James Waters, wife Nicola, and Stanley try out a DogFriendly Break in the New Forest and find it has the perfect set-up for doggy guests
Beaulieu Inn Hotel
My wife Nicola and I somehow managed to plan a weekend away from the kids, and I thought what better idea than to visit one of our DogFriendly Breaks locations and check out the hospitality for ourselves? I’ve been to the New Forest before, but I always forget how unique the landscape becomes the moment you turn off the main road from Portsmouth. You’re immediately immersed in ornamental woodlands and deep, richly coloured heathlands. With no significant hills to block the sky, there’s an expansive beauty to the place. Not long afterwards you encounter the famous New Forest ponies, usually staring at you transfixed as you pass by on the other side of the road. The Beaulieu Inn Hotel is nestled right in the heart of this wilderness, not especially close to town, but conveniently next to Beaulieu Road train station if you’re arriving by rail. After a warm welcome at reception (and spotting several other canine guests), we made our way to our garden room, which is just a short walk from the main hotel building. These rooms are ideal for guests with dogs as they’re adjacent to the pub garden, making late-night walkies an easy task. Inside our room, we found a welcome gift for Stanley – dog treats, poo bags, and a ball – while Nicola and I treated ourselves to some prosecco for this rare child-free break. The accommodation felt country-smart but not overly luxurious, which actually makes it more comfortable for guests who are travelling with their dogs.
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