There are some wonderful National Trust properties surrounding the New Forest. Below are some ideas for a morning or afternoon jaunt, others are a little further, but all within an hour or so’s drive.
Whilst the National Park Authority run most of the New Forest, pockets of land belong to the National Trust. Foxbury, Rockford and Ibsley Commons, Bramshaw Common, Hale Purlieu and Hightown are individual in tundra and landscapes, yet all share the common ground of hosting wildlife, birds and wonderful scenery.
Cottages near Northern Commons:
Beck Cottage
Gorley Firs Cottage
This brick folly and surrounding area is home to many wild flowers, butterflies and scenic views. A wonderful place for a walk.
Cottages near Pepperbox Hill:
Oakley at Oaklands
Halemede
A grand, stately house from the 18th century, housing the remains of a medieval Priory and set in gorgeous riverside gardens. There’s plenty to see, including a fabulous art collection.
Cottages near Mottisfont:
3 The Vinery
Pinns Farm Bungalow
Take a ferry from Poole Harbour and spend the day spotting red squirrels, checking out the wildlife and exploring where Lord Baden-Powell established the Scouting movement.
Cottages near Brownsea Island:
4 Copse Road
Quay Corner
An immensely beautiful 4 miles of sandy beach with sand dunes and heathland. Enid Blyton used Studland as inspiration for Toytown, in her books about ‘Noddy’.
Cottages near Studland:
Old Chapel
Carissima
A must see. These captivating ruins of a thousand-year-old castle are perched high on a steep cone like hill with beautiful views. The village of Corfe is just as magical.
Cottages near Corfe Castle:
Kingscliffe Cottage
Broad Oak House
A curious design of an Iorn Age hill and Neolithic sire with amazing views to Salisbury Cathedral. Go in the summer to see swathes of wild orchids and meadow flowers.
Cottages near Figsbury Ring:
Whiteshoot Farm
Bickton Mill
Take the ferry over from Lymington to the Isle of Wight, and head to the iconic rock formations called ‘The Needles’. Whilst you are there, explore the Victorian defence building ‘The Old Battery’ which saw service in both World Wars.
Cottages near The Needles and The Old Battery:
Whilst in Salisbury, don’t miss a tour of this wonderful town house and garden from the 18th century in Cathedral Close. The house featured in the block buster film ‘Sense and Sensibility’.
Cottages near Mompesson House:
Marshlands Cottage
Mews Hill
A majestic house whose design is heavily influenced by Italian Palaces and surrounded by beautiful gardens. The house displays some incredible paintings by famous artists such as Rubens, Van Dyck, Titian and Brueghel. The Egyptian Room displays one of the largest private collections of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the UK.
Cottages near Kingston Lacey:
Burgate House Lodge
Riverside Lodge
The National Trust manages 2,100 acres of land surrounding the famous World Heritage Site.
Cottages near Stonehenge:
Orchardside at Penn Farm
Saguenay
A captivating working watermill in the centre of the city. The mill is said to be the oldest in the UK as its origins date back over 1000 years. The ‘new’ version was rebuilt in 1744 and fully restored in 2004.
Cottages near Winchester City Mill:
Bridge End Barn
Criddlestyle Cottage
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