Pepys Hideaway

Pepys Hideaway is a dog-friendly holiday let in Southsea, Portsmouth: a modern two-bedroom bungalow on a quiet close that sleeps six, with a driveway for two cars, a private garden and a summerhouse games room. Albert Road's restaurants and bars are about ten minutes' walk, the seafront at Canoe Lake about a quarter of an hour. Booking here is cheaper than booking the same dates through some of the big booking sites.

The bungalow at a glance

• Sleeps 6: a king room with its own shower room, a twin room and a sofa bed for two
• 2 bathrooms, both with walk-in showers
• Everything on one level, with no stairs inside
• A summerhouse games room in the garden: table football, darts, a mini pool table and a desk
• A very big smart TV with streaming apps, and an Xbox
• A private, enclosed garden, and dogs are welcome
• Driveway parking for two cars, right in front of the door
• Dishwasher, washing machine, coffee machine and Wi-Fi
• Self check-in from 4 pm to 9 pm, check-out by 10 am

Inside the bungalow

Open the front door and the whole living space is in front of you: kitchen, dining table and lounge in one bright, open-plan room, so whoever is cooking stays part of the conversation. The sofa is big and properly comfortable, the smart TV is huge, with your streaming apps ready to sign in to, and there's an Xbox for a game before bed. Guests describe it as immaculate and modern, and say it feels like a real home rather than a rental. Because it's a bungalow, everything is on one level, which makes life easier with small children, older relatives or a car full of bags.

Bedrooms and bathrooms

Bedroom 1: a king-size bed, with an en suite shower room and walk-in shower.

Bedroom 2: two single beds, good for children or friends sharing.

Living room: a sofa bed that sleeps two more when you need the extra space.

The main bathroom has a walk-in shower too, and guests regularly mention how powerful the showers are. Every bed is made up with fresh hotel-quality linen before you arrive, and we leave towels for everyone, toiletries, and spare pillows and blankets.

The kitchen

The kitchen is set up for real cooking, not just reheating: oven and hob, microwave, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, kettle, toaster and a coffee machine, with pans, baking trays, crockery, cutlery and wine glasses. There's tea and coffee to get you started, plus a washing machine and an iron, so a week here is as easy as a weekend.

The summerhouse games room

Out in the garden, the summerhouse is the part everyone remembers. It holds table football, a dartboard and a mini pool table, with a desk in there too for anyone who needs to answer a few emails. Parents tell us their children hardly left it, and the grown-ups usually end up in a darts rematch of their own. For quieter evenings there are board games in the house.

Garden and dogs

The garden is private and enclosed: room for children to run about and for dogs to stretch their legs, and dogs are welcome here. One honest tip from a guest who brought two chihuahuas: there's a small gap by the gate that very tiny dogs can slip through, so you may want to block it during your stay.

Where you are in Southsea

Pepys Close is a peaceful residential close; one guest wrote that you simply don't hear a thing, even though shops, cafés and bars are a short walk away. Walking times from the door: Albert Road, with its independent shops, restaurants and bars, about 10 minutes; Fratton station and Fratton Park, home of Portsmouth FC, about 14; Canoe Lake and the seafront about 16; Southsea Castle about 30; and Southsea Common, where Victorious festival is held, about half an hour.

By car, Eastney beach is about 5 minutes away, Gunwharf Quays 7, the Spinnaker Tower and the ferry port about 8, and the Historic Dockyard about 12. Taxis are easy to get to and from the close, so a night out in town is simple too.

Staying for work

For contractors and visiting teams this is comfortable serviced accommodation in Southsea: off-road parking that has taken a large van, Wi-Fi, a desk out in the summerhouse, a washing machine, and two bathrooms so nobody queues before an early start. Longer stays are discounted.

Parking, arrival and departure

The driveway sits right in front of the bungalow and fits two cars. Check-in is self check-in with a lockbox, any time between 4 pm and 9 pm, and check-out is by 10 am. We send everything you need before you travel, and our local team is on hand by message every day from 8 am to 8 pm.

Good to know before you book

• Check-in 4 pm to 9 pm by lockbox; there are no arrivals after 9 pm. Check-out by 10 am
• All on one level, with no stairs inside
• Up to two dogs; a pet fee is added when you book
• No cot or high chair at the moment, so bring a travel cot if you need one
• Minimum stay 4 nights; up to 89 nights can be booked online
• No parties or events, and no smoking
• After booking, the lead guest completes a short ID check and deposit step with our partner SafeGuest

Questions guests ask

• Is there parking? Yes, a private driveway right outside for two cars.
• Can we bring our dog? Yes, up to two dogs are welcome (a pet fee is added when you book), and the garden is enclosed; watch the small gap by the gate with very small dogs.
• Is it all on one level? Yes, it's a bungalow with no stairs inside.
• How far is the beach? Canoe Lake and the seafront are about 16 minutes on foot.
• Is it near Fratton Park? Yes, about 14 minutes' walk, the same as Fratton station.
• Can I work here? Yes, there's Wi-Fi and a desk in the summerhouse.
• What are the beds? A king, two singles and a sofa bed for two.
• Can we stay for a month or more? Stays of up to 89 nights can be booked online; for 90 nights or more, please get in touch first.
• Can we arrive after 9 pm? No. Check-in closes at 9 pm, so please plan to arrive between 4 pm and 9 pm.
• Is there a cot or high chair? Not at the moment, so please bring a travel cot if you need one.
• Can the twin beds become a king? Yes, we zip them together if you ask when you book.

Booking direct

Booking here is cheaper than booking the same dates through some of the big booking sites, and longer stays are discounted. If you have particular dates in mind or a question about your stay, email us before you book and we'll see what we can do for you.