Fun in the New Forest this half term

Can you believe we are nearing February half term already? The first few weeks of the year are now behind us and we can start to look forward to sunnier and more fun times ahead, and why not start with a trip to the New Forest this half term.

The forest has plenty to entertain for all ages from exciting attractions, miles of cycle and walking routes and plenty of good cosy New Forest pubs. The New Forest National Park is a unique holiday destination with miles of open moorland, heathland and woodland and not forgetting our furry friends that roam freely across the New Forest National Park, the New Forest ponies along with many other species of wildlife.

There are a few events happening across the New Forest this half term. Beaulieu Motor Museum is a great attraction to visit whilst you are visiting the area. The museum is holding a get ‘Hand’s on’ event over the half term week with interactive activities for the whole family. Available from Saturday 14^th to Sunday 22^nd February.

St Barbe Museum in Lymington is offering a Fantastic Fossils workshop for children on Wednesday 18^th February, creating your very own fossil out of plaster of paris. The workshop is just £3.00 per child for a good couple of hours of fun!

If it’s just the two of you looking for a little adventure over the Valentines weekend then visit Beaulieu where New Forest Activities offer a wide range of great activities such as canoeing, kayaking and cycle hire. This Valentine’s Day they are offering 20% off all activities for couples. Call their booking office for details 01590 612377.

And whilst you are planning all of these fun filled activities over the week, you’ll need a cosy base to go back to after a long day out and about. Here are just a few of our remaining cottages available over the half term week:

10 Admirals Court

An ideal couples retreat, with one of the best views in Lymington. This lovely one bedroom apartment is close to amenities and has lovely views across Lymington Town Quay and Lymington River.

 

Criddlestyle Cottage

This delightful, detached cottage is ideal for a large family. Criddlestyle Cottage has 5 bedrooms and is all on one level, ideal for those with limited mobility.

Orchardside at Penn Farm

Peacefully located in the north of the New Forest National Park, Orchardside has direct forest access and is just 5 miles from the well renowned Peppa Pig World.

For more properties visit our website.

Find love in the New Forest this Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day falls on a weekend this year and what better way to make the most of it, than a weekend break in the New Forest. The New Forest National Park provides a perfect backdrop to any romantic break away offering incredible scenery, beautiful walks and an abundance of wildlife. Relax in front of a wood burning stove with a glass of wine or rustle up a romantic feast for two in a beautiful bespoke kitchen in one of our cosy New Forest holiday cottages.

We have a variety of properties of all shapes and sizes, to suit any budget. Here are just a few of our remaining available properties this Valentine’s weekend:

10 Admirals Court

This delightful one bedroom apartment overlooks the popular Lymington Quay. Right in the hub of Lymington, sit and watch the world go by or venture out and explore the many pubs, restaurants and boutiques that Lymington has to offer.

Marshlands Cottage

Tucked away in the North West of the New Forest, this one bedroom cottage has a delightful rural outlook, an ideal hideaway for couples. Just 8 miles south of Salisbury, the cottage makes an excellent base for exploring the New Forest and surrounding county of Wiltshire.

Coachmans Cottage

Coachmans Cottage is situated on the Ladycross Estate, tucked in amongst the trees in the heart of the New Forest National Park with direct forest access right from the estate gates. The property boasts an open fire and three bedrooms, should you wish to bring friends or the rest of the family.

There is plenty to see and do whilst here in the New Forest. Take romantic strolls through the woodland, along the coast and through the quaint villages. Hire bikes and explore and there’s always a good pub ready to cosy up at with some excellent local produce, perfect after that chilly day out in the forest.

So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and whisk your loved one away to the New Forest this Valentines.

Visit Peppa Pig, Paultons Park whilst on your holiday with New Forest Cottages

With the New Forest Pannage season now well and truly over, there is only one very special pig still available to see in the New Forest – and that’s Peppa Pig of course!

