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All you need to know
Surrounded by beautiful ancient woodland, the pretty hamlet of Bank is an idyllic base for a New Forest holiday with an abundance of scenic walks and cycle trails, a great dog-friendly pub on your doorstep and just one mile away from Lyndhurst with its quirky shops, cafes and galleries.
Bank, a tiny picturesque hamlet, is surrounded by idyllic forest scenery yet is only a mile away from the bustling town of Lyndhurst, where you’ll find an abundance of quirky shops, cafés, restaurants and galleries.
Bank itself is a pretty place, peppered with traditional 17th century cottages. It’s home to a fantastic pub, The Oak Inn, which is extremely popular with those in the know, as well as ramblers and cyclist stopping off for a well-deserved break. The dog-friendly pub serves delicious local produce and freshly caught seafood which can be enjoyed by the roaring inglenook fire on chilly winter evenings or in the large sunny beer garden, where friendly free roaming ponies and donkeys like to gather.
There’s an abundance of stunning walks and cycle paths around Bank so don’t forget to pack your walking boots! We suggest taking the lovely loop from Bank to nearby Brockenhurst, which passes through some of the oldest parts of the New Forest. Treat yourself to a well-earned refreshment at one of Brockenhurst’s cafes and tearooms before heading back to your New Forest cottage.
Why not explore over 140 miles of unspoilt heathland and ancient woodland track by foot, bike or horseback? It’s the best way to get close to an abundant variety of wildlife and habitats on your journey. Click Here for some ideas on way marked walks suitable for all levels, including those who are less able and pushchairs and buggies.
May 2017
Lovely walks with the dog
April 2019
Wonderful place and a amazing wildlife
July 2019
Great!
August 2019
We loved this along with the dog who ran for miles and got very muddy and wet as raining! But really enjoyed it
November 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed walking through The Forest. Flat easy walking on the trails we did. Loved the fact that it is unspoilt.
June 2021
Visited Bolderwood. Walked some of the well marked trails from 1/2 mile to 4 miles. Saw deer at the deer platform but also walking round the trails. Made the visit very special. Recommend
September 2021
The Woodland Trails are well signed. Lots of information to be found out about the locality.
October 2022
Outstanding walks
May 2023
Such a beautiful part of the country.
October 2023
Housed within the New Forest Centre, the New Forest Museum is packed full of displays and activities about the New Forest National Park, including why ponies are kept on the Forest and why we shouldn’t feed them! There’s something for all ages, which will help you make the most of your time in the Forest
Click Here for further information
Very interesting. Grandson enjoyed the hands on displays.
August 2017
Went on an event day, which was, for us, too busy. The tickets allowed to go in again within 6 days. Lovely and peaceful and managed to see round the palace. Staff very friendly and heloful. Our grandchildren had a great day
May 2018
This was a lovely place to visit with a two year old on a very cold day. As well as the displays that you'd expect there is a play, reading and colouring area for small children. The staff were really helpful, especially when Nanna was looking for baby changing facilities and needed help with the lift. Nanna and the two year old also enjoyed a snack in the cafe - again staff were very helpful and the food was tasty! There was also a nice selection of reasonably priced gifts. We're looking forward to visiting again.
December 2019
Guided tours of the New Forest on foot or driven around by our own chauffeur is the glamorous way to explore this beautiful part of the world. Hidden Britain Tours have refined their experience over five years to bring you the best of the area’s history and landscapes in a few short hours - something for visitors of all ages to enjoy!
Click Here for further information
Telling you everything you need to know about the beauty spot that is the New Forest National Park, the New Forest Centre brings you the New Forest Museum, gift shops, walks and cycle rides and guides to the area’s magnificent wildlife.
Click Here for further information
Very interesting and informative.
August 2017
Informative and Interesting. Nice selection of items in shop.
March 2018
Excellent, informative displays with plenty to appeal to all ages. We went on a rainy day and spent a couple of hours there with a 9yo, 4yo and 1yo. Learnt a lot about the history of the New Forest and how it is currently managed and would happily go back again,
August 2018
The tearoom here is great and very dog friendly
April 2019
very helpful
June 2019
A good selection of gifts and useful information
September 2019
This Centre is worth a visit.
June 2021
A great place to learn more about the New Forest - Staff incredibly helpful
September 2021
good information about the forest
November 2021
Spent a pleasant time looking around the interesting museum and getting advice on the closest children's play area from a helpful lady at the information desk.
