Captains Retreat

Captain's Retreat was ideally located for beautiful Christchurch.

The property was modern light and bright with everything included. This extreme heatwave however made sleeping very difficult so a fan would have been a great help. For future visits we would choose Captain's Retreat again.

The property was very comfortable , clean had everything we required.

The beds were comfortable , the conservatory was a great place to sit outside. Although in a built up area it was very quiet and we enjoyed our stay.

Very comfortable stay, house is in a great location for exploring Christchurch and surrounding areas.

A beautiful holiday home, would definitely recommend.

We have just had an amazing few days stay at the Captains Retreat.

We are pensioners in our late seventies and found the whole experience of relaxation and comfort just what was needed. Everything within walking distance and within easy reach by car. The cottage had just undergone a refurbishment and it was to a very high standard!! We loved it!! There as just one small thing if we are honest and that was the single beds which would be more suited to children\teenagers and not the elderly. However this certainly did not spoil our break we enjoyed very minute. Linda October 2025

No doubt a 5 star venue

A beautifully renovated & well appointed property with everything you need for a comfortable stay.

You should be aware that the house is very much in the middle of a residential housing development & there is a fair amount of noise from the area but this wouldn’t bother you unless you are used to a quiet environment or looking for a peaceful & quiet environment. In terms of a clean, modern & well appointed house it is perfect & an excellent location for walking to town or the quayside.

Captain's Retreat is so well maintained and looked after.

It's lovely to visit a property which is so well looked after. It is perfectly situated within easy reach of Christchurch, River Stour and the surrounding countryside. Whilst there we visited RSPB Arne, Brownsea Island, NT Kingston Lacy, Hengistbury Head and Mudeford and only used the car twice!

We had a fantastic time - thank you.

The house was immaculate and had everything anyone could hope for. Spotlessly clean with two car parking spaces and within a few minutes walk of both the quay and the town. The house deserves more than 5 stars and we booked another week there straight away. The owners and the local agents have done a very very good job.

Absolutely first class accommodation, fixtures and fittings first class, Situation ideal for walking into Christchurch and enjoying the vistas and restaurants of the town.

our only negative comments relate to the second bedroom on-suite, where the door cannot close, and the controller of water band central heating in the kitchen is loose and away from the wall. Fortunately neither spoiled our enjoyment of such a wonderful house. Frances & Dave,

Would highly recommend a stay here.

The house is decorated, furnished and maintained to a very high standard and the upgrades put in during the refurbishment this year make it even better. A great location by the river estuary with lots to do and see around and in Christchurch.

We were very happy with our stay.

A return trip and just as special as the first.

We love the location of Captains retreat, so handy for the river with it's marina and swans and for strolls into town. The house itself, is spacious, clean, comfortable and well equipped. A third visit is definitely on the cards.

Have stayed here a few times now.

Always a wonderful holiday because the accommodation is perfect for us. Very clean , everything there that you could want, well positioned for walks along river or into town. Buses on High Street take you as far as Poole or Lymington, wonderful if you don't have a car. Highly recommend this property.

We had such lovely weather for our stay and we made full use of the new garden room.

The house is very well equipped and the parking out the front is a bonus. It's very close to the river and a short walk into the town. We really enjoyed our stay.

This is our third visit to this property and we hope it won’t be our last.

All communications were very clear, everything worked and the parking space is an absolute boon. The addition of the garden room since our last visit was a very pleasant (and enjoyable) surprise. We booked for a week and extended for a fortnight, enough said!

This is a wonderful property to stay in.

Plenty of rooms and a wonderful conservatory with sliding doors. We think this is one of the best properties we have ever stayed in. The two en-suite bedrooms were great, as well as the kitchen and main room. Back garden has a shed to lock bikes in. Good parking (x2 spaces), great access to the town of Christchurch.

Shower in twin poor, taps didnt turn off well wtih wet hands and curtain didnt work well.

Using a dishwasher with only 4 teaspoons is ludicrous. Separating waste is difficult, there needed to be a separate food waste bin.

Another return visit, I see my previous review is still shown so I shall not report the same.

There is a new addition with a sliding glass garden room attached to the kitchen. This has Louvre covered roof vents, a dining table and chairs and also some soft seating, which makes it a very nice extra room, Be interesting to see reports during hot or cold weather. There are a couple of planted raised beds outside along with a new fence. Monday is market day in the High St. If you have children there is a playground just around the corner after the rowing club which can be interesting to watch at weekends during season.

A lovely clean and cosy cottage.

Only down side for us was the bed in main bedroom , it would have been much better to have had at least a king sized bed with a firmer mattress. Otherwise a great stay.

Another good stay at Captains Retreat.

House was very clean and tidy, beds and seating very comfortable. Plenty of cutlery and plates etc. Instructions for kitchen appliances in drawers if required. Clothes drying racks on kitchen radiator plus an outside line attached to the shed. Small garden is now completely decked over and has garden chairs ( cushions in shed ) and table .Walk to river front is just a few minutes away, so is the bus stop if needed. High street shops are not far either. Beaches are around fifteen minutes drive. Children’s playground just around the corner opposite the river. Interesting to watch the nearby rowing club in the mornings and there is a small ferry boat linking this area with Wick on the opposite side of the river during season. Two allocated private parking bays directly outside the house in private road. Neighbours quiet and friendly.

Lovely place to stay, convenient for all local amenities with the benefit of 2 parking spaces.

This is a lovely, comfortable holiday cottage, perfectly situated to explore the surrounding area.

A short walk to the town and quay area and not far to drive to get to other towns on the coast or into the New Forest. Lots to see and lots of lovely walks.

Nice property ,would like to have had a rubber bath mat found it slippery when in the shower also no hand rails for getting out of bath .

no coat hooks in the rear bathroom to hang dressing gowns Would have been nice to have a information folder with phone numbers for local doctors and hospital ,eating places ,local places of interest ,We had a problem with blocked toilet it turned out to be in the main pipe line and was dealt with instantly ,thank you .

We had a lovely week at Captains Retreat, which was in an ideal location to explore Christchurch and the surrounding areas and in a quiet close.

It was very clean and comfortable with a fully equipped kitchen/diner, and a furnished outdoor area. Communication with our friendly host was excellent and It was a perfect home from home. I would definitely recommend a stay there.

A lovely comfortable property beautifully decorated in a quiet location and within close proximity to Christchurch with it's Priory, castle ruins and riverside walks.

Chose this property for its location as attending a local wedding and as travelling from a long distance we decided to stay the week to explore the area.

Captains Retreat was welcoming, very clean , spacious and bright. It would have been helpful to have had instructions available on how to navigate the TV and Freeview channels and also the electric oven and grill, which took us a while to suss out.

Our second visit to the house at this time of year.

House is in a lovely location and overall we had an ok stay but I was extremely disappointed that the dishwasher was broken and there was no note to tell us, even though the owner and the cleaner were aware and still left a dishwasher tablet out like it was useable. House wasn’t very clean, kitchen especially and lots of cobwebs downstairs which we cleaned ourselves. Only half the spot light bulbs were working in the kitchen. Kettle is missing the filter so water pours out extremely quickly which was dangerous. Took a long time for water to drain away in shower, house needs a deep clean and maintenance issues need to be addressed. Also building work taking place at neighbouring property so woke up to early morning building work noises which is not ideal on holiday.

A second visit to Captains Retreat and we will go for a third.

Had a lovely short break ,lovely comfortable cottage, spotlessly clean, and very well equipped.

set in a lovely quiet cul de sac near the river. well situated for travelling to places in the area. would stay again if in the area.

A third stay at Captains Retreat and it was wonderful again!

It's such a comfortable home away from home. And Christchurch is a perfect location for exploring, both near and far. We come without a car but the rail station and buses are in such close walking distance, as are the shops and restaurants, it is extremely convenient. There's so much history and environmental beauty to enjoy all around.

We loved Captains Retreat!

A lovely well equipped and furnished cottage and the location is fantastic with the river and town so close at hand. We had quite a few visits to the Captains Club which being just round the corner is so convenient and sat outside with the lovely river views. We definitely hope to return to Captains Retreat in the future.

The position of the house was perfect with 2 car parking spaces right outside

We have just spent a fabulous week staying at Captains Retreat.

The house is situated in a quiet location but is easily accessible to the river front and town centre. There was ample room in the house for 4 adults, the beds are comfortable and the showers efficient. The house has a lovely sunny back garden, yet the inside remained cool during the recent heatwave. On arrival we found the key collection arrangement easy, the house was spotlessly clean and the kitchen well equipped. Christchurch has a great bus service and the Wick ferry, offering trips, was within a few hundred yards. We certainly plan to visit again some time in the future.

Another nice stay at this lovely holiday home.

Would like to mention that the back door is really hard to open and close. Think it needs attention. Would recommend.

This was a lovely property in the perfect position for exploring Christchurch and the surrounding area.

As someone who enjoys cooking, the cooker was one of the best I have used. Really enjoyed our stay.

Have stayed here before and it satisfied all expectations then as it did this time.

Beautifully kept, absolutely clean and very comfortable. Excellent weather always helps but it is so convenient and being able to leave the car and use the buses was an extra bonus this time. Have booked again for next year.

Just back from a return visit to Captains Retreat.

Easy to find and parking directly outside house is a definite plus for unpacking. Property was very clean tidy and comfortable having everything you would need including an electric fan heater in the living room if you just want to take the chill off the air in one room. River walk very close along with plenty of swans. Small ferry will take you across the river and interesting rowing club to watch on weekends with a bus route nearby.For children there is a playground very close. New Forest and beaches a short drive away and an easy walk into town for shops.

We really enjoyed staying at Captains Retreat and hope to return.

The house is beautifully situated near the river, and having easy parking was a real bonus. The property was spotless, warm and comfortable and the owners’ instructions were accurate and helpful. We would have appreciated at least the offer of a mid-stay clean (we were there for a fortnight), but this is a very minor point.

Captain’s Retreat is in an excellent location particularly as it has parking spaces outside.

Easy to walk by the river or walk into Christchurch and convenient for going to Boscombe or Bournemouth. We have stayed there 4x and will be back.

Excellent location, very clean, comfortable house.

Would have liked a Christmas tree in the lounge but that is just a personal comment. Hopefully will be returning.

We keep coming back!

Delightful property just a very short stroll from the river, the captains club and wick ferry.

Plenty of seating in the lounge. Dinning table for 4 and lots of comfortable outside seating (we didn’t use as it was chilly). Kitchen well equipped. Would prefer a shower screen in bathroom rather than curtain but everything was lovely and clean. Bedrooms a fair size plenty of storage , great having both ensuite bathroom/shower room, as well as a large downstairs toilet. The owners were really helpful, great hosts. Definitely recommend and would love to stay again.

This was our second visit to Captains Retreat.

We were not disappointed the second time around. We did have a problem with the downstairs bathroom, but as soon as the owners were made aware of the problem, it was fixed the same day. Had a lovely week and would return for another week.

Very close to the quay and the town.

Comfortable and clean Spacious for a 2 bedroom house.

Lovely clean well equipped property in an excellent location.

We had a lovely staycation in Christchurch.

Captains Retreat was beautifully clean and comfortable. The perfect place to stay to walk, explore and enjoy the near by river, restaurants and cafes, beaches and other attractions. We look forward to coming back again.

The property is very comfortable, extremely clean and in a good location, being close to the river and a short walk to the high street.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and hope to return.

Perfect base for touring the area even had Netflix May return one day

We are returning visitors to Captains Retreat, as the house is very comfortable, and we enjoy the river walks which are just minutes away from the house.

I would just like to mention that we missed having a washing line which we have used in the past, and also, that there were no washing machine instructions amongst the paperwork. Had to search for them online. We enjoyed our getaway, and would recommend this holiday home.

Wasn’t quite as near to the high street as we would have liked (we had someone with mobility problems) but it was very close to the river which was lovely.

. We couldn’t find any maps and restaurant information and we had to hunt around for appliance instructions. In fact there were none for the washing machine. Overall a good property and we enjoyed the holiday.

A washing line in back garden should be reinstated.

Very useful previous years, missed it this year. Toilet seat in downstairs toilet needs tightening, and all taps need new washers, as they drip even when taps turned off. Other than these niggles , very pleasant accommodation.

Given the circumstances at the time we could almost have forgotten the Covid thing but it did limit the holiday.

However, the convenience of the location and its proximity to the centre of Christchurch more than made up for it.

We had a lovely time at The Captains Retreat.

Parking is easy and directly outside. It is situated at very short distance to the local attractions, we would take a walk by the river most evenings which is 30seconds away. Everything was very clean and tidy when we arrived with all the necessary amenities and great Wi-fi connection. The outdoor furniture and patio area is lovely too. The owners were easy to contact if needed (I asked for restaurant recommendations and local places to visit with the kids). The only adjustments I would suggest is to maybe replace the tv remotes as they don’t work very well, and provide some thinner bedding for the children in the summer. Overall we had a fantastic time and really enjoyed our stay! :)

Captains Retreat in Christchurch was a perfect place for my 'work-play' trip to the UK from Canada.

