ORTUS HOUSE - Hampshire

Built in late Victorian times, Ortus House was once a maternity hospital where lots of bonny babies came into the world curling their toes; in fact, the owner's mother worked there, which is a nice bit of history. In recent years it's been very carefully transformed into a large and luxurious holiday house that sleeps 15 in 7 bedrooms with room for one more guest at an extra charge. Indoors there's a pool, steam room, gym and games room, outside there's a heated infinity pool (Apr-Oct*), a hot tub and children's play equipment. With so much to keep you occupied this is a wonderful house for all kinds of large group stays - for family holidays and celebrations, refined hen weekends and self-catering corporate away days.

Ortus House is set in the peaceful village of Lyndhurst at the heart of the New Forest, a popular UK holiday destination with so much to see and do. The forest is just a stone's throw from the door so it's easy to get out and explore the great outdoors. It's a fantastic area for walking, with several routes that make it easy to include a stop off at a country pub; you can go pony trekking with Brockenhurst Riding Stables, or hire bikes from Forest Leisure Cycling - all great ways to see the beautiful scenery. More adventurous types will enjoy canoeing, kayaking, or archery at New Forest Activities near Beaulieu. Pack a picnic for a trip to Hatchet Pond, have a wander round and soak up the tranquillity; take a family outing to Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, the New Forest Wildlife Park, or the New Forest Reptile Centre. Those who love beautiful gardens and historic houses will enjoy Mottisfont Abbey and the enchanting Furzey Gardens; Sherlock Holmes fans should see the charming All Saints Church at Minstead where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is buried, then tuck into lunch at the Trusty Servant Inn.

Further afield there's an enormous choice for exciting days out; take the family to Marwell Zoo, go to Southampton for a shopping trip, find out all about the ill-fated Titanic at SeaCity Museum, or have a boat trip on the River Solent. See the magnificent cathedral in Winchester, the Mary Rose at Portsmouth, or if you fancy a day by the sea go to Bournemouth or Highcliffe, both have long stretches of golden sands so make sure you take your buckets and spades. Catch the chain ferry to Brownsea Island from Sandbanks, look out for the red squirrels that live there; head over to the Isle of Wight from Lymington - you'll find plenty to do there. On the other hand, if you don't want to go far at all, just enjoy pottering around Lyndhurst; it's a lovely village with mostly independent shops and some very good places to eat; like the Fox & Hounds, La Pergola, and just down the road from Ortus House, the Waterloo Arms. You'll notice the Alice in Wonderland theme in the village, like the Mad Hatter Tea Rooms - that's because the real-life Alice lies buried in the churchyard of the imposing Gothic church at the top of the High Street.

But if all you want to do is stay put, happy in your luxury togetherness at Ortus House, who could blame you? This is such an amazing place to stay, it's a holiday house where you can really unwind and enjoy yourselves, somewhere to make very special memories.

NB: Due to planning restrictions this property is unable to accept all male groups

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*The outdoor pool is heated from Apr-Oct. It can be heated on request from Nov-Mar at an extra charge.