The Dacha

The Dacha is a freshly renovated, stylish and spacious family holiday home in a superb position, a few footsteps from the gorgeous sand and views of Avon Beach. The owners, who have four children and local family, had been coming to the area for many years but could not find a holiday home that had everything they wanted, so in the end they bought one and made it for themselves. There is little better than being able to take your morning cup of tea onto the beach to watch the sun rise behind the Needles and the Isle of Wight. Sleeping to the sound of waves on the beach is also a treat and waking up to see a kite surfer's sheet whizz past the window is magical. The two glass fronted balconies are south west facing sun traps and both have marvellous views out to sea. This is a really brilliant British beach house with quite a few luxuries thrown in. Four of the five bedrooms face the sea, three have sea-facing balcony access, and there are three well-appointed bathrooms as well as a downstairs loo. There are three double bedrooms, a twin and a bunk room. Double bedrooms have remote control blinds so you can see the sea without having to get up. The house sleeps up to a maximum of eight adults and two children. A travel cot is available and well-behaved pets are welcome (parrots travel for free on the Mudeford Ferry!). The house was renovated to make spending time together with friends or family in larger groups as easy and enjoyable as possible. There is a fabulous kitchen with a huge Smeg gas range featuring large hot plate and two ovens, including an Italian pizza element that is amazing. Nespresso machine and milk frother are tucked away in the cupboard. There is a wine fridge, another massive family fridge and a huge spare fridge in the utility room meaning that you can always find a cold beer and you won't have to keep going food shopping. Two large freezers give added flexibility. There is a Quooker boiling water tap for getting stuff done quickly – after a day out and about those kids will be hungry! And for adults, a separate “gin & tonic station” complete with its own sink and lemon chopping area has been installed near the seating area in the kitchen. Continuing the practicalities, there are two dishwashers which means you never have to look at dirty dishes. A large utility room is equipped with a washing machine, separate dryer and a ceiling-mounted hanging rail, as well as a switch on/off radiator for drying towels and swimming costumes. There is a hot shower in the garden for a refreshing rinse off after you have been on the beach. All towel rails in the house are on a separate circuit to the heating, so even in the summer, your bathroom towels will be dry and warm any time you are in the shower. And in winter, there is underfloor heating in all bathrooms and the kitchen area, so after a brisk walk, you will be able to warm up in no time. If the holiday is interrupted with a dreaded work crisis, or you have teenagers who need to study, there is a study off the kitchen that overlooks the back garden. Wi-Fi is on a booster throughout the house so there are no gaps in coverage and the house gets maximum local speeds with Virgin Media. Supper in the kitchen, a barbecue in the garden or an evening out at one of the many lovely restaurants nearby – a full list of options is in the owner's pack at the house. Or simply choose to have a lazy television sofa evening – these are all options at this quality beach-side retreat. Mudeford has so much to offer, kayaking, paddle boarding, windsurfing and kite surfing are all at the bottom of the garden. There is secure garden storage area to bring your equipment, and a hose to rinse it off. Locally there are masses of cycling, running and walking routes. Sailing is available in the harbour and crabbing at the quay. Fishing off the beach for those that like that. A small barbecue is available for evening grills waterside and a few beach toys are in the garden store (cricket etc).