Originally the deer hunting area of William the first 1079, the somewhat misnamed 'New Forest' is anything but new. A very protected national park, the New Forest is a spectacular and vast area for walking, cycling and horse riding. The open pastures that have been preserved since the area was created provide not only a real sense of freedom but also some of the most contented animals, both wild and somewhat domestic, in the UK. Read more
Comfortable self-catering annexe set in an idyllic location within the New Forest National Park close to Fordingbridge in Hampshire. A peaceful, secluded retreat which is ideal for exploring the areas many attractions with direct access to forest walks from the front door. A peaceful haven with two pubs in walking distance and plenty of opportunity for cycling, horse riding, fishing and walking locally.
Fernlea is a fresh family home with space for up to five people to sleep in three bedrooms. It's in the quiet residential village of Sway, three miles from Brockenhurst and within easy reach of Lymington. It's perfect as a base for exploring the New Forest National Park as well as the Hampshire coastline. The area is rich with opportunities for walking, cycling, horse riding, golf and other outdoor activities. Local attractions include Buckler's Hard, the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, Monkey World, Paulton's Park and Peppa Pig World.
A modern stylish Four Star Gold self-contained annex in the Hampshire village of Godshill within the New Forest National Park. Close to Fordingbridge, Wayside is an ideal place for enjoying all the forest has to offer including fabulous walking, cycling and horse riding. Family swimming passes for the pools at the nearby Sandy Balls leisure centre are provided. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
A picturesque thatched holiday retreat on the edge of the New Forest National Park providing a superb base for exploring the forest, and also the many attractions of the area including Winchester, the South Coast and Stonehenge. The county town of Fordingbridge with a good choice of shops and eateries is just half a mile away.
A very pretty thatched self catering holiday cottage on the edge of the New Forest, providing very comfortable holiday accommodation and an ideal base for touring the area being just a few miles from world famous Stonehenge, Bournemouth and beaches. Just half a mile from Fordingbridge with a good choice of amenities close by.
Hampshire, and particularly the New Forest National Park, is a wonderful place for a self-catering holiday. Even if you only have a few days to escape, the natural beauty and relaxed pace will help you unwind and recharge. There is so much to see and do from walking through ancient forests, to cycling along country lanes, climbing trees, swimming, sailing, playing golf, and visiting museums and stately homes. This cottage is on a quiet street just a few minutes' walk from Lymington high street, offering comfortable accommodation for up to four people.
The Boat Shed has been designed to pack a considerable amount into a compact area while still feeling spacious and welcoming. The ground floor provides studio-style accommodation with a sofa that opens into the main bed, and a clever kitchen is hidden away behind smooth cupboard doors. It's a fantastic retreat for couples or individuals but has a 4ft-wide mezzanine bed to sleep an extra person or two children who don't mind sharing. The Boat Shed is steps away from Lymington Royal Yacht Club and the fantastic Mayflower pub, and only a short walk from the historic town centre and Solent Way footpath.
Valley View is a large, elegant house with an adjacent annexe, sleeping 10 people in six bedrooms with a layout that suits extended families and friends. Built to make the most of the peaceful location in Frogham, every room has a fantastic view of the forest, valley and countryside. It's incredibly peaceful and the sort of place you can happily park the car and forget about it for the duration of your stay, walking and cycling through an ancient landscape, past wild grazing ponies and donkeys, and following tracks that lead to amazing sights. Fordingbridge is less than three miles away, with Ringwood not much further.
Beau Soleil is on a quiet street just back from the beach at Milford-on-Sea. It sleeps six people in three bedrooms and is a fantastic holiday home for families, being barely a three-minute walk from the sand and around 15 minutes from shops, cafes, pubs and other amenities. With the gorgeous Hampshire coast on the doorstep and the beautiful New Forest within a few miles, guests at Beau Soleil have an endless choice of walking, cycling, horse-riding, swimming, sailing and a host of other activities. The house has a sheltered south-facing terraced garden and off-street parking.
Why pick somewhere ordinary when your family can enjoy the gorgeous surroundings of The Ploughmans Cottage and Pig Shed? These two buildings have been beautifully furnished to suit up to eight people plus a few extra kids who want a New Forest holiday with a difference. The layout is ideal for extended and multi-generational families, close to a gastropub and within walking distance of a quiet beach. The owners have decorated with a designer's flair and attention to detail and a parent's practicality, making it fun and welcoming for children and adults. Lymington is three miles away, and Beaulieu is also within easy reach.
Escaping to the country has never been easier! Brockwell is a lovely red brick cottage in the heart of the New Forest National Park, within walking distance of Brockenhurst's shops, pubs, cafes and train station. With its free-roaming ponies and relaxed atmosphere, Brockenhurst is a friendly village with great amenities that are close to many favourite New Forest sights and attractions. The self-catering cottage can sleep up to six adults plus a baby and is ideal for families and friends.
Thatched Hat Cottage is in the New Forest hamlet of Norley Wood, where ponies, donkeys and cattle graze beside quiet lanes and views that roll over the heath towards the Solent and the Isle of Wight. It has everything you could want from a New Forest cottage including a well-tended garden full of colourful flowers, a log burner, an Aga and, as the name implies, a roof thatched by a local thatcher. There is space for up to six people to sleep in three bedrooms, one of which is downstairs, so it's ideal for families and friends. Lymington and Brockenhurst are both within a 10-minute drive, and there's an excellent pub a mile away.
