A Short Visit to the New Forest

The best of the countryside and coast is found in the beautiful New Forest in Hampshire best known for wild ponies, picturesque villages, and forest  trails. 

The second leg of our staycation was a few days in the New Forest. Once a royal hunting ground for King William the Conqueror, the New Forest is a popular destination for nature lovers and urban dwellers looking to escape the city. There are many walking and biking trails around the New Forest. With a young child in tow, we’ll have to wait a few years before we can enjoy Britain’s favourite pastime in the New Forest: walking. 

After leaving the Moonfleet Manor, we drove an 1.5 hour to Lyndhurst in the heart of New Forest. Originally we planned on staying in a cottage or an AirBnB for more space, but everything was fully booked in June. Majority of hotels allow dogs, but only in a handful of dog-friendly rooms which meant our options for accommodations were rather limited. 

Forest Lodge Hotel, Lyndhurst

We managed to book one of the last deluxe rooms at the Georgian hotel called the Forest Lodge. In addition to a super king bed, this modern room also had bunk beds for the kids. Lady Yeya loved the idea of sleeping in bunk beds just like Peppa & George Pig. She used the top bunk as a chill-out/play area and slept on the bottom bunk. Our furborn Buddy also received a welcome package of dog biscuits, dog towel, bowl, and paw mat for his stay. 

The Forest Lodge also has an indoor swimming pool and a brasserie if you don’t want to leave the property. Located just a short walk from Lyndhurst’s High Street, it’s a lovely place to stay for a few nights. 

Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst

Picturesque Lyndhurst has a perfectly formed High Street consisting of a mix of sweet bakeries, independent toy store, tearooms, charming pubs, and even a Ferrari dealership. Meandering down the High Street, we arrived at Bolton’s Bench to see New Forest’s famous residents: wild ponies. It was a delight to see these beautiful animals roam freely around this popular local park. Then it was time for a break at the local watering hole called the Fox & Hounds for a pint of craft beers and light nibbles. 

Via Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, we took the scenic route to the neighboring village of Brockenhurst. A narrow road snaking between Bolderwood and Brockenhurst takes you through ancient woodlands and beauty spot of Whitefield Moor. More wild ponies and cattle greeted us along the way. Lady Yeya asked if the Gruffalo lives here in the New Forest. Don’t you know, with its orange eyes, black tongue, and purple spikes, the Gruffalo does indeed live in the forest. 

Our next destination: Brockenhurst. The larger village just four miles south of Lyndhurst is known as the gateway to New Forest thanks to the train line that takes you directly to London Waterloo station in under two hours. Like many villages in the New Forest, Brockenhurst has a lovely high street (Brookley Road) of cute tearooms, independent shops, and pubs. For dinner, we settled in the massive beer garden at The Snakecatcher which had a wooden children’s playground. Off the very classic pub menu, we both ordered burgers and enjoyed the lively atmosphere filled with happy families. 

Kenz and I turned in early after a glass of wine on the terrace. The next day it is on to Peppa Pig World.