The New Forest National Park ticks every box when planning the perfect holiday. Easy to reach? Check! It’s under 100 miles from London with excellent links to the M25 and the M3 to make the journey simple. Even better, for those who don’t want to drive, the area has eight train stations and trains run directly from handy locations such as London Waterloo Station, Southampton and Weymouth. Beautiful views? Check that one off the list as well! The New Forest has ancient woodlands, charming countryside and beautiful beaches and coastline, making it an ideal year-round destination for all types of travellers. Accommodation for all sizes and budgets? Absolutely! Visitors have an enormous choice of cottages to rent, ranging from listed thatched cottages to comfortable bungalows and contemporary barn conversions.
Tucked away in amongst it all is the pretty village of Burley, where New Forest ponies roam happily and the 16th Century pub hides a less-than-savoury secret. Read on to find out why staying in Burley should be the top of your list when planning a holiday in the New Forest. Read more
A stylish holiday retreat in a quiet spot, ideally located within three minutes walking distance of the centre of the popular New Forest village of Burley where ponies and cattle roam freely. Beautiful forest walks and bike rides on the doorstep as well as pubs and shops.
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.
With a gorgeous garden for outside relaxing and socialising, a country-style kitchen and a cosy sitting room with log burner, Gardener's Retreat is an excellent choice for a holiday with family or friends. Sitting in an idyllic position just a short stroll from the Hampshire village of Burley in the New Forest National Park, this beautifully presented self-catering cottage is perfect whether you want to explore the areas many attractions or simply relax and unwind.
Helmsdale is everything you could wish for in a New Forest holiday cottage. Postcard pretty, this welcoming self catering retreat is perfectly placed just a short walk from the heart of the popular village of Burley, with shops and pubs for a meal out. With miles of forest tracks and trails to explore by bike, foot or horse back and the many attractions of the forest all around, Helmsdale is a popular choice for a family holiday or time away with friends.
"Little Timbers" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Hampshire. Ringwood is a historic market town placed within Hampshire, on the western fringes of the beautiful New Forest National Park. Dating back to the Anglo-Saxon times and having been mentioned in the Domesday Book, Ringwood holds much history and...
"The Cabin at Little Timbers" is a 1 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 2 guests in Hampshire. Ringwood is a historic market town placed within Hampshire, on the western fringes of the beautiful New Forest National Park. Dating back to the Anglo-Saxon times and having been mentioned in the Domesday Book, Ringwood holds much history and...
"2 Bed Lodge in Lymington" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 4 guests in Hampshire. Additional information and rules. Please enquire if you wish to bring more than 1 dog - 2 double bedrooms - 1 family shower room with WC - Electric oven/hob, fridge with freezer compartment, coffee machine, dishwasher and...
"The Olive Lodge, 227 Sycamore" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 4 guests in Hampshire. This charming market town rests delightfully in southwest Hampshire, only slightly south of the magnificent New Forest National Park. New Milton, dating back to the Anglo-Saxon days, is lined with a selection of amenities, while also hosting...
"5 Island Point" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Hampshire. New for 2025 This comfortable two-bedroomed apartment is situated in a small complex with private parking and communal gardens and benefits from a second floor south facing balcony overlooking the Lymington River. The...
"Stapleton Farm Bungalow" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Hampshire. Alderholt is a friendly, scattered east Dorset community, found on the borders of Hampshire and Wiltshire, lying in an attractive area of woodland, heathland and commonland, through which flows the River Avon, well-known for its trout fishing....
"Pebble Cottage" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Hampshire. Tucked away in a quiet residential no-through road close to the marinas and salt marshes, and within walking distance of Lymington High Street, Pebble Cottage is a comfortable two bedroom holiday home accommodating four guests and is dog...
"Flat 1 - Sandbanks" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. The vibrant Dorset seaside resort of Bournemouth offers something for everyone all year round. With seven miles of golden, award-winning, family friendly Blue Flag beaches, there are all kinds of watersports, boat trips and stunning gardens to...
"10 Admirals Court" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Hampshire. This newly refurbished one bedroom apartment has stunning views over the bustling Quay, the famous cobbles and Lymington River. It is the perfect place to relax, unwind and watch the world go by from the attractive and comfortable surroundings...
"Whitty's Hideaway" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Hampshire.
"Herons" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Hampshire.
"Pop's Barn" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Wiltshire. Downton is right next to the edge of the New Forest which has an almost limitless array of superb walks and rides, and free-roaming ponies at every turn. Slightly farther afield are the Saxon hilltop town of Shaftesbury, Blandford Forum with...
"Laridae's Hideaway" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. New for 2024 Laridae’s Hideaway is a welcoming ground floor apartment in the vibrant village of Southbourne. The accommodation comprises two spacious bedrooms, a living room/diner ideal for relaxation and a...
"2 Bed Cottage in Freshwater" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Isle of Wight. Additional information and rules. Please enquire if you wish to bring more than 1 dog - 2 bedrooms – 1 double, 1 bunk bed - 1 bathroom with shower over bath and WC down stairs, plus 1 additional WC with hand basin upstairs -...
"2 Bed Cottage in Fordingbridge" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Hampshire. Additional information and rules. Please enquire if you wish to bring more than 1 dog - 2 bedrooms – 1 king-size and 1 twin (both on mezzanine overlooking the lounge area) with privacy screens - 1 bathroom with bath,...
