How to spend 48 hours in the New Forest this autumn and winter
The New Forest is one of the most popular National Parks in the UK. It isn’t crowned by huge mountains or ridiculously steep hills, so you’ll find it easy to navigate by car, on foot, bike, or even in the saddle. To maximise your time and explore the very best of the New Forest and its incredibly pretty coastline, we’ve put together some ideas for a 2-day itinerary. Perfect if you’re planning a short break or long weekend at one of our New Forest Cottages.
Day 1
Start by hiring a bike and head out on one of the many routes that cover 120 miles of designated cycle tracks for the morning. You’ll take in the views of our famous free-roaming ponies, donkeys, pigs and cattle trundling over heathlands and through the woods and chocolate-box villages, causing mini traffic jams.
You can hire bikes from Beaulieu with New Forest Activities, Burley at Pedall or Forest Leisure Cycling, Cyclex in Brockenhurst, Figgures and New Forest Bikes are both in Lymington, The Woods Cyclery and AA Bike Hire are in Lyndhurst, and for electric bikes go to Jaunt-e Bikes in Milford on Sea (Keyhaven).
Before returning your bike, stop for lunch at one of the New Forest pubs for lunch – take a look here at some of the best pubs with log fires in the New Forest.
Spend the afternoon at Beaulieu National Motor Museum and Palace historic house. We promise you don’t need to be a petrol-head to enjoy it as there are a large collection of displays and exhibitions to see. There are cars, gadgets and costumes from James Bond, classic cars, racing and record-breaking vehicles, Top Gear and cars from TV and film, plus lots, lots more.
Head back to your New Forest Cottage to freshen up before dinner at one of the National Park’s fabulous restaurants. Our favourites include Les Mirabelles in Nomansland, Verveine Restaurant and Fish Market in Milford on Sea, The Elderflower in Lymington and The Jetty in Christchurch.
Day 2
Book a two-man Canadian canoe or kayak tour along the tidal Beaulieu River with a guide from New Forest Activities. The guide will show you all the river wildlife, talk about the history of some of the beautiful houses you’ll pass and recount tales of smugglers and hidden treasure from times gone by.
Stop off at Beaulieu Organic Farm Shop, which is packed with homemade cakes, bakes and locally produced nibbles for lunch, and travel along the coast road to Highcliffe Castle, once home to the well-known London store retailer, Harry Selfridge. Park in the castle grounds and take the steps down the shallow tree-studded cliff to the soft, sandy beach below and walk right for a mile or so to Mudeford Quay. The views from the beach span across the bay, taking in the Isle of Wight to the east and Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve – you may be lucky a spot a couple of dolphins and seals playing.
The Quay is a working fishing port and entrance to a large natural harbour leading to the historic market town of Christchurch with its majestic Norman Priory. Grab a cuppa on the quay or hop on the ferry to Mudeford Spit, where the beach huts sell for insane amounts of money (we’re talking £450k – the most expensive in the country!) and take a seat in The Beach House café.
On the way back from Mudeford Quay, set your Sat Nav three miles north to the village of Bransgore and have dinner at The Three Tuns. This thatched, wonky-walled and heavily beamed gastro pub plates up imaginative and delicious food – but try to book ahead, as locals are avid fans.
Feeling full and content with two days of gallivanting and exploring behind you, head back to your cottage, pop a bottle of your favourite drink and throw a log on the fire, before reminiscing about the favourite bits of your holiday.
Fancy coming to the New Forest? Take a look at the collection of over 180 New Forest Cottages