The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Cosy up, get close, look cool

The Hollies is cosy in winter and smart and sophisticated in summer. Destination venue for interior design shoots, this is the place to gather as a family and look ever so cool. Cook on the Aga, sing around the baby grand, plunge into the pool and sink into the hot tub. Cosy up, get close, and you'll never want to leave.

 The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

A house for all seasons

The Hollies is a house for all seasons. In the summer, it puts its seersucker shorts on, trims its lawn and invites you to sip a Pimm’s from the poolside while you gaze upon the greenery. In winter, you’ll gather round the crackling fire and discuss how hard it is to leave. If The Hollies didn’t have foundations, you’d probably take it with you.

It’s easy to see why The White Company, Oka and Loaf, Arlo and Jacob and Farrow & Ball have been drawn to this heavenly corner of Hampshire to photograph their campaigns. Sitting in an easy chair by the wood burner, drink in hand, you’ll feel like you’re an extra in a glossy magazine shoot.

So what a place for everyone to come together in Grade II-listed splendour, revisit old memories and make new ones within five acres of abundant greenery and 4300 feet of delectable soft furnishing. Cook in the warmth of the Aga, sing around the baby grand, plunge into the pool and sink into the hot tub on a clear night to stare at the stars.

The lawns are big enough for inquisitive muntjac deer, so they’re certainly big enough for football. The reception rooms suggest family film nights, cards or charades. And the fireside will be disappointed if you haven’t brought armfuls of novels. Cosy up, get close again, and remember what it means to be a family.

 The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Pool, hot tub, gardens and grounds

The lawns sweep down to the house’s very own woodland, thick and tangled with adventure. The woods are crying out for Easter egg hunts, hide-and-seek or den-building, as your kids travel back in time to an era of scuffed knees and rosy cheeks.

On summer days the heated pool is calling, or perhaps a cocktail or two on the surrounding loungers. Clear nights mean one thing, the inviting cedar-wood hydro hot tub sits beneath the twinkling sky, offering a front-row seat to a majestic celestial performance. Just add champagne.

You’ll want to explore, too, because the five acres of grounds come with a five-a-side football pitch. Look further and you’ll even find a 15 ft American Tipi. Play lawn games in summer, stomp around the woods, then, as evening descends, slip into your robe and gather round the 12-seat table for a round of nightcaps.

Beyond the boundaries the majesty continues on the edge of the Meon Valley National Park, a magnet for trail walkers and cyclists.

 The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes
 The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes
Living spacesLiving spacesLiving spacesLiving spaces

Living spaces

This is the place to dream and hide from the world. The cosy, immaculate interiors will have you waiting impatiently for a milestone birthday, or to celebrate 25 years of marriage, so you can return once again to relax with a drink and a book and gaze into the flames of the crackling fire.

Gorgeous period panelling, cornicing and a fireplace big enough to live in are married with modern touches that gently remind you you’ve not slipped back in time. So tasteful and elegant are The Hollies that The White Company, Laura Ashley, Joules and more stop by for photo shoots.

So, you’ll be living life on location. There’s a grand scale to things at The Hollies, too. Yet, despite its size, the house stays close and relaxed. Maybe it’s the two open fires, the pair of wood-burning stoves and the radiance of the Aga. Or maybe it’s just because The Hollies is a warm and welcoming place to be.

There’s space here to escape or to mix. Come together in the three reception rooms with their plush sofas, in the huge reception hall, ripe for a singalong with the baby grand in the corner, or in the den with its DVDs and board games. Or maybe just gather round for tales, films or games.

The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Cooking and dining

The kitchen is large and an Aga pours forth heat to keep you snug and to do your tagine to a turn. Choose where to eat: the breakfast room and dining room both have space for 12. Or maybe you’d prefer al fresco in the 12-seat entertainment area, with the deer sidling past and the garden in full bloom.

Wherever you eat there’s space enough for everyone to get together, break bread, sip wine and swap stories. But if it’s a special occasion and rustling up a roast seems like a step too far, call up our chefs. We’ll do you proud and even deal with the dishwasher afterwards.

Head to Bishop’s Waltham’s Medieval high street, home to local favourite Josie’s, famous for their freshly brewed coffee and legendary Eggs Benedict; or cosy up by a roaring fire in The Crown with its original low beams, great local beers and fabulous food. For a taste of France, there’s wine and cheese tastings on offer at The Three Choirs Vineyard.

