If you have babies and pre-schoolers, beat peak prices and take a break before the schools break up. With little ones in tow, you don’t want to be worrying if your children are being too loud and energetic in hotels.
Booking a child-friendly self-catering cottage in the New Forest means you’ll have space, freedom, meals times when it suits you, a private garden and most of all – a comfy place to relax. Holidays are all about having fun together and memory making, but we think you deserve to come back relaxed and rejuvenated as well.
Here in the New Forest National Park, you can enjoy fabulous weather whilst wandering buggy-friendly tracks through ancient woodland and heather carpeted heathlands, dotted with the area’s famous free-roaming ponies and herds of wild deer. There are lots of New Forest attractions geared towards babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers and lots of gorgeous sandy beaches to explore – but without the crowds!
Here’s a selection of New Forest Cottages that are perfect for families with young children.
Cottage close to Peppa Pig World
Bridge End Lodge, sleeps 4, East Wellow
Bridge End Lodge is just four miles to the UK’s number one family theme park Paultons – Home of Peppa Pig World; it’s an absolute must for families with pre-schoolers. The joy of staying at Bridge End Lodge is that if you feel a whole day in one go may be too tiring, this child-friendly cottage is so close you can opt to buy a two-day ticket and split your time between two mornings.
Click here to see photos of Bridge End Lodge and find out more information
The New Forest seaside
Homelea, sleeps 5, Keyhaven
This super home is close to a dinky harbour and Keyhaven Yacht Club. From here you can catch the little boat ferry to King Henry VIII’s coastal fortress, Hurst Castle, and Hurst Point Lighthouse which stands at the end of a one and a half mile pebble spit. It’s also an easy walk to the sister village of Milford on Sea for swimming and searching for fossils.
Click here to see photos of Homelea and find out more information
Gorgeously glorious with a gated swimming pool
Thatchby Oak, sleeps 12, Brockenhurst
Bring your friends and extended family to stay in this luxury New Forest Cottage with its own private swimming pool in a separate gated area of its huge garden. This stunning home from home is in the vibrant village of Brockenhurst with direct forest access and free-roaming ponies strolling past the gate.
Click here to see Thatchby Oak photos and more information
Oodles of character and treats for the under 5’s
Remnants, sleeps 8, Redlynch
The rave reviews about this historic thatched cottage speak for themselves. The owners have gone above and beyond to create a true home from home – especially for youngsters, who love the collection of books, games, toys and DVD’s.
Click here to see Remnants photos, read the reviews and find out more
For townies and history lovers
The Cottage, sleeps 4, Christchurch
OK, so Christchurch isn’t exactly in the New Forest, but it’s just a ten-minute drive away and if you love the convenience of being within a few minutes’ walk of a buzzy high street, independent shops and heaps of child-friendly restaurants then The Cottage is for you. Christchurch is steeped in history being home to an impressive priory and ancient buildings. Head to Mudeford Quay for crabbing and hop on the boat to cross the harbour to the white sandy beach of Mudeford Spit where beach huts sell for over £250,000!
Click here to see photos of The Cottage and find out more information
Outdoor fun is child’s play in this huge garden
Number Four, sleeps 5, Hordle
A three bedroom wing of a large country house set in two acres of enclosed, private gardens. Number Four has got its very own cricket/rugby/football sports pitch, trampoline and wooden adventure playground for the kids. You’ll find puzzles, games, books and DVDs and a separate games room for full-on family entertainment. When the sun goes down, spark up the fire pit to toast marshmallows and watch the stars twinkle.
Click here to see Number Four’s photos and more information