Apartment Rentals The New Forest

Best areas to stay in the New Forest

The national park stretches across a large swathe of Hampshire, and each pocket has a different feel.

Here are the spots we would suggest looking at first:

Brockenhurst is the sensible first port of call. The area consists of a station, a handful of independent shops, a few good pubs and offers peaceful walks through the forest which begin just outside the village. Occasionally you may see New Forest ponies roaming the high street.

Lymington, on the Solent coast, has a working quay, a centuries-old Saturday market and a host of small, individual shops. It is also home to a Wightlink ferry that whisks visitors over to the Isle of Wight.

Burley is less developed and quieter. The ponies here are more inquisitive than just about anywhere else in the park and the heathland is close by in every direction. Perfect for long walks and cycling, followed by a hearty drink in one of the traditional village pubs.

Lyndhurst is the unofficial capital and is made up of the New Forest Heritage Centre, several cafés, restaurants and local shops. Lyndhurst is central, busy in summer, and perfect for foodies.

Fordingbridge occupies the western edge of the park, on the River Avon. It is a quieter countryside that offers strong hiking and cycling trails and easy runs across to Salisbury, Stonehenge and the Dorset coast.

Types of New Forest holiday cottages

We list self-catering properties for all group sizes and budgets. A few categories worth knowing about:

• Dog-friendly cottages: Quite a few of our New Forest properties are dog friendly. Several have enclosed gardens and the New Forest itself is one of the best dog-walking locations in the country with miles of heathland and woodland paths, most of it off-lead outside ground-nesting season (March to August). See all our dog-friendly New Forest cottages.
• Luxury and large cottages: Thatched farmhouses sleeping 12 or more, properties with hot tubs, games rooms, secluded gardens. If you are bringing multiple generations or celebrating something, these are made for it. Browse our large group cottages.
• Cottages with hot tubs: The combination of a hot tub and cool forest air is hard to beat on an autumn night. Filter for them on this page or go straight to our hot tub cottages.
• Cottages for couples: Studio barns, converted chapels, one-bedroom annexes — smaller properties tucked into the forest edge or set within the grounds of a larger house. Peaceful, private, often surprisingly affordable.
• Accessible cottages: Some of our properties are wheelchair accessible and accommodate guests with limited mobility. View them on our accessible cottages page.

Things to do in the New Forest

Walking and cycling are the most popular activities in the New Forest. The park is dissected by clearly waymarked paths, and bicycles can be rented in Brockenhurst and Burley if you don't happen to have your own. If you want to go a bit farther, the Castleman Trailway is a disused railway line running through the western edge that is level enough for small children and buggies. Horse riding is also available, and there is a certain feeling you can't get from a cycle path when you are riding through forest.

Apart from the walking routes, Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway spans 200 acres on the Beaulieu River. The most popular time to visit is in spring, when the rhododendrons and azaleas explode with colour. Beaulieu estate houses the National Motor Museum, Palace House and the abbey ruins, so it can take a whole day to see everything there. Walk downstream to Buckler's Hard, an 18th-century shipbuilding village where many of Nelson's ships were built.

On the coast, both Milford on Sea and Barton on Sea offer clifftop walks, beaches and overlook the Isle of Wight. The ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth is approximately 40 minutes, and a short drive away are Paultons Park, the home of Peppa Pig World, and the New Forest Wildlife Park, which is worth a visit.

You will eat well, too. Local pubs serve New Forest venison, Hampshire ales and seasonal produce, and the area has a growing number of farm shops and small-batch food producers.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best area to stay in the New Forest?

It depends what you want from your getaway. Brockenhurst is in the middle of everything with forest walks right on your doorstep. Lymington is by the sea with shops and a ferry to the Isle of Wight. Burley is a quiet village. Lyndhurst is the most lively with more shops and restaurants. Fordingbridge is on the western edge of the New Forest and is quite peaceful, popular with walkers.

Are there dog-friendly cottages in the New Forest?

Many of our New Forest properties are dog-friendly, some have enclosed gardens, and the forest itself is fantastic for walking dogs with many miles of heathland and forest paths, lots of long walks in the open air, and most off-lead friendly outside the ground-nesting bird season (March to August).

How much do New Forest holiday cottages cost?

A one-bedroom cottage for two can be found from around £400 a week outside of peak season. Larger family or group accommodation with extras such as a hot tub can range from approximately £1,200 to £4,000 a week in summer. Booking direct with the owner eliminates the fees charged through other agencies.

Can you get cottages with hot tubs in the New Forest?

Yes, we list a number of them. You can filter directly on this page or head to our hot tub cottages collection.

Is the New Forest good for families?

It is great for families. Gentle walks, cycling options for younger children, and attractions such as Beaulieu, Paultons Park, New Forest Wildlife Park and Exbury Gardens are all easy enough to reach. The ponies alone will hold most children’s attention for longer than you would expect.