With summer comes a multitude of notices and posters stapled to trees and posts, advertising a plethora of shows, fetes, fares and fayres – the latter three are all correct spellings by the way, just interchangeable, depending on the organisers choice. But which are worth making a beeline for? Here are some of our favourites…
21st – 23rd July: Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show
Three days of country fair fun. Stonking steam and crafty capers abound with gorgeous food, a street market and arena packed full of entertaining events and displays. There will be cars, tractors and other machinery joining around 40 steam engines, puffing and tooting along to live music and fabulous fireworks.
Cottages near Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show:
Gateways, sleeps 8
Saguenay, sleeps 4
Camellia Cottage, sleeps 6
21st – 23rd July: Curious Arts Festival, Lymington
A wonderfully quirky and cultured festival of literature and the arts, punctuated with eccentric smile-inducing twists – a midnight bat walk or snail racing anyone? Sip a G&T, slide down into a deck chair and be entertained by thought-provoking novelists, enlightened historians, poet laureates and amazingly talented musicians.
Cottages near Curious Arts Festival:
Oaks Reach, sleeps 6
Pink Cottage, sleeps 4
Seagull Cottage, sleeps 5
29th July: Damerham Fair and Horticultural Show, Fordingbridge
Folk travel from far and wide to experience this idyllic fair in the historic little village of Damerham. This is a proper day out in the English countryside, celebrating the very best elements of rural life. Expect to see maypole dancing, ferret racing, wheelbarrow racing, egg throwing, marching bands and so much more! There are plenty of trade stands, a B-B-Q, home cooked food and delicious cakes, together with a licensed bar and smashing live music.
Cottages near Damerham Fair and Horticultural Show
Oakley at Oaklands, sleeps 2
Ash Barn, sleeps 6
Oak Barn, sleeps 6
Bickton Mill, sleeps 7
29th July – 30th July: Pennington Village Fayre & Donkey Derby
There’s all the fun of a Donkey Derby with a much loved and popular Dog Show, plus everything you’d expect from an established village fayre. You can pootle around the collection of stalls, fair rides, funky traction engines and sample home-made food and drink. Sunday is particularly popular with little ones who love to join in children’s races and don outfits for fancy dress.
Cottages near Pennington Village Fayre and Donkey Derby
Little Green, sleeps 2
1 Heathcote Mews, sleeps 4
Broad Oak House, sleeps up to 15
For more New Forest holiday cottages, click here.