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All you need to know
The picturesque hamlet of Brook with its traditional cottages and stunning rural landscape is perfectly positioned to enjoy all that the New Forest has to offer.
The picturesque hamlet of Brook with its traditional cottages and stunning rural landscape, just a mile from the M27, is perfectly positioned to enjoy all that the New Forest has to offer.
Ponies, donkeys, sheep and pigs roam freely through the hamlet which is also home to two well-regarded pubs offering cosy log fires in winter and flower-filled beer gardens in summer, from where you can watch the animals wander by. With acres of unspoilt woodland and bridleways to explore on foot, bike or horseback from your doorstep - Brook is the ideal place to immerse yourself in the slower pace of forest life.
The popular village of Lyndhurst, where you'll find the New Forest Museum, is just 8 minutes away in the car, whilst the little ones would be excited to visit the neighbouring, award-winning Paulton's Park (and Peppa Pig World!). The South coast is just a 30 minute drive away. The historic coastal town of Lymington with its wide array of interesting shops and eateries, pretty cobbled streets, and bustling Quay makes for a great day trip.
A holiday cottage in Brook offers the ideal base for families, friends, or couples to make the most of their New Forest holiday.
(21)
Set in the heart of the New Forest at Minstead in Hampshire, this delightful informal garden was established in 1922 and is renowned for its all year round beauty, and for being a haven of peace and tranquillity: Furzey Gardens.
Visited ast week -was able to take the dog in too - lovely area, lovely staff - well worth a visit. Great example of social enterprise/Minstead Trust. Would visit again.
February 2024
We enjoyed Furzey gardens whilst staying at house for Christmas. The tinsel fairy tree trail was great , did it 3 times just to see if any fairies were at home. We liked the sculptures and quirky art amongst the garden. We will come again in may to see rhododendron in full bloom.
January 2024
Wonderful for all ages. The autumn colours were marvellous in the late October sunshine and the entertainment for young children was superb.
November 2023
Lovely Gardens and very nice (and tasty) cafe. Lots of tree houses and play areas for small children. Would love to go earlier in the year when everything is in bloom.
August 2023
We visit furzey garden whenever we can and it never disappoints. A wonderful and pleasant place to explore and to unwind and follow up with tea and coffee and a snack at the cafe.
May 2023
A truly amazing garden, supporting a brilliant charity
July 2022
We went there for an afternoon with the children and it was delightful. The children enjoyed the fairies and the adults enjoyed the beautiful gardens. One warning we thought we could take the dog but she wasn't allowed.
April 2022
Well worth a visit, something to see in every season. Nice cafe that you can visit anytime for coffee & cake. Plenty of interest for children with climbing towers, swings, tadpoles in the lake and fairy doors to find!
April 2022
Lovely colorful gardens on a gentle slope with winding paths and pond. Cafe sells variety of cakes, including vegan ones and excellent cup of tea.
April 2022
Fabulous little gardens, doing brilliant work.
July 2021
Definitely worth a visit. It is necessary to book a visiting slot via their website during the pandemic due to controlling numbers.
June 2021
Staff very helpful and Covid precautions good.spent a lovely couple of hours there and a coffee and cake after in the thatched tearoom.would visit again.
September 2020
I would recommend a visit to these beautiful gardens. A little gem.
September 2020
Furzey is a wonderful tranquil spot full of hidden corners & fairy doors to explore. Beautiful in the autumn & I would love to visit in other seasons too. The cafe is full of wonderful locally home made cakes & would highly recommend the carrot, chocolate, ginger, victoria sponge & scones! There are also plants & lots of cards & gifts for sale all at very reasonable prices.
September 2019
Lovely place to spend a few hours in the sunshine. Really nice play area for kids in the woodland too - lots to climb and explore and a nice cafe too.
September 2019
wonderful place
June 2019
Peaceful and welcoming
May 2019
fantastic gardens well worth a visit
May 2019
Lovely place to visit. Lots to see and ideal for children to play in the woodland garden with its bothies, towers and hides.
September 2018
Lovely gardens - great views. Grandson thoroughly enjoyed trying to find all the fairy doors. Very enjoyable visit.
August 2017
Beautiful gardens especially for young children.
August 2017
(4)
Paultons Family Theme Park, home to Peppa Pig World, features over 60 exciting rides and attractions and has been voted as the number 1 UK theme park for families. The Park is set within 140 acres of beautiful parkland on the edge of the New Forest National Park.
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Absolutely fabulous theme park - so clean, well laid out, plenty of staff, all helpful and friendly, great rides for the little ones, plenty of places to eat and drink and beautiful gardens. We will definitely visit again when next in the New Forest.
April 2022
Good entertainment for kids, so much to see and do, a good day out
August 2021
Our 2 year old absolutely loved Peppa world. I have to say I wasn’t sure what to expect but we really enjoyed it too! Plenty of rides for the little ones, well laid out with affordable eating options and plenty of toilets and baby change facilities too. Can imagine it gets very busy in the school holidays but we were slightly out of season so it was great!
