New Forest Holiday Cottages

Did you know...The New Forest was Sherwood Forest in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves?

It’s easy to imagine The New Forest back in the days when it was a sprawling hunting ground for royals. Now a beautiful National Park, the area is a unique landscape with lots going on all year round. New Forest holiday cottages are the only way to truly get into the rural spirit of the park, as its many miles of traffic-free tracks will have you reaching for your walking boots and ready to discover the outdoors again. The New Forest envelops ancient villages, coastline and peaceful countryside – so take your pick.

• The New Forest is Britain’s smallest National Park


• It was created by William the Conqueror as a hunting ground

• Lynhurst was home to the real Alice in Wonderland

New Forest Tourist Information

Despite its name, The New Forest is far more than the dappled woods that became famous in the film Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. The National Park is home to endless villages with their own quirky histories, and there are all kinds of family attractions and things to see. You can’t miss the wild New Forest ponies roaming the park, and they’ve been a common sight throughout the area for more than 2000 years. If you’re thinking about an active New Forest Holiday, you’ll find miles of cycle routes and walks to enjoy too.

The New Forest is well connected, and if you don’t want to bring the car Brockenhurst Station is easy to reach from all areas of the country.

Click here for info on eating out in the New Forest.

New Forest Family Attractions

Don’t be fooled into thinking that all New Forest holidays are the quiet kind! It’s home to more family attractions than you can shake a stick at. The New Forest Tour is a must during a holiday in The New Forest, as the open top bus takes visitors right through the heart of the stunning region for the best possible views, and they even let cycles on. Beaulieu is another favourite New Forest attraction, and with its Palace House and famous National Motor Museum it’s all rather grand!

If you love history, don’t miss the Medieval; Merchant’s House in Southampton. This attraction dates back to 1290 and is close to Portchester Castle too.

Click here for more info on New Forest family attractions.

Dog Friendly New Forest Holidays

Dog friendly New Forest holidays are great fun at any time of year. Not only does the park itself make the perfect playground for your pets, but many of the nearby attractions are pet-friendly too. The New Forest looks much as it did in the days of William the Conqueror, and its car-free miles and rugged woodlands just beckon to dogs eager to explore new scenery.

Liberty’s Own Raptor in Ringwood does not allow dogs inside but provides kennels free, and dogs are welcome in the grounds of Highcliffe Castle. The stately attraction of Beaulieu also welcomes dogs within its grounds, and The New Forest Tour allows well behaved dogs on board at no extra charge.

Click here for more info on dog friendly New Forest holidays.

New Forest History

The New Forest was once the hunting ground of William the Conqueror, and he created the national park especially for the hunting of deer in 1079. Unfortunately for those who lived in the boundaries, he also created Forest Law, which punished those who flouted them severely. His Son, William II (named Rufus) also introduced the gory punishment of mutilation to those who broke the Forest Law, but he was later killed amidst the ancient oaks. With a history like this, it's little wonder The New Forest was chosen as the setting for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves when it was filmed in 1991!

Click here for more info on the history of the New Forest.