Peppercorn Cottage, a delightful stay in Cheriton, Hampshire

Cottages don't come much more charming than this! 

As we swing our rental car into the driveway of the accommodation, we're met by an old-fashioned farm gate, beyond which is our first view of the cutest little bijou cottage you've ever seen. 

Pulling into the yard our car crunches over the gravel driveway, and we're reminded that we'd read somewhere that Peppercorn Cottage is a Grade 2 Listed Building. And now we can see why - this gem of a cottage is adorable, and well worth preserving. 

Location of Peppercorn Cottage 

Set in the lovely village of Cheriton in England's Hampshire county, the location is nothing if not bucolic.

The River Itchen brook gurgles away just across the road, and the property itself is surrounded by fields and woodlands that hum with birdsong.

Cheriton - a picturesque village of thatched cottages and rich historical roots - is only a couple of minutes' walk away. The old-fashioned local church and the village shop are both worth a visit. And the nearby Flower Pots Inn is a delightful rural pub serving delicious food as well as popular beers brewed on site, at affordable prices.

The Georgian market town of New Alresford is also just a quick drive down the road, for local butchers, bakers and a well-stocked supermarket.

Stay at Peppercorn Cottage

The cottage has undergone a full renovation, and the resulting restored space is as beautiful as it is full of character.

The cozy lounge feels luxurious, the perfect space to hunker down in the peaceful surroundings after a long day. And best of all, there is a log fireplace, to warm up those chilly winter evenings. 

The kitchen, while small, is fully equipped. And waiting for us on the kitchen table on our arrival are some thoughtful goodies from our hosts to get us started on our stay. 

Upstairs are the 2 bedrooms - 1 double and 1 twin - as well as a full bathroom.  

In fairness, 4 adults might find the compact spaces a little snug, depending on your needs, though we were personally happily ensconced. For a couple, or a family with kids, the cottage is perfect. 

Outside Peppercorn cottage there is a lot of space in the private gardens that surround the property. The gardens are prettily planted with flowers, and the patio is a tranquil place to hang out with a drink in hand, nature sounds all around. 

Things To See near Cheriton

First and foremost, Peppercorn is situated within the South Downs National Park - a stunning area of natural beauty in southern England, known for its sweeping chalk hills and charming villages - a region packed solid with things to do. Stretching from Winchester (only a 15 minute drive from the cottage) in the west to Eastbourne in the east, it offers diverse landscapes including lush woodlands and dramatic cliffs along the coast.

But there's no need to go far to find some nature walks that take advantage of the beauty of this part of the country. There are a whole bunch of hiking trails in and around the town itself, some of them right on the doorstep of the cottage. 

We also spent one of our days at Peppercorn visiting the enchanting nearby New Forest National Park, for sightings of wild horses and windswept moors. Followed by a delicious lunch at The Pig restaurant in Brockenhurst - a popular eatery set in a colourful bright conservatory, that is renowned for its focus on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.

Hampshire also has some lovely National Trust gardens, and we opted for a visit to the West Green House Garden for walks through its elegant walled garden and around its picturesque lake.

Southampton is also only a half hour away, and anyone intrepid enough could even combine a visit with a day trip on the ferry to the Isle of Wight.

What we thought of our stay at Peppercorn cottage

The UK is a country not short on cottages to rent. But finding one quite as beguiling as Peppercorn cottage takes a bit more work.

This wonderfully cozy dwelling might be small, but what it lacks in space it more than makes up for in personality.

We honestly loved our few days stay at Peppercorn cottage in Cheriton, and we've been recommending it to all our family and friends passing through the area.

A quaint, dog friendly accommodation set in restful surroundings, Peppercorn must be one of the best little cottages in Hampshire. It is definitely one of our favourites, and we're hoping we get to experience a stay here again soon.

From here we would be moving on to West Sussex, for a change of pace as we booked a few nights stay in the nearby Alexander House hotel & spa.