Sleeps 8 | 4 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms | 2 living rooms | EV charging | 2 dogs | Walks from the door

Overview of The Old Post Office

Dating from 1885, The Old Post Office is a characterful large holiday home in Emery Down, a small New Forest village surrounded by woodland, open countryside and walking routes. Refurbished for modern group holidays, it sleeps eight across four bedrooms and combines a strong New Forest setting with easy access to Lyndhurst. See all of our large cottages in Lyndhurst here.

The main ground-floor space brings the kitchen, dining area and lounge together, giving all eight guests somewhere comfortable to cook, eat and relax. A log burner adds warmth during cooler stays, while bi-fold doors open onto the terrace when the weather suits outdoor dining. Upstairs, a second sitting room provides another place to watch television, read or give children and adults some separate space.

The sleeping arrangement includes two double bedrooms and two rooms designed for two guests, with three bathrooms helping the house work smoothly at full occupancy. There is also a utility room, secure bicycle storage and EV charging, all useful additions for an active New Forest break.

Location is one of the strongest reasons to choose The Old Post Office. Forest walks begin almost immediately, the New Forest Inn is around five minutes away on foot and Lyndhurst can be reached by a longer walk or short drive. Ponies and donkeys regularly roam around the surrounding lanes, giving Emery Down the distinctive atmosphere many visitors come to the National Park to experience.

Further afield, Lymington, Beaulieu and the Hampshire and Dorset coast provide plenty of variety for longer stays. For groups searching for a large New Forest cottage that combines village character, walking and generous shared space, The Old Post Office is particularly well placed.

The Old Post Office at a Glance

Who is The Old Post Office Best For?

The Old Post Office is especially well suited to families who want to make the New Forest the focus of their holiday. Walking routes and forest countryside are right outside the village, so there is less need to drive every time someone wants to head outdoors.

Two families sharing should find the four-bedroom layout straightforward. The king and double bedrooms provide good options for parents, while the twin bedroom and trundle room can accommodate children, teenagers or friends.

The second sitting room is another advantage for a group of eight. It gives children somewhere to watch a film or play games while adults relax downstairs, or simply provides a quieter room when not everyone wants to do the same thing.

Dog owners, walkers and cyclists are also particularly well catered for, with two dogs welcome, direct access to the surrounding forest and bicycles able to be stored securely in the garage.

Why is The Old Post Office a Great Large Holiday Home?

• Sleeps eight across four bedrooms
• Three bathrooms plus an additional ground-floor WC
• Walks and New Forest countryside from the village
• Two separate living areas give a group extra space
• Open-plan kitchen and dining area seats all eight guests
• Log burner for cosy autumn and winter stays
• Sunny terrace and small lawn with countryside views
• Two dogs welcome and secure bicycle storage available

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people does The Old Post Office sleep?

The Old Post Office sleeps up to eight guests across four bedrooms.

How many bathrooms are there?

There are three bathrooms: two en suites and one family bathroom. There is also a separate ground-floor WC.

Are dogs allowed at The Old Post Office?

Yes. Up to two dogs are welcome. A pet charge applies and dogs should be over one year old unless otherwise agreed in advance.

Can you walk into the New Forest from the property?

Yes. Emery Down is surrounded by New Forest countryside and walking routes can be joined directly from the village.

Does The Old Post Office have EV charging?

Yes. Charging is available from a mains socket in the garage. Guests need to request this when booking, bring their own charging cable and pay the applicable weekly charge.

Is there parking at The Old Post Office?

There is unrestricted parking on the lane outside the property.

Bedrooms & Bathrooms at The Old Post Office

The Old Post Office sleeps eight across four bedrooms spread over the first and second floors. Two bedrooms have private en-suite facilities, while the remaining two share the family bathroom.

The arrangement includes a king-size master bedroom, a double bedroom, a twin and a room with a single trundle bed that can provide a second single sleeping space.

Group Accommodation Layout

The master bedroom occupies the second floor and has a 5ft king-size bed, built-in wardrobe, dressing table and room for a travel cot. Its private bathroom includes both a bath and separate shower.

Bedroom 2 is on the first floor and has a 4ft 6in double bed with its own en-suite shower room.

Bedroom 3 has two standard 3ft single beds, making it a natural choice for children, teenagers or friends.

Bedroom 4 contains a 3ft single trundle bed with a second 3ft single bed that can be pulled out when required.