June 2023
Lots of interesting things to read and find out about the New Forest area and some interactive bits for kids. Great cafe attached for cake and coffee.
August 2023
We really enjoyed the display in the museum. It explained to concept of the common land well and was really interesting. Lovely gift shop and cafe also and the needlework panel upstairs is outstanding. A real treasure that will be admired for a long time to come.
April 2024
Offering accessory and cycle hire, The Woods Cyclery allows you to explore the New Forest and all its cycle paths, getting to know the natural beauty of Lyndhurst. They offer a wide range of bikes from brands including Giant, GT Marin or Scott, for all ages and abilities as well as offering repairs and servicing.
We managed to bring everything with us for our holiday except for my husband's cycling helmet & gloves so wandered in to Lyndhurst to this recommended shop. Friendly knowledgeable staff who solved our issues efficiently & gave us lots of advice on suitable cycle routes.
September 2019
Great cycling shop with knowledgeable staff. Helped me with a new helmet, that had broken on a cycling holiday!
June 2021
A highly acclaimed country pub just outside Lyndhurst in the hamlet of Bank. Ponies often wander outside the pub which is popular with walkers, cyclists and those in search of good food and drinks in a charming location. The food showcases the New Forest and coastal larder, with imaginative and creative menus that change seasonally.
The Oak Inn (T: 02380 282350) Bank SO43 7FD
Great pub with lovely food and friendly service.
January 2018
Walked up from Brockenhurst and had a lovely lunch . ALL the staff were so friendly and welcoming.
January 2018
We have eaten at the Oak Inn in Bank many times over the years and the standard of food is not what it used to be. I would have described the food previously as that of a gastro pub whereas now I would describe it as pub grub. The pub is still a great place to go for a meal. But I would prefer if they did not have sittings - the choice being 6-6.30 or 8-8.30
October 2018
Great food!
February 2019
Lovely cost pub
April 2019
Cosy, friendly and good food. What more does anyone want?
April 2019
Fabulous food, great hospitality
June 2019
Very good food but too few vegetarian dishes Nice Pub, dogs are welcome
July 2019
Fabulous, traditional country pub with amazing food. Found this by accident but well worth a visit. Very warm welcome from friendly, helpful staff and good home cooked, quality food. 10/10
October 2019
Stayed for 5 nights and went here twice. Was fantastic food, service and ambiance. Highly recommend
February 2020
Very disappointed, over priced drinks, poor quality expensive food - definitely won’t rush back
September 2020
Very good food
September 2020
Great food, friendly staff, but the service was poor on each of the three occasions that we visited.
June 2021
Service was very friendly but the food was very poor and we couldn’t eat it.
August 2021
Cycled there through the forest for a light lunch . Not as good as we remembered it in November 2020. Our light bites were very small portions of very average food and not good value for money . But we saw enormous sandwiches taken to other tables , more than we would have wanted to eat, but maybe a better choice for folk who like a more substantial meal. Customer service good .
October 2021
Lovely pub/restaurant in beautiful location, staff friendly and food great. Had a good evening here, think you need to book ahead. Well worth a visit.
October 2021
Lovely pub with relaxing friendly atmosphere and good food.
November 2021
Really lovely welcoming pub. Great food and service.
December 2022
Very nice pub
January 2023
Typical New Forest pub. Adorable.
January 2023
Lovely food staff helpful
April 2023
Very expensive. 2 unremarkable sandwiches, 2 portions of chips and 2 soft drinks came to over £30.00.
May 2023
Great little pub. We walked from Brockenhurst and had lunch outside. Both dishes we ordered were very tasty . On a Sunday you do need to book to get a roast lunch as the pub is very popular for a roast.
April 2024
A popular pub with New Forest folk for its great selection of local ales, beers, wines and delicious home-cooked food. The New Forest Inn’s location surrounded by forest and countryside means you’ll often see ponies, cattle, and pigs wandering past its doors. On nippy days, the Inn keeps its two real log fires burning. In the summer months, an enchanting beer gardens offers a beautiful spot to sit and relax. The menus and specials board feature old favourites, along with some tasty surprises. Dogs welcome.
The New Forest Inn (T: 023 8028 4690) Lyndhurst SO43 7DY
excellent friendly pub, lovely food and service
July 2017
Excellent friendly service also good value
May 2019
Nice Pub but the food isn’t that good Horses are coming to drink
July 2019
went for lunch was excellent, staff loverly and service superb
February 2020
Great garden to sit out and eat in. Lovely friendly service.
