Chris and I have just returned from a pre Christmas weekend in the New Forest which was our third visit to this unique part of southern England, the last time being in February 2015. The New Forest has a mix of woodlands, heathland and open habitats which are home to a diverse range of plants and animals.
This time was spent with our friends Yvey and Matt and their 4 dogs Ralphy, Kash, Jess and Chino. Their friend Laura joined us for the Friday evening and the Saturday walk. Laura is a warm and friendly person who also shared a week with us all in Pembrokeshire in July 2022 and as a New Forest local she led a walk on the Saturday.
The New Forest National Park is located in Hampshire and is a conservation area where animals such as ponies and donkeys roam freely.
The New Forest was first established in 1079 when it became the ‘new hunting forest’ of William the Conqueror. The forest has been enjoyed for many centuries but it wasn’t until 2005 that it became a National Park.
There are many lovely walks through the heathland and along forest trails in the New Forest. We had begun the Saturday walk from one of the free New Forest car parks near Beaulieu.
The weather was cloudy and dull for our New Forest walk but thankfully it didn’t rain.
There was an abundance of holly throughout this small section of the national park. I googled the connection between holly and Christmas and found several websites suggested the sharp holly leaves symbolised Jesus’ crown of thorns and the crimson berries represented his blood.
Cycling is another popular way of enjoying the New Forest which Chris and I did on our previous visit in 2015 where, as a group of 5, we hired bikes for the day.
While ponies may appear tame, touching or feeding them is banned and offenders could face a steep fine if caught doing so. This is because it encourages them to hang around car parks seeking food rather than finding it for themselves in their natural habitat where there is an abundance.
Following the walk of course it was time for a pub! Drinks in a traditional English pub is a wonderful ending to a countryside walk and it is especially cosy and atmospheric at Christmas time.
We stayed on the outskirts of Lyndhurst a large village in the heart of the New Forest National Park and for this reason, Lyndhurst is considered the ‘Capital of the New Forest’. We called into Lyndhurst on the way back from the walk and pub with the idea of having a wander around the historic streets however we didn’t stay for long as it was starting to drizzle.
Later on the Saturday evening we drove back into Lyndhurst where we enjoyed a tasty meal and listening to live music in the Fox & Hounds pub.
Another day another pub
Chris and I had arrived on the Friday lunchtime where we had lunch in the Old Oak another lovely traditional English pub. This started to get us into the Christmas spirit with its bright decorations and the Christmas songs being played.
We stayed for 2 nights in the New Forest Inn on the outskirts of Lyndhurst where we had dinner on the first evening which included a charity Christmas themed pub quiz.
The New Forest has its share of history and legends… We found that allegedly the evil ‘Bisterne Dragon’ unleashed terror across the village of Bisterne. One day he was slayed by a valient knight and after a raging fight the dragon was left to die outside the village of Lyndhurst. (There are different versions of this legend).
As it happens, Chris and I both had ‘Bistern Dragon’ Tandoori Jackfruit, Vegetable and Coconut pot pie for dinner in the New Forest Inn on the first evening, just before the pub quiz.
Ponies and donkeys can regularly be seen in and around the country roads of the New Forest National Park. This little chappie wandered past the New Forest Inn as we were having breakfast. He had been distracted by stopping for a nibble of grass and got behind the rest of his friends who were about 80 meters ahead of him!
Finally if you want to live in the New Forest you need to be pretty wealthy! This is an expensive part of England with average house prices at nearly £600K. We found pub prices to be on the pricey side too with average main meals at around £18-21 and a large glass of wine at around £12-13.
Summary
This weekend, just one week before Christmas was a fabulous start to Christmas festivities especially as we spent it with our lovely friends Yvey and Matt. The New Forest Inn is recommended for its countryside location, newly refurbished rooms, friendly and helpful staff and tasty food. To complete our Christmassy weekend, we stopped in Winchester on the way home on the Sunday, a post of which is coming up next!
frombluetogreen.com 
One comment