My Favourite Place To Visit In The New Forest
A series I’ve been wanting to do for such a long time is a New Forest travel guide. It’s something I get asked about daily from you guys and I am so so proud to be a New Forest, Hampshire girl and be able to introduce you to new places to stay/ visit/ travel to. I always share little spots and places I’m visiting over on my Youtube but I’ve been really wanting to put pen to paper (or fingers to a keyboard) and give you a more in depth guide into my favourite spots in The New Forest.
If you don’t know, The New Forest is the most gorgeous area of countryside in Hampshire, right on the south coast of England. It stretches down to the coast and boasts such a variety of landscape – from leafy forestry, to beachside walks to the most stunning little villages. If you ask me, I always say the The New Forest is a more accessible, less snooty version of the Cotswolds and that’s why I just absolutely adore living here. The people are so friendly, the views so picturesque and the fact that you have two major cities – Southampton and Winchester right on your doorstep just makes is the perfect place to live!
I wanted to start my New Forest guide with a favourite place that I visit almost weekly at this point – Limewood House Hotel. The most beautiful hotel and spa situated on the outskirts of Lyndhurst, it just had to be my first guide and recommendation.
If you are looking to stay over in Hampshire, there is no doubt that Limewood House Hotel is one of the most beautiful hotels in Hampshire, however it is also just the perfect spot to come for a coffee, for lunch, dinner or even just a walk with friends.
Lyndhurst is my favourite village in The New Forest – with one of the most unique selling points with The New Forest ponies!! It’s something I am so used to and it’s not until I see tourists gawk that I realise how truly unique and special the horses and ponies are. The New Forest is super unique in that it has wild horses that wander around the entirety of the land – so driving down to Limewood is the most beautiful sight filled with mothers nursing their foals, ponies grazing on the grassland and horses galloping wild and free. It is the perfect countryside walk if you want to embrace the beauty of nature and animals living in harmony. It really does feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Going into Lyndhurst village is such a perfect way to spend a weekend in itself – from antique shops to homewear shops to little coffee stops, have a wander and soak in the village life.
But let’s get back to Limewood itself because it is so easy to spend a full weekend there without even trying! Once you check in you never want to leave. As I said, I’m there most weeks whether that’s for a walk around the grounds, a quick coffee and cake for a catch up with a friend or even a lunch meeting with clients. I can’t explain the feeling of calm you get when you walk through the front door.
There are many rooms in Limewood house that you can relax and unwind in, take business meetings or cosy up by the fire. From the drawing room, to the library to the study, there’s so much choice and the interior inspiration I get from the house if just unmatched! My favourite thing to do is just cosy up by the fire and let the hours pass me by.
When it comes to lunch or dinner, Limewood house boasts the most gorgeous Harnett Holder restaurant, with celebrity chefs and and food that makes your mouth melt! It is the perfect spot for a romantic Valentines dinner, a birthday meal or a celebration with friends.
I couldn’t recommend giving Limewood house a visit more if I tried, it truly is my favourite place in the New Forest and the perfect recommendation to kick of my guides!
