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Tennyson Cottage - a house that sleeps 4 guests in 2 bedrooms

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Exterior
Living area
Living area
Living area
Living area

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Indoor pool
  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Balcony or patio
  • Internet access

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

1 bathroom

Bathroom #1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden

About this property

Tennyson Cottage - a house that sleeps 4 guests in 2 bedrooms

Situated in the beautiful village of Freshwater this modern holiday home can sleep up to four guests. The accommodation offers a modern furnished lounge/diner with french doors leading to the enclosed garden/patio area, kitchen, downstairs wc; a double bedroom with views over the downs; twin bedroom. The cottage also offers off road parking to the side of the property.

Freshwater village is a short stroll from the Cottage with a range of shops, supermarkets, pubs, restaurants, takeaways and a leisure centre which has an indoor swimming pool.

Freshwater and Freshwater Bay is located on the West Coast of the Island. The stunning Freshwater Bay with pebble beach and amazing views with cafes in the area this is a great spot for a relaxing day out by the beach.

If you like to walk you can pick up the Tennyson trial from Freshwater Bay and this will lead you to Tennyson monument which has stunning views and scenery, you can then continue to walk into Alum Bay famous for the Needles Lighthouse, coloured sands, shops, restaurant, glass blowing and chair lift to beach. The Needles is a must visit for any holiday and can be accessed by car with plenty of parking if you don't fancy the long walk up Tennyson.

Freshwater Bay Golf Club is situated above the famous white cliffs and is said to be one of the most spectacular courses in the UK.

Yarmouth is situated within a 10 minute drive again with lovely walks, shops, restaurants, and beautiful sea views.

If you like cycling this is a perfect location to start any cycling holiday with a garden shed that can store 2 adult bikes and 1 child's bike in the enclosed garden.

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About the area

Freshwater

Freshwater is home to this cottage. Yarmouth Isle-of-Wight Ferry Terminal and Newport-Cowes Trail are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore New Forest National Park and Golden Hill Fort Country Park. The Needles Landmark Attraction and Lymington Sea Water Baths are also worth visiting.
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Map
Freshwater, Isle of Wight

What's nearby

  • Tennyson Down - 18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Dimbola Lodge - 18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - 3 min drive - 1.4 km
  • Freshwater Bay Beach - 5 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Colwell Bay Beach - 5 min drive - 1.8 km

Getting around

  • Yarmouth Station - 6 min drive
  • Bournemouth (BOH-Bournemouth Intl.) - 102 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Sun Inn - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Needles Eye Café - ‬55 min drive
  • ‪Rainbow Fish Bar - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Saltwater Cafe - ‬54 min drive
  • ‪The Terrace - ‬6 min drive

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 13 out of 21 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 21 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 21 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 21 reviews

6.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Comfortable cottage with backyard

This was a very pleasant stay - the cottage was decorated well and kitchen well equipped. Lovely garden area outside with glass doors opening onto it.
Response from VrboOwner on 22 May, 2025
Hi, thank you so much for your kind comments and generous review of Tennyson Cottage. Looks like you had some good weather to further enjoy your stay, always helps!. I arrived just after you left and had the continuation of that great weather. Did you consider hiring a bike? I always do, from the place in Yarmouth. So pleased to see that you would like to visit again.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Well equipped cottage in an ideal location

We stayed here two years ago, so already knew what an ideal base it was for our holiday. Tennyson Cottage is well equipped and convenient, and suits our family group (3 adults) very well. We find the location of Freshwater, and the location of the cottage within it, to be very handy for the things we like to do and the places we mainly visit.
From a partner site

8/10 Good

A pleasant place to stay

We had an enjoyable stay at Tennyson Cottage. It is conveniently situated with good parking. The house itself is comfortable and although on a small estate we found it very quiet. Having a garden was a bonus as the weather was particularly warm while we were there and it was nice to sit outside in the evenings.
From a partner site

