The New Forest is a truly breathtaking location, perfect for a stroll in the countryside, a morning or afternoon hike, a dog walk, a bike ride, or even a simple leisurely picnic, the New Forest is renowned for being in close proximity to a range of fantastic locations. From coastlines to forests, gorgeous vistas to grassy fields, there are an abundance of charming places and picnic spots in the New Forest to enjoy the beauty and make the most of a truly captivating location.
Located near the Bolderwood car park, this area has picnic tables and is known for its resident deer herd that wander freely around the area. Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary is beautiful, nestled along the Ornamental Drive where you can park up for free and head into the sanctuary for a charming walk and to find a scenic spot.
There is ample opportunity to enjoy a picnic here, sat amongst the deer. The park is home to three circular signposted walks. Each walk begins from the car park and consists of a 1/2 mile, 1 mile and 2 mile distance where along each walk, you will go through Bolderwood’s gorgeous Ancient and Ornamental Woodland. A must see when in the New Forest.
Hatchet Pond is the largest body of water in the New Forest. Renowned for being one of the New Forest’s most tranquil spots with ample space for picnicking by the water’s edge, where you can watch the local wildlife and enjoy your favourite savoury and sweet snacks.
Wander around the water’s edge and watch as the local wildlife of the area buzzes and dips around. The area has undergone some restorations over the last 4 years, so please do remember to take good care of the area and clean up your rubbish when you leave.
Lepe Country Park is a beautiful and popular picnic spot in the New Forest National Park. It is located on the shores of the Solent, with stunning views of the Isle of Wight. The park has a variety of different picnic areas to choose from, including grassy lawns, wooded areas, and the beach! So you certainly won’t be short of fantastic spots to sit and enjoy your picnic.
It is open from 7am to 7pm with parking charges from April – September with an hour of parking costing £2.50 and a full day costing £9.50.
This historic village sits on the banks of the Beaulieu River and offers several New Forest picnic spots with views of the river and the Beaulieu Estate. There’s a variety of places to enjoy a picnic, whether it’s on the grassy banks, along the quayside, or any of the areas of the nearby national park. Bring yourself a basket or a bag, a cosy blanket to lay on the floor, or find yourself a sturdy bench.
Blackwater Arboretum is a beautiful and tranquil arboretum in the New Forest National Park. It is home to a wide variety of trees from all over the world, including some of the oldest and tallest trees in the UK. It is perhaps one of the New Forest’s hidden gems and certainly a worthwhile visit when staying in the area. The arboretum is a popular picnic spot amongst locals and visitors to the New Forest and national park alike, offering a peaceful and relaxing setting to enjoy the beauty of the New Forest, especially when sitting down to enjoy a picnic with friends, family, or even a charming first date.
You can find the arboretum at the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive and enjoy all the picnic areas within the secluded beautiful woodland setting, experiencing the beauty of the New Forest in all its majesty.
Balmer Lawn is a wide-open greenspace near Brockenhurst, perfect for a traditional picnic on a chequered picnic blanket. Bring some sports equipment such as a football, badminton rackets or some cricket gear and kick off a mini sports day with the family while you enjoy some homemade picnic bits.
As you drive along this picturesque route, you’ll find several pull-off areas with plenty of picnic tables where you can enjoy the forest’s beauty and tuck into your picnic treats, perhaps while enjoying a scenic walk with the dog.
This expansive grassy area near Brockenhurst is a great place to lay out a picnic blanket and enjoy the natural surroundings. You may also encounter some of the New Forest ponies if you’re lucky.
As well as an abundance of picnic spots in the New Forest, there’s so much more to enjoy. The charming towns, the local pubs, quirky villages and a wealth of hiking trails. Certainly enough to entice families, groups and couples to stay for a longer period and really get the most out of their stay in the New Forest. If you’re looking for a comfortable location filled with charm and prime locations, then the New Forest Collection is the place for you.
A group of charming hotels dotted across the New Forest National Park, the New Forest Collection provides the perfect base location for families, groups and couples to experience the beauty of the New Forest at their own pace.
The hotels within the collection include Burley Manor, a Baronial style Manor House surrounded by a breathtaking 800 year old estate and nearby Bolderwood Red Deer Sanctuary where you can spot the native red deer. Burley Manor is grown-ups only and perfect for a romantic getaway with walking and exploring at the centre. After you’ve spent a day exploring and picnicking, head back for a Temple Spa treatment and enjoy a delicious meal in the onsite Burley Restaurant.
Bartley Lodge is another fantastic hotel in the collection. Filled with nature-inspired rooms in a grand Grade-II listed building and surrounded by eight acres of gorgeous grounds. Bartley Lodge is also dog-friendly, which means every member of the family can join in for a terrific stay and some scenic New Forest picnics. Not to mention an indoor pool and restaurant, so you can make the most of your stay without having to leave the comfort of the hotel.
Forest Lodge is another of the locations in the collection, a contemporary Georgian townhouse with rooms designed with peace and tranquillity in mind. Forest Lodge is dog-friendly and family-friendly with a variety of rooms in various sizes available. As well as an indoor pool for some morning laps before your picnic adventure.
And of course, the charming Beaulieu Inn with its nine peaceful garden rooms. Beaulieu Inn is surrounded by elegant gardens and situated within the New Forest National Park. You’ll certainly be surrounded by abundant beauty wherever you look, and come across a huge selection of New Forest picnic spots by car or by foot. And when you return, The Drift Country pub is just a minute down the road and serves fantastic pub grub.
New Forest Collection truly is the perfect place to rest your head, eat your fill, enjoy the sights and take a hot shower when staying in the New Forest. Each location boasts a unique character and charming decor, as well as onsite parking and EV charging stations for all guests to utilise.
When visiting the New Forest, take advantage of the charm and splendour of the New Forest Collection, its variety of characterful locations, elegant rooms and abundant facilities.
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