National Trust - Rosetta and East Rosetta Cottages, Isle of Wight

Rosetta Cottage, sleeps 10
East Rosetta Cottage, sleeps 6

Gather the family, or a group of friends, and head to the Isle of Wight for seaside adventures. Rosetta Cottage and East Rosetta Cottage, owned by the National Trust, are 2 halves of a converted Victorian manor house right on the front at Cowes, where you can watch the ships sail by from the windows or the large private gardens. Both houses taken together can sleep up to 16, though there isn't enough room for everyone to eat together indoors.

Rosetta Cottage is the larger of the 2 houses with a big sitting room with wood burner and a beautiful view of the sea, a sunroom, dining room with French doors opening onto the garden and seating for 10, and a stylish kitchen. Many of the double and twin bedrooms also have the stunning sea views, so there's a lovely calm feel to the house.

Outside, the garden has a large lawn perfect for kids letting off steam, and outdoor seating, so you can continue to enjoy the sea views over an outdoor breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Adjoining Rosetta Cottage is East Rosetta Cottage, a smaller property with lots of original features like roll-top baths and pretty fireplaces. Upstairs are 2 twin bedrooms and 1 double as well as a shower room and a bathroom. Downstairs is the kitchen, dining room (seating 6) and sitting room, whilst the garden shares the same glorious views over the sea as next door.

It's an easy walk into the bustling town of Cowes, home of the oldest sailing regatta in the world (in August) and with shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants to explore, as well as the marina full of gently bobbing boats. Elsewhere on the island, head to Osborne House, a favourite of Queen Victoria, to soak up the history, or to the Isle of Wight garlic farm for an outing that'll keep the vampires away, or simply head to the sun-soaked beaches or go fossil hunting on the coast.

All photos - National Trust Images / Mike Henton