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Visit the New Forest

Friday, 12 March 2010

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There is something for the whole family in The New Forest. First News Editor Nicky Cox and family went to visit.

Whether you're looking to relax, explore or just enjoy,
The New Forest is the ideal place to be. The New Forest is an area of southern England which includes the largest remaining areas of unenclosed pasture land, heathland and forest in the south-east. It's a living and working place where ponies and cattle graze freely and help to keep the different habitats intact. Deeper in the forest, wild deer browse beneath trees. And, among the open heaths of The New Forest are adders and grass snakes, and the many pools dotted around the area make ideal conditions for frogs, toads and lizards.

The New Forest is a great place to visit all year round with dozens of events organised throughout the year to help you get close to nature.

We went for a winter break and stayed at the Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brockenhurst. It was an ideal location to explore

The New Forest on bikes which we were doing within moments of arriving. We soon found out that the
only way to discover The New Forest's hidden gems and to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the forest is to get out there and explore. You have to leave the car behind and head out on foot, bicycle or on horseback.

It was already nearly dusk when we first hopped on our bikes but the forest was so atmospheric ­we saw ponies, deer, bats and nightjars.


Coming back to the hotel's swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and a steaming pot of hot chocolate was very welcome!

Apart from getting close to nature, there is so much more to do in the area.

You can visit historic villages such as Buckler's Hard, where ships for Nelson's fleet were built, using the oaks from the forest.

You may be seeing the new Alice In Wonderland movie around now. But, did you know that Alice Liddell, Lewis Carroll's inspiration for the character, is buried in the churchyard in The New Forest's Lyndhurst village? It's just down the road from The New Forest Museum and Visitor Centre which is an ideal place to start your visit.

On our second morning, we were back on our bikes again, taking part in a treasure trail to Beaulieu, cracking codes along the way. After our eight-mile ride, we were rewarded with the most amazing lunch at Monty's, a brilliant bistro, with some of the best tastes we¹ve ever had and
definitely the best fish and chips (and mushy peas!).

Afterwards, we headed for Beaulieu's National Motor Museum which hosts the World of Top Gear Exhibition. Ever wondered what happened to the amphibious Toyota, the Alfa/Saab stretch limo and the Reliant Robin rocket that were drowned/cut in half/fired into space by Jeremy, James and Richard in the good name of Top Gear? You'll find them all here.


We had a great time in the New Forest. We ran out of time to take the Hythe Ferry over to the Isle of Wight so we¹ll need to go back soon to do that and many other activities. Maybe we'll see you there!


Nicky Cox was a guest of the New Forest Tourism Association. Visit one-stop shop www.thenewforest.co.uk for details of a wide-range of accommodation,local attractions, bicycle hire, activities and events in the New Forest.

Nicky Cox and her family stayed at Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brockenhurst (a family room sleeping two adults and three children costs from £190 per night b&b); they dined in the Balmer Lawn Hotel and lunched at Monty's in the
Montagu Arms in Beaulieu. Bicycles were hired from CycleXperience and Treasure Trails provided a mystery cycle tour from Brockenhurst to Beaulieu
suitable for all ages; they visited Beaulieu Museum & Palace. All these companies can be found on the website:
www.thenewforest.co.uk