The New Forest, near Southampton, is only an hour and a half from London by train.
The New Forest is not ‘new’ at all as it was the hunting ground of William the Conqueror from the 11th Century but perhaps the biggest surprise are its rivers and coast line
These full and frank independent New Forest holidays reviews are from travellers who have booked directly through our-land.co.uk. They are not edited by us or any of the companies we work with. Find the real story, from real travellers below.
An hour after we arrived we went for a walk in the grounds and saw a water vole and barn owl - magical.
(more)The accommodation is wonderful - the rooms are of a very high standard and the owner (Christine) is extremely hospitable and very knowledegable about the area having been a long time resident. (more)You can trust our-land.co.uk reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the holidays. In addition, we don't run these holidays ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice.
New Forest Holidays this winter
Our Land’s New Forest Holidays ’Local Expert’, Helen Renouf – a dab hand at photography and always out and about in the New Forest National Park, has been busy snapping and typing away for us – bringing you some cracking recommendations for things to do (and places to stay) for your winter New Forest holidays.
From frosty morning walks to deer spotting and a Victorian Christmas. Read Helen’s recommendations
Good morning winter walkers. No, I am not a unicorn.
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Ho ho ho it’s Christmas time on Our Land
Afternoon tea – Christmas stylie
Meet a herd of reindeer in the High Weald, go on a brewery tour in the Chilterns, spot ancient trees or deer in the New Forest, visit a Victorian market in the North Wessex Downs, walk over the wintry white cliffs in the Kent Downs, and stay in a treehouse on the Isle of Wight
Our Land’s local experts in the National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty recommend some of their favourite Christmas things to do and places to stay on Our Land - and every recommendation for your Christmas Holidays 2012 will help conserve and enhance the stunning landscapes.
Click here for their: Christmas Holidays 2012 recommendations
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New Forest things to see & do, as recommended by Paul McDaid, expert & sustainable tourism project officer for the National Park.
Which way to the pub?
The New Forest is a beautiful place to visit because each season has something to wonderful to offer. Get out there in the spring and summer and surround yourself with bird song , fresh green leaves, bright colours and sunshine and the fantastic scents of the trees and nature – it makes you feel alive! There is also something very special about walking through the ancient and ornamental woodlands during autumn with its rich colours; some say it even rivals a New England fall.
You can also look out for the annual autumn visitor to the Forest – pigs. They are turned out during ‘pannage’ from September to November to eat the green acorns and beech mast that are poisonous to the ponies. It is also the beginning of the controlled burning programme to help with heathland management and keep the gorse under control. The burning helps create the mosaic of heathland habitats that sustain a myriad of flora and fauna.
There is also an explosion of fungi in the autumn; there are over 2,700 species in the Forest including the rare nail fungus. In the winter, the frosty mornings and crisp air make a brisk walk across the forest all the more rewarding when you reach that country pub and sit by the open fire to warm up.
Best leisurely walks
If you want to explore at your own pace, taking in the sights and sounds of the Forest but do not want to get lost, take a self-guided walk. All vary in distance from a quarter of a mile to two and a half miles and are on a circular route.
www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/easy_walks
Best for hardcore trekkers
The Solent Way is a 60-mile long-distance coastal walking route from the seaside town of Milford-on-sea past the hustle and bustle of seafronts, quiet yachting harbours, deserted marshland and saltings, finishing at Emsworth Harbour; a third of the trail is through the New Forest National Park.
The Avon Valley Path runs for 34 miles from Wiltshire, along the Dorset and Hampshire border to Christchurch. It takes in the wildlife rich AvonValley, and parts of the western New Forest.
The Castleman Trail runs from just outside Ringwood to Upton Country Park in Poole. It follows the line of the old Southampton to Dorchester railway, also known as ‘Castleman’s Corkscrew’. It derived this nickname because the line was built by Charles Castleman and also for its many twists and turns; it was opened in 1847.
www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/long_distance_trails
Or for your own hardcore trek, grab yourself an Ordnance Survey OL22 Explorer map and plan your own day out! The Park has over 30,000 hectares of accessible countryside and 325 kilometres of public rights of way.