July 2020
Always go here for a meal when we visit my son loves the crumble lots of custard
September 2020
Enjoyed our lunch here. Staff very nice.
June 2021
Always have a lovely meal here whenever we come on holiday
July 2021
Hospitality was very welcoming and the food & wine selection was great.
August 2021
Excellent food and service
September 2021
Lovely food as always
April 2023
We had a lovely meal and the service was excellent. We look forward to going back when we are next on holiday in the New Forest.
May 2023
Good food pleasant, friendly and efficient staff. Reasonable prices.
May 2023
Love this pub the pies are amazing.
May 2023
Great food and beer great venue
September 2023
Very lively pub that served delicious food in very generous portions. Dog friendly, which for us, is a huge plus.
October 2023
Our favourite pub in the New Forest!
April 2024
Good food and ale with friendly service in a traditional country pub. Not many like this left.
April 2024
This family run pub has roots dating back to c.1731. There’s a large sunny beer garden to the rear, inside is the familiar warm and comfortable hues, dark wood, beams and exposed brickwork for a country pub of this age. There are daily specials alongside the main menu, which also changes on a regular basis. You’ll find the usual pub fare which is cooked well and in large hearty portions. Dogs welcome.
The Swan (T:02380 282203) Emery Down, SO43 7DT
Excellent food outside with all Covid measures in place.?
August 2020
A real disappointment. When we arrived there was one other couple in the whole place...understandable that it was empty at 7pm on a Saturday evening as the food was terrible. The one member of staff was very friendly and professional. Such a shame.
March 2024
A friendly Georgian pub in Lyndhurst’s thriving high street. It’s often busy with both locals and visitors who come to drink, eat, take part in the quiz nights, events and listen to live bands on Saturday nights. Inside is spacious whilst staying cosy, especially with the log burner glowing on a winter’s day. During warmer months, you can sit outside in the large terraced beer garden.
The Fox & Hounds (T: 023 8028 2098) Lyndhurst SO43 7BG
Friendly pub with.excellent beer and good food at reasonable prices. Pleasant outside patio and live music at weekends fun. New Forest discount card accepted for food orders recommended.
September 2017
Great pub. With plenty of outside seating.
July 2021
Lovely pub in Lyndhurst, excellent service and would recommend Sunday lunch
October 2021
Great food and large pub garden.
August 2022
Great pub, well staffed and good meals!
September 2022
The food was excellent and the staff were very friendly and helpful.
September 2023
Great pub, with friendly staff
March 2024
Good beer and we enjoyed the mezze sharing platter in the pretty courtyard outside. Would definitely visit again.
April 2024
A popular local chain of authentically French cheese and wine bars offering over 200 wines and 300 artisan cheeses. Passionate about their craft, here you can explore the carefully curated wine list with a wine flight, enjoy one of their regular wine tasting events or simply pop in with friends or family for some excellent wine, cheese and charcuterie as well as other mouth-wateringly good nibbles.
Renoufs Cheese & Wine Bar 23 High St, Lyndhurst SO43 7BE (T: 07473 074733)
Holly, the host of Renoufs was very knowledgable and gave good recommendations both for wine and cheese. The meal was amazing, we had the Ultimate vegetarian platter for 2 which was enough for us 4 ladies. The ambience was relaxing, price reasonable and will definitely be revisiting. All in all, a great experience! Thanks Holly.
February 2024
We popped in for a drink. The service was great and there was a good atmosphere
April 2024
A stony beach with sandy areas as the tide goes out, and a great spot to do some fossil hunting. The cliffs are subject to considerable coastal erosion and at times parts of the beach can be cordoned off. The Beachcomber Café on the cliff top is one of the most popular cafés in the region. Plenty of parking in car parks along the cliff top as well as on-road parking.
Super walk, nice and easy and great place for a meal or tea and cake by the car park.
April 2019
A pleasant walk along the cliff top and along the beach. There was less cliff than last time we went to the New Forest.
June 2023
A beautiful shingle beach with pretty painted beach huts, plenty of parking, and excellent coastal walks along Hurst spit to Hurst Castle with clear views of the Isle of Wight and needles. The superb Raft Rocks Restaurant is worth a visit with its Art deco style and roof terrace. You can also walk across the wildlife marshes to Keyhaven harbour and (in season) take the boat to Hurst Castle or the Isle of Wight.
