Woody and I recently travelled to the New Forest to attend the inaugural Dogstival event. We stayed in Blue Charm cottage while we were away, which we found via the Dog Friendly Retreats website. The cottage is located in the village of Damerham, which is just north of the New Forest National Park.
We stayed in Blue Charm for three nights, which gave us plenty of time to explore both Dogstival and various dog-friendly walks the New Forest has to offer. The cottage is warm and snug, with farmhouse character throughout. Blue Charm sleeps two people and two dogs, which was perfect for us, as we picked up our foster dog Henry during our trip.
As you enter Blue Charm, you’re greeted by the kitchen and open plan dining area. The kitchen has all the appliances you need, including an oven, electric hob, under counter fridge and a dishwasher. There’s also a microwave, toaster and kettle on the counters. It’s a great self-catering set up and I loved the flexibility of being able to cook myself or eat out while we were away.
The living room is at the back of the property. It’s quiet and cosy, with a sofa, footstool, Freeview television and carpeted floor. There’s plenty of space to relax and unwind after a busy day adventuring in the New Forest. Blue Charm has free Wi-Fi access; I had no problems connecting my phone and laptop. The signal is strong and reliable throughout the cottage too.
The bathroom is adjacent to the living room. Complete with toilet, shower, bath and sink. Plenty of towels were left for us, as well as small bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash for us to use.
The bedroom is upstairs, on the mezzanine. Dogs aren’t meant to sleep on the furniture in Blue Cottage, however Woody is used to sharing our bed at home. I always bring my own bedding with us whenever we travel, to avoid muddy paws on the accommodation’s sheets. There’s plenty of space for a dog crate in Blue Charm. They fit nicely under the staircase or at the foot of the bed, whichever you and your dog prefer.
Blue Charm is situated in Damerham, a sleepy village 3.5 miles from Fordingbridge. The village boasts a selection of cottages, as well as a Norman church and riverside mill. Next door to Blue Charm lies The Compasses Inn, a friendly pub serving a variety of game, fish and classic pub meals. I highly recommend the gourmet burger!
Damerham Sports Field is also nearby, providing the perfect place for your pups to let off steam. Woody and I enjoyed playing fetch here first thing each morning, before heading off to explore dog friendly walks in the New Forest. The field is reasonably secure, with hedgerows and fencing around the perimeters. If your dog is prone to escaping, you may prefer walking them on a long line, as the field does border a country road.
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Please note: Blue Charm is no longer available via Dog Friendly Retreats, but we have many other wonderful dog friendly cottages in Hampshire.