New Forest
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Transportation and Accommodations
Getting There
New Forest is located southeast of London and easily accessible by train or car. Trains run approximately every 30 minutes from London Waterloo towards New Forest and the journey time is about 2 hours. There is a direct train from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst, one of the towns in the New Forest. Other towns including Lymington are also accessible, but require a transfer.
Getting Around
The New Forest is most easily explored with a car or by bicycle! Fortunately, for those visiting without either, taxis are fairly easy to book. Brockenhurst Taxis is a reliable taxi company in the area which can be called for last minute rides or booked in advance.
Additionally, for those hoping to explore on two wheels, bike rentals are available. Cycleexperience, located just outside the Brockenhurst train station, has day or multi-day rentals available. The staff are friendly and very helpful, and the company has their own phone application with a variety of bicycle routes uploaded to show you different options for exploring. The New Forest is known for having a lot of nice cycle roads so be sure to rent some bikes suitable for gravel and get out and explore. In rainier months, the paths can be muddy or even flooded, but some routes are more suitable for bad weather conditions.
Accommodations
The Pig, branded as a restaurant with rooms, owns a group of properties found in different areas of the English countryside. The Pig Hotel is known for sourcing many products locally, either from within their garden or from local farmers within 25 miles. The location found in New Forest is the original Pig and is only a 5 minute drive from the Brockenhurst train station with 32 rooms. The Pig in New Forest has a lovely restaurant, available for guests and non-guests to book lunch or dinner. Breakfast is only available to guests staying on the property.
The Pig has a few common rooms within the main building to lounge, play games, chat, read a book by the fire, or enjoy small bites and a drink anytime of day. In warm weather, there is a lovely outdoor terrace served by a large pizza oven. Also on the property, you can walkthrough the kitchen garden and visit some of the animals living at the Pig. They have rainboots / wellies to borrow for those looking to adventure into the forest on rainier days and even have bikes available to borrow on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Pig offers a variety of different rooms depending on your needs and desires. After staying here, I would highly recommend others visit and I look forward to visiting some of the other Pig hotels.
Things to do and see
Rent Bikes
The New Forest is known for having lots of nice cycle paths, often passing through local pubs, quaint cottages, and fields of wild animals
Walks
New Forest is full of nice areas to walk around, whether on a quieter path or into the forest. Dress for a walk and enjoy a peaceful walk anytime of day.
Spot some Horses, Cattle, Pigs, Deer and more
A unique place already, New Forest is home to many wild animals often not thought of as wild. Although most are technically owned by foresters, the animals are allowed to roam free in the area. You will likely pass through fields of grazing horses, spot deer within the forest, or even spot the pigs while they are out and about for 60 days in late autumn. The pigs are let out to roam freely and eat the acorns; this is especially important as the acorns are poisonous to the horses and cattle. It also eventually makes for extra tasty pork meat.
The Pig
For those not staying at the Pig, consider stopping by to enjoy a meal or a drink on the property.
Lymington
A decent sized town, Lymington sits along the south coast. The town itself has a small market on Saturdays along with shops, cafes and pubs to pop into. For those looking to extend the adventure, hop on a ferry over to the Isle of Wight and spend some time exploring the nearby island.
Food and Drinks
The Pig
Brockenhurst
With a menu changing daily, the 25-mile menu promises to source 80% of the menu from within 25 miles. The menu thus varies based on the area and time of year to adjust to what is available or good at the time. Book a table here for a nice, cozy dinner or stop in for a nice lunch.
The Elderflower
Lymington
Fancy restaurant in town, offering a 4-course, 5-course, or 7-course dining menu. The menu changes daily based on what the chef pulls together, and alters the courses to any dietary restrictions. For those interested, there is also a wine pairing option. The service is excellent, restaurant is nice, and food is outstanding. Be sure to book a table to dine here if visiting the New Forest.
The Cellar
Lymington
Cute wine bar with a great atmosphere withing the town of Lymington. Stop in here for a wine tasting, or just sit down for a glass of wine if you know what you are in the mood for
The King's Head
Lymington
Quintessential and cozy British pub, great for a pre or post dinner drink, or even sitting for dinner.
The Paddle in the Forest
Brockenhurst
Cute brunch restaurant in Brockenhurst with a tasty menu. Offering sit-down or take-away, this is an excellent option for a weekend breakfast before getting on with the day.
The Buttery
Brockenhurst
Small tea house in the town of Brockenhurst, serving breakfast bites, sandwiches, cakes, tea and coffee. This is good for a quick cake and coffee break.
Other Notes
When to Visit
The summer months are a lovely time to visit the New Forest, with better chances of nice weather. As it is quite a green area, it is expected that there is often rain here. For those open to some rain, the fall months provide an opportunity to see the changing leaves and also are usually associated with quieter times than in the busy summer months.
Duration
A weekend trip to New Forest is a perfect way to get a taste for the area. For those looking for a longer trip, you can easily spend more time exploring on bikes or walking around the area. A big perk of the New Forest is the local feel it provides, as it does not feel like a location overrun by tourists. Instead you'll run into many locals or Brits looking for an escape to the countryside.
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Transportation and Accommodations
Things to do and see
Food and Drinks