September 2019
Our two year old thought it was the best thing ever, and is still exciting about visiting Peppa Pig's house and meeting his heroes. We thought that the rest of the park was more exciting (and shorter queues.) Many of the rides closed much later than the advertised closing time - so by staying later we got more time in the park and also avoided the worst of the queues to get out.
September 2017
If you really want to see the New Forest in style, you need New Forest Platinum Tours. A family run business in Burley, they offer private chauffeur driven tours, day trips from Southampton and executive transportation in the New Forest for up to six passengers. Their popular Heart of the Forest Tour for example is four hours taking in the beauty of Brockenhurst, Beaulieu and Lyndhurst with flexibility to suit you.
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The second oldest golf club in Hampshire, New Forest Golf Club on the outskirts of Lyndhurst is renowned for its beauty and the excellence of the course. A relatively flat and easy walking par 69, it is a warm and welcoming environment with New Forest ponies and cattle roaming freely for good measure - so just keep an eye out where you hit that ball!
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(6)
The wooden viewing platform is just a short distance from the main Bolderwood car park. Adjacent to the car park is a large flat grassy Forest lawn, perfect for kicking a football around or a game of rounders. Bolderwood is one of the most popular spots in the New Forest for spending a sunny day and the area can become a bit congested during the better weather and at holiday times.
Brilliant walks, peaceful, quiet and relaxing. The deer here from the viewing platform looked happy too. Had a picnic at the tables in the sunshine and an ice cream from the van in the free car park. Great spot for a couple of hours out.
May 2023
A nice place to visit,you may be lucky enough to see the deer, if not it's nice place for a walk through the forest with picnic area
May 2023
Lovely walks always come here when we visit
April 2023
Love coming here to see the deer and great walks too
July 2021
Really lovely walks
August 2020
The deer viewing platform enabled us to see the deer. Lovely walks and information centre very good.
August 2017
(1)
Owned by the same family since 1782, this proud traditional pub is full of tradition and rustic charm. Inside are deep sofas, open fires and flagstone floors. Outside you’ll find a large beer garden with views across the forest. Food here is very good and includes lots of local produce and game when in season. There’s a great selection of wines and spirits and excellent real ale. Dog friendly
The Bell Inn (T: 023 8081 2214) Brook SO43 7HE
Lovely food, friendly and serviceminded staff.
October 2017
(5)
This beautiful and popular thatched country pub dates back to the 15th Century, and is a favourite haunt for ponies and donkeys to gather. When it’s warm, you can sit outside with a pint of well kept cask ale in the pretty, flower filled garden. During the winter, a real log fire crackles and burns. Food here is really good, and the main menu plus daily specials, take advantage of local produce and fresh fish. Dog friendly.
The Green Dragon (T: 023 8081 3359) Brook SO43 7HE
Warm welcome, excellent food and service
July 2022
Excellent Sunday roast ....highly recommended
June 2019
A really nice place to eat and friendly
May 2019
Very welcoming for us and our 2 dogs. Food was lovely and staff were welcoming , typical country pub!
August 2018
After quite a bit of research online for a holiday cottage in the New Forest that has a pub nearby with vegetarian options, we stumbled across Brook and the Green Dragon. On arrival we still had some time to kill before we could get into the cottage, so we tried the Dragon for a late lunch. One look at the menu convinced me already: with not just one or two but three! vegetarian main meal choices, this was the pub for me (or rather us, but my husband eats anything, haha) and might merit more than one visit! And the food did not disappoint - far from! The Halloumi and Roasted Pepper Burger was delicious.I was resolved to go back there for dinner - and we did more than once. The staff gets extra points from us for being consistently very friendly throughout our visits. So, thank you, Dragon - we will be back!
November 2017
A very large and spacious thatched building dating back to the 12th century with conservatory and beer garden. Inside you’ll find a mix of heavy beams and rustic yet comfortable styling, a log fire and plenty of seating. The food here is good, with a varied menu and great selection of drinks including traditional cask ale and wines from around the world.
Sir John Barleycorn (T: 023 8081 2236) Old Romsey Road, Cadnam SO40 2NP
A pretty pub both inside and out. During the summer, sit outside in the large beer garden that has a great children’s play area, including life size tractor. Food at The White Heart is delicious, and well above the usual pub fare, served in big, hearty portions. Expect all the classics plus a few exotic dishes. Indoors, there’s a large fireplace and log burner for chilly days. Dogs welcome.
The White Heart (T: 02380 812 277) Old Romsey Road, Cadnam SO40 2NP
An unassuming country pub. Inside it’s cosy, yet quite big with a large open log fire to keep you warm in the winter. In the warmer months, venture outside to the spacious beer garden and separate children’s play area. The well-priced menu features all the usual’s you’d expect to find, plus daily specials.
The Coach and Horses (T: 02380 813120) 11 Southampton Road, Cadnam SO40 2NF
(2)
A stony beach with sandy areas as the tide goes out, and a great spot to do some fossil hunting. The cliffs are subject to considerable coastal erosion and at times parts of the beach can be cordoned off. The Beachcomber Café on the cliff top is one of the most popular cafés in the region. Plenty of parking in car parks along the cliff top as well as on-road parking.
