Powder Keg Cottage - Sleeps 5

Sovereign. The word is by no means too grand a description of the view on offer here, over the sometimes calm, sometimes wild waters to the foot of the South Downs and Porchester Castle on the eyeline.

The owner, who should know, says of the view she bought that it is a “constantly changing picture”. She also knows its landmarks well. “Henry VIII used that castle” pointing at Porchester “for his armoury”. Which fact provides an interesting link with Powder Keg cottage, which has been created within the Edwardian brick building that once held the Royal Navy’s armoury.

As with Gunpowder Cottage next door, this is a top-of-the range holiday let, including two balconies (viewing platforms, more like) and two living spaces both with picture window views of the unfolding marine scene.

The superior bedroom has the top floor balcony as well as an en suite shower room. Whichever guest wins the toss and lands this beauty will sure be hard to prize from its confines considering it’s possible to dally in the oh so comfortable king double bed, sipping tea or champagne and gazing at the watery world going by below. Guests have the choice of having this bedroom set up with two single beds if preferred.

Top-notch furniture from OKA and reassuringly luxurious furniture from John Lewis ensures premium class throughout. There are two other bedrooms – the one on the top deck also has an en suite bathroom.

The first floor living room and the ground floor open-plan kitchen diner are both spaces to sit and gaze dreamily at the aqua.

But when, as if likely, you are bored of that (bored of nature?), there’s a suite of entertainment systems in the first floor living room at fingertip control: a widescreen flat TV (Freeview Loaded) a DVD player and music system. To combine the view with the authentic aroma, step outside onto the first floor balcony or the patio garden below and inhale the ions.

The kitchen/diner with TV is a welcoming and light (colour and feel) space in which to dispel any lingering dark moods. Fully fitted with the usual white good appliances, this also does a homely feel with an armchair for lounging on, reading on, or occasionally checking the progress of a massive cruise ship from.

The patio garden flows gently down to the shore and halfway down there’s a gate in the fence separating it from Gunpowder Cottage next door which can be used if two families or groups let the cottages in tandem.

When you’ve allowed the lapping water to slough off the tirednesses and stresses you may have brought with you from your other lives, it’s time to change gear and, perhaps, re-ignite the adrenal glands with a rib ride across the harbour or a visit to ‘Explosion’, the nearby (2 mins walk) museum of naval explosives.

We can also arrange sailing trips (day or evening).

Add to this the possibility of a trip to the shops at Gunwharf Quay, followed by a trip around the Naval Dockyard and you have royal recipe for a fabulous holiday.