we will arrange delivery of that asap. I know nothing of the failed conservatory lighting but we are meeting a builder at Snugs next month and have put this on my To Do list. Apologies again. Best Wishes Jane and John Property Owner
Elisabeth May 2026

“Lovely cottage , perfect location for us , but I found one of the beds really uncomfortable.”

It was two singles pushed together to make a double and consequently had an uncomfortable ridge down the middle . Not a big problem as I was sleeping alone , but did disturb my sleep . This is not a complaint however- just an observation!

- Elisabeth, May 2026
Alison April 2026

“This was our first visit to Smugglers cottage.”

It’s situated in a quiet area with only birdsong audible. The cottage is very quaint with a pretty garden. The furniture is good quality. The conservatory is a bonus and lovely to sit in with a glass of wine. The beds are firm with good quality linen and we slept well. The towels were soft and fluffy. Shower works fine but the flow output is not strong. Yes there is the odd cobweb and bit of dust but this is an 18th century cottage with a thatched roof, so despite best efforts of the housekeepers, the odd spider will persist. We heard nothing of any pests as reported by a previous reviewer, just a couple of active squirrels busying themselves in the trees. Despite putting out the bins as instructed, the refuse was not collected, even though the bin lorries drove past! The owner might consider replacing the bin as it has a large split up the side and the lid is broken; we found the bin rolling around the garden after strong winds. We would recommend Smugglers Cottage to anyone who would like to stay in an old property, just mind your head if you’re 6’ or taller!

- Alison, April 2026

Your review really cheered us up this morning! We can't thank you enough for your kind words and encouragement and are delighted you enjoyed your time at 'Snugs'. Please do let us know if you are ever planning to return. As regards the refuse removal, we have started paying Business Rates rather than Council Tax so our housekeepers take all rubbish, but a notification for this is indeed well overdue. I will type a notice for our cleaners to put up next to the kitchen bin and look into replacing or removing the dustbin outside. Many thanks again and all the best, Jane and John Property Owner
Andy March 2026

“Very disappointed with smugglers cottage Beds very uncomfortable WiFi did not ...”

Very disappointed with smugglers cottage Beds very uncomfortable WiFi did not work a lot of the time when advertised as having WiFi so I could not work Not very clean cobwebs all over the place Heard mice in the loft (we are pest controllers so know what we are on about) Dated and uncomfortable furniture Property needs tlc like rusty rad in bathroom etc

- Andy, March 2026

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your stay at Smugglers’ Cottage did not meet your expectations. The cottage has welcomed guests for two years and consistently receives positive reviews (average 4.5/5), with many guests highlighting the welcome pack, peaceful setting, large garden, and period charm. Regarding your concerns about mice, we take any potential infestation extremely seriously. Neither our housekeeping team nor previous guests have ever reported signs of mice, and the previous owner maintained the property meticulously. Our team was also surprised by the mention of cobwebs, as these are normally addressed during changeovers. It is worth noting that thatched roofs naturally attract small wildlife, which is typical of rural cottages, but this is distinct from having house mice in the loft. We acted immediately once notified of the Wi‑Fi issue and arranged for TalkTalk to investigate. As we do not live locally, we rely on guests and cleaners to alert us to faults so we can respond promptly. The beds have not been a common source of complaint, though we appreciate comfort is subjective. Due to the steep staircase, very large mattresses are difficult to install, but we are now considering mattress toppers as suggested by our housekeeping team. The furniture is chosen to suit an 18th‑century thatched cottage and is accurately shown in the listing photos. As most of our guests are active families with children and dogs, we prioritise practical, durable furnishings that complement the cottage’s character. We are also preparing for a significant renovation programme, including repainting the radiators. Progress has been slower due to the listed status of the property, limited contractor availability, and high booking levels. Our focus to date has been essential maintenance such as roof care, damp management, and safety. We appreciate your comments and will continue to use guest feedback to guide improvements. Property Owner
Kate March 2026

“We loved the quirkiness of the cottage and the beautiful garden.”

The conservatory was a bonus, particularly as we had some lovely weather. We did have a few encounters with the low beams and the low door to the stairs..quite tricky. Sadly we had big problems with internet connection. More off than on and then, when connected the signal strength was very poor. We don't play video games or anything like that but any site with various layers and photographs or videos was difficult to use e.g.BBC news. If this is normal it might be worth warning potential visitors. Also..very disappointed to find the drainage in the shower compromised by masses of hair. We cleared some so as not to flood the shower room but it wasn't a pleasant job. Oh...only two saucepans and no covered microwaveable dish, and no black bin bags available so we couldn't follow instructions re disposal of recycling and general waste. Otherwise a good stay. Excellent location.

