Forest Barn - Bashley, Nr New Milton, Hampshire, The New Forest, England - Sleeps 2-4

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Forest Barn is a popular self-catering New Forest retreat in a fantastic location offering flexible sleeping with both a king-size bed plus additional single and trundle beds. The open plan layout has space for two adults (as well as two children and a baby) so it is ideal for couples, friends and young families who want somewhere special to stay while they are exploring the New Forest and beautiful Hampshire beaches. The barn is on a quiet country lane with a large garden and field that provides plenty of space to relax. Home to chickens which the children will love to feed (the freshly laid eggs are always popular for breakfast!), Forest Barn adjoins the owner's house, enjoys lots of space and privacy and allows guests to enjoy the garden which attracts plenty of wildlife including deer!

Bashley is in a great location between the forest and the sea, putting all of the area’s best attraction within easy reach. The village has two pubs (one with a large children's wooden play castle and views of the open forest where cattle and ponies congregate), a garden centre with tea rooms, riding stables and also a village shop and farm shop for provisions, located within walking distance at the end of the lane.

It is protective National Park status that gives the New Forest its natural appeal. If you visited as a child, you will find much of it the same. The ancient woodland, leafy country lanes, thatched cottages and free-roaming ponies, cattle and deer are all still there, but now they are joined with excellent way-marked walking paths, cycle paths and bridleways. There are too many miles of them to count and certainly more than enough to give everyone the opportunity to spend time enjoying the magnificent landscape. The owner provides information on local walks and attractions in the 'what to do' folder but a couple of favourites are: The walk from Milford along Hurst Spit to visit the castle, coming back via boat to Keyhaven and then walking along the seawalls/bird sanctuary back to Milford; Or crabbing at Mudeford Quay, followed by a short five minute boat trip onto Hengistbury Head where you can walk along the beach and up to the Head to take in the amazing views of Christchurch Harbour and out towards the Needles and across to Bournemouth. From here you can then return back by land train along the inner water which arrives back at the boat.

It really doesn’t matter what season you visit or what the weather is doing, as the New Forest is packed with excellent attractions. Paultons Park (home to Peppa Pig World) is twenty five minutes away by car and one of the areas top attractions for children. Beaulieu National Motor Museum together with the house and grounds is a full day of fun, or visit Buckler's Hard (great for maritime enthusiasts and a nice walk along the river from Beaulieu) and Exbury Gardens (glorious when ablaze with spring colour). The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum is another attraction for motor enthusiasts and conveniently within walking distance of Forest Barn.

Spend time admiring the Georgian buildings in Lymington (the bustling Saturday morning market is an excellent place to buy fresh local produce) and maybe take a day-trip across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Lyndhurst and Ringwood are vibrant towns (though they can get busy at weekends) or visit one of the quieter picturesque villages such as Brockenhurst or Burley. Located on the Bournemouth side of the forest, there are no shortage of opportunities for day trips out by the sea whilst staying at Forest Barn. Some seven miles of beaches (accessible approximately twenty minutes from Forest Barn) stretching from Hengistbury Head to Sandbanks, with Bournemouth in between, provide plenty of opportunity for seaside fun.

The New Forest is a timeless holiday destination which is as appealing now as it ever has been, and you will receive a very warm welcome when you stay at Forest Barn.