6/10 Okay

Isle of Wight Holiday

Very disappointed with some elements of cleanliness. A modern house in a convenient location for the south of the island. More could be done to add to the attractiveness of the garden.
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Jul, 2023
We were shocked to have received such a poor review and comments regarding the property. It caused a lot of upset at this end as we have never had such a low rating during the several years we have been receiving guests. Let's start with the cleanliness. We use a professional and highly respected cleaning company who clean a lot of properties on the Island, but alas, mistakes can happen. The downstairs toilet had been missed and on your arrival you called IHH. They offered to send the cleaner to correct the issue, but you refused. I believe during your booking they offered you a chance to purchase cheaper ferry tickets, but you refused. The garden doesn't have rockeries or flower beds as its meant to be low maintenance and relies on the rain for watering, so can appear dry during these hot periods. We employ a gardener to keep the garden tidy. We feel that your review was unfair. We have guests returning to stay at the property, so we believe that the set-up works well for most.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

it would be good to have a washing line as the clothes dryer is not enough. otherwise all OK. som

it would be good to have a washing line as the clothes dryer is not enough. otherwise all OK. some ant killer would be handy to have in the cupboard as there was an ants nest just outside the french windows.
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Aug, 2022
Hi Sue, thank you for your review and visiting Tennyson for the second time. You can get a sudden ingress of ants before you know it. Last year they came from the front car parking area and I puffed a fair amount of powder into where they were nested. Since then we didn't get any notification of their return until you notified IHH team, where upon they acted swiftly to sort the problem. You mentioned they were nested at the French Doors area, so, again, we will keep an eye out. There was some powder and traps left in the shed on the top shelf from when I was there last year. Ants are part of the natural environment and eco system, but can be a irritation at the same time. We noted your comments about a having a outside clothes line and will keep that under review. So pleased that the weather was at its best for your stay.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Superb cottage in excellent location

We love the West Wight, and this cottage suited us perfectly. Easy access to the downs, and excellent bus service to other parts of the island. Freshwater shops provided everything we needed for our stay. The cottage was comfortable and well-equipped. Kitchen utensils were our only criticism: no grater or casseroles, while other items duplicated. (It probably depends on what other guests have left behind.) One big plus was the ability to book with variable arrival an departure times. We are seldom able to have two complete weeks because living in Cumbria we like to take two days on the journey, so Saturday to Saturday bookings do not suit us.
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Jul, 2023
Hi Jonathan, thank you so much for your kind and generous review and for recommending to others. We continue to have simular comments regarding its excellent location and on how comfortable the house is. Both our booking agents and ourselves maintain the ability to be flexible to help out where we can. We usually take stock on what kitchen utensils need replacing/renewed, there should have been a grater there by all accounts, we have asked our cleaning company to check. So pleased you enjoyed your stay and hope to see you again soon.
From a partner site

6/10 Okay

A two week stay at tennyson cottage

When we arrived at tennyson cottage it looked like it hadn't been cleaned. There was a large hand print on the rear patio doors , there was dirt crumbs on the floor as well as hair strands. The cleaning company arrived that evening to sort it out, but it wasn't a great start to our holiday. Other than that it was a nice house in a nice area, close to freshwater shops . The cottage itself was nice, but could do with a washing line and maybe a dishwasher.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Comfortable stay for New Year

Comfortable for 3 of us. New build house with all the modern comforts of a new kitchen, bathroom and good central heating. Car charger was invaluable and easy to use on the shared driveway with next door. She’d in garden was secure for our bikes and made riding much easier. Location was great-2 mins from supermarket (Sainsbury’s or Co-op) and easy to get into the main footpaths for Tennyson Down, needles etc. took about 20 mins to walk to Freshwater Bay. We love the Isle of Wight and love to keep coming back to West Wight. Even though the weather wasn’t on our side, the level of accommodation was good and the restaurants/cafes are increasing in their level of food and being open over the winter period. A good stay!
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Jan, 2023
Hi Natasha, thank you for your kind and generous review following your visit over the Christmas and New year. I was pleased to hear that you found the Ev charger to be invaluable, I believe you are the first guests to have used the charger. I am also delighted to learn that you brought your bikes with you and that the shed was useful, it is a very secure area. I hope you ventured onto the track running from Freshwater to Yarmouth with your bikes, that's my favourate route. West Wight has a slower pace and a quiet environment with plenty of walks to enjoy. Hope to see you soon.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

comfortable and quiet

The cottage was just as described and the rooms as expected, as shown in the photos . It was small but quite adequate, warm and comfortable, with usable outdoor space. The beds were fine, the decor bright and fresh, and upstairs was light and airy. The downstairs living room could be improved wih a bit more lighting, but was fine otherwise. The kitchen was small but straightforward to use, despite fridge freezer only being accesible when the kitchen door was closed. Two small plumbing tasks - dripping kitchen tap, and bathroom basin very slow to empty. Otherwise the facilities were clean and modern and functioned well. The location on a smal l modern estate was pleasant and quiet, and shops within easy walking access.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Jane J.

