The England you don't expect is in the New Forest
THE WAY TO GET THERE
Located just 30 km from the great port city of Southampton, there are two ways to get there from Spain. Can be accessed by car taking the ferry from Santander to Southhampton , O well by plane to London and, once there, rent a car to reach the destination. This second option does not exceed a two-hour trip and you can take advantage of the route to get to know beautiful cities and towns such as Winchester. You should know that the car is vital to move between the neighborhoods in the area , since with the aim of preserving the natural and beautiful landscape, they enjoy little public transport and the roads are minimal so that they hardly spoil the landscape.
ROUTES THROUGH THE NATIONAL PARK
The New Forest National Park has been protected since 2005 and is considered the wildlife capital , since a great variety of native species coexist freely in its forests and pastures. From its famous horses, ponies, and deer –with all three you have to be careful on the road, especially at night because they ride freely-, to pigs, families of birds, reptiles and insects of great local importance. To enjoy its contemplation, nothing better than doing it on horseback (by contacting companies such as Burley Villa); on a bicycle or on foot one of the most numerous and different routes, designed for all levels and tastes. Do not worry that in any of the visitor centers, they provide you with maps as well as all the necessary information about the duration and difficulty of each route. PS: They have a "special" route where they propose technical stops in the best english teahouses and pubs.
One of the New Forest's best kept secrets
STROLL THROUGH LYMINGTON AND LYNDHURST
In the heart of the National Park is the town of lyndhurst , which for many years was the favorite destination of royalty in the English countryside . Its main street is full of bars and a multitude of shops, among which the charity stands out, very common second-hand shops in the country that allocate part of the profits to charitable causes. If after shopping you want to enjoy the cuisine of the area, it is essential to visit The Fox & Houds to finish with a drink vs a pint at The Stag Hotel, whose bar comes alive at night.
The ultimate pub in Lyndhurst
On the other hand, in a straight line to the south coast we come across the port city of Lymington , whose physiognomy and historical importance invite us to travel back in time. It is also the perfect place to practice water sports , and of course to taste the best fresh fish . The best option is to park your car near the promenade and from there get lost in the small streets, lined with picturesque colored houses that are no more than two stories high. Next to the port, an ideal accommodation is The Ship Inn , a public house & dinning where, in addition, you can taste a pint and a fish dish, with a fun musical animation.
To discover the quintessential British dish, at hight street There is a small fish & chip shop where they make it delicious and not greasy at all. A warning: It only has two tables inside, so you may have to try it sitting on a street bench. And to top it off, nothing better than an English tea at ** The Buttery ** (on the opposite side) accompanied by a piece of homemade cake.
Lymington's English Tea
THE SMALL BUT GREAT BEAULIEU
In the extreme south east of the New Forest there is a tiny town that, however, gives a lot of play, Beaulieu , that you will recognize from a distance for being crowned by a monastery -visitable- dating from 1530 and by a river that, in addition to offering small cruises, is characterized by having the shore full of donkeys and ducks strolling freely without caring about the people who pass or photograph them. In one of the few streets in this town you come across ** Steff's Kitchen **, an old warehouse with cutting-edge interior design and long wooden tables in its large garden. Inside or outside, everything depends on the English weather, you have to enjoy their mythical salads and dishes full of one hundred percent organic vegetables and own production.
From there, cross the street to see ** Belle & Blossom **, a typical English flower shop, which also has a very British decoration. It is curious, because despite the small size of the town, it also houses a chocolate studio where you can discover the production process, as well as a motor museum in which they exhibit more than 250 vehicle models.
Beaulieu
SLEEP IN A COTTAGE
Old farmhouses converted into country lodges, the cottages dotted around the area delightfully combine tradition and comfort. A good example is ** The Pig Hotel ** _(Bealieu Road, Brockenhurst) _, in the middle of the forest and with a hidden access, it is perfect for spending a few days in luxury in one of its cozy 30 rooms, decorated crammed with tartan, pictures and vases; a hundred percent British style.
sleep in a cottage
In its restaurant the gastronomy is spectacular, based on the premise from land to plate , for which they have a garden behind the house where they grow all kinds of organic food. The dining room falls in love at first sight, with vintage-style wooden tables, cloth napkins, colored glasses, hydraulic floors, and everything inside a huge greenhouse that allows you to enjoy leafy views. Our recommendation? Do not leave without trying a stew made with eggs, beans, chicken or potatoes, as well as its famous meatballs with tomato sauce. After lunch, in its library area full of paintings, with sofas covered in checkered blankets, you can enjoy one of the cocktails that make up its drinks menu.
The perfect bookstore exists and it is in The Pig Hotel
A LITTLE RELAX IN A SPA
And for fans of combining a stay with a dose of beauty, the ** Lime Wood Hotel ** will be the appropriate destination. In it you can sleep in comfortable and aesthetic rooms -with classic bathtubs in the middle of the bathroom that give it a very vintage touch; stroll through its gardens; Taste tasty pasta dishes in its restaurant with views of the countryside (irresistible gnocchi with Bolognese and Parmesan and pasta with artichokes, dried tomato and truffle).
Imagine yourself here... shhhhh
But, in addition, you can enjoy some of the treatments offered by its spa herb house , or dive into its pool, framed by a huge window overlooking the forest. They work with brands like Voya, (pay attention to their lavender exfoliating program), Bamford (perfect for body massages) or Pai (ask about their detox facial).
Herb House, the necessary rest