Lovely village, plenty of shops and places to eat - no post office though.
June 2017
Fantastic sea location with goods pubs, shops etc
November 2017
Great for a dog walk along the spit to Hurst Castle. Needles Eye cafe is a welcome break, quite good food but very busy and a bit basic.
December 2017
great walking area, small cafe-the needles, children climbing play park- crashing waves over stoned beach
March 2019
Love Milford on Sea so old fashioned hasn't changed much since I use go as a child in the 1960/70s
April 2019
Due to my husband breaking his leg we hired a mobility scooter for our holiday. It was a joy to ride along the front at Milford. Wonderful views of The Needles and lots of benches along the way too. Great access from the car parks. Would be great if the short path from Milford to Keyhaven could be the same good surface. We felt the rough stones would be too hard to ride on.
June 2019
Lovely village with adequate shops on a very pretty green.
September 2019
Good place to go if you have a buggy or wheelchair as there is a tarmac path along the top of the cliffs with great views of the Needles, plenty of parking and a kiosk serving refreshments.
September 2020
One of my favourite places
July 2021
A proper gem. Great location for the new forest. The village is great and was only a short walk from our house. Not too busy or full of holiday makers. We will be back.
October 2021
Beautiful beach with views to The Isle of Wight. Good for swimming, picnics and walking. Very good car parking and public toilets. Lots of good places to eat and drink either next to the beach or in the village, a short walk away
July 2022
Brilliant beach.
September 2022
Lovely quiet location for a beach walk. Great for watching the sea and waves without the crowds.
June 2023
Milford on Sea is a very quintessential English village which has retained all its charm. The seafront is a delight to stroll along and The Needles Eye Cafe produces lovely coffee and lunches which is well worth a visit. A walk around Sturt Pond is also enjoyable and through to the village.
June 2023
A lovely place to stay. So much to see and do locally and within easy reach.
August 2023
Lovely sea walk within 15 minutes of the cottage.
March 2024
Highcliffe beach, beneath the popular Cliffhanger Restaurant is a part sandy, part pebble beach. The beach has sloping access as well as steps down to the shore from the pay and display clifftop car park. To the east, Highcliffe beach towards Barton on Sea is a part sandy beach at the foot of the second most eroded cliff in England. This side of the beach is dog-friendly all year. However do check the tide times as high tide can make it difficult to walk along the beach.
To the west towards Highcliffe Castle beach, the promenade leads across the top of the small beaches inbetween the groynes with views across Christchurch Bay and Hengistbury Head. Groynes 4-8 have dog restrictions as does the promenade during the summer months, May-September.
A picturesque, tree-lined beach of shingle, and sand at low tide. Good facilities on the cliff top including an excellent tea room, public toilets, baby change and a children’s play area in the Castle gardens. Plenty of parking and sloping access down to the beach. Highcliffe Castle beach is dog-friendly all year round.
Lovely clean sandy beach and a really i would highly recommend this spot for your car to break down takes the ouch out of waiting for the recovery truck
April 2017
Lovely
April 2019
Very picturesque beach with great access, looks good for a beach day
October 2021
A family friendly beach close to Mudeford and Christchurch Harbour with plenty to do for all. For those with disabilities or small children there is a beach level carpark, and to keep everyone safe there is a designated bathing area and a seperate area allocated for watersports, all overseen by lifeguards in the summer months. This pretty sand and shingle beach is backed by trees and countryside and if you fancy some fresh local seafood or simply a coffee, ice cream or a cold drink, the beach is home to the excellent Noisy Lobster, serving breakfast, lunch and supper all year round.
Beautiful beach, lots of sand for youngsters- definitely been high on our favourites list, for more than 30 years and still is now the 'children' are nearly 30! - well worth the drive from New Forest. The Noisy Lobster is great and now has an 'outdoor upstairs' too. The Beach Cafe, half-way along, is excellent too- used to do very good carrot cake! The connecting beach towards Steamer Point is dog-friendly all year which is a bonus. Walking to the quay end, you can catch the ferry to Hengistbury Head which is beautiful beach too and often quieter (top favourite!) Even this last week (JULY 2021) the 'kids' wanted to crab-fish from Mudeford Quay!!
August 2021
Nice beach with good facilities
April 2023