With its historic local landmarks, nearby coastal attractions and its thriving High Street, the delightful market town of New Milton offers something for everyone to enjoy.
Those looking for the perfect place to eat and drink near New Milton are also well catered for, with some fantastic pubs and bars only a short distance away.
Location, location…
It goes without saying that a breath-taking location is a given at any of the New Forest Collection pubs and bars, as is a warm, friendly welcome and a wide range of mouth-watering food and drinks on offer.
Menus created by their talented chefs are all about proudly showcasing locally sourced, sustainable and seasonal produce, with bars and cellars always stocked with the very best from local distilleries and brewhouses, and renowned vineyards.
Each particular venue has its own unique style of course, and so knowing that you’ll be delighted with whichever New Forest Collection pub or bar you choose, all you have to do is decide which one takes your fancy.
Here are some of the best pubs near New Milton…
Stunning starters
Burley Manor
Let’s start with a small plate at the stunning country house hotel, Burley Manor. It’s well-known for its Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, so you might try something from the tapas menu, with flatbreads fresh from the wood-fired oven. Other classics include wild mushroom arancini and parsley pesto, whilst those with a larger appetite might go all-in with a sharing platter of Chateaubriand, bearnaise and paprika fries.
Connoisseurs will be pleased to hear that Burley Manor is committed to sourcing some very special wines from smaller producers and private collections, and has a great selection of rare vintages. You might also want to sample their signature cocktails and seasonal specials, with all of this enjoyed in the stylish lounge, one of the cosy drawing rooms, or outside on the impressive stone terrace.
You’ll also find a superb selection of draught beers and artisan spirits within Bartley Lodge, the elegant Grade II listed country house hotel. (It’s worth pointing out too that all of the New Forest Collection pubs and bars offer a wider range of non-alcoholic beverages alongside their more boozy cousins, so we can all raise a glass to that.) Relax in the restaurant, the elegant sitting room, or outside on the terrace as you enjoy your favourite tipple alongside a delicious plate of food from the country house kitchen. The menu at Bartley Lodge celebrates the best of the locally sourced meats, cheeses and seasonal vegetables, with the Storm’s Farm Asian-style pork a real stand-out dish.
Not far away, Taylor’s Bar inside the charming Beaulieu Inn, is an elegant space for drinks and something light to eat. Their afternoon tea is renowned as being one of the best in the New Forest, and the fantastic selection of 14 artisan gins is a G&T lover’s delight.
Looking for somewhere a little more laid-back after a morning out walking the dog? The whole family will feel right at home in The Drift, the relaxed and stylish country pub in Beaulieu. Their Pub Classics menu has something to please everyone, and again, provenance is right at the heart of every plate, with South Coast day boat fish, The Drift Ploughman’s with local cheese, and their light bite selection featuring locally-sourced meats. As you’d expect, their drinks menu is extensive, supplied by local Flack Manor, Ringwood Brewery and Camden Ales, amongst others.
Those looking for the very best locally sourced, prime steak should head to 1820, the award-winning brasserie within the contemporary townhouse hotel, Forest Lodge in Lyndhurst. Alongside their grill classic favourites, you’ll also find lighter, inspiring small plates, so think smoked chicken terrine with chutney and watercress, or torched goat’s cheese, beetroot and walnuts, all enjoyed inside the sophisticated restaurant itself or outdoors in the sunshine on the terrace.
South of the New Forest, with the coast at Barton-on-Sea easily accessible, and excellent rail links to Bournemouth, Southampton and London, New Milton is also just a short drive from any of the New Forest Collection pubs and bars.
Burley Manor is just 15 minutes away along the A35; Go Ape adventure park is a nearby option to build up an appetite first, and if you’re on your bike, you might want to leave time to pop into Sammy Miller’s Motorcycle Museum along the way too. Bartley Lodge is a further 10-minute drive, and 1820 near Lyndhurst only a few minutes more. The magical and wonderfully family-friendly Furzey Gardens are on the doorstep, and fans of Sherlock Holmes might want to pay their respects at the grave of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, found at All Saints Church in nearby Minstead. Finally, The Drift, and Taylor’s Bar inside The Beaulieu Inn, are only 30 minutes from New Milton, also on the A35. If you’re visiting the bars here, then the ancient village of Beaulieu, with its magnificent Palace House and Gardens, children’s play area, and the impressive National Motor Museum, is only a short stroll away. Also close by is Hazel Copse Farm, home to New Forest Activities, which offers canoeing and kayaking on the privately-owned section of Beaulieu River.
There’s an extensive menu of activities on offer in this gorgeous part of the UK, with New Milton itself boasting Highcliffe Castle, beautiful beaches nearby, and a bustling market every Wednesday. Add to this a delicious meal in sensational surroundings, with a glass or two of something special, and it’s hard to imagine a more perfect end to a day of New Forest fun.
