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
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.
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.
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.
"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...
"Whiteshoot Farm" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Wiltshire. Featured in the Out & About section on page 133 in the August edition of Sainsbury's magazine. Featured in the Independent during February 2017 see details of the latest...
"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...
"Thatchby Oak" is a 6 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 12 guests in Hampshire. This stunning detached thatched property with outdoor swimming pool and direct forest access is located in a peaceful and secluded setting just a mile away from the picturesque New Forest village of Brockenhurst. Sleeping up to...
"Little Chimes" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Hampshire. Little Chimes is a comfortable holiday home just a short walk from the centre of the popular New Forest village of Brockenhurst, where ponies and donkeys are often seen wandering along the main village street. Accommodating up to 6 guests and...
"Kittiwake, Highcliffe-on-Sea" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 8 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. This stylish property is in the heart of the coastal town of Highcliffe-on-Sea, within walking distance of Highcliffe and Avon beaches, Mudeford Quay, and the historic town of Christchurch. The New Forest National Park is also within easy reach...
"Jessamy, Wimborne" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 8 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Sitting in a peaceful and elevated position in Colehill, on the fringe of popular Wimborne. Jessamy is a truly impressive and striking 'Passive House' thoughtfully designed to reduce its carbon footprint with high levels of insulation, PV solar...
"Seas the Day" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 8 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Seas The Day has been completely refurbished by the current owners and the finished result is light, bright, spacious, and luxurious. The house is 1650sft on one level and accommodates up to eight guests in four elegant bedrooms. The...
"Fiddlesticks Cottage" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 8 guests in Hampshire. New for 2024 Fiddlesticks Cottage dates in part from the 15th Century, with the older thatched cottage now blending seamlessly with a contemporary newly built extension. Offering luxurious touches throughout the...
"Old Farm Cottage" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 8 guests in Hampshire. Stunningly located with direct access to open forest, this spacious and well appointed single storey cottage is a real treat for guests lucky enough to stay here. Set in a mature garden, which includes a separate...
"Hoburne Bashley - Holiday Accommodation 19557" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 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...
"White Lady" is a 5 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 10 guests in Hampshire. New for 2021 Just a short stroll from both the beach and village centre, White Lady at Milford on Sea is an imposing contemporary holiday home accommodating up to ten guests in five bedrooms, two with en-suites....
"Wight Lodge" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 4 guests in Hampshire.
"Sherpa" is a 5 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 10 guests in Hampshire. Wellow is a lovely village that encompasses both East and West Wellow settlements. There are a variety of things to see and do in the village itself, including pubs and cafés, an ice cream shop and tearooms, a golf course, a village hall that...
"6 Inveravon" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 7 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. 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...
"School House" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Hampshire. New for 2021 School House is one of three recently renovated holiday cottages in the small New Forest village of Sopley. Comfortably sleeping two guests it boasts an open plan kitchen and dining room with separate cosy...
"Herons" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Hampshire.
"West Wing, The Manor House" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Hampshire. West Wing at the Manor House is part of a historic Georgian Grade 11 listed residence dating back to the 18th Century which has recently been beautifully restored. Sleeping up to six people this well-equipped,...
"Shell Cottage" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. 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...
"21W" is a 7 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 16 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. This gorgeous house was originally built in the 1950’s and has been lovingly extended and modernised by the owner, the result is a fantastic mix of character elegance, modern luxury and a joyful sense of fun. Set along a pretty tree...
"White Wing - 29584" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Hampshire. This cottage is situated in the perfect location from which to explore the New Forest, which is only 3 miles away.. Ground Floor: Living room: Freeview TV, DVD Player, CD Player, Sofa Bed...
"Avenue Road" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 8 guests in Hampshire. The charming market town of Lymington is situated on the west bank of the Lymington River at the western end of The Solent, at the southern edge of the New Forest National Park. As well as being a favoured sailing resort, there are also regular...
"Select Lodge Plus 1" is a 1 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 2 guests in Hampshire. Modern and contemporary lodge with one double with flatscreen TV and en suite with freestanding bath and separate shower. Modern kitchen including dishwasher. open-plan living and dining area. Centrally heated. Decking with furniture. Early...
"3 Bed Cottage in Totland Bay" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Isle of Wight. Additional information and rulesNo dogs allowed - 3 bedrooms – 2 doubles, 1 twin - 2 bathrooms – 1 first-floor family bathroom with shower over bath and WC, 1 second-floor family shower room with WC, 1 separate WC -...
Popular towns in and around The New Forest:
BurleyFordingbridgeHytheLymingtonLyndhurstNew MiltonRingwoodSome local suggestions:
Dog friendly New Forest cottagesLuxury New Forest holiday cottagesNew Forest cottages with a hot tubOr search further afield:
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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.
