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.
"Ivys Place" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. This idyllic coastal town comes as a borough of the stunning town of Christchurch, its position on the English Channel coast give it a uniquely mild climate. Highcliffe was a popular seaside resort in the Victorian era, its attractive High...
"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...
"Walnut Barn" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Hampshire. Walnut Barn is a sympathetically converted former lambing barn set within the walnut orchards of the owner’s farm. The rural views and tranquil setting make for a peaceful escape to this beautiful part of the New Forest National Park, and the...
"The Old Mill" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Hampshire. The Old Mill is a cute, stylish apartment, tucked away just behind Lymington Quay and river beyond, right in the heart of all that this bustling sailing town has to offer. Set over three floors, an airy mezzanine bedroom occupies the top floor,...
"Smugglers Cottage" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Christchurch, a charming Dorset waterside town, is located on the estuaries of the Rivers Stour and Avon, where they meet to make a wonderful natural harbour. Christchurch is a true gem of a city, providing guests with a fantastic and varied...
"Endymion" is a 1 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 3 guests in Hampshire. Composed of a scattering of farms and cottages, the little hamlet of Linwood is found towards the western end of the New Forest National Park, not far from Ringwood - a community well served by two pubs renowned for their good food and real...
"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...
"The Study" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Hampshire. New for 2021 The Study is one of three recently renovated semi-detached holiday cottages in the New Forest village of Sopley. Comfortably sleeping two guests it has a beautifully furnished conservatory in which to relax...
"Beach Breeze No.3" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. This delightful apartment is located along a lovely tree lined road in Branksome and is just a 15 minute walk to nearby beaches - a further 10 minute drive will take you to Sandbanks Beach. The property is in a prime location, within close...
"2 Bed Cottage in Southbourne" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Additional information and rules. Please enquire if you wish to bring more than 1 dog - 2 bedrooms – 1 king-size, 1 twin - 1 bathroom with a shower and a WC - Oven, hob, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing...
"Burgate House Lodge" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 4 guests in Hampshire. This delightful, stylish, new lodge has been tastefully furnished to a high standard to include two bathrooms. Situated in the picturesque, tranquil grounds of Burgate House on the banks of the River Avon, it offers a perfect, secluded retreat...
"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...
"Cape A9" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 4 guests in Isle of Wight. Freshwater is situated at the western tip of the Isle of Wight and consists of Freshwater Village and Freshwater Bay. Freshwater village offers a good selection of small independent shops, cafes and the West Wight Sports Centre and Indoor...
"3 Bed Apartment in Christchurch" is a 3 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Additional information and rulesNo dogs allowed - 3 bedrooms – 1 king-size and 2 singles - 1 shower room with WC and 1 separate WC - Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer and dishwasher - Shared...
"Sanctuary Cottage" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Isle of Wight. Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the west of the Isle of Wight, the village of Totland offers visitors local shops, pubs and spectacular, unspoiled coastal scenery. The award-winning beaches of both Totland and Colwell Bay...
"3 Bed Apartment in Christchurch" is a 3 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Additional information and rulesNo dogs allowed - 3 bedrooms – 1 king-size and 2 singles - 1 shower room with WC and 1 separate WC - Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer and dishwasher - Shared...
"3 Bed Apartment in Christchurch" is a 3 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 6 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Additional information and rulesNo dogs allowed - 3 bedrooms – 1 king-size, 1 double and 1 twin - 1 shower room with WC and 1 separate WC - Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer and dishwasher -...
"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...
"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....
"Lymington Lodge at Normandy Marsh" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Hampshire. Lymington is a picturesque market town on the west bank of the Lymington River, at the western end of The Solent and on the southern boundary of the New Forest National Park. There are regular ferry connections to the Isle of Wight, in addition...
"Port Side" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Isle of Wight. The wonderful seaside town of Yarmouth is the oldest town on the Isle of Wight, and is home to a busy harbour, narrow streets, an array of shops and inns, and Henry viii's castle. The coastal path is a haven for walkers and cyclists, plus walks...
"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...
"The Hideout" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Spacious one-bedroom apartment, conveniently located just a 5 minutes walk into Westbourne and just 15 minutes from the beach.. All on the Second Floor: Open plan living space. Living area:...
"4 The Old Smithy" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 5 guests in Isle of Wight. Freshwater is situated at the western tip of the Isle of Wight and is home to Freshwater Village and Freshwater Bay. Freshwater village offers a selection of independent shops, cafes and the West Wight Sports Centre and Indoor Swimming Pool....
Popular towns in and around The New Forest:
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.