2022 holiday to Isle of wight

Superb accommodation on a quite estate. All home comforts available. Asnear to Yarmouth accommodation is great for ferry crossings. Great location for visiting the island. Bus routes are many and able to use bus passes on them. We only found a printed bus timetable at the ferry terminal when we were going home so useful to get one earlier in the visit. Not visited the island for 20 years but glad we chose to visit this year. Improvements noted on the island but very much the same. Gorgeous beaches around e.g Compton, Ryde, Sandown to name but a few. Many nice places to eat, food very good at all - New Inn Shalfleet, Sun Inn at Colbourne, Three Bishops at Brigstone. Visited National Trust places - good for car parking and Mottistone Gardens excellent. Can walk for miles and frequently did. Hope to return.
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul, 2022
Hi Jane, thank you so much for your generous review and kind comments following your stay. There is a special charm about the Island and its partly because it hasn't changed much over the years. We always remember that first visit, maybe as a child or on a school trip, of the magic and gentle vibe that the Island seems to hold. Any development on the Island is strictly controlled, hence why it appears to be almost the same as 20 years ago. I have always said that the Island reminds me of the slower paced times of the '60's!!. So pleased that you managed to visit a number of intersting sites and enjoy the many places to eat. Locally around Freshwater, I have gone to the Red Lion and the Waterfront. There is also the opportunity to hire bikes from John in Yarmouth, he would deliver them to the door, very handy!!. Although I don't live on the Island, I have learnt that it is a very close community and all very friendly lot, always happy to help. Looking forward to your return in the near future.
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Graham C.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

First Impressions count

This property is at the higher end of the price range for self catering on the Island so we had high expectations. Please note that we have stayed at many self catering properties on the Island and quite a few via VRBO/Home Away properties all over UK and Europe. We have only ever had two where the cleaning was not up to scratch and that was years ago, one on the mainland and another locally in Freshwater. We chose this property as we had to come to the Island for a funeral and needed an extra bedroom for 2 extra family members who would join us later. Also it’s very convenient, being in Freshwater. It’s a nice quiet house with good amenities but has been let down by some avoidable omissions. I chose not to report this immediately because we had a lot of preparation to do and we wanted privacy during our stay. As a result, what could have been a 10 is now a zero (or even a minus!) Double thumbs down for the cleaning. You don't come on holiday to clean toilets!!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Belinda H.

Perfect place to stay

A short walk from the shops and buses this was an excellent place to stay. It was very quiet, clean and very well equipped. Everything worked! What more can you ask? A home from home.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 May, 2022
Thank you Belinda for a great review, we are so pleased that the house served you well during your stay on the Island. Hoping that you may visit again soon.
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Glenn B.

Lovely house in great location

Our second stay at Tennyson Cottage, following a short break last year. It is a lovely, bright and airy property in a quiet cul-de-sac in Freshwater. Shops, cafes, bars and a wonderful chippy are a short walk or drive away. This is great location in a quieter part of the island and makes an excellent base. The pretty town of Yarmouth, complete with ferry link to Lymington is a short drive away. The popular beach of Colwell Bay is also nearby and it is a great location for lovely coastal walks. The house itself is modern, well-equipped and comfortable, with pretty much everything you need for a pleasant stay. For us, as a family of three, it is pretty much perfect (it is a shame it is not pet-friendly, as this may prevent us from returning in the future). There is generous off-street parking and the neighbours appear to be friendly. If we were to be completely honest and over-critical, the house was not quite as spotlessly clean as we remembered it, particularly in the kitchen. We were also a little concerned, when stripping the beds ahead of our departure, by the state of the mattress protector in the master bedroom.
Response from VrboOwner on 12 May, 2022
Thank you for your recent review and generous rating following your second stay at Tennyson. We are again delighted to hear about how you found it to be an excellent base to visit the Island. We were also happy to learn that you and the family found the house to be comfortable and having a pleasant surrounding environment to further your relaxed stay. Parking can always be an issue where ever you are, at home or away. We are certainly blessed with a decent amount of off street parking. Right from the start of our decision to make Tennyson a holiday home, we agreed to make it "Pet-Free". This meant that we couldn't bring our Spaniel over with us for a visit, purely to offer a place to stay which was free from pet allergies.It also meant that the house remained odor free and not having a lingering damp-dog smell. We were naturally concerned about the comments made regarding the cleanliness and acted on it after receiving your review. We were able to contact a family staying there this weekend and requested that they gave us a straight-up opinion on the cleanliness of the kitchen and in their opinion there wasn't an issue and all appeared to be acceptable. In regards to the mattress cover, our cleaner confirmed today(at the time of writing)that there was a slight mark on it and has reassured us that it is being dealt with as we write. We again thank you for bringing these points to our attention, we are sure you can see that these matters are taken seriously and acted upon to correct any small mis-givings with the upmost urgency.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Lynda G.

