The New Forest

HAMPSHIRE

Once a hunting ground for William the Conqueror, the New Forest still boasts many ‘beasts of the chase’. Look out for free-roaming pigs and deer, alongside some 6,000 New Forest ponies. Ancient woodland and open moors are largely unspoilt, while the charming towns and villages make perfect rest stops.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

With so many ways to explore the New Forest, there is simply no excuse to sit still. Walks range from a woodland stroll to the 60-mile Solent Way, while the keen cyclist can take advantage of miles of bike paths (rent bikes from Forest Leisure Cycling, forestleisurecycling.co.uk). Of course, horse riding was always the traditional means of getting about and, today, riding school Arniss Equestrian caters for all ages and abilities (arnissequestrian.co.uk). To see more local wildlife, head to Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, which has a viewing platform overlooking a meadow, offering a chance to spot fallow deer waiting for their daily feed (thenewforest.co.uk).

PLACES TO EAT

Hockey’s Farm Shop in Fordingbridge offers hearty, local fare (hockeys-farm.co.uk), and nearby Bakehouse24 specialises in sourdough, but its cinnamon buns are just as delicious (bakehouse24.com). For lunch, The Bat and Ball in Breamore is a country pub serving British classics (batandballbreamore.co.uk). Or, as the days grow warmer, head to The George in Fordingbridge for outdoor seating on the riverbank (georgeatfordingbridge.co.uk). For a memorable dinner, Les Mirabelles in Nomansland offers French cuisine with a slice of rural charm (lesmirabelles.co.uk).