Tucked away in the peaceful hamlet of St Lawrence, two miles west of Ventnor on the Isle of Wight’s celebrated Undercliff, Vestry Cottage is a picture-perfect, Grade II listed retreat dating from the fifteenth century. Built of local stone and set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the single-storey cottage combines chocolate-box charm with contemporary comfort: mellow beams, an inglenook fireplace and log-burner sit happily alongside a sleek kitchen, Wi-Fi and stylish shower room. A sunny, enclosed garden and private driveway parking ensure a carefree stay, while the coastal path, hidden coves and Ventnor Botanic Garden are all a gentle stroll from the door.

Step through the stable door into a welcoming sitting room where exposed beams, wooden floorboards, a window seat and a brick fireplace with log-burner create an inviting space for fireside evenings after days on the beach. The open-plan kitchen and dining area is flooded with light and fitted with hardwood worktops, integrated appliances, electric hob and oven, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, washer-dryer and microwave; a farmhouse table invites lingering breakfasts before you head out to explore.

Two thoughtfully styled bedrooms lie off the inner hall. The double room, dressed in calming neutral tones, offers a comfortable bed, painted furniture and garden glimpses. The second bedroom is a pretty single, perfect for an additional adult or an older child. Between them is a chic, contemporary shower room with walk-in enclosure, heated towel rail, basin and WC.

A stable door opens from the kitchen to a delightfully secluded garden planted with cottage-style shrubs and climbers. A broad patio, complete with quality garden furniture, catches the sun for most of the day and is ideal for lazy lunches, evening drinks or star-gazing. An eight-minute amble brings you to the rocky shoreline at Woody Bay, yet you may be just as content to linger here with a book and the gentle sound of birdsong. Off-road parking for one car is provided on the drive.

The Undercliff enjoys its own mild micro-climate, allowing Mediterranean plants to thrive at nearby Ventnor Botanic Garden, only a mile from the cottage. From the gardens a footpath leads to Steephill Cove, an idyllic beach reached only on foot and famous for crab pasties and ice-cold lemonade. Follow the coast east to Ventnor itself for vintage shops, a golden crescent of sand and some of the island’s finest eateries, or west along the coastal path toward Castlehaven and the lighthouse at St Catherine’s Point.

For a change of scene, wander the thatched lanes to St Lawrence village stores, hire bicycles in Ventnor, explore the ancient woodland of the Ventnor Downs or hunt for fossils at nearby Blackgang. Osborne House, Carisbrooke Castle and the island’s steam railway are all within a forty-minute drive, while walkers will relish the network of cliff-top and downland trails radiating from the cottage gate. Whatever the season, Vestry Cottage offers a tranquil base from which to savour the Isle of Wight’s spectacular southern coast.

Rates: From £475 to £1250 per week depending on season.
Maximum of 3 people.
Children welcome.
Up to two well-behaved dogs aged over 12 months accepted at £20 per dog per week; a third dog may be possible by prior arrangement.
Free Wi-Fi.
Private off-street parking for one car.
Strictly no smoking or vaping inside the cottage.
Sorry, no parties and no electric-vehicle charging.

Please note that map locations may be approximate.

To make a reservation or to request more information about staying at this accommodation, contact the owner Linda Savage
telephone 07825 886939
or email [email protected]