Great house in quiet location

The house is situated in a quiet cul de sac with friendly neighbours. It was clean and well maintained. The kitchen had everything you needed to be able to prepare your own meals and also had a washer dryer which could be useful if staying for a week or more. The centre of Freshwater was just a short walk away which had all the shops you needed to buy groceries from although we found the Coop on the way to Freshwater Bay to be the best supermarket as it had more choice and free parking. If you enjoy cooking fish then the fishmonger in the centre should be visited. We really enjoyed our stay and would love to return one day.
Response from VrboOwner on 21 May, 2022
Hi Lynda, thank you so much for your generous review and lovely comments. We are indeed blessed by having friendly neighbours. I generally hire a bike from the guys in Yarmouth when I am there, another great way to explore the area. Did you notice the Sports Centre just down the road?. They have an indoor swimming pool heated by solar panels, I pop in to use their cafe'. The Co-Op is certainly well stocked and a pleasure to shop there. They also have EV charging points over the back, although I was able to charge my car at the house. As a heads-up, I will be aiming to install a wall-box at the house later in the year to cater for the EV's. Hope to see you again soon.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Glenn B.

West Wight Wonder

We enjoyed a lovely short break in Tennyson Cottage, a spacious and well equipped modern house, tucked away in a new development in Freshwater. Communication from Island Holiday Homes was excellent throughout and the welcome card was a nice touch. We found the house had been cleaned to a very high standard, with clear procedures in place for Covid19. Great facilities, including two spacious bedrooms, a well equipped kitchen, a comfortable lounge/diner, a downstairs loo and off road parking to the side of the house. For us, the house is in a great location in a quiet corner of the island, away from the busier tourist areas, a great base for walks and the beaches at Colwell Bay, Freshwater Bay and Totland . The beautiful and historic town of Yarmouth is a short drive away, perfect for the Lymington ferry. Freshwater itself has a good range of shops for provisions, including a large, new supermarket just outside the town. All in all we had an enjoyable and comfortable stay and look forward to returning.
Response from VrboOwner on 11 May, 2022
Hi Glenn, thank you so much for your great review and thoughtful comments regarding your stay at our house and of the area in general. We are so pleased you enjoyed your stay and discovered the wonders of West Wight. It is the quieter and more relaxed part of the Island. Although its a small village, it seems to have all you need in regards to shopping and eating out. When I have been able to stay there, I hire a bike from John in Yarmouth and enjoy the ride along the old railway track to Yarmouth, then treat myself to a sandwich and a beer at the George or the Pier Cafe'. I am delighted that you were happy with the high standard of cleaning, we are blessed by having a great cleaner and by the team at Island Holiday Homes. Looking forward to your return visit in the near future.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Louise W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cottage delivers more than it promises

This is a great base in Freshwater for a holiday - in a quiet cul-de-sac, and a 3 min walk from the local Sainsbury's. It was spotlessly clean, there was parking and a pleasant garden. Other cottages might appear to ooze more character, but in times when cleanliness is paramount, modern, simple furnishings win. We're very happy to recommend it.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

No Hot Water

We had to contact Island Holiday homes as on Day 3 there was no hot water. An engineer came the same day and fixed it. We also thought the bedding smelled rather damp. Apart from this, we had a very comfortable 4 day stay in this well-equipped house in a nice quiet location.
Response from VrboOwner on 24 May, 2022
Hi Pauline, I am so pleased to learn that you found our house very comfortable and enjoyed the quiet location. I would like to address the other comments made in your review. The combi boiler works on a pressurised system and from time to time it needs toping-up. The pressure outside dropped quite a bit that week which may have affected the sudden loss, as we had the same issue with ours that week. I am sure it was a nuisance at the time, but the saving grace is that we have a great team at hand to sort things like this pretty much straight away. This is the first time in Five years this has occurred to a guest, equally the matter of the damp smell. Our cleaner had picked-up your review and checked it out without delay and reported back to us that there wasn't a problem. So, most odd. Freshwater is a lovely little village, yet has pretty much all you may need to hand. Did you notice the Sports Centre?. It has a very nice indoor swimming pool, however, during this period in time it would be closed. The walk/cycle ride along the old railway track is one I enjoy, which lands-up in Yarmouth with a handful of places to have a bite to eat. Again, thank you for your review and comments and hope that you may stay with us again.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Jacqui G.

