Fir Cottage

The kitchen's stable-door leads out to the garden; with a sandstone patio, this is the perfect place to dine al fresco. When the morning sun beckons, make a coffee from the Nespresso machine and enjoy your breakfast at the patio table overlooking the garden. As the weather warms up, take advantage of the sun loungers in the afternoon: in fine weather, the garden is bathed in sunshine almost all day long.

Up the stairs and on the first floor there are two bedrooms; with top-quality White Company bed linen and non-allergenic duvets and pillows, the owner has made sure you have every comfort to ensure a good night's sleep. The main bedroom overlooking the garden has a 'zip and link' bed which can be made up as either as king-size or twin beds, offering more flexibility for guests. The second bedroom, a light and airy twin bedroom, overlooks the front of the property. This room also has an en suite toilet and wash-basin.

St Helens Beach offers a wealth of holiday activities and a fantastic bistro/cafe - Baywatch on the Beach. The beach is acknowledged by the National Trust to be one of the finest places for rock-pooling in southern England, its waters teeming with sea anemones, crabs and brittle stars. If you are a keen photographer or naturalist, the Duver offers you a myriad of opportunities for spotting birds such as terns, redshank, turnstone, sanderling, curlew, lapwing as well as stonechats and wagtails. It's a brilliant habitat for bees, crickets and spiders too. The energetic can take advantage of the watersports, cycle hire and sailing activities offered for all ages by Tackt-Isle Adventures on the Duver; gentler pastimes can be enjoyed at the art gallery and the cafe at the Duver Marina. Gardeners will appreciate the two highly regarded plant nurseries within the village - great souvenirs for your own plot!

St Helens is neighbour to Bembridge and Seaview villages, both within a few minutes' drive, offering stunning beaches, places to eat and boutique shops. Bembridge has its own local farm shop, cafes, restaurants, a bakery and fishmongers - everything you could need just along the road. Fir Cottage really is the ideal year-round retreat for either a family or couple wanting to get away for a relaxing holiday.