Down the road in Winchester, take your pick from Chinese to Nepalese and everything in between, as well as Rick Stein’s fish restaurant, his first venture outside Cornwall. And The Black Rat serves up fare far more appealing than its name and has a coveted Michelin star to prove it.

 The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes
 The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Bedrooms

The Hollies sleeps twelve people in supreme comfort in six spacious bedrooms that include three super-kings and three twins. One of the twins is a zip-and-link, giving you the flexible option of four double rooms and two twin rooms.

En-suites are suitably luxurious and the master offers a roll top bath for candlelit soaks, plus a separate shower. The downstairs den is perfect for sneaky midnight movies (keep mum on this, kids), and there’s a shared bathroom with large bath and shower attachment.

 The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Children Welcome, and dogs too

Let the children disappear into the garden; spend hours splashing around in the heated pool, enjoy a game of football, explore the woods, or play lawn games with the freedom to make as much noise as they please… Cartwheel across the lawn, race from end to end, hang out in the American Tipi. Dogs are also welcome at The Hollies – with five acres of grounds to explore there’s plenty of space to play outdoors.

If you can coax the children indoors, you’ll find games, DVDs and toys waiting to be discovered. For the ultimate night in, gather everyone together for a family film night, games or charades. Your youngest guests will be grateful to see that there are travel cots on hand to make their holiday a seamless home from home experience.

Friends enjoying themselves in a swimming pool on a sunny day. Friends enjoying themselves in a swimming pool on a sunny day. Friends enjoying themselves in a swimming pool on a sunny day. Friends enjoying themselves in a swimming pool on a sunny day.
What people say

What people say

"Perfect! We spent a wonderful three nights here - and wished it could have been more - with a group ranging from 5 to 85 years old. As lovely as the house is, we spent hours outside: wine in the hot tub, conversation on the deck, cricket on the lawn. There are some beautiful trees here - I read beneath the shade of one for hours. The dog was in heaven too. The house was gorgeous. We loved it!" - Nathan
"The Hollies is a true gem of a house with the friendliest vibe I think I’ve ever felt. It’s as though some benevolent force is giving you a head massage and you totally de-stress from the moment you walk through the door." - Nick
"A group of 12 of us recently celebrated my husband’s 50th birthday at The Hollies and had just the best time. The house is simply stunning, beautifully decorated, super comfy beds with crisp white linen and was everything we could have possibly hoped for. The highlight of the weekend was sitting in the cedar hot tub drinking champagne beneath a starlit sky! Can’t wait to turn 50 myself so we can return!" - Rachel
"This was the best holiday house i've ever stayed at. Everything was stunning. The whole process was smooth. The owner who dealt with us was a joy. Absolutely loved it. I'm finding excuses to go back." - James
"We just loved The Hollies! Fabulous, very comfortable, large, but incredibly cosy house - full of festive spirit - I just wanted to stay on there for the next four months while our house (currently gutted) is finished and we can move back in - we hate our rental (small pokey and on 3 floors with very little garden)! Wonderful owner Deborah, was incredibly responsive; a delight to do business with and she left us a beautiful hamper of food and a card on arrival - both of which were most generous and welcome." - Denise
"The Hollies was the most fabulous house for our family holiday with 4 grandsons! They loved the garden, the woodland, the fort, all areas and the hot tub. So did we! The house was beautiful, delightful and very comfortable. The welcome basket was the best I’ve ever had and the owner was so very helpful. I’d highly recommend this venue." - Patti
"Really wonderful house and excellent communication throughout. We had a fantastic time and my deposit was swiftly returned to me in full which was much appreciated. All the pictures were accurate and the house even more lovely than expected. We would definitely like to return." - Teresa
We can always rely on Kate and Tom’s to find us the best properties in great locations. The Hollies was another fabulous house with great facilities and the owner couldn’t have been more friendly and helpful. We wouldn’t hesitate to book again as everyone in the party thoroughly enjoyed it. - Rebecca
The Hollies was the perfect weekend escape for us. Exquisite house, beautiful gardens, modern amenities. The owners were brilliant every step of the way and Kate&Toms platform was simple and straightforward. We would happily return! - Phu
 The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Space, history and the Spinnaker

Kids can see stars at the UK’s largest-capacity planetarium, chase clues on the Winchester Treasure Trail or enjoy animal adventures at Marwell Wildlife. All grown-up? Get historical over Winchester Cathedral and Castle, spend time and money at Gunwharf Quays, or put your head in a spin up the Spinnaker.

 The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  The Hollies - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes