Lovely family home near The New Forest

United Kingdom - Hampshire - Southampton

Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Front hall
Front hall
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Eat-in kitchen - hub of the house!
Eat-in kitchen - hub of the house!
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Eating / coffee area
Eating / coffee area
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Sitting room
Sitting room
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,One of the outside seating areas
One of the outside seating areas
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Badminton in the garden
Badminton in the garden
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Front of the house
Front of the house
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Titch ('love me please!'
Titch ('love me please!'
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Top floor (loft conversion) en suite bedroom
Top floor (loft conversion) en suite bedroom
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,The 'spare room' at the back
The 'spare room' at the back
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Girl's bedroom at back
Girl's bedroom at back
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Boy's room at front
Boy's room at front
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Front facing bedroom
Front facing bedroom
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Smallest bedroom, but a garden view
Smallest bedroom, but a garden view
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,New forest - some of Libby's pics
New forest - some of Libby's pics
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,More New Forest. It's wonderful!
More New Forest. It's wonderful!
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Oh, more New Forest...
Oh, more New Forest...
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,New Forest again. But enough of these...
New Forest again. But enough of these...
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Easy family walk along the Hamble Estuary
Easy family walk along the Hamble Estuary
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Lots of beaches within range
Lots of beaches within range
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,The Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Stonehenge, of course
Stonehenge, of course
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Tudor House in Southampton
Tudor House in Southampton
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Top Gear Museum in Beaulieu (in the New Forest)
Top Gear Museum in Beaulieu (in the New Forest)
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Fancy a day trip into town?
Fancy a day trip into town?
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,63-minute train ride brings you out by the Eye.
63-minute train ride brings you out by the Eye.
Home exhange in,United Kingdom,Southampton,Just so you get your geography right
Just so you get your geography right
  • Sleeping capacity10+
  • Bedrooms6
  • Bathrooms2

Non-simultaneous Home Exchange

Simultaneous Home Exchange

Smoking Not Allowed

Children Welcome

Use of Personal Car is possible

We are looking for a home exchange in ...

Open to all dates United Kingdom | France | Europe
Open to all dates Open to all destinations

Our Home For Exchange

Description of the home we are offering for exchange

LAST MINUTE LOOKING FOR AUGUST 2020! (FRENCH EXCHANGE JUST CANCELLED DUE TO QUARANTINE RISK)

Our home is a substantial 3-storey detached property, with 6 comfortable bedrooms, just 15-20 mins drive from the spectacular New Forest.

It's a beautiful Edwardian house with a number of original features, and when we moved in a few years ago, we refurbished it totally - replastering every wall and ceiling, recarpeting every floor or stripping back and polishing the floorboards, extending and refitting the kitchen with granite worktops, an induction range, building a utility room, building a huge loft conversion, installing new plumbing with pressurised hot water - and so on. The operation has left it very comfortable as well as good-looking.

The house is well-stocked with things to keep younger guests happy. There are games and toys galore, xbox etc, a makeshift table tennis table. Oh, and of course Titch, the cat, who needs looking after (although, if you prefer, the neighbours can do it).

For the summer months, we have gas and charcoal bbqs outside, and a large patio with garden furniture. We often set up a badminton court in the garden during the summer.

We have two pianos - one traditional and one electronic. They are not toys, but those learning to play piano are welcome to play them.

As well as beds for 10 (that includes 2 on a sofa bed), we keep a couple of spare mattresses, so could take up to 12 as long as a couple don't mind a mattress on the floor.


NOTE FOR AMERICAN POTENTIAL EXCHANGERS (summer 2018)
As you may be aware, the size and comfort of typical English houses is somewhat different to North American homes. This often leads to some trepidation...

Happily, we're unusual. As a couple, our families come from the US and Australia, and so unsurprisingly our home is very much more comfortable and spacious than the typical English house:

- Our water supply is fully pressurised, unlike the typical gravity-fed system in most English homes. So a decent proper shower.
- Our furnace is new and app-controlled by phone. So no coming home to shiver with cold in an English 'summer'!
- Our fridge/freezer is a full-size side-by-side unit, unlike the 2-foot wide, freezer-over-fridge system you find in almost all English homes. Also there's a Kitchenaid, an induction range etc to make feeding a large group a happier experience
- And yes it has an ice dispenser - essential (for Americans!) in the summer, but again unusual in English homes
- Our car - should we exchange this - is a minivan (similar to Chrysler Grand Voyager), so a lot more comfortable and spacious than a typical English car)
- At 2,500 square feet, our home itself is almost 3 times the space of an average English home (UK average = 900 square feet).
- Our internet is a fast fibre experience, unlike the relatively low speeds still typical in England.

Thought you might like to know this. It's nice to be comfortable when you're on holiday...


NOTE re HOMELINK:
This is not our usual exchange site, so we're pasting in all the reviews from our usual site for your reassurance...

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Reviews
Overall rating★5
21 exchanges
From guests★5
11 exchanges
From hosts★5
10 exchanges
________________________________________
Jaz
stayed at Orlando's home for 5 days on August 18, 2019
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• ★5Communication
• ★5Home matches description
• ★5Cleanliness
Orlando's home is absolutely beautiful with lots of space. It's so very well equipped from piano to books to Alexa!

We felt very comfortable and welcome, the location was great for exploring Southampton and the New Forest. Shops are very nearby and the best part of the trip was the gorgeous cat Titch!

Highly recommended, thank you Orlando for letting us stay in your beautiful home. :)

Monica
stayed at Orlando's home for 4 days on July 31, 2019
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• ★5Communication
• ★5Home matches description
• ★5Cleanliness
We spent a great time at Orlando's home, wich is a wonderful house, super equipped, with lovely spaces and a garden - wich was perfect for enjoying the summer evenings. The house was really huge for us two....
The location is amazing, closed to the park, and not far from the city centre - by bus or bike. We enjoyed biking and walking - and Southampton's good international food.... Orlando's welcoming was really nice and easy. Thank you Orlando and family!

La Bastide Des Baumes
welcomed Orlando for 16 day(s) on July 20, 2019
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• ★5Trustworthiness
• ★5Politeness
• ★5Cleanliness
Les échanges avec Orlando et sa famille ont été francs, directs et très cordiaux, que ce soit avant, pendant et même après le séjour à la maison. Cela a permis une mise en confiance rapide, d'autant plus que cela a été notre première expérience en guest points.
Orlando et sa famille ont eu le plus grand respect de la maison et de son jardin, ils s'en sont très bien occupés. La maison a été retrouvée dans un état impeccable, le jardin était vivant et bien arrosé (même le kaki va aussi bien que possible, Orlando !).
Le seul regret est de ne pas avoir pu les rencontrer, notre propre départ ayant été plus tôt que leur arrivée et notre retour plus tard que leur départ !
Dans de telles conditions, nous seront ravis d'échanger à une autre occasion ! Merci beaucoup !

The exchanges with Orlando and his family were frank, direct and very cordial, whether before, during and even after the stay at home. This allowed a quick confidence, especially since it was our first experience in guest points.
Orlando and his family had the greatest respect for the house and the garden, they took good care of them. The house was found in immaculate condition, the garden was alive and well watered (even the persimmon goes as well as possible, Orlando!).
The only regret is not being able to meet them, our own departure being earlier than their arrival and our return later than their departure!
In such conditions, we will be happy to exchange on another occasion! Thank you so much !

Christelle Et Guillaume
stayed at Orlando's home for 15 days on July 16, 2019
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• ★5Communication
• ★5Home matches description
• ★5Cleanliness
Orlando's house was very nice and comfortable with many bedrooms and equipments. Great localisation to visit New forest Park, beaches, Stonehenge...
Orlando was very helpful and answered to all our questions quickly.
________________________________________
Alison
welcomed Orlando for 4 day(s) on August 6, 2018
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• ★5Trustworthiness
• ★5Politeness
• ★5Cleanliness
We really enjoyed our stay here. Large and spacious, we each chose our own room and had two to spare. So relaxing to come home to after our days in London and Bath, and very convenient for us leaving on the Queen Mary. Glad we got to meet the family at our place. Thank you, we enjoyed our stay!

