Exbury, Southampton, Hampshire, SO45

A beautiful five bedroom, four reception room former Rectory, this exceptional detached family home sits within just under two acres of stunning, mature gardens in the south eastern corner of the New Forest National Park, in the highly sought after village of Exbury within close proximity to Beaulieu River and the coast at Lepe.

In the stewardship of the current owners for nearly 50 years, having been purchased from the Church when the two local parishes combined, the house exudes character and charm. The exceptionally well-proportioned accommodation features high ceilings, picture rails, grand fireplaces and delightful views across the gardens and surrounding countryside whilst still offering scope for further enhancement through a degree of modernisation.

The ground floor accommodation is approached through a welcoming entrance hall with associated cloakroom and stairs rising to the first floor. From the hallway the elegant dining and sitting rooms are both centred around feature fireplaces with inset wood-burning stoves. Further along is a convenient study with fitted shelving. A breakfast room with sliding doors opens into a charming conservatory overlooking the stunning gardens.

The adjacent kitchen is fitted with a modern range of wall and base units, complemented by integrated John Lewis appliances, an oil-fired Aga, induction hob and a Belfast sink. A boiler room leads off the kitchen and a rear lobby provides access to a secondary staircase to the first floor, a utility room with WC and cool larder store.

On the first floor, a half-landing provides access to bedroom five, a store cupboard, a bathroom and separate shower room. The main landing opens to four generously sized bedrooms, all featuring ornamental fireplaces, the larger three with built in storage, whilst the front two bedrooms share a Jack and Jill shower room.

The stunning grounds are truly exceptional, echoing the splendour of the nearby Exbury Gardens. The tranquil, south-facing lawns are framed by tiered banks of mature shrubs, an array of flowering bushes and light woodland areas carpeted with spring wildflowers, including daffodils, bluebells, primroses and wild garlic. A paved sun terrace adjacent to the conservatory offers an ideal spot for outdoor entertaining, while a productive kitchen garden area completes the idyllic setting.

The property also benefits from a range of versatile outbuildings, including the detached Coach House with original stables, groom’s accommodation, a hay loft, and garaging. Additionally, a separate detached double garage with integrated storage rooms and solar panels provides further practical space and eco-friendly advantages.

Exbury is a picturesque village located in the New Forest National Park, approximately three miles east of the historic manorial village of Beaulieu. It is famed for the stunning Exbury Gardens — a world-renowned botanical garden set on the banks of the Beaulieu River. Spanning approximately 200 acres, the gardens and woodland are celebrated for their vibrant displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, and camellias, originally created by Lionel de Rothschild in the early 20th century.

The larger Georgian market town of Lymington, known for its river, marinas, and yacht clubs, is situated around ten miles to the south-west, as is the village of Brockenhurst, which offers mainline train links to London Waterloo. Just a mile to the north lies miles of open forest, whist to the south is the coastal enclave of Lepe, at the mouth of the Beaulieu River, provides magnificent views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight.