Converting derelict buildings on her family's farm in to stylish holiday stays was a labour of love for Kate and her husband Angus
To ‘bimble’ is something we could all do a little more of – meaning ‘to stroll, to walk aimlessly and to travel at a leisurely place’. It’s that feeling we are after when we go away; to be a little more mindful and soak in our surroundings, to go slow and turn the endless mind-chatter of to-do lists on mute.
For New Forster dwellers, Kate and Angus it seemed the perfect name for their AirBnb and family home (Bimble HQ) situated in-between Milford on Sea and Lymington, in the rural village of Keyhaven.
Kate says: ‘Both our AirBnb and house were created from a disused barn that was originally part of my family’s old dairy farm, which we bought from them seven years ago. At the time it was derelict and needed a lot of tlc but we got there after three years, converting the old cow shed into what we now call home. A lot of love, sweat and tears went into the process and it is something we are extremely proud of. My husband’s a yacht designer and used that talent when designing the house, along with the help of his father who is also an architect.’
Both their home and their rental have stunning views looking out into a secret woodland, perfect for wildlife spotting and getting away from it all. Bimble accommodates up to two people, and for those wanting a little more space, Kate rents her family home Bimble HQ, which sleeps up to six.
Kate explains: ‘I’ve lived in the area my entire life – my mother’s side of the family owned a dairy farm, and my father is a local forager who also grew up here and became the owner of a little boat trip company called Puffin Cruises.’
Kate, who spent many years working in the hospitality field, including Limewood and The Pig, says hosting people is something ‘she loves’ and feels she has a ‘natural flare for’. She says: ‘It’s just something I really enjoy doing.’
With high vaulted ceilings throughout, their property feels every bit the grand farmhouse; flooded with light, airy and spacious. It’s no wonder this architectural roof style has been around for millennia – they create an impressive statement.
Kate continues: ‘The design of the house was very much led by what was already here. My husband designed it in keeping with the natural surroundings. We wanted sleek, simple with beautiful high beams. The artwork and décor was done by both Angus and I to show our quirky characters. We have an old ship door on the wall, which is a firm favourite with guests.’
Both properties feature a combination of rustic elements and luxury touches, and each room has its own personality. White space is used throughout to create a minimalist feel and neutral colours palettes are paired with pops of hues from plants, bright artwork and open shelving.
The open-plan kitchen and living room has a concrete floor with bold, granite butcher-block counters in the kitchen. With a passion for design and sourcing materials, Kate took on the role of interior designer herself.
She remembers: ‘In Bimble HQ, one of the main features is the hanging lights. My husband managed to salvage them from the original barn and parts of the electricity pylon we had removed from the plot. He hung them with a lovely orange cable from Creative Cables and finished off with bulbs from Buster and Punch.
‘In the AirBnb, the kitchenette consists mainly of items we have found and recycled, as we wanted it to be as sustainable as possible. The tiles are from a company called Marrakechdesign – we used them in our house, had some left over and loved them so much we had to use them elsewhere! The kitchen top and sink is an old school chemistry unit from Ebay. It’s still with the original engravings the students had written along with the original taps. I love to source a lot of antique pieces from charity shops to help give a place more charm. The light in there is an old animal feeder that we found here underground when we were building – my husband’s creation again!’
The bathroom features abstract tiles with playful geometric patterns and copper, creating an uplifting a space, complete with a rainforest shower.
Guests staying at Bimble can enjoy exclusive use of a hot tub and freestanding outdoor heated bath, which is an inviting place to soak and listen to the natural sounds of the area. For those colder winter nights, there is a traditional log burner to sip hot drinks and get cosy by.
Kate says: ‘We get a lot of couples who are wanting to explore and get out into this stunning area we call home – most are from London and wanting a little luxury stay in the New Forest. It’s such a joy to welcome guests, see their reactions to Bimble and tell them all the wonderful places to visit. There is just so much to do – walking, cycling, horse riding. A lot of guests rent e-bikes from a lady called Lisa down the road. There’s a great pub called The Gun Inn nearby too.’
Just a few steps away from the holiday let are two resident pigmy goats named Pickle and Pongo, and kunekune pigs, Pumba and Peanut. Kate shares: ‘We’ve had them since they were piglets and they have become part of the family. They are sisters from the same litter but are very different in character, each of them just as cheeky as the other though. We’ve also got bantam chickens who provide eggs for guests each morning, as well as a duck pond. There are lots of furry friends here for animal lovers!’
When Kate isn’t busy looking after guests, she is a mum to her two daughters, Piper (2) and Winnie (6). She shares: ‘I like to practice yoga daily and I can spend hours in the garden, which has become a huge passion of mine. I also have a little side business called Moss which is all things foraging and flowers. We love the beach and the forest and going for walks and picnics. I also love a trip to Barton where you can find fossils and sharks teeth – something I could spend hours doing!’
Both Bimble and Bimble HQ are available to rent on AirBnb
Bimble HQ: airbnb.co.uk/rooms/820876470365683989
Bimble: airbnb.co.uk/rooms/49169145
