HOCKEY’S FARM
kingfishers in the trees and birds of prey soaring high above.
A highlight was pulling up in a little inlet and tasting samphire plucked straight from the crystal clear waters.
On my second day I set off early for Beaulieu,the National Motor Museum (beaulieu.co.uk)
I had planned to spend half a day there. I stayed all day, it’s that good and I don’t even consider myself that big a fan of cars.
Beaulieu boasts an impressive collection that stretches to more than 250 vehicles of all shapes and sizes, from vintage buses through to world recordsetting creations capable of flying along at 400mph.
Petrolheads are in heaven here with the World Of Top Gear exhibition. There’s even a once futuristic monorail to sweep you round for a bird’s eye view of a site that weaves between the historic, the cutting edge and the future.
On my last morning it is back on to two wheels, this time with one of Cyclexperience’s electric bikes.
For those keen to explore the great outdoors but Return flights from Edinburgh to Southampton with Flybe
start at £91.98. Tourist information at lacking a bit of fitness, an electric bike is spot on.
We canter off through the forests coming across not only wild ponies, but wild pigs and sheep, too. We also ease past a host of the cosy, picturesque pubs the New Forest is famed for.
I head back on to the train already resolving to come back to this land of wild ponies.
Next time I’ll check out sites such as the legendary Paultons Park theme park, home to Peppa Pig World, with my wee daughter.
The New Forest offers so many things to see and do, whether you are seven or 70, in a world it’s hard to imagine lies so close when I stand back on the train platform at Southampton Airport. Brilliant farm shop and café serving fresh produce from the region as well as their own delights.