A pleasant walk along the cliff top and along the beach. There was less cliff than last time we went to the New Forest.
June 2023
Super walk, nice and easy and great place for a meal or tea and cake by the car park.
April 2019
Highcliffe beach, beneath the popular Cliffhanger Restaurant is a part sandy, part pebble beach. The beach has sloping access as well as steps down to the shore from the pay and display clifftop car park. To the east, Highcliffe beach towards Barton on Sea is a part sandy beach at the foot of the second most eroded cliff in England. This side of the beach is dog-friendly all year. However do check the tide times as high tide can make it difficult to walk along the beach.
To the west towards Highcliffe Castle beach, the promenade leads across the top of the small beaches inbetween the groynes with views across Christchurch Bay and Hengistbury Head. Groynes 4-8 have dog restrictions as does the promenade during the summer months, May-September.
(3)
A picturesque, tree-lined beach of shingle, and sand at low tide. Good facilities on the cliff top including an excellent tea room, public toilets, baby change and a children’s play area in the Castle gardens. Plenty of parking and sloping access down to the beach. Highcliffe Castle beach is dog-friendly all year round.
Very picturesque beach with great access, looks good for a beach day
October 2021
Lovely
April 2019
Lovely clean sandy beach and a really i would highly recommend this spot for your car to break down takes the ouch out of waiting for the recovery truck
April 2017
(16)
A beautiful shingle beach with pretty painted beach huts, plenty of parking, and excellent coastal walks along Hurst spit to Hurst Castle with clear views of the Isle of Wight and needles. The superb Raft Rocks Restaurant is worth a visit with its Art deco style and roof terrace. You can also walk across the wildlife marshes to Keyhaven harbour and (in season) take the boat to Hurst Castle or the Isle of Wight.
Lovely sea walk within 15 minutes of the cottage.
March 2024
A lovely place to stay. So much to see and do locally and within easy reach.
August 2023
Milford on Sea is a very quintessential English village which has retained all its charm. The seafront is a delight to stroll along and The Needles Eye Cafe produces lovely coffee and lunches which is well worth a visit. A walk around Sturt Pond is also enjoyable and through to the village.
June 2023
Lovely quiet location for a beach walk. Great for watching the sea and waves without the crowds.
June 2023
Brilliant beach.
September 2022
Beautiful beach with views to The Isle of Wight. Good for swimming, picnics and walking. Very good car parking and public toilets. Lots of good places to eat and drink either next to the beach or in the village, a short walk away
July 2022
A proper gem. Great location for the new forest. The village is great and was only a short walk from our house. Not too busy or full of holiday makers. We will be back.
October 2021
One of my favourite places
July 2021
Good place to go if you have a buggy or wheelchair as there is a tarmac path along the top of the cliffs with great views of the Needles, plenty of parking and a kiosk serving refreshments.
September 2020
Lovely village with adequate shops on a very pretty green.
September 2019
Due to my husband breaking his leg we hired a mobility scooter for our holiday. It was a joy to ride along the front at Milford. Wonderful views of The Needles and lots of benches along the way too. Great access from the car parks. Would be great if the short path from Milford to Keyhaven could be the same good surface. We felt the rough stones would be too hard to ride on.
June 2019
Love Milford on Sea so old fashioned hasn't changed much since I use go as a child in the 1960/70s
April 2019
great walking area, small cafe-the needles, children climbing play park- crashing waves over stoned beach
March 2019
Great for a dog walk along the spit to Hurst Castle. Needles Eye cafe is a welcome break, quite good food but very busy and a bit basic.
December 2017
Fantastic sea location with goods pubs, shops etc
November 2017
Lovely village, plenty of shops and places to eat - no post office though.
June 2017
(2)
A family friendly beach close to Mudeford and Christchurch Harbour with plenty to do for all. For those with disabilities or small children there is a beach level carpark, and to keep everyone safe there is a designated bathing area and a seperate area allocated for watersports, all overseen by lifeguards in the summer months. This pretty sand and shingle beach is backed by trees and countryside and if you fancy some fresh local seafood or simply a coffee, ice cream or a cold drink, the beach is home to the excellent Noisy Lobster, serving breakfast, lunch and supper all year round.
Nice beach with good facilities
April 2023
Beautiful beach, lots of sand for youngsters- definitely been high on our favourites list, for more than 30 years and still is now the 'children' are nearly 30! - well worth the drive from New Forest. The Noisy Lobster is great and now has an 'outdoor upstairs' too. The Beach Cafe, half-way along, is excellent too- used to do very good carrot cake! The connecting beach towards Steamer Point is dog-friendly all year which is a bonus. Walking to the quay end, you can catch the ferry to Hengistbury Head which is beautiful beach too and often quieter (top favourite!) Even this last week (JULY 2021) the 'kids' wanted to crab-fish from Mudeford Quay!!
August 2021