Heads up everyone, the home of Peppa Pig, Paultons Park, opens on Sunday 15 February (see www.paultonspark.co.uk for specific opening times), and you can buy reduced price tickets directly from us at New Forest Cottages when you make a booking at one of our cottages in 2015! Tickets for adults and for children over 1 metre will cost £28 if bought on the day at the Park, however we can offer these for only £23, offering a massive saving if you’re buying for the whole family!

For the uninitiated, or for those who have been living in a rabbit hole for the last ten years, Peppa Pig is a sweet animated cartoon pig who lives with her mum, dad and brother George and enjoys plenty of adventures with her friends and family.

Paultons Park is set in around 140 acres of parkland to the north of the New Forest, with more than 60 theme park rides and attractions and a fabulous range of gardens to wander around, and birds and animals to see. Plus, new for 2015 is ‘Critter Creek’ land, which opens at Easter, and a new 4D Sherlock Holmes adventure film which you can enjoy from February half term.

Please note that tickets are only valid during the Park’s advertised opening times and until 2^nd November 2015. For details, please visit www.paultonspark.co.uk. Tickets bought through New Forest Cottages are non-refundable. Please telephone the office to purchase your tickets.

For those more interested in the real porcine experience, Pannage season, when domestic pigs are released into the New Forest to feed on the acorns, beechmast and chestnuts from the forest floor, will happen again in the Autumn!

To book your New Forest Cottages holiday click here. 

Written by Hilary Short

Book your New Forest 2015 holiday now

What a year it's going to be! January has a real sense of excitement as we all start to put our heads together in order to plan our trips for 2015. And why not book now, with just 1/3 of the holiday to pay upfront! 

But why pick the New Forest?

The New Forest National Park is among the top ten holiday destinations in the UK. Acres and acres of open moorland and heathland stretch across vast landscapes split between deep woodlands rich with a variety of trees and wildlife. The New Forest is famous for its free roaming New Forest ponies, just over 5000 on the National Park this year. Not forgetting other wildlife including donkeys, cattle, and pigs for a limited time at pannage. There are miles and miles of footpaths,
cycle paths and bridleways all waiting to be explored. The New Forest is an enchanting destination for a holiday.

So much to see and do

The New Forest National Park in itself has much to entertain but the area is also home to some award winning attractions including Beaulieu Motor Museum and Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park. Scattered across the New Forest are many fantastic pubs, many of which are very easily linkable with a good walk.  Whatever the season, there is always plenty to see and do.

Where to stay?

New Forest Cottages has over 130 holiday cottages in the area. We have a variety of properties across the villages and towns, perfect for any occasion including romantic retreats, adventure trips, family holidays and get-togethers. Over 50 of our New Forest Holiday Cottages are dog-friendly, and large proportions of our cottages have direct forest access; perfect for exploring. Visit our newly designed website today and start planning your New Forest 2015 holiday now!

Secure your booking now to avoid disappointment on some of the most prestigious holiday cottages in the New Forest.

Last minute Christmas getaways!

We know that Christmas can be a very busy time of year with bustling shops, long queues, cold dark nights and wrapping all of those presents.  So this year why not get away from the routine and instead enjoy festive markets, picturesque walks and cosy pub dinners…you could experience all of this and much more in the New Forest.

We still have a few properties available for the festive period for either a romantic getaway or for the entire family.  Our wide range of properties will suit all age groups, pockets and tastes, from quaint thatched cottages to comfortable town houses and luxury apartments, all set in forest, rural, town, village and coastal locations across the New Forest.

The Gatehouse (B134) is situated in Pennington Village on the outskirts of the bustling coastal market town of Lymington.  The property provides a perfect base to explore the magical ancient Forest and heathland as well as the beautiful coastline of the National Park.  The gatehouse is a perfect home from home family getaway.

3 The Cottages is a delightful Victorian mid terraced cottage built around 1895.  This comfortable accommodation is situated in the heart of Brockenhurst, yet within walking and cycling distance of the High Street.  This charming cottage has been furnished to high standard and is ideal for couple or families alike.  There are several pubs and restaurants only a short walk away, where you could have a drink or a meal and then stroll back to the cosy cottage and put your feet up in front of the wood burning stove!

