Easter in the New Forest

The New Forest is the perfect spot for an Easter escape and spring is the ideal time to go. Carpets of flowers are appearing everywhere and the latest generation of New Forest ponies are taking their first, ungainly steps.

With many places to go and things to do – not to mention a great choice of traditional pubs and restaurants – there is something for every taste and budget. Here are some suggestions of places to stay from members of the New Forest Tourism Association (NFTA) this Easter:

Hotels

Ormonde House Hotel, Lyndhurst (from £40 pp B&B or £55 pp DB&B)
A charming, dog-friendly hotel located close to the centre of Lyndhurst with its shops bars and restaurants. Also ideally situated for forest walks and visiting local places of interest. Prices based on 2 sharing a room.
ormondehouse.co.uk

Stanwell House Hotel – 2 nights from £138 pp (B&B)
Enjoy two nights over Easter at Stanwell House Hotel, a family owned and run boutique hotel in the heart of Lymington on the southern coast of the New Forest. The hotel has a choice of restaurants including the renowned seafood restaurant and is a short stroll from the local pubs, shops and restaurants. Two night breaks over Easter from £138 pp (2 sharing, B&B basis or £175 pp, DB&B).
stanwellhouse.com

Self catering

Forester’s Cottage, Three Legged Cross (from £530 for a week’s rental)
A charming detached, two bedroomed cottage on a farm (sleeps 4). Rated 4-stars and available for a week from Friday 10 April. Linen, towels and fresh farm eggs for an Easter Breakfast included.
foresterscottages.co.uk

Angels Cottage, Lymington (from £650 for a week’s rental)
Angels Cottage is a newly refurbished property sleeping up to 5 people. It has off-street parking and is 10 minutes’ walk to the Town Centre, railway station, quay and marinas with its shops, pubs and restaurants. Beaches, cliff top walks and the New Forest National Park are within a 5 minute drive. A week from 10-17 April over Easter is £650.
angelscottage.com

A week at Rose Cottage, Everton – from £500 (total)
Rose Cottage is a delightful 2 bedroomed period cottage (sleeps 4), set in a quiet no through lane with private parking and a fully enclosed private garden. It is ideally located to explore both the Solent coast and the New Forest with Lymington, Brockenhurst and Muneford Quay all within a short drive. One week any time between 2 and 23 April from £500.
zinniacottages.co.uk

Bed & Breakfast

Dale Farm House, Dibden – 3 nights’ B&B from £120 pp
An 18th century farmhouse, Dale Farm was once featured on BBC TV’s Holiday programme. The property boasts farmland and forest views and is a wildlife and bird watcher’s paradise - pheasants, woodpeckers, moorhens and deer are all regular visitors. It has direct access to the New Forest for walks, cycling or riding on marked tracks and bridleways. Three-night B&B breaks over Easter from £120 pp (2 sharing).
dalefarmhouse.co.uk

For more ideas of accommodation, things to do and places to see, go to one-stop-shop: thenewforest.co.uk