If all the cycling, walking, kayaking and sightseeing hasn’t tired you out in the New Forest, you can always shop ‘til you drop; whether it’s buying a keepsake, some local produce to eat there or take home as a present for the neighbour, there’s plenty of choice.
The New Forest villages are abundant in great little shops – from antiques to clothes and garden centres – perfect if you are looking for something or just want to while away an hour or two, especially if the weather is a little inclement. With independent art galleries, craft shops, local produce and designer clothes shops, there are plenty of places to keep even the most extreme shopaholic satisfied. There are plenty of places to shop, such as Lymington’s high street and the Furlong Centre in Ringwood, where you’ll find independents nestled alongside big brands; there are also regular markets to look out for. Don’t forget, either, that if you can’t find exactly what you are looking for on the high street, many of the local attractions will have gift shops too. And when you’re done, head to one of our New Forest Collection hotels for a well deserved glass of something as you check over your spoils… and then to bed.
Happy shopping!
Whether it’s for your own consumption or a thoughtful gift, local food and drink always hits the spot – and the New Forest shops are a cornucopia of produce.
Dive into the sweet delights of the Chocolate Studio in Beaulieu or Burley Fudge Shop; if it’s cakes and pastries you’re craving, Bakehouse24 in Ringwood is the place for you. If you’re a cider drinker, then try the New Forest Cider Shop in Burley – the Snakecatcher Scrumpy has to be sampled!
New Forest ice cream enjoys a reputation as a local delicacy, renowned for its rich, creamy texture and distinctive flavours. The secret to its popularity lies in its traditional production methods and the use of fresh, local ingredients. Traditionally made in small batches, to make traditional New Forest ice cream requires a slow, churning process that allows the flavours to meld and develop fully. Milk and cream sourced from local farms form the base, while fresh fruits, herbs, and spices are added to craft unique and delicious flavours. The result is an ice cream that is both indulgent and delicate, with a consistent quality that has earned it a loyal following within and beyond the New Forest.
Venturing into the New Forest, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy this local treat. Local shops and cafés offer a variety of flavours, from classic vanilla and strawberry to more adventurous concoctions incorporating local produce.
If all this talk of food and drink has got you hungry for more (literally), then how about a trip to a farm shop? Enjoy browsing some fresh fruit and veg, local meats or simply a great jar of chutney, you can easily get lost in a farm shop for a good hour or so – and you’re also helping to support the local community. As you might imagine, the New Forest has more than its fair share – if you need a few suggestions, try Hockey’s Farm Shop in Fordingbridge, Fordingbridge Farm Shop or Sunnyfields Farm. The New Forest farm shops are easy to get stuck into, with plenty of fresh produce, delicious homemade cakes and treats, perfectly ripe vegetables and perhaps even some farm animals if you’re lucky.
Even if it’s just a weekend break, you’ll need someone to feed the cat or water the plants – so a little local gift may well be required. Don’t spend the whole holiday hunting down something, however – let us do some of the homework for you.
For starters, don’t forget that the likes of the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Paultons Park, Home of Peppa Pig World and the New Forest Heritage Centre will all have their own gift shops; if they don’t have quite what you’re looking for, though, don’t despair. There are plenty of other options – Page’s of Lyndhurst; Down To The Wood (also in Lyndhurst); and Created by You pottery in Fordingbridge to name but a few.
You may have packed in a hurry or received an unexpected dinner invitation – fear not, there are some great boutiques dotted around the New Forest, including Sofikas in Lyndhurst, Esprit or Thirty Three Boutique in Lymington and Magpie’s Nest in Burley (for jewellery ideas).
Cycling is a massive part of life and leisure in the New Forest, so it’s no surprise that there are some great shops catering for all things two-wheeled. As well as hiring out bikes, many New Forest shops also sell them, along with all those essential accessories like helmets, pumps and clothing.
Make tracks to Boost Bike Hub or its sister store Cyclexperience, both in Brockenhurst – the former stocks the higher end of the price range. Elsewhere, there’s Hargroves Cycles in Totton, New Forest Cycling in Burley or The Woods Cyclery in Lyndhurst. Between those five stores, you should find something to suit.
If you’re a lover of vintage furniture, fine paintings and objets d’art, the New Forest is peppered with some charming antique shops: we’d recommend Lorraine Tarrant Antiques or Netherbrook Antiques in Ringwood; Julie’s Antiques or Carlsen’s Antiques and Fine Art, both in Lymington.
If you’re not in the market for a new occasional table or oil painting to hang over the fireplace, simply browsing shops like these is part of the fun, isn’t it?
Now we know a weekend break is a great chance to avoid mowing the lawn, but that doesn’t mean you have to forget gardening completely. You may want a thank-you gift for the greenfingered neighbour who’s been feeding the cat, or just enjoy mooching amongst the marigolds.
There are some great garden centres around the New Forest; Shallowmead Nurseries in Lymington has a farm shop and a great cafe, runs courses and stocks a wide range of flowers and plants, of course.
Dobbies Garden Centre in Cadnam stocks plants and all the other elements to help you enjoy your garden – from lighting to seating, BBQ equipment to gazebos, while Fairweather’s Garden Centre in picturesque Beaulieu has plants aplenty, as well as lifestyle and leisure accessories, and the temptation that is Steff’s Kitchen, it’s great cafe serving breakfasts, lunches and snacks using fresh produce from local supplies and their own garden, Patrick’s Patch.
Wolvercroft World of Plants Garden Centre in Fordingbridge is a two-acre nursery with a large shop, while Everton Nurseries Garden Centre, near Lymington, is an independently-owned garden centre which offers a wide range of plants, gifts, garden furniture and anything else your garden might need. Make sure you stop off at Camellias Restaurant for a well-earned cuppa before you head home…
After you’ve been out exploring the gorgeous New Forest, you’ll need somewhere cosy and comfortable to lay your head. The New Forest Collection is a gorgeous group of hotels dotted across the New Forest providing an array of unique venues. Burley Manor is an adults-only Manor House hotel surrounded by an enchanting 800 year old estate. Burley Manor also boasts onsite Temple Spa wellness treatment facilities and individually designed, gorgeous rooms.
Bartley Lodge is another charming venue within the collection. A Grade II listed building sitting amongst eight acres of gorgeous grounds with unique rooms and around the clock service. Bartley Lodge is also dog-friendly and perfect for the whole family. The New Forest Collection also includes the gorgeous Georgian townhouse Forest Lodge and charming Beaulieu Inn. You’ll find a huge selection of choices at the New Forest Collection, with rooms suitable for families, romantic escapes and half-term breaks making the most of the beauty of the New Forest.
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