"Bosun's Deck" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. The attractive Dorset waterside town of Christchurch is situated on the estuaries of the Rivers Stour and Avon, where they come together to form a magnificent natural harbour. Christchurch is a real gem of a town, offering visitors a wonderful...
"2 Bed Cottage in Brockenhurst" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Hampshire. Additional information and rules. Please enquire if you wish to bring more than 1 dog - 2 bedrooms – 1 double, 1 super-king-size (zip-and-link beds that can be made up into twin beds), 1 single with a small child's bed - 1...
"The Coach House" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Hampshire. The traditional Hampshire town of Fordgingbridge sits on the banks of the River Avon, offering a selection of shops, pubs and restaurants, a small museum of local history, a display of original work by artist Augustus John, who lived here for...
"1 Bed Cottage in Highcliffe" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Additional information and rulesNo dogs allowed - 1 king-size bed (studio-style) - 1 shower room with walk-in shower and WC - Electric hob, microwave, air fryer and fridge/freezer and dishwasher - Smart...
"1 Bed Cottage in Ringwood" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Hampshire. Additional information and rulesNo dogs allowed - Open-plan living space with king size bed - 1 shower room with WC - Oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher and fridge with freezer compartment - Smart TV - Lawned rear garden with...
"1 Bed Cottage in Plaitford" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Hampshire. Additional information and rules. Please enquire if you wish to bring more than 1 dog - 1 double bed - 1 en-suite shower room with WC - Gas oven, fridge with freezer, washing machine - Travel cot and highchair...
"1 Bed Cottage in Lyndhurst" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Hampshire. Additional information and rules. Please enquire if you wish to bring more than 1 dog - Gas hob/electric oven, microwave, coffee machine, integrated fridge and freezer - Dishwasher, washing machine/dryer - Woodburner and logs in...
"8 Munday Cottages" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Isle of Wight. Yarmouth is the oldest town on the Isle of Wight, and its bustling harbour is a haven for all types of watercraft, with the terminal serving regular mainland ferry crossings to Lymington. Yarmouth's small alleys are lined with charming shops...
"Owls Nest" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 4 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. The charming countryside of the highly sought-after county of Dorset is home to the little settlement of Furzehill. Both the well-stocked convenience shop and the classic village inn, The Stocks Inn, in Furzehill offer all the necessities for a...
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BurleyFordingbridgeHytheLymingtonLyndhurstNew MiltonRingwoodSome local suggestions:
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1. Free-Roaming Ponies - Untethered, wandering ponies and cattle was once a daily sight around many parts of the New Forest. Known as “commoning”, Burley is one of the few villages where this still happens, and it gives the area a relaxing, traditional feel that is worlds away from modern cities and suburbs.
2. A Secret Underbelly - Burley was once an important, if secret, point on a smuggling route. The Queens Head pub on The Cross started life as a blacksmith forge in 1685, later becoming a watering hole favoured by smugglers and highwaymen. As you sip your pint, think about the secret cellar beneath your feet which held a trove of weapons, money and contraband alcohol hidden and forgotten for centuries.
3. Walking, Cycling and Horse riding - The New Forest is the ideal environment for being outdoors. Burley’s location is close to favourite footpaths, cycling routes and bridleways to make it easy and enjoyable to explore. Those who need to hire a bicycle can do so from Forest Leisure Cycling in the village centre, while the nearby Burley Villa Riding School offers horse riding lessons and guided rides for all abilities. A novel way to explore is in a horse-drawn wagon, with Burley Wagon Rides being a regular sight around the area.
4. An Ancient Landscape - Crossing the border into the New Forest is immediately apparent as it is like stepping back in time. Strict rules around development protect this unique environment which includes areas of ancient woodland, pasture and health. William the Conquerer loved it so much that he decided only royalty should be allowed to hunt there, with now-extinct wild boar being the prey of choice. Now, the forest is a haven for a plethora of birds and wildlife which thrive in the beautiful environment.
5. Bound for War - The trees in the New Forest do not only look and smell amazing. Their existence also provided timber to the Royal Navy. The enormous oak woodland so close to the sea was too good for shipbuilders to ignore, and New Forest oaks were felled for the navy from the mid-1600s until the mid-1800s. The hamlet of Buckler’s Hard, around half an hour’s drive from Burley, was the focus of shipbuilding in the New Forest and the entire village is now a Maritime Museum. Remnants of the role the New Forest played in Britain’s military past are at Hurst Castle, a privately run museum with incredible views over the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Closer to home are the remains of the Iron Age fort on Castle Hill just outside of Burley.
6. Eat, Drink and Shop - The fresh air and potential for hours of exercise lead to hearty appetites which visitors to Burley will find easy to satisfy. The Burley Food Trail is a walking and cycling loop passing New Forest Cider and the Cider Pantry Tearoom, The White Buck, Burley Fudge Shop, and Caraccios Sweet Shop, as well as fantastic stores selling homewares, gifts, china and crystals.
7. New Forest Attractions - Burley is close to some of the New Forest’s most popular attractions. Within half an hour’s drive are places like Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World, the National Motor Museum, six golf courses, Lymington and the ferry to the Isle of Wight, the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary and so much more.
Once you visit the New Forest, you will understand why William the Conquerer wanted to keep it for himself. It is a beautiful example of a landscape and traditions that remain unchanged for centuries. Burley’s charm and location make it the perfect place for a self-catering holiday in the New Forest.
