New Hampshire, New England in the New Forest, Old England

New England in the north east USA is famous for its blaze of autumn colours yet we have our own annual explosion of spectacular red and gold foliage much closer to home, in the 900-year-old ‘New’ Forest in ‘Old’ Hampshire.

Autumn is also the time of year that one of the ancient social customs dating back to William, England’s first Norman King takes place in the New Forest: the pannage.

The pannage right was given to all commoners – as the local inhabitants of the New Forest are known – by King William and it involves turning out pigs at certain times of year to eat the acorns that are poisonous to ponies and cattle; though an ancient practice, it remains a vital agricultural service to this day.

Cottage Lodge, the five-star eco boutique B&B in Brockenhurst in the heart of the forest, is offering a special autumn two-night stay between Sundays and Thursdays from £80 pp (two sharing).

The price naturally includes the famous Cottage Lodge English breakfast which is made using New Forest Marque and Hampshire free-range, organic ingredients.

The property – calling it a B&B simply doesn’t do it justice – has 15 rooms, each of which has been individually designed and furnished to the highest of standards.

There is a strong ‘eco’ theme throughout, with furnishings, decorating, flooring and power supply all chosen for their environmentally-friendly properties (one room even has a bike which can be used to power the television).

For more information, visit cottagelodge.co.uk.