Number Four (C136) is an immaculately presented three bedroom wing of a large country house, set in two acres of enclosed private garden.  It is a superb base for a luxury family holiday or a couple’s romantic break. If you feel the need to leave this tranquil base the beach and forest are only five minutes’ drive away.

Little Barn (A575) is a relaxing romantic hideaway located in the grounds of the owners 16 acre farm.  So if you are looking for a tranquil, country haven with easy access to the open forest, then this is the ideal retreat for you.  The popular town of Lyndhurst is only 2 miles away with an excellent choice of shops, restaurants and pubs – what more could you ask for!

These are just a few of the properties we have available for the festive period….so if we have tempted you to a Christmas in the New Forest… then give our bookings team a call today on 01590 679655.

A New Forest Walk in the Rain

The New Forest recently played host to one of our colleagues, Helen, from the South West to a New Forest cottage with five friends. During her visit to the area she visited the popular Acres Down for a winter walk which shows you don’t need glorious sunshine to have a good time!

I organised a lovely walk with friends in the forest but wasn't so delighted to see dark clouds looming in the distance especially after the forecast had stated beautiful afternoon sunshine! When the weather takes a turn for the worse, a walk in the rain doesn't sound so glamorous does it?

Not to be deterred we set out towards Acres Down Farm, set right in the heart of the New Forest. Just a short drive from Lyndhurst, we parked in a small car park close to a graveled walkway.

From the car park, the walk is level; perfect for those with limited mobility and for those with a pram.

The walk led us adjacent to Highland Water Inclosure, catching glimpses of squirrels and birds through the trees, opening out to some breathtaking views across the National Park. The path, eventually bringing us back to the main route, leads on to Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary.

The Acres Down walk is approximately two and half miles long with very easy gradient, ideal for all walking abilities. 

If you’re looking for somewhere to warm up after your walk, the Trusty Servant in the nearby village of Minstead offers a tasty menu and local drinks. However staying nearby we decided to head back to our cosy New Forest cottage and fill up on a home cooked roast dinner, the perfect antidote for a day spent out in the rain.

Like the sound of Acres Down, stay at Acres Down Farm Cottage. 

Our Top Christmas New Forest Festivities

With chilly mornings and dark nights, houses' lit, looking warm and inviting…it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! And it wouldn't feel like Christmas without our local towns decorating the streets with lights.

All Christmas events here in the New Forest really do get you in the festive spirit with parades, Christmas carollers, Santa’s grotto and market stalls filled with New Forest Produce. Perfect for selecting Christmas gifts.

Here is our top 3 Christmas light ‘switch ons’ in the New Forest this year…..

Lymington

Lymington is arranging a celebration evening on Friday 28^th November, when the high street will be closed to welcome Santa, and to turn the lights on at the tree at approximately 6pm. This year the town will also be decorated with 30 Christmas trees overhanging the high street which should look spectacular! The town’s shops have been invited to stay open, so you will be able to partake in some late night Christmas shopping and then maybe head off for a bite to eat in one of the many bars or restaurants in the town.

Lyndhurst

Lyndhurst will be full of Christmas cheer as Simon Clarke from Wave 105 will switch the lights on this year on Thursday 27^th November at 7pm. Shops will be open for a spot of late night shopping and carollers will be singing songs throughout the evening.  Lyndhurst will also be hosting another festive event, the Christmas Fun Day on Saturday 13^th December including Santa, market stalls and carol singing!

Ringwood

On Saturday 6^th December the town of Ringwood is having its very own Christmas ‘switch on’, with new Christmas lights and tree, a lantern parade, fair rides, Santa’s Grotto and guaranteed snow!  Included in the day’s activities will be an Elf workshop for young children, sweets being given out by elves, choirs and singers on stage in the market place and local charity and business stalls selling gifts and food along the high street. This fun packed day of activities starts at 10am through till 7pm. 

So wrap up warm, gather your friends and family and come to the New Forest for what promises to be a great start to the festive season!