How does the layout work for a group of 8?

For two families sharing, the master bedroom and en-suite double give each set of parents their own bedroom and bathroom, while the twin and trundle room can accommodate four children or teenagers.

The layout can also suit a multi-generational family, with the second sitting room providing additional space away from the main open-plan living area.

Groups of friends should note that the fourth bedroom uses a trundle arrangement rather than two permanently positioned single beds, so the layout is particularly well suited to families and mixed-age groups.

Bathroom Layout

The second-floor master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with a bath, separate shower, WC and basin.

The first-floor double bedroom has its own en-suite shower room.

Bedrooms 3 and 4 share a family bathroom with a bath and shower over, WC and basin.

There is also a cloakroom with WC and basin on the ground floor.

Facilities & Information at The Old Post Office

The ground floor revolves around a large open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting area where the whole group can spend time together. The kitchen includes a range cooker with gas hob and electric oven, American-style fridge freezer with water dispenser and ice maker, dishwasher, wine fridge and microwave.

A dining table seats all eight guests together, while the lounge area has comfortable seating, a Smart TV and log burner. During warmer weather, bi-fold doors open directly onto the terrace, extending the main social space outside.

A second sitting room upstairs has comfortable seating, another Smart TV and far-reaching countryside views. This extra room is particularly useful when a group includes children or several generations, as it gives guests a choice between spending the evening together or using separate spaces.

The utility room contains a washing machine and tumble dryer, while the garage provides lockable bicycle storage. Outside, the decked area steps down to a small lawn and a larger terrace with furniture for outdoor meals.

Facilities

Category	Facilities
Kitchen	Range cooker, gas hob, electric oven, American-style fridge freezer, microwave, dishwasher, wine fridge
Dining	Table seating 8
Main Living Area	Comfortable seating, Smart TV, log burner and bi-fold doors
Second Sitting Room	Comfortable seating, Smart TV and countryside views
Laundry	Washing machine and tumble dryer
Outdoor Space	Decking, terrace, small lawn and outdoor dining furniture
Bike Storage	Lockable garage
EV Charging	Charging from garage mains socket
Heating	Gas central heating and underfloor heating
Connectivity	WiFi

Important Information

Information	Details
Preferred Changeover	Friday
Check In	4pm
Check Out	10am
Dogs	Up to 2
Pet Charge	£30 per dog per week
EV Charging	£30 per vehicle per week
EV Cable	Guests should bring their own
Children	All ages welcome
Cot	Travel cot available on request, bedding not supplied
Highchair	Available on request
Stair Gate	Available on request
Linen & Towels	Included
Beach Towels	Guests should bring their own
Bike Storage	Available in lockable garage
Mobile Reception	Variable
Short Breaks	May be available
Reduced Occupancy	Selected weeks available for parties of 4 or fewer

Location & Things to Do Near The Old Post Office

Emery Down places guests right inside the New Forest rather than simply within driving distance of it. Forest lanes and walking routes surround the village, while the wider network of woodland, heathland and gravel tracks gives walkers and cyclists days of exploring without needing a tightly planned itinerary.

Lyndhurst is the nearest major village and can be reached by a longer walk from Emery Down or in a few minutes by car. Often described as the capital of the New Forest, it has independent shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants alongside the New Forest Heritage Centre. Bolton's Bench sits on the edge of the village and is an easy place to enjoy open views across the forest and see grazing ponies and cattle.

For longer walks, the Lyndhurst Parish Walk takes in Emery Down and surrounding forest landscapes. Cyclists can also explore numerous designated routes through the National Park, with bike hire available locally.

Families have several major days out within easy driving distance. Beaulieu combines the National Motor Museum with a wider historic attraction, while Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World are popular with younger children. Bolderwood offers woodland walks and a deer viewing area, providing a quieter alternative to the larger attractions.

A trip south brings a different side to the holiday. Lymington has a Georgian high street, busy quay, shops, cafés and strong sailing connections. Boat trips and the ferry to the Isle of Wight add further possibilities for a full day out. The coastal landscapes around Keyhaven are also excellent for walking and wildlife watching.

For beach days, Highcliffe and Avon Beach are around 20 minutes away by car, while Calshot offers another option beside the Solent. This combination of forest, coast, villages and major family attractions gives a group plenty of choice throughout a week at The Old Post Office.

Nearby Places