Review › Short breaks › South West of England

Lantern Lodge - a quirky and cosy Hampshire holiday lodge

October 19, 2023

What I loved about it:

Lantern Lodge is one of those holiday homes that is just pure comfort and relaxation. I loved simply sitting on the sofa and watching the flickering flames of the fire.

Location:

Lantern Lodge is in the village of Bramley in North Hampshire, between Basingstoke and Reading. It’s a 2-minute taxi ride from Bramley station making it easily accessible from London; you can get here from central London in just 52 minutes.

Suitable for:

This beautiful barn conversion has a king-size bed, 2 singles and another single bed in a mezzanine nook – perfect for families. The high-end decor and cosy stove also would suit a couple on a romantic break. It’s dog-friendly so if you like to holiday with your four-legged friend then Lantern Lodge is perfect for you too.

Value for money (out of 10):

Website:

CLICK HERE

First impressions of Lantern Lodge

I received a welcome email before my stay, which provided really clear directions to this Hampshire holiday lodge. There’s private parking for 2 cars and the key was in a safe box which is great for those who prefer a self check in. Stepping into the open-plan living space was a bit of a wow moment. I was immediately drawn towards the media wall – the Samsung Frame TV set to the peaceful waterlilies of Monet, surrounded by stylish alcoves.

The decor is a calming mix of greens and neutrals, expertly chosen by owners Ben and Julie (and a talented interior designer). This barn conversion was completely renovated in early 2023 and has been furnished to a high standard. The quality kitchen has everything you need for a short break with home comforts like a washing machine and dishwasher.

A welcome basket is kindly provided, with an excellent sourdough loaf from the local Wellington Farm Shop and the marmalade was perfection. If you’re staying in the warmer months then you’ll also find a complimentary bag of charcoal for the BBQ on the decking outside. There’s a seating area in the courtyard which catches the evening sun.

In the living area, a stove can be used for heating, though I just turned on the decorative fire effect, creating a warm and cosy atmosphere. The sofa was very comfortable and I found the TV easy to use, particularly with Disney+ already being logged in. The living room also features a mezzanine level with beanbags and a bookshelf with some family games. I can tell from reading the reviews of Lantern Lodge that kids absolutely love this quirky space. It’s a great area for them to chill out without them having to retreat to the bedroom.

The second bedroom has a quirk of its own in that it also has a mezzanine level, just big enough for a single bed and a lamp. If you are bringing more than one child I could imagine them fighting over who gets to sleep up the ladder. There are also 2 other single beds and a clothes rail in this room.

The master bedroom has a quiet and calming feel to it. The king-size bed is comfortable and there’s plenty of storage space. I sunk into the cloudlike pillows and duvet and had such a restful sleep.

The wet room and toilet have been decorated beautifully in teal, with hexagonal floor tiles that I’d love to have in my own house. There’s a floor squeegee (did not know they existed!) to help keep it dry. Shampoo, conditioner and shower gel are all provided.

Lantern Lodge is definitely up there as one of the cosiest holiday accommodations I’ve had the pleasure of staying in.

Things to do in North Hampshire

Whilst you could easily spend your entire stay relaxing at Lantern Lodge; there is a lot to do in the local area. If you’re staying with children under 8 years old, then I recommend visiting Wellington Country Park which is just a 13 minute drive away. You’ll spend a whole day there seeing the farm animals, playing in the splash park, exploring the toddler village and roaming the dinosaur walk.

The Vyne is a National Trust property 5 minutes down the road from the holiday home and here you can enjoy a tour of the house and gardens. We like to explore the 3 circular routes around the woods and look out for wildlife from the hide.

Silchester Roman ruins are less than 4 miles away and there is a great walking route from Bramley which takes you there. The amphitheatre makes for a nice picnic spot before exploring the ruins and returning to Lantern Lodge.

This Hampshire holiday lodge also provides a good base for lots of Jane Austen related sights such as her old house in Chawton, her birthplace in Steventon and her final resting place in Winchester Cathedral. I’ve put the link to one of my blog posts in the handy links section to give you some inspiration.

Booking Lantern Lodge

You can book to stay here via the links provided and I have one more tip for you. You could book just one night for £365, but you can get 3 nights for £475 so the longer you stay, the better value it is. I think a 3 night stay would be enough time to explore the local area but I personally could easily have spent a week here.

Thank you so much to hosts Ben and Julie for welcoming me, if you have any questions about staying here then please feel free to message me on Instagram.

REVIEW

This is a Girl About review. I was invited by the management free of charge in exchange for an honest and frank review. All my opinions are my own and in no way have they been swayed by their kind invite. Girl About reviews are always 100% honest. We only publish reviews that, for the most part, are positive.