I stayed a total of four weeks but it didn't take more than a few hours to feel completely at home in both the cottage and the town. The cottage is so welcoming and tidy, with all the amenities I needed and is very 'user friendly'; everything is where you would expect and works the way you want. It was cosy and comfortable for my weeks there in January and February. I was having a solo trip but clearly having two bedrooms each with an ensuite would be great for a family. After long days hiking it was wonderful to soak in the tub and then have a great sleep in a very comfortable bed. And part of the advantage of staying in a cottage is to make use of having your own kitchen and in this case the kitchen is bright and large, making it an added pleasure to be having meals 'at home' regularly. If I ever had any questions, the owner, Keith, was very prompt and helpful with replies and also had many great suggestions concerning local sites and restaurants. Christchurch is an amazing combination of history and convenience. Everything I needed on a daily basis was within 5-10 minutes on foot, all within a town that has done a fabulous job preserving its historical sites and making them accessible. And then there is the natural beauty - I explored the old parts of the town, the harbour, Hengistbury Head (three times!), and Stanpit marsh. I hiked through Mudeford and along Avon beach to Highcliffe Castle. I explored the Priory several times, including Evensong and organ recitals, and went to movies at the Regent Theatre. Walking to catch a bus or train was so easy and was something I did regularly to visit Bournemouth, Winchester, Purbeck and the New Forest - not having a car was no hindrance to exploring this beautiful part of England. This truly was a 'home away from home' for me and I am hoping that I can come back again to stay at Captains Retreat, perhaps in a warmer season so there would be the added bonus of enjoying the courtyard out back with the lovely outdoor furniture.

Welcoming and well presented pretty modern cottage.

Walking distance to the pretty town of Christchurch and beautiful beach.

Enjoyed our holiday every bit as much as we did last year, the house makes for a very comfortable stay.

Well positioned as near to river for walks, shops and theatre on High street, buses for going further afield if you don't have a car . Overall a wonderful holiday .

Just back from another visit to Captains Retreat.

New rear garden decking makes the space more usable with good outdoor seating and table. Indoors the beds and chairs are very comfortable and we found the place to be very clean. Parking is just outside the front door which is very useful. Easy walk into town or park in one of the several car parks and the bus stops are close as well. River walk just around the corner with parks very near.plenty to do in town and very close to beaches and New Forest. Will return.

There was extensive building work in progress next door.

Work being carried in front and inside of the house using a circular sawing table and drilling into walls. A mechanical digger was being used in the back garden and a concrete foundation was made for an extension to the back of the house.The contractors told me they would be removing the back wall before extending. One of your main selling points for this property was the peaceful location and although house and garden were good it was hardly peaceful. This time Sykes cottages did not deliver value for money. I hope Sykes cottages take the appropriate action and inform customers renting this property in the near future.

Captain's Retreat was very well equipped for our week's holiday in delightful Christchurch.

with its many places to visit, eat and drink! In our experience, holiday accommodation is often much smaller in reality than the photographs would lead you to believe but in this case we felt the property was bigger which meant we were very comfortable. On arrival the house was clean and welcoming, with fresh milk, coffee and tea available. The property was well presented in a quiet street, with a lovely garden to relax in. The river, The Priory and the town are a short level walk away, with bigger supermarkets only a short drive if required. We very much enjoyed our holiday - thank you!

Prior to the holiday I contacted yourselves as I had concerns regarding building work next door, which was highlighted by a previous customer.

You assured me that work would be complete prior to our stay on the 14th June. But on arrival: Scaffolding in situ front and back of next door, large skip in front view of lounge from where I sat. Drilling; sawing and hammering through day. Workers parking in our allocated parking space. Also: TV was extremely small my mother had to sit on kitchen chair in lounge to watch tennis... this could not be for long as she is disabled. TV extremely small and dated, hand controls did not work, changed batteries with no effect.. some evenings just turned the TV off as was unable to work it. Poor WIFI, very patchy and inconsistent ... unable to use tablets

This is our second visit to Captain's Retreat and this holiday was every bit as good as the first.

It is in an excellent location, near the quay and the shops and restaurants. The cottage is very well equipped and spacious. The beds are comfy and having two ensuite bathrooms is the icing on the cake. We plan to return sometime.

We have just had a lovely week at Captains Retreat.

