Enjoy a car-free walking weekend staying at high quality accommodation in the heart of the beautiful and unique New Forest National Park.The emphasis is to relax and enjoy this special place with minimal environmental impact.
"Thank you for the Spring New Forest walking week-end. The New Forest is idyllic for a walking holiday and was an enjoyable way to spend a couple of days in a beautiful location with lovely weather and good company. The walks were across stunning scenery surrounded by nature in all its perfection. Jane was a knowledgeable guide imparting lots of interesting snippets of history along the way. I look forward to a return trip in the autumn."Rose Lewis, May 2011
Overview
Place? – Brockenhurst, Hampshire Dates? – Friday 30th September; Friday 28th October Price? – From £295 per person (based on two sharing a bedroom)
Local knowledge and expertise
We have been planning and organising walking holidays for 8 years.Our local guide for this weekend break has lived in the New Forest all of her life; she will take you away from the tourist trails and is looking forward to sharing her knowledge of this beautiful area with you.
What’s Included
Gentle walking with local experienced guide
Fabulous 5 star accommodation
Friday evening welcome drink
Breakfast
Dinnerwith glass of wine included (Friday & Saturday)
Picnic lunch on Saturday
Sunday lunch at a hand-picked localinn
Small friendly groups with 10 – 12 guests for a relaxed atmosphere; singles and couples welcome
Truly varied walking, including ancient woodlands, open heathland and valley mires; much of which is still as our Bronze Age ancestors knew it
Walk amongst free grazing ponies, cattle, donkeys and deer.
Prices
£295 per person, based on two sharing* £350 per person, single room*
*Includes all meals as described above.
If you would like to extend your stay, perhaps hire a bike to investigate miles of forest trails; please let us know and we will be happy to arrange this.Jane, your guide, is always glad to give advice on things to do in the New Forest.
“It was lovely to meet you all and I thoroughly enjoyed the walking, company and food.” Bernadette Kelly May 2011
What to Bring?
Casual dress throughout the weekend
Comfortable clothing for walking
Waterproofs (just in case!)
Walking boots
Rucksack
Water bottle
Grades of Walks
The New Forest has very little in the way of hills; it is a diverse, beautiful, gentle and relaxing environment.
All walks direct from your accommodation:
Saturday –between 10 and 12 miles
Sunday – between 6 and 8 miles
Getting There
Brockenhurst probably has one of the best village rail services in the UK. Fast and frequent mainline services give excellent access to nearby towns and beyond, with a direct service from London Waterloo and Birmingham.
The station's unrivalled position in the centre of the New Forest allows visitors to get away from it all and plan a completely car free break in the New Forest.
There is a regular train service from London Waterloo station to Brockenhurst(approximately 2 hours).The cost from London with South West Trains Advance Fares are from just £9 Standard Class and £15 First Class, one way, when you book early.
All trains stop at Southampton Airport, Southampton Central, Winchester and Bournemouth. By changing at Southampton Central, Portsmouth, Romsey, Salisbury, Bristol, Brighton & Gatwick Airport can be quickly reached.
Cottage Lodge - the best B&B in the New Forest (Guardian 2007)
Guests stay at the Cottage Lodge, an Award-Winning, Eco Chic, Environmentally-Responsible, B&B (http://www.cottagelodge.co.uk/). The Cottage Lodge was constructed in 1650 from reclaimed ships timbers (from the Kings Fleet, at Bucklers Hard), handmade bricks and sand.It has been extended into a superb 12-bedroom B&B.
All bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms and are of a high standard.A New Forest Breakfast is served at Cottage Lodge B&B. Cottage Lodge are delighted to have been involved in the development of this breakfast. We are a member of the New Forest Marque and were one of the first New Forest Accommodation providers to serve this delicious locally sourced breakfast.
Who do we Cater For?
People who enjoy walking off the beaten track to discover the history, culture, flora and fauna of this beautiful area.
We particularly welcome solo travellers and can guarantee a welcoming inclusive atmosphere with our friendly guides who are always most anxious to ensure that everybody has a really great holiday.
How Sustainable?
Much of the local wealth of the New Forest is though Tourism.Our aim to provide a relaxing car free weekend break thus reducing the impact of tourism on wildlife and the countryside.
We will use local accommodation providers that share our endeavours to enjoy without destroying.All meals and food will be purchased locally.
All walkers are encouraged wherever possible to arrive by train.The New Forest is an extremely sensitive environment; it is a European Special Sight of Scientific Interest.The impact of the walking group on the environment will be kept to an absolute minimum; the guide is aware of all necessary precautions to ensure this.
We advise customers where they can purchase locally produced food and produce along the route of their walk and encourage them to use local services.
What makes our walking holidays special?
We know how important your holiday time is and that quality matters most.As part of our commitment to providing you with the best holiday experience, we listen carefully to all your comments and suggestions.At the end of every holiday we ask that you complete a customer satisfaction survey, letting us know your feelings and thoughts about the holiday programme.Each survey is read carefully and is extremely valuable for improving and planning future programmes.
From last year’s customer satisfaction surveys 99% of you told us that you enjoyed your holiday and 100% highly rated the helpfulness and friendliness of our guides.
We are always keen to hear how you enjoyed our holiday and heavily rely on word of mouth and guest recommendations, so your feedback is very important to us.
Guides
Jane Tracey has lived in the New Forest most of her life. She has actively embraced all that this unique place has to offer; as a young woman, taking part in the 'Drifts' (pony round ups) on her New Forest pony. With the combination of her previous life as a Tour Manager and local knowledge, she will ensure that your weekend break will offer everything you need to relax and enjoy your stay.
Your tour guide, Jane Tracey
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive & Relax
If travelling by train (recommended), you will be met at the station and taken to your 5 Star B & B to settle in.
At 7.30 pm your guide Jane will meet you for a welcome drink in the lounge of the Cottage Lodge where you will get to know your fellow walkers and learn more about the weekend.We will then walk to a local pub or restaurant where a three course dinner and wine will be served.
Day 2 : Hincheslea, Whitemoor, Rhinefield, Ober Heath
Leaving the B&B at 10am we will walk through the village centre and out towards the Burley Road. Passing grazing ponies, cattle and donkeys, our route will take us over open heathland and across rare valley mires. There will be ancient and ornamental woodlands where we may see deer.
The route is gently undulating giving photo opportunities across this beautiful landscape. Autumn is an excellent time for investigating the diverse fungi of this area.
We will stop for a packed lunch on route.
Back to the B & B at approximately 5pm.
At 8 pm we visit a local pub or restaurant for dinner and wine
Day 3 : Across the heart of the New Forest to Beaulieu Road Station
Leaving the B&B at 10 am we will take the Lyndhurst Road and then turn towards Beaulieu arriving at the Beaulieu Road Station where the pony sales are held, for a traditional Sunday lunch at the Drift Inn.
Again you will experience the diverse environments which make the New Forest such a unique National Park.
