Romantic breaks don’t always need a passport. If you’re looking to skip airport chaos and opt for romance in the UK, then the New Forest National Park on England’s south coast ticks all the boxes.
Here are 6 reasons to jump in the car and explore this gorgeous little pocket of paradise for a romantic break.
1. Beautiful walks and picnic spots
With pinky purple heather-strewn plains, magical ancient woods and wild ponies passing by, the New Forest certainly knows how to do a romantic landscape. Pack a basket filled with local produce from one of the areas many farm shops, set off for a stroll and find a wildflower meadow and enjoy a peaceful picnic.
2. Tandem bike rides
The New Forest is relatively flat with no huge hills to climb, so bikes are a popular and fun form of getting around and seeing the sights, and there are over 100 miles of designated bike tracks throughout the national park waiting to be explored. For an unusual and romantic spin on two wheels, why not hire a ‘bicycle made for two’? As they say, life’s experiences are best when shared, and you can certainly boost up the romance factor peddling through the wind. Sitting so close together on a tandem bike, you can enjoy conversation and lots of laughter as you peddle through picturesque villages and mesmerising countryside. There are plenty of bike hire providers in The New Forest. For Tandems try Cyclex in Brockenhurst or Forest Leisure Cycling in Burley.
3. Couples canoeing
Take a two-seater Canadian canoe tour along the tidal Beaulieu River. It’s both great fun and relaxing, gliding past historic landmarks before paddling into the lacey reed lined channels of Keyhaven Nature Reserve. If you choose a guided tour, the guide will be able to point out lots of wonderful wildlife, such as falcons, little egrets, kingfishers, curlews and, if you’re lucky, the river’s resident seals may pop up to say hello. Tours cost from £34 per person from New Forest Activities.
4. Bespoke Perfume
Capture your time together in a sentimental courtesy of New Forest Aromatics. This imaginatively romantic gift starts with a detailed conversation with owner Debbie Mulkern, a perfumier whose creations for luxury spas and natural fragrance companies are inspired by her travels across the Far East and Australia. She’ll guide you through aromatic elements of the essential oils which she mixes with fascinating sorcery, creating a unique bottled scent to take home with you. The initial consultation and perfume costs £100 and repeat bottles £40.
5. Romantic places to stay
For a romantic getaway, you’ll likely be looking for somewhere intimate and memorable to stay, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a hotel – especially in a location like the New Forest. Booking your own cottage offers the ultimate privacy, and a place to kick off your shoes and chill out with plenty of space, far from the cries of other guests. Choosing a pretty cottage surrounded by woodland wildlife as your romantic bolthole offers all the above, plus the freedom of choosing when and where to dine. Most holiday cottages are within walking distance from a picturesque gastro pub or two for scrumptious dinners over a bottle of wine. From luxury properties to cosy cottages just for two, take a look at our portfolio of New Forest Cottages.
6. Fine dining
The New Forest is a foodie paradise, with more than its fair share of great restaurants and eateries. For something different but delicious, book a table at Verveine Fishmarket and Restaurant. It isn’t like other restaurants – there’s no menu, you just choose the number of courses you’d like and tell the server what you don’t like. And just like that, Chef David Wykes will create exquisite and unique gastronomic tapestries of taste on a plate. Everything is super fresh and strictly seasonal. Expect home-made everything, from bread and pasta to sweets in edible wrapping. Any meal here will feel like a celebration. For more deliciously romantic meals, try Hartnett Holder & Co at the 5 star Lime Wood Hotel near Lyndhurst. TV’s Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder have created an Anglo-Italian inspired menu served in informal, relaxed surroundings. The Pig in Brockenhurst is an enchanting spot for dinner. Every item on the menu is sourced within a 25 mile radius, starting with its very own kitchen garden, and celebrates the seasons.
Take a look at New Forest Cottages Romantic Breaks
See our full portfolio here