New Forest Trust - We Love the New Forest

What is the New Forest Trust?

Formed in 2003, The New Forest Trust is the New Forest’s Conservation Charity. Supporting, assisting and actively educating both visitors and locals on the importance of the landscape, wildlife and all that live in the forest.

What do they do?

The New Forest Trust actively secure the well-being of all who live in the forest including the conservation of livestock, woodland, open forest, flora and fauna. The Trust actively educates visitors and locals across the New Forest to ensure better understanding of how the forest works.

Whilst driving around the New Forest you may have noticed the reflective collars some livestock are now wearing. Unfortunately as many as 100 animals are killed each year in the New Forest, so by fitting one of these collars we are greatly reducing the risk of animals being hit during the night.

Bats are not an animal commonly thought about in the New Forest, however the New Forest Trust have been supporting the Hampshire Bat Group in the study of two rare species in the New Forest, the Bechstein’s and Barbastelle bats, providing bat boxes and funding radio transmitters.

How do we support the New Forest Trust?

New Forest Cottages have been donating to the New Forest Trust for over a year and have so far donated over £1000 in total. We take great pride in supporting the New Forest Trust here at New Forest Cottages. This small area of the British countryside needs much support in order to maintain the unique livestock, terrain and natural beauty, to ensure it remains at its best for all future generations to enjoy, just as much as we do.

How to get involved

Whether you’re a business, organisation or just an individual it’s easy to get involved with the New Forest Trust. You can make a simple donation; become a ‘friend’, volunteer or sponsor.

To find out how you can get involved and for further information please visit www.newforesttrust.org.uk

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.