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Get on your (free) bike in the New Forest

27th January 2015 Print
Explore the New Forest by bike

If you’ve started the New Year with an intention to get back into shape, then why not enjoy a short break to Cottage Lodge in the New Forest which is offering free bike hire to guests to explore the forest?

The property recently took delivery of 10 new Raleigh Wayfarer bikes and two Viking Regency Tandems.

The New Forest has reduced speed limits in the New Forest because of the wildlife, which makes cycling safer and a great way in which to discover the forest.

There are 192km of off-road cycle paths – more than anywhere else in the UK (most of them are actually wide logging trails) – and one is just 200 yards from the front door of Cottage Lodge.

The multi-award winning small hotel is located in Brockenhurst, in the heart of the forest, the ideal base for exploring many of the famous towns, villages and places of interest including Lyndhurst, Lymington and Beaulieu – home to the famous palace, abbey and National Motor Museum.

Also well-within pedalling distance are the gardens and steam train at Exbury and the historic ship building village of Bucklers Hard.

Once the pedalling has got the better of you, park the bikes and stroll into Brockenhurst village which has a broad choice of pubs, bars and restaurants in which to enjoy that well-earned drink!

Family-owned-and-run Cottage Lodge has won numerous awards over recent years for its green credentials.

The property has 16 bedrooms, many of which are furnished with hand-crafted items including beds and dressing tables made from ‘fallen’ New Forest trees.

Even the tables in the appropriately named Fallen Tree restaurant were made from a rare, black, poplar tree.

A two-night break between Sunday and Thursday from 1 – 31 March costs from £60 per person (two sharing) on a B&B basis and including four, free hours’ cycle hire.

To book, visit cottagelodge.co.uk.

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Explore the New Forest by bike