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
Experience the beauty of the forest and the sea during your stay at Forest Barn. The contemporary holiday home sleeps up to four guests and is popular with couples, friends (having flexible sleeping) and also young families. The sleeping and living area enjoys far reaching views, while the enclosed garden is perfect for watching the kids play and ride their bikes while you relax with an evening drink. Forest Barn is in the village of Bashley with two pubs, a garden centre, riding stables and a farm shop. Beaulieu, Barton on Sea, Paultons Park, Lymington and Lyndhurst are all within reach, and there are a wealth of wonderful walks through the forest and beaches (including Bournemouth) for a day out by the sea. The New Forest and Hampshire are perennial favourites with holiday makers and you'll understand why when you stay at Forest Barn.
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
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.
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.
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.
Located on the edge of the Dorset village of Alderholt is this pretty holiday cottage for two with log burner and romantic double bedroom. The Hampshire riverside county town of Fordingbridge is just three miles away and the New Forest National Park is five minutes in the car with miles of forest tracks and trails for cyclists, walkers and horse riders.
In a superb position by the marinas and yacht clubs in the bustling Hampshire market town of Lymington, this 'upside down' cottage is an ideal base for exploring the New Forest and the coast, and affords vibrant views of nautical life with The Solent and Isle of Wight on the horizon. Plenty of amenities and places for a meal out on the doorstep and an abundance of attractions nearby. The best of both worlds allowing you to explore the coast and forest, as well as the Isle of Wight (just a ferry trip away).
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.
Sitting in an acre of grounds, this well presented holiday home is perfect for families, friends and pet owners. Located on the Wiltshire/Hampshire border in the village of West Tytherley with good pub within walking distance, there are a multitude of attractions within easy reach including Salisbury, The New Forest, Winchester and Stonehenge. Whether you want to simply relax or explore, this welcoming cottage is an excellent choice.
The New Forest is always an excellent choice for a holiday. Easy to reach from both the south-east and the west of England, with ancient forests, beautiful beaches and fantastic attractions, it's perfect for people who enjoy walking, cycling, horse riding and eating well. Bracken Cottage is a spacious holiday cottage in the quiet village of Sway, within walking distance of four pubs and the village shop and butcher. Guests have direct access to wonderful New Forest footpaths and cycling routes. Spend happy days exploring far and wide or sit in the garden and admire the scenery and the odd pony or donkey that meanders past the gate. There is space for eight people to sleep in four bedrooms and a layout ideal for families.
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 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.
With its quiet location within walking distance of the centre of Brockenhurst, Hazel House is perfect for large or extended families or groups of friends who want a comfortable holiday house from which to explore the beautiful New Forest National Park. There is little passing traffic (safe for free-roaming ponies, donkeys and deer) and the house has space for up to eight guests (plus an infant) in four bedrooms. Favourite New Forest attractions like Beaulieu National Motor Museum are nearby, while the beach and Solent are only a few miles 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.
Popular towns in and around The New Forest:
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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.