Christiane
welcomed Orlando for 4 day(s) on August 1, 2018
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• ★5Trustworthiness
• ★5Politeness
• ★5Cleanliness
It was very easy to interact with Orlando & his group. They left the house very clean and I highly recommend them as guests. Thank you again for booking our house in California. Christiane

Erin
stayed at Orlando's home for 17 days on July 28, 2018
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• ★5Communication
• ★5Home matches description
• ★5Cleanliness
Our first exchange was very pleasant, many thanks to the Saer Family. Their spacious home was comfortable and welcoming for our family of five; and its location was perfect for exploring southern England. We appreciated the ease of traveling to London, Bath, Salisbury, Cardiff, Wales. Additionally, we enjoyed learning about the history of Southampton and ferrying to nearby Isle of Wight. Our children especially loved taking care of Titch the cat, who quickly stole our hearts. We were grateful that they were willing to look after our dog while staying in our home as well. We returned to find everything in perfect order. Many thanks for a wonderful first exchange experience!

Rita
stayed at Orlando's home for 9 days on July 26, 2018
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• ★5Communication
• ★5Home matches description
• ★5Cleanliness
We had a fantastic time and loved the location of the house. The house was very open and spacious and in a quiet neighborhood - the Saer family couldn't have been more helpful. This is great location to explore the South of England - so much to do and lots of historical places to learn about. Also an easy drive to visit the Isle of Wight and stunning coastline of Dorset. Easy train access into London also.


Alison
stayed at Orlando's home for 4 days on July 23, 2018
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• ★5Communication
• ★5Home matches description
• ★5Cleanliness
We really enjoyed our stay here. Large and spacious, we each chose our own room and had two to spare. So relaxing to come home to after our days in London and Bath, and very convenient for us leaving on the Queen Mary. Glad we got to meet the family at our place. Thank you, we enjoyed our stay!

Grace
welcomed Orlando for 9 day(s) on July 7, 2018
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• ★5Trustworthiness
• ★5Politeness
• ★5Cleanliness
What can we say that hasn't already been said? The Saer house was the perfect jumping off point for our exploration of southern England. We loved the spacious house, the sweet kitty who kept us company, and the pretty garden for enjoying meals and in which the kids could play. We exchanged cars with the Saers as well, which went off without a hitch.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay!

Malene & Bill
stayed at Orlando's home for 8 days on July 24, 2017
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• ★5Communication
• ★5Home matches description
• ★5Cleanliness
We had an excellent exchange with the Saer family. We enjoyed the spacious house, which we found very English, much to our delight, and explored the region, where we especially loved Winchester very much.

Malene & Bill
stayed at Orlando's home for 14 days on July 23, 2017
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This exchange has not been rated yet
CUILLERY
stayed at Orlando's home for 14 days on July 21, 2016
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• ★5Communication
• ★5Home matches description
• ★5Cleanliness
Nous avons fait un excellent échange dans une maison très confortable, typiquement anglaise. Son emplacement nous a permis des visites très variée entre ville, campagne et mer qui on ravit toute la famille. Nous avons particulièrement adoré l'ile de Wight et la New Forest. Merci pour ces excellents souvenirs!

Pia
stayed at Orlando's home for 14 days on July 28, 2015
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• ★5Communication
• ★5Home matches description
• ★5Cleanliness
The Saers are warmhearted, hospitable and easy to cooperate with. Their house is nice and comfortable. The kitchen is huge, with all the equipment anyone can need, and a door to the garden for breakfast in the sun. We appreciated that there are several places to sit down for a chat, making it easy to socialize in small groups when traveling with a big family. The cat is very easy to handle. Our favourite sites to visit were New Forest and Stonehenge. We had a problemfree exchange with the Saer family and found our home and car in perfect condition when we returned home.

