Stand back... ~ New Forest Bach Remedies

Stand Back…The Hordes are coming. Well, that is how it feels when holiday season arrives and you are lucky enough to live somewhere as stunning as the New Forest.

The key to survival is to know the back roads and the places that are not totally swamped.

Furzey Gardens has been a firm favourite for many years. Great for Chasing Fairies and they do a mean cup of coffee and cake.

There are a few splendid walks at Fritham with lunch afterwards at the Royal Oak ( beware the stroppy waitresses and their ” No chips policy”)

Fritham

National Trust is always good. Mottisfont and Kingston Lacy both seem to absorb the crowds nicely and they also do a good bit of cake ( see a thread here?). Then there is Studland and Knoll Beach but travelling over on the chain ferry from Sandbanks is not for the faint hearted.

Kingston Lacy

Food wise, its a bit trickier. If it’s luxury you are after, pop into my favourite – Limewood. They are truly brilliant with children and they do a cracking Spaghetti Bianco/Beans on Toast/Fish Fingers/Champagne Cocktail ( for the Mummies). I recommend booking or you may be politely turned away by the ever charming Kenneth and his team of smart front of house boys. The Noisy Lobster at Avon Beach is always popular. They do a good selection of fish dishes, their staff are polite and if Lobster is on the menu then I can recommend ordering it. The Pig on The Beach is in Studland and requires either a long trip via Corfe Castle or you need to brave the chain ferry. The ( original) Pig in Brockenhurst is equally as pleasant after a long walk but do book.

: Limewood

: The Pig Hut Studland

: View from one of the rooms at The Pig

: Corfe Castle

Up near Salisbury and off the A31 in Landford are the Lavender Tea Rooms are nice to pop into if you are passing. Sometimes the A31 can get a bit unbearable and it’s worth knowing you can nip off at Cadnam and take a pootle through the Forest. Parking is hideous at the Tea Rooms, we usually go an hour before closing time and it has thinned out a bit by then.

Take your time when driving and please avoid the ponies, pigs and cyclists ( they have right of way)