The word is…

‘The Buttery café on Brookley Road is an essential port of call during our DofE weekends.’ Ken Clarke

With rail and bus links to Ashurst and Lymington, Brockenhurst is a great base for exploring the wider New Forest without a car. See newforestnpa. gov.uk/visiting/travel

Probably the quaintest hotel in Hampshire, the Thatched Cottage Hotel has rooms from £99pn (01590 622005; thatchedcottage.co.uk).

See visit-hampshire.co.uk for more places to stay.

A few minutes’ walk from Brockenhurst station, cosy Rachael’s Cottage sleeps up to four people. A week’s stay in this charming, two-bedroom Victorian property with a pretty garden costs from £611 (01590 679655, newforestcottages.co.uk).

‘There’s a lovely walk along the old railway line to Holmsley for afternoon tea at The Old Station Tea Rooms.’ (stationhouse holmsley.com) Sarah