There’s something extra special about a last-minute break. There’s the excitement of booking a spontaneous adventure and the delicious feeling of surprising the ones you love as you seize the day and book a special break away.
The spectacular New Forest is renowned for its varied and inspiring attractions, so whether you’re a family (with doggie in tow), a couple, or a solo explorer you’re guaranteed a wonderful stay here at any time of the year.
There are walks to wander, spectacular coastline to enjoy and historic towns and villages to explore. What’s more, with some of the finest hotels in the UK located here offering fantastic last-minute deals, you can rest assured that the perfect home-from-home is available too.
Talking of which, the New Forest Collection hotels are all comfortable and luxurious, with elegant interiors, award-winning restaurants showcasing locally sourced and seasonal produce, and beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds to enjoy.
Each one has superb leisure facilities and most have their own pool too, with onsite parking, EV charging points and WiFi as standard, so your last-minute break ticks all the boxes, and more.
The generously-proportioned rooms and suites available in all the New Forest Collection hotels are fantastic for families opting for a spur-of-the-moment break with the children. There’s always room to stretch out and another pop-up bed or two if you need them.
Parent-friendly settings and fantastic children’s options are available in most of the restaurants too, and guests with children (and dogs, who are also welcome bar-side!) love The Drift, the laid-back and stylish country pub right next door to family-favourite Beaulieu Inn.
Beaulieu Inn is the former coaching inn on the heath. It’s characterful and quirky, with elegantly modern interiors and a soothing atmosphere making it the ideal spot to land last minute and unwind.
Moorhill House nearby would also be top of the list for parents and children. It’s a gorgeous bed and breakfast hotel with fresh, light interiors and comfortable rooms with treetop views. There’s also plenty of space for the children to explore in the garden and beyond into the forest itself.
Happy dogs love it at Moorhill too, and are more than welcome to join you here and in any of the other New Forest Collection hotels.
One of these is Bartley Lodge, a glorious Grade II listed country house hotel, set within eight acres of landscaped grounds that waggy-tailed ones love to explore. Another is the stylish boutique hotel Forest Lodge near Lyndhurst, located right on the edge of the doggy-paradise that is the forest itself.
Both Bartley Lodge and Forest Lodge are ideal for a last-minute dog-friendly break. Lucky dogs receive their own special goodies on arrival, and after all that scampering and snuffling about in the New Forest countryside, there are always ‘wash pipes’ available for muddy paws.
Is there anything more romantic than a getaway for you and your sweetheart booked last minute? Couples making the most of an impulsive break away from it all should consider Burley Manor. It’s a magnificent country house set within an 800-year-old estate, where relaxation and tranquillity reign.
Burley Manor boasts sumptuous rooms, wellness facilities and indulgent signature treatments, as well as the ultimate couple’s secret escape, The Shepherd’s Hut. Its wood-burning stove, copper roll-top bath and secluded woodland setting are the stuff a dream retreat for two is made of.
There can often still be plenty of choice if you’re booking last-minute, so when you’ve decided on your favourite hotel, you could opt for a short break, pop down for a few impromptu days midweek, or come for an exciting weekend and end up extending your stay as long as you like.
Each of these exceptional hotels in the New Forest is easily accessible from anywhere in the UK and beyond, with excellent links via road, rail, sea and air, making any one of them a fabulous choice for a last-minute break.
They are all close to some incredible attractions too. There are hundreds of acres of forest to explore, pretty coastal villages and water sports to enjoy, and vibrant towns with their independent shops, galleries and markets to visit.
Then there are the historic landmarks like Hurst Castle, the award-winning immersive experience that is Buckler’s Hard, and the visitor attraction of Beaulieu with its BBC Top Gear exhibition and James Bond cars, all nearby.
And if you’re looking for zoos and theme parks, you’ve got Marwell Zoo and the home of Peppa Pig right there, guaranteed to transform any last-minute family break into a holiday they’ll never forget.
Sometimes it’s great not to have a plan, and in a place as beautiful as the New Forest, going off road by booking a last-minute break can only ever lead to something wonderful.
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