- Kate, March 2026

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Summary

Please note: this property can only accommodate Friday arrivals
Two doubles
Bathroom with bath, basin and WC
Ground-floor shower room with walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC
Kitchen
Dining room
Sitting room with electric wood burner
Snug with sofa bed
Generous Welcome Pack: bread, butter, eggs, milk, wine and biscuits
Gas central heating
Electric oven, gas hob, microwave, fridge, tall upright freezer in utility area, dishwasher, washing machine, kettle, toaster, pod coffee maker
Smart TV and WiFi
Fuel, power, electric stove inc. in rent
Off-road parking for 2 cars
Enclosed rear garden with patio, lawn and furniture
Two well-behaved dogs welcome
Sorry, no smoking
Shop 1 mile, pub 1.4 miles, lake 1.5 miles, river 0.5 miles, beach 0.7 miles
Please note, the staircase is steep, uneven, and twisted, with a low threshold at the top, It is unsuitable for guests with limited mobility and may be challenging for those with balance or mobility concerns
Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping Bond of 250GBP

The property

Smugglers Cottage is a delightful pet-friendly property located in the village of Barton on Sea, Hampshire.

Ideal for families or groups of friends, this ground-floor retreat features exposed beams and is just a short distance from the beach. Step inside to find a characterful sitting room, where you can choose between a two-seater sofa or three armchairs to relax and settle into your home-from-home.

The kitchen is equipped with everything needed for a self-catered stay, including an electric oven, gas hob, and microwave.

Gather around the dining table to enjoy meals together and share stories from days gone by. When the weather is fine, dine alfresco in the enclosed rear garden.

The conservatory offers a pleasant spot to sit while children and dogs enjoy the lawn.

As the sun sets, unwind with a drink in hand before heading indoors to watch a film or series on the Smart TV.

For quieter moments, select a book from the collection and retreat to the snug. When it’s time to rest, drift off to the sound of the local Tawny Owl and the peaceful skies of the Solent Way.

The property offers two double bedrooms upstairs, while the snug includes a single sofa bed—ideal for guests who prefer to avoid stairs.

In the morning, refresh with a shower in the ground-floor shower room or enjoy a soak in the upstairs bath. A shop and pub are just a short drive away for essentials or a meal out.

In Barton-on-Sea, spend the day at the beach, take in the views from the Cliff Top Walk, or enjoy a round at the Barton on Sea Golf Course.

Nearby Highcliffe offers attractions such as Highcliffe Castle, Steamer Point Nature Reserve, and Lakewood open space park—perfect for a picnic. Further afield, Bournemouth promises fun on the pier with amusements and boat rides, marine life at the Oceanarium, and scenic strolls through the Lower Gardens. A cheerful and memorable getaway awaits at Smugglers Cottage.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £250.

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About the location

BARTON ON SEA

Christchurch 5.5 miles; Lymington 7 miles; Bournemouth 11 miles.

Barton on Sea is a clifftop village adjoining the bustling town of New Milton, only 5.5 miles from Christchurch on the south coast. Situated at the eastern end of Christchurch Bay, there are spectacular views across the Solent towards 'The Needles' on the western end of the Isle of Wight, towards Hurst Castle to the east and towards Christchurch and Hengistbury Head to the west. The coastal path winds its way beside the local golf course towards Lymington, where you can take one of the regular ferries to the Isle of Wight. Explore the beautiful New Forest National Park with its wild ponies and pretty villages, whilst a visit to the National Motor Museum or the stunning gardens at Exbury is a must. No visit to this area would be complete without a trip to the cosmopolitan seaside resort of Bournemouth, with its award-winning beaches, vibrant shopping centre, theatres and restaurants, or enjoy the attractive riverside town of Christchurch or Avon Beach at nearby Highcliffe which is popular with surfers. No matter what time of year you visit there's always a lot to do to suit all ages.

Please note: this property can only accommodate Friday arrivals.

Barton On Sea, Hampshire (Ref. 1180296)

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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“The property is historical and expect height issues in every doorway if you are over 5-6", the stairs are particularly challenging if you have any mobility issues whatsoever.”

“This is our second visit to the cottage and we booked it as our dogs love the garden .”

“Lovely cottage , perfect location for us , but I found one of the beds really uncomfortable.”

“This was our first visit to Smugglers cottage.”

“Very disappointed with smugglers cottage Beds very uncomfortable WiFi did not ...”

“We loved the quirkiness of the cottage and the beautiful garden.”

Summary

The property

View on map

About the location

BARTON ON SEA