Give us a wave, guys!
The New Forest Tour which runs from 29 June to 15 September. The views from the top deck are spectacular and you get to see the Forest from a completely different angle.
It’s great riding through the tree tops and you get a real sense of the landscape and coastline. It also stops at towns and villages across the Forest and hooks up with visitor attractions and campsites. It’s perfect as a day out or for exploring the Forest.
For routes and timetables visit www.thenewforesttour.info
The real star of the New Forest
Make sure you see the iconic New Forest Pony – no visit is complete without seeing the Forest’s most famous residents.
Many people think they are wild but they are owned by people called commoners. There are over 6,000 ponies out on the Forest and they are not alone. Commoners can also turn out cows, sheep and in the autumn pigs. The animals’ grazing helps shape the iconic landscape.
The New Forest is also a great place to look for deer because there is such a large area of undisturbed land for them. The Forest is home to fallow, roe, sika and red deer.
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Coming soon!
We’re busy squirreling away behind the scenes to bring you some great content from the New Forest National Park on top tips, things to see and do to really experience the special features of the landcape, what to eat and drink that’s specifically local and – you’ve got it – basically, all the information you need for your super duper New Forest Holidays.
Meanwhile have a look at what we’ve been writing for you on the Our Land blog on New Forest Holidays.
If you’d like to become an Our Land Local Expert and contribute content to the Our Land site, please contact:
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Bottled local deliciousness!
Mouthwatering cakes, traditional hearty pies, carefully-reared meat, and locally-caught seafood– you will find all this and more under the banner of the New Forest Marque.
Nestled among the ancient woodlands and smallholdings of the New Forest in the south of England, you will find a wealth of local producers who are passionate about their products.
Buying a Marque® product means you know you are getting authentic New Forest fare of the highest quality and you are also helping to support the traditional country ways in this unique and special landscape.
Click here for more information about New Forest Produce
Pubs, restaurants, cafés and accommodation businesses here in the new forest have embraced the New Forest Marque, so if you’re wondering where to eat in the New Forest- make a visit yourself and experience the true taste of the forest!
A perfect seaside stroll after an indulgent lunch
More than a Boutique Hotel, The Pig is a classic country house and traditional kitchen restaurant with a modern twist offering a unique and relaxing retreat. Roam around the grounds and discover beautiful spots to soak up the sun, there are even a few hammocks dotted between the trees! The food stands in a league of its own; fresh, locally gathered ingredients prepared by an elite team of chefs. The Pig has committed to a 25 mile menu whereby 80% or more of the ingredients will be locally sourced.
2. A Hidden Gem – HurstCastle Café
3. Waterside Dining – The Boathouse Hythe
4. Traditional Country Fare -The Cider Pantry Cafe & Cider Shop
The Cider Pantry & Cafe is a family run business established in 1945. They whip up a great locally sourced lunch in the cafe and The Cider Shop not only sells cider from apples from their own orchard but they’ll also serve you cider in a compostable cup! If you’re buying cider to take home with you, rest assured it will be in a recyclable container, and they’ll encourage you to come back and get a discount if you reuse and refill!
5. Montagu Arms Hotel and Restaurant
6. Stanwell House Hotel and Restaurant
Good spot for a picnic?
During your holiday to the New Forest, take a walking Picnic in the New Forest, combining a guided two hour stroll in the beautiful New Forest with a homemade gourmet picnic to follow. Priced at £14 per adult, and £8 for children aged between 8 and 15, you’re guaranteed a fantastic day in the countryside without the worry of rumbling tummies!
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Coming soon!
We’re busy squirreling away behind the scenes to bring you some great content from the New Forest National Park on top tips, things to see and do to really experience the special features of the landcape, what to eat and drink that’s specifically local and – you’ve got it – basically, all the information you need for your super duper New Forest Holidays.
Meanwhile have a look at what we’ve been writing for you on the Our Land blog on New Forest Holidays.