The sleepy hamlet of Keyhaven is part of the Keyhaven Nature Reserve. Surrounded by mudflats, salt marshes and the Solent, it is a haven not only for birds and wildlife but also for those who need a peaceful escape from busy lives. Although it feels remote and sleepy, the location is great for exploring the New Forest National Park, day-trips to the Isle of Wight, sailing, kayaking, strolling along sections of the Solent Way Walk, and cycling. With room for four guests in two bedrooms and fantastic waterfront views, Coastguards Cottage is excellent for couples and families.
The Hampshire coast is the place to be if you are arranging a family gathering or celebrating a special occasion with friends. With a level of style and attention to detail you would expect to see in a glossy magazine, Slate Cottage sleeps ten guests in the utmost comfort with plenty of space for everyone to relax and enjoy time together. Designed with families in mind, and more of a house than a cottage, this delightful holiday home is approximately twenty five minutes by foot to the popular market town of Lymington and a great base for enjoying the coast, the New Forest or simply relaxing with those nearest and dearest to you.
Perfectly placed in the heart of the Georgian market town of Lymington on the edge of the New Forest National Park, Number Two offers the best of both worlds with the coast on the doorstep and miles of forest tracks and trails within easy reach. Whether you want to simply relax by the water or explore the beautiful national park and its many attractions, this family-friendly holiday home is an excellent choice.
Perfectly placed in the coastal village of Milford-on-Sea, this stylish luxury 5 Star Gold holiday home offers the chance to enjoy all of Hampshire's best bits. The beach is just a short stroll away and the New Forest National Park is only a minute by car. Whether you want to enjoy forest walks, bike rides, relax on the beach or explore Hampshire's many attractions, Mulberry Barn is an excellent choice. Tourist board rating: 5 Star Gold
A delightful Victorian holiday cottage in an enviable position overlooking Waters Green, right in the heart of the New Forest National Park in Brockenhurst with shops, pubs and restaurants a short stroll away. Ringwood Terrace affords a picturesque setting where ponies graze freely with direct forest access straight from the front door.
Perfectly located, this stylish barn is a popular 'bolt-hole' for couples and enjoys a peaceful position just a short stroll from the very heart of Burley and its shops and pubs. Being based right in the heart of the New Forest National Park allows you to explore the many attractions of the area, get active in the great outdoors or simply relax and unwind. This delightful holiday cottage is perfect for a weekend away or longer holiday.
There's nothing rustic about this well-appointed Shepherd Hut. Set in a field with gorgeous views, the holiday cottage is two modern timber and corrugated metal huts sleeping four people in two bedrooms with electricity, running water and a proper bathroom. Shepherd Hut is on the family-run Michelmersh Farm, where the owners raise dairy cows, sheep and keep horses and chickens. It's an idyllic location only a few miles from Romsey and within easy reach of the New Forest and South Downs National Parks, the Hampshire coast, Stonehenge, Winchester and Salisbury. Shepherd Hut is romantic for couples and fun for families.
Enjoy a farm holiday in this lovely holiday cottage on Michlemersh Manor Farm near Romsey. Foxglove Cottage sleeps four people in two double bedrooms and is welcoming and comfortable for couples or families. The farm has roots going back to 1205. The current owners raise dairy cows and sheep, and it's a great way to introduce children to the delights of country life. There are excellent footpaths and cycling routes nearby. Days out can include exploring the New Forest National Park, shopping and sightseeing in Salisbury and Winchester, visiting Stonehenge, or sunning yourself on Hampshire beaches like Milford-on-Sea.
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Being a national park, the New Forest is a highly protected area, with proud locals who will happily tell you about the rich and fascinating history the area boasts. There are plenty of historical sites for those interested in tracing the steps of significant figures from the past, such as the Rufus Stone Memorial, which marks the spot where William's son is said to have died.
Though the locals will tell you all about the place, the best way to experience the New Forest is by getting out and seeing it. You can do this on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. Take a guided tour of the area or grab a map and go it alone.
Some locals that you are guaranteed to encounter are some of the New Forest's oldest residents – the New Forest Ponies. These wild and pretty ponies roam freely throughout the forest and uphold the tradition of open pasture that has been kept alive since the time of William the first.
When you're all walked out, there are plenty of other attractions to entertain, such as the beautiful Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway, which offers over 200 acres of expertly manicured grounds. You can admire the sights on foot or from the comfort of a quaint steam railway – another step back into history. Beaulieu also combines pretty gardens and man-made machines with the National Motor Museum – a must see for motoring enthusiasts with an interest in some very old classics!
For the kids, there are plenty of family days out including wildlife and nature attractions. Lovers of all things nautical should not miss a trip to Buckler's Hard or the pretty coastal town of Lymington where you can jump on a ferry and take a day trip to the Isle of Wight, just one of our wet weather recommendations.
The New Forest is a unique and fascinating area, with a wealth of history, stunning forests and intriguing tradition. Read more about things to do in the New Forest.
