If you’re thinking of a last-minute dash for a break away from home this half term, there are some great New Forest cottages that you and the kids will love that are still available – if you’re quick! Bring the family down to the New Forest National Park this half term to let off steam, relax and create some fantastic memories. There are lots of New Forest family-friendly attractions, such as Paultons Park – home of Peppa Pig World, The New Forest Wildlife Park and nearby Snowtrax, Adventure Wonderland and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard to visit.
But if you’re trying to watch the pennies, there is a limitless supply of inexpensive and free things to do. Let the kids run wild in the forest on rambles and walks over the heathlands and through woods past the famous free-roaming New Forest ponies and donkeys. As an alternative to time in the forest, you can grab a line and some bait for crabbing off the harbour wall at Lymington and Christchurch, or potter about the shoreline for fossils in Barton on Sea.
You’ll need somewhere spacious, cosy, and comfy to return to after a day of aventures. New Forest Cottages have over 180 houses, cabins, cottages, barns and flats in and around the National Park – here are some that are available this February half term.
Gorsehill Cottage | Sleeps 4 | Milford on Sea
Offering the best of a coast and countryside holiday – plus it’s dog friendly too! At Gorsehill Cottage, you’ll be a ten-minute drive into the forest and the same on foot to Milford on Sea village centre, where there are plenty of fab places to eat. It’s also a short walk to the beach and a one-and-a-half-mile pebble spit leading to the coastal fortress, Hurst Castle. Find out more about Gorsehill Cottage
Lavender Cottage | Sleeps 6 | Highcliffe
A super comfortable and well-equipped home from home which is dog-friendly and conveniently located to enjoy all the aspects the region has to offer. It’s easy to enjoy the forest (15 minutes by car) in the morning and the coast (a ten-minute stroll from the cottage) in the afternoon. The bright lights of Bournemouth are a half-hour drive west, but to escape the crowds and relish unspoilt, natural beauty, walk down to Highcliffe Beach, Christchurch Harbour and the sand dunes of Mudeford Spit. Find out more about Lavender Cottage
Holly House | Sleeps 7 | Nomansland
Guests who have stayed here absolutely love it. High-quality everything through and through, with plenty of space to lounge and laze in front of the fire when you come home. The village of Nomansland is surrounded by woods and walks (the cottage is dog-friendly), and there’s a brilliant pub – The Lamb Inn, where the forests’ donkeys and ponies come to hang out and pose for photos. Find out more about Holly House
Greenwood | Sleeps 8 | Brockenhurst
This great holiday home is blessed with a snazzy 180-degree view wood burner for snuggling around on a posse of plump sofas while watching a film on the TV – which comes with Netflix and Sky TV. This is a holiday home where you don’t even need a car, as Brockenhurst has a mainline train station. The village is cute yet sizeable and buzzing with pubs, cafes, and restaurants. Don’t be surprised to see ponies walking past your window as the open forest is never more than a few minutes’ walk, and the ponies, along with cattle and donkeys, are free to wander the lanes and high street. Find out more about Greenwood
Talbot Cottage | Sleeps 8 | Lymington
A magical holiday home decked out with books, toys and thoughtful touches for a young family, including a little loft room with a sofa bed, TV, games, play and reading nook. Squishy sofas and a toasty log burner set the scene for family films before bedtime. The high street, town quay and oodles of eating options and takeaways are all wandering distance from the front door. Find out more about Talbot Cottage
See all the New Forest Cottages
Read about Half Term New Forest Holidays – what to do with the kids