There’s a little place to stay, not far from Alresford, that I want to tell you about – The Barn @ North Lodge. The kind of place you need to book into if you want some quiet time, with a loved one, a book, your walking boots, cups of tea and (obviously) some wine and a view. It’s somewhere to relax and recover that isn’t far from home but is far away from normal busy life!
One good thing to come out of covid is the rise of the staycation and the new crop of unique bolt holes springing up across the countryside. Hampshire is blessed with choice and they are ideal for a short stay to get away from things. Our little trip to The Barn @ North Lodge was the first time Mr P and I had been away from our son together since September 2019, which was funnily enough the last trip we took to another dreamy bolthole! Half an hour down the road was far enough for us to feel on holiday, but close enough to home where my parents were on Bertie-duty.
Emma and Sam have turned a former out-building in the grounds of their Georgian home into a stylish and relaxing place to stay. Half way between Alresford and Petersfield and not far from the A22, it’s perched on the edge of a woodland with views across daffodils (or lavender come summer) and into the fields.
The Barn @ North Lodge is oozing rustic chic. Walls are white-washed timber, the linens are dreamy pastels and everything is well-spec’d – it’s a really comfortable, airy and relaxing space. And heated floors! There’s enough space to spread out – a little high table and stools for eating in the corner, two comfortable arm chairs and then a king size bed by the French doors that open onto the view.
A good place to stay is always judged by me by the bathroom (I’ve booked hotel rooms based on bathrooms before…), and this one we loved. The colour scheme gave us ideas for a project we are about to start at home! The bath was long and deep and the smellies, made in nearby West Meon, were quite divine.
Whilst we didn’t cook meals, the kitchen was high spec and functional. Sage machines, thoughtful items for a small space (like scented bin bags and a self-draining washing up bowl), a big fridge and lovely big wine glasses! Emma also provides what you need for breakfast – muesli, yoghurt, milk, bread, eggs from her chickens, coffee and tea – so you are well set for the next day despite being in a remote setting.
Outside there’s plenty of garden space to relax in on a sunny day – seating, cushions, BBQ and a chimenea too.
We chatted with Emma on arrival and quickly identified a plan for our day of leisure – a long yomp to the nearby village of West Meon for lunch at the perfectly turned out Thomas Lord pub (it’s run by the same people as our more local Peat Spade so is in good company). This gorgeous little village is also blessed with the village shop of dreams (it’s basically a deli) and a butchers – so we filled our rucksack with a smorgers board of cheeses, meats and accompaniments for supper and Sam dutifully carried it back to base!
Nearby I can personally recommend a trip to Chawton House and Gardens or to Alresford, and there is plenty more to see as well! We can also recommend the Thai in Ropley as we had the most divine take away on the first night of our stay – in fact one of the best Thai’s we’ve had in a long while!
A superb stay, The Barn @ North Lodge is the perfect place for a simple yet luxurious countryside retreat.