Type

House - 2 or more floors/ Main Residence


Amenities

  • Balcony / Deck
  • Dishwasher
  • Clothes Washer
  • Clothes Dryer
  • Microwave Oven
  • Fireplace
  • Equipped for Children
  • Garden
  • Heating
  • Private parking
  • Terrace / Patio

Entertainment

  • Computer available
  • DVD
  • Internet access
  • Piano
  • TV
  • Wireless Internet (WiFi)

Extras

  • Use of bicycle(s)

Setting

  • Suburban

Neighbourhood

Description of our neighbourhood and surrounding area

We are in the University area of the city, which is beautifully quiet during the summer months, but means we benefit from the theatre, concert hall and swimming pool a few minutes' walk away.

The location works well for the children. At the end of our road (200m away) is a park with play equipment, space for ball games, and two tennis courts which are free to use. There is rowing, canoeing etc. on the river just 5 mins drive away.

300m in the other direction is a good shopping area, with a large Sainsburys,and Waitrose supermarkets and lots of restaurants (including 2 large, eat-in ice cream parlours!)

For serious shopping, Southampton's West Quay is one of the top shopping centres for the South of England, and it's 10 minutes drive away.

We're close to Southampton Common and Riverside Park which are lovely places for a stroll on a summer evening - or indeed a picnic lunch.

For rainy days, there are 4 cinemas within a 10-minute drive, as well as 3 bowling alleys, 2 trampolining centres, an indoor climbing centre, a watersports centre, the Titanic museum, etc.

Outdoor Activities

  • Canoeing / Kayaking
  • Fishing
  • Golfing
  • Tennis
  • Public Swimming Pool
  • River
  • Sailing

Leisure

  • Park / Playground
  • Cafés
  • Restaurants
  • Shopping
  • Park / Playground

Cultural Activities

  • Concerts
  • Galleries
  • Museums
  • Theatre

Transport Nearby

  • Bus
  • Train Station

Neighbourhood Services

  • Pharmacy
  • Supermarket

Attractions

Our home exchange - places to go and things to do while staying in our home

We're a short (20 minutes) ferry ride to the beautiful Isle of Wight. And the spectacular New Forest ('new' by English standards: it was newly proclaimed a royal forest by William the Conqueror in the eleventh century) is just 15 minutes drive - with endless wonderful walking and cycling opportunities.

Central London is easily accessible by train (fastest trains: 63 minutes), as is Oxford (75 minutes). Bath is also an easy day trip. Even closer are Stonehenge, the beautiful city of Winchester (the ancient capital of England - 15 minutes away) and other attractions.

Although providing easy access to major tourist attractions, Southampton is an old and historically important city in its on right. It was from here that the Mayflower set off for the new world. It has been home to Isaac Watts, Jane Austen, and the great Spitfire!

We are an easy drive away from some great beaches, including our favourite sandy beach for sunny summer days: Mudeford Sandbank. Or take quick ferry over to the Isle of Wight for plenty of other lovely sandy beaches.

And we’re not far from some wonderful theme parks that make great days out for the children. Thorpe Park and Legoland are 60 minutes away. Chessington World of Adventures is 70 minutes. Peppa Pig World is just 15 minutes.

You'll find info on good places to eat out or leisure opportunities waiting for you on your arrival.

Our favourite restaurants


Cafés & bars


Special places to shop


Leisure and cultural activities


Walks or jogging paths


Health or fitness clubs


Interesting day trips


Our Preferences

Our home exchange - here are our Preferences and House Rules

We're very experienced exchangers (although not on this platform for a while). We're fairly relaxed, but no smoking please and we would ask that you leave the house as you found it!

Our cat Titch could do with feeding if possible (otherwise we can ask the neighbours).

Conditions

  • Children Welcome
  • Pets Not Allowed
  • Smoking Not Allowed
  • Plant Care Not Needed

Use of Personal Car

  • Use of Personal Car is possible

Home Exchange Type

  • Non-simultaneous Home Exchange
  • Simultaneous Home Exchange
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