If you’d like to become an Our Land Local Expert and contribute content to the Our Land site, please contact:
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The New Forest is a wonderful and unique landscape in the South of England. It is a mosaic of ancient and ornamental woodland, open heather-covered heaths, rivers and valley mires, a coastline of mudflats and salt marshes, and pretty, historic villages. Lowland heath once covered much of southern England but the New Forest National Park is now the largest area that remains.
A landscape shaped by history
run, run, as fast as you can!
The New Forest landscape is shaped by man, by history and by the animals that still graze it today. It is made special by its history; the Forest was originally created as a Royal hunting Forest by William the Conqueror more than 900 years ago , meaning that it is not new at all! King William had visions of a large expanse of forest where he could spend days hunting game and it was to become his Royal Playground for the lucky few to enjoy.
Today’s New Forest is a much calmer place and enjoyed by the many, but some remnants of the past are still in place through its ancient systems. The forest is home to a unique agricultural system known as commoning; the commoners of the New Forest occupy land or property which has rights attached to it.
New Forest ponies – the architects of the Forest
Is that a hobbit hole?
In 1858 the rights of the common which are still in place today were created and commoners were able to put ponies, cattle and donkeys into the New Forest landscape to roam freely. The New Forest ponies are indigenous to the land and their ancestors have been present in the New Forest since the Ice Age. Pigs are also let out in the autumn to forage for acorns and these pigs play a vital role in removing excess acorns from the forest floor, which can pose a threat to horses and cattle in large numbers. Enabling the New Forest ponies to roam semi-wild also plays a huge part in maintaining the ecology of the land, without the ponies the land would become overgrown with brambles and gorse. These ‘architects of the forest’ play a huge part in the New Forest being hailed as one of the most important landscapes in Europe and visiting the New Forest gives you the opportunity to see these magnificent animals grazing and galloping in their natural habitat.
Get closer to New Forest wildlife by staying at this farm holiday cottage.
A sustainable home for important species
New Forest marsh land
The New Forest landscape has a fantastically distinctive ecology. The Forest sits in the Hampshire basin, a shallow dip surrounded by the rolling chalk down lands of Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset. The New Forest was once a large river estuary and the mixture of gravelly soil, rich well-drained clay and water-logged marshy bogs gives rise to distinctive vegetation and wildlife. The New Forest features an eclectic mix of pine and birch trees, heather and gorse on the heaths, beech, oak, yew and holly trees in the woodlands, and cotton grass and willow on the boggy ground. This vegetation makes for a sustainable home for a variety of rare species such as the Wild Gladiolus and New Forest Cicada. There are also some very important bird species found here in the New Forest including lapwings and nightjar and also the Dartford Warbler Woodlark, curlew and redshank.
Get out and explore the New Forest landscape by bicycle: New Forest Bike Hire
Exciting wildlife closer than you think
A beautiful home for smooth snakes, bats and beetles!
Other interesting species you might spot in the New Forest landscape are smooth snakes found in open heath land, bats hanging around the ancient woodlands and impressive stag beetles wandering and whizzing around looking for a mate! Visiting the New Forest is a fantastic way to experience Our Land, with great transport links you can get away from it all sooner that you think and there’s no end of things to try when you arrive- from horse riding to trying out one of the many designated, traffic free cycling routes around the Forest.
Choose your holiday in the New Forest landscape on Our Land here.
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Coming soon!
We’re busy squirreling away behind the scenes to bring you some great content from the New Forest National Park on top tips, things to see and do to really experience the special features of the landcape, what to eat and drink that’s specifically local and – you’ve got it – basically, all the information you need for your super duper New Forest Holidays.
Meanwhile have a look at what we’ve been writing for you on the Our Land blog on New Forest Holidays.
If you’d like to become an Our Land Local Expert and contribute content to the Our Land site, please contact:
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Richard currently is the owner/partner of The Barn Vegan Guest House. The Barn, which is located in Ashurst, has been operational since 2004 and provides exclusively vegan accommodation (including evening meals) for residents. The property is solar powered thanks to a large photovoltaic electricity system and it features many environmental elements such as organic bed linen and towels, minimal chemical usage and water saving devices. The Barn was the first tourist destination in the New Forest to offer guests a discounted rate they arrive by public transport or bicycle.