The cottage was well situated for all amenities local buses and eating places. It was very comfortable and met all expectations. It was nice to be contacted by the owner beforehand who sent us arrival details. However this stated arrival after 2pm but the cottage wasn’t ready until after 3pm. Another minor issue was although we always removed our shoes as requested we wondered if other people did this because the carpet in the lounge was rather stained. Despite this we will be looking to book again in the future.

Cottage was extremely well appointed, in exactly the right position for family visit and was suitable for elderly grandfather with own bathroom.

Enjoyed patio in brief sunshine. Would recommend it and would look to being able to visit in the future and it become a regular rental.

Lovely, light and comfortable in every way.

Truly a home from home and so convenient for walking into Christchurch for its many attractions. I heartily recommend this comfortable holiday home.

The cottage and its location were fabulous.

.........both beautiful. I couldn't have asked for more. All the facilities you would expect were there but what was special was all the little caring thoughtful, touches......Great memories were made.

Very comfortable holiday cottage and very convenient for all the amenities Christchurch had to offer.

Situated in a good location for visits to Poole, Bournemouth, the New Forest, Lymington and the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

Lovely property in a great location.

Convenient for walking and driving to many locations on the coast. Well equipped and comfortable. Would be very happy to stay here again. Very disappointed with the new Sykes portal. Totally unsuitable for seniors who are less tech savvy and would prefer all the details printable on a single document.

Any problems were quickly dealt with by Jean, who was wonderful.

The only way it could have been improved was the addition of an insulated teapot . We are the wrong generation to dunk a tea bag in hot water and call it a cup of tea !!! Apart from that minor hiccup the house, the garden area ,position near to everything from the river, the buses, the high street ,the Priory , little ferry, beautiful walks , was perfect. Would have no hesitation in recommending this house to everyone including people without a car as the buses are frequent, reliable and the drivers courteous. All these ingredients enabled us to have a really wonderful holiday.Thankyou

Second time we have used this house.

taken different friends this time and they were impressed. It's location is especially good for the town of Christchurch and The New Forrest Southampton and Portsmouth..

Milk and fruit juice very much appreciated.

Paper hanks in every room - very useful.

We really enjoyed our stay in this property as it is in a very convenient location for the lovely walk into town by the side of the river.

The area around The Priory and the castle ruins are very peaceful. We also walked to Hengistbury Head - over the bridge and through the fields which is quite flat but can be wet under foot and is a fair distance. There is a visitor centre and cafe there and a large car park if you do not fancy the walk. Be aware that the Red House museum is closed on Mondays.

Very much enjoyed staying in this comfortable house.

Particularly liked being able to leave the car in the allocated parking space and walk by the river into Christchurch. Very convenient for going to Hengistbury as well. We would certainly aim to go back to Captain’s Retreat one day.

Enjoyed the property's location.

Great for walking and bird spotting on Hengistbury Head, as well as easy access to restaurants and shops in Christchurch. Very clean, comfortable and well equipped cottage .Quiet peaceful location

Beautiful house, in a fantastic location.

This cottage was excellent value for the money paid.

It was spacious, well equipped, clean and extremely comfortable. It is in an excellent location and the parking is good with your vehicle off the road - a point which I am always very concerned about. My friend and I are hoping to return to Christchurch next year and we certainly intend to try and re-book this cottage.

Re-booked again this year after finding in 2016 Captains Retreat to be the perfect location for both walks along the harbour And into town and driving to surrounding locations.

Quiet - comfortable - clean. What more do you want ?.

Good accommodation, good location, very pleasant!

We couldn't find any fault with the property at all.

It was very clean and comfortable. We would happily recommend it and very much look forward to staying there again.

Brilliant cottage good location.

Easy access to Portsmouth and Southampton. Lovely locations around to see. Had a great and would come back again.

Captains retreat was such a lovely place to stay .

It was home from home . So handy for walking into Christchurch . It was so clean and comfortable , didn't want to leave . Would definitely like to come back again

Location for access by car to coast and forest is excellent.

Walk to Hengistbury Head in one hour. Town centre ten minutes walk. Riverside three minutes away. The house is comfortable, warm and cosy. Parking for two cars outside front door. Situated in very quiet cul-de-sac. We would use this property again.

It's hard to find fault with this property.

The location is excellent too. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay - especially birdwatching on Stanpit Marsh and Hengistbury Head!

We had a lovely week at the Captains Retreat .

The accommodation was very clean and comfortable and in a ideal location . The owners provided everything to make the stay a very good one. Would definitely recommend the Captains Retreat.