Home from home

Tennyson cottage is a real gem, a home from home. The cottage is equipped with everything you need and spotlessly clean. The location is perfect for exploring the island and should you need supplies the shops are a few minutes walk away. A good nights sleep in the comfortable beds and quiet location was heaven. We would love to return and definitely recommend Tennyson Cottage!
Response from VrboOwner on 10 May, 2022
Hi Jacqui, thank you so much for your kind comments and review of your stay at our house. I have found it a true haven of peace and quiet when I get a chance to go and visit, mind you, that hasn't been possible for the past year or so because the bookings have been so busy!!. We are blessed by the team that help keep the place clean and tidy, inside and out. Freshwater really is a relaxed and laid-back village with all that you need close to hand. Plenty of walks and views to enjoy. I always hire a bike from John in Yarmouth when I'm there and find the old railway track that lands-up in Yarmouth a great trip out. Again, delighted that you enjoyed your stay, hope to see you return soon.
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Viktor H.

A nice 3 nights stay

We really liked the house, it was quite, clean and comfortable. We had everything that we needed, it was a really nice 3 nights that we spent there. Definitely we will come back (if it will be free :) ). There was just one minor thing. When we arrived and parked in front of the house the neighbour warned us that we mustn't park in front of the house as they are his parking spaces. Of course I didnt want to argue so I parked next to the house. It was strange that he has 3 spaces and there is just one for the house but one was enough for us anyway. Anyway we loved the house and we'll come back in Spring! Thank you!
Response from VrboOwner on 27 May, 2022
Hi Viktor, thankyou so much for your feed-back on your stay at our house. We do value your comments and where required will act on the suggestions made. That was an interesting point you made about the parking issue, which I wish to address. You were right to think it odd that said person should land-up with 3 spaces, they are NOT his or anyone elses. The space out the front is for visitors only, equally there are spaces across from the house for the same purpose. The parking space allotted to No.7 and the rest of the houses there run alongside each of the properties, there is room on our drive for 2 cars, nose to tail. We understand that the house "Hand-book" has disappeared, so my wife is bringing a new one which will detail the parking arrangements. Following your comments, we are suggesting that you may park out front to unload and load-up, then move the car onto the drive as soon as possible. Our house is the only holiday home we are aware of on that development. Some people get set in their ways which is only fair as they live there 24/7. Normally said person is quite friendly, but the house has been fully booked for the first time in 5 years clearly due to the current situation and with so many people coming and going seemed to flip his lid.
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Sue D.

tennyson cottage

it was very comfortable and we enjoyed the location. The only thing that might have been useful was a folder detailing how to use the washing machine, what to do with the bins, etc. We could not open the side gate - the lock could have been broken?
Response from VrboOwner on 17 May, 2022
Hi Sue, thankyou so much for your kind comments and review of your stay. I am some what behind on these things, so, sorry about the delay in replying. We have had a House Handbook for a few years there now, which explained about various operations and procedures in and around the property. Clearly it has been moved/lost, so we have just printed a replacement that my wife will be bringing along with her this week. It will detail matters about the bins and parking. I knew, ever since we brought the property from new, that the silly back gate lock was an awkward so & so to operate, there is a nack, as always with these sort of things. From time to time, either our handyman or window cleaner would apply some WD40 to it, then it moves will no effort. We will continue to monitor the gate lock issue with the view to replace it with some thing different. All the houses on the development have these type of key-locks to their back gates, looks like we may have a duff one!!.
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Kathryn G.

Great time staying in Tennyson house

Tennyson house was comfortable and clean and perfectly situated with a short walk to pubs and shops.
Response from VrboOwner on 29 May, 2022
Hi Kathryn, sorry about the delay in replying to your kind review and comments regarding your stay, I have only just got my head around this system!!. We do indeed value your comments and are so pleased to hear that you had a comfortable stay. Freshwater is a great village with a good selection of pubs and places to eat. The fish & chip shop on the corner is welknown for miles around for their quality and good value. I usually walk there in time as they just open the doors, the service is quick and well organised. I am not a fast walker, yet the food is still hot by the time its landed on a plate back at the house. There are plenty of guided walks in the area, yet I tend to hire a bike from John in Yarmouth, he will deliver it/them to your door. The ride along the ex-railway track into Yarmouth is wonderful, especially as I usually land-up at the George Hotel to have lunch and watch the boats come in and out.
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