In addition to the guest house Richard is heavily involved with the Ashurst and Colbury Community Group and New Forest Transition. Through the former he has established a Community Apple Press project whereby people can borrow apple pressing kits to make better use of the local apple crop. This was achieved with a grant from the New Forest National Park’s Sustainable Development Fund.
New Forest Transition is part of the worldwide movement aimed at creating stronger, more sustainable local communities. In association with this Richard set up The New Forest Food Challenge which is a project that supports local food producers and growers and invites people to think more about where their food comes from and what impact it has on the environment.
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Meet Sarah Loftus, Our Land’s Project Co-ordinator
“A firm believer in tourism being a force for good – as long as we get it right!”
Sarah at a recent Our Land member event in the South Downs
I’m Our Land’s project co-ordinator, working for the nine protected landscapes that make up Our Land. I was previously working for the Kent Downs AONB (and this is where I hale from) but before that spent 20 years in the hotel industry and then business travel sector. Through my work I’ve travelled extensively and seen the detrimental effects tourism can have when we get it totally wrong! What is so great about Our Land is its focus on landscape – putting it right at the heart of the visitor experience – usually the very reason why we are staying in that b&b, hotel or self-catering. The business owners we work with love their place and take great pride in sharing it.
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Meet Helen Renouf – graphic designer, amateur photographer, mum, and owner of three wheelchair-friendly holiday cottages near Lymington.
As a part-time graphic designer running three wheelchair-friendly self catering cottages in the New Forest National Park, we’re thrilled to have Helen on board as Our Land’s New Forest Local Expert, writing about fantastic things to see and do and sharing her love of photography and wonderful images with us. Helen loves wondering through the forest and uncovering the hidden gems that visitors often miss. Prior to becoming a designer Helen worked in childcare for 12 years - and she has three teenage children! – so she has lots of great ideas for sharing the outdoor space with all the family.
Have a read of Helen’s New Forest recommendations or come and stay in her cottages.
Have a look at some of Helen’s photographs on her facebook page.
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Welcome to the New Forest!
Why you should leave your car behind…
When you are tired after a long day at work, worn out from hunting out the kids’ t-shirts and swimwear & getting them packed & finally ready to go – choose to take the pressure off your journey by letting someone else drive for you. Sit back and relax - New Forest travel is efficient and stress free. Enjoy the scenic journey and spend time getting excited about the adventures to come instead of worrying about rush hour traffic, road closures or motorway accidents. You can even have a drink or two to celebrate the start of your holiday!
Getting to the New Forest…
By train: Search South West Trains from London to Brockenhurst, Ashurst, Beaulieu Road and Sway.
Cross country services connect Reading, Oxford, Birmingham and all points further north.
By coach
Getting around the New Forest…
It is easy to explore the New Forest by bus and train. The two main bus companies are Bluestar (02380618233) & Wilts & Dorset (01722336855) and the train stations are all connected by the National Rail.
You can travel around the New Forest easily by cycling. The area is full of safe, gentle country paths that will lead you past peaceful ponies to attractive villages and traditional pubs.
Arriving into Brockenhurst means you can begin cycling in the Forest straight away.
There are also cycle hire centres ready to provide you with everything you need, and some can even deliver bikes to your accommodation.
The New Forest Tourist Centre can provide you maps and route information.
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Coming soon!
We’re busy squirreling away behind the scenes to bring you some great content from the New Forest National Park on top tips, things to see and do to really experience the special features of the landcape, what to eat and drink that’s specifically local and – you’ve got it – basically, all the information you need for your super duper New Forest Holidays.
Meanwhile have a look at what we’ve been writing for you on the Our Land blog on New Forest Holidays.
If you’d like to become an Our Land Local Expert and contribute content to the Our Land site, please contact:
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