It’s what’s known as a win-win – a beautiful walk in the stunning surroundings of the New Forest, finished off with a well-earned pint in a fabulous country pub. Where do we sign up?
Well, right here – and with an estimated 143 miles of footpaths and over 60 pubs to explore, there’s plenty of choice; enough to keep you coming back for more.
Best of all, we’ve got a myriad of bases from which to set off – whether it’s the cosy shepherd’s cabins (Burley Huts), our boutique townhouse hotel in Lyndhurst (Forest Lodge) or a Grade-II listed eighteenth century country house hotel (Bartley Lodge). Just like the walks, we think you’re spoilt for choice. Here are some of our favourite walking routes which feature pubs. Cheers!
If you’re staying at Beaulieu Inn, then a New Forest pub walk which starts and ends at our fantastic on-site hostelry, The Drift, should be top of your list.
This is an easy circular walk through mixed woodland with some great views to boot.
It’s just a shade over three miles and won’t take more than about 90 minutes – and you will often find you’re the only ones there!
Visit the last resting place of Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle on this forest walk which clocks in at a shade over seven miles.
You’ll pass the famous Rufus Stone where you can learn more about the mysterious death of King William II, as well as taking you to the quaint village of Minstead, where the famed detective writer lies at All Saints Church. At Minstead Green, reward yourself with a drink and even some food at The Trusty Servant pub.
Just over four miles, this village walk around Burley starts at the centre before setting out around the edge.
Great views across the Avon Valley, the route also passes an ancient hill fort (Castle Hill) before heading back to the village and the warm welcome at the Queen’s Head pub.
Almost twice the distance is this walk around Lyndhurst, ‘capital of the New Forest’. As well as the stunning landscape and the beautiful village itself, there’s plenty of wildlife to spot including grazing cattle and the famous New Forest ponies.
Best of all, however, is the route passes SEVEN pubs, including two crackers in the shape of The Waterloo Arms and The New Forest Inn.
At around four and a half miles, this circular pub walk starts at The White Hart in Cadnam, goes through the heart of Shave Wood and onwards to Minstead. There are plenty of (gentle) climbs and descents and a lot of the pathways can get muddy, so be prepared! There will be a fair number of New Forest ponies along the route too, so dogs need to be kept under control or at least watched carefully. As much of this is open access land, there won’t be much signage but it’s not too tricky to follow and should take you between two and two and a half hours to complete.
When it comes to picture postcard, cosy country inns, The Filly Inn takes some beating. This is a great circular New Forest pub walk of around three and a half miles in length.
Enjoy lunch at the pub and then head out on one of two routes – you’re fine to leave your car in the car park. Highlights include Royden Wood Nature Reserve, with the route consisting of a mixture of gravel or muddy footpaths – so wellies may be an idea!
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