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.
Dog Welcome Pack
After settling in, we took a walk just outside the hotel and across the road, where you don’t have to go far to enter the forest. While the initial paths are pebbled, they soon give way to trails. You really need a sense of direction (or a good map) if you plan to go deep into the heath. After crossing a small railway bridge and heading south for about a mile – soaking in the views – we reached a stream without a crossing and decided to save further exploration for the next day. The hotel had recommended the New Forest Walks app on arrival, which features 45 GPS- tracked routes, so we knew we’d have plenty of walking options. Back at the hotel, we freshened up and made our way to the restaurant located on the far side of the hotel. It’s perfectly set up for dog owners, with a slate floor and generous space between tables. It feels like a large dining area for the number of rooms available, which is great if, like us, your dog has a touch of anxiety. For dinner, I chose the pale ale-battered fish and chips, while Nicola opted for the small rib burger. The menu consists of hearty, traditional food that’s sure to leave you satisfied. Later, we headed to the bar on the other side of the hotel for a nightcap with Stanley, stopping in the pub garden so he could have a final wee before bed.
Hotel Room
SATURDAY: EXPLORING BY BUS AND ON FOOT We began our Saturday with a cold buffet breakfast and a hot cooked option before heading out for the day. Our first stop was Lymington, where we planned to hop on the New Forest open-top bus tour. We were a little confused at first, as the Saturday market affects the starting points for the buses – something worth checking in advance if you’re visiting on a weekend. But with the help of a few locals, we found the right bus. There are three open-top routes operating in the New Forest, named Green, Red, and Blue. The names don’t actually tell you anything about their routes they follow, but each route covers different towns and forest areas. We chose Blue, as it passes along the coast and through Burley, New Milton, and Milford- on-Sea. The buses are dog friendly and come with audio commentary about the region’s history and nature. We sat up top but, to be honest, it was hard to hear the commentary over the wind. You’d need to sit closer to the speakers – or go downstairs – for better audio. Nevertheless, it was a really enjoyable way to get a feel for the region in a short amount of time. After the tour, we returned to Lymington for a wander through the market and shops, and then popped into Cottinghams, a cosy, dog friendly cafe just off the main high street. It’s a small but popular spot with a few tables inside and out, and several well-behaved dogs were enjoying the relaxed surroundings.
Stanley on the Sightseeing Bus
Using the New Forest Walks app again, we picked a four-mile circular route starting from Lymington Marina, which took us around the marshes and through the Keyhaven Nature Reserve. The route offered beautiful views of the river, mudflats and salt marshes. It started to rain part way through, so we completed it a bit quicker than planned. But it was still a peaceful and rewarding walk past the Lymington Lido, the marina, and the tranquil marshland paths. We returned to the hotel feeling like we’d earned our dinner. I went for the salmon and crushed potato cake, while Nicola, having admired my fish and chips from the night before, ordered the same. Afterward, we had a relaxed evening watching TV, with Stanley curled up beside us.
Lynmouth Marsh Walk
SUNDAY: A TASTE OF BEAULIEUAND BURLEY
On Sunday morning, we enjoyed another great breakfast before heading off to explore Beaulieu, home to the National Motor Museum, Palace House, and the ruins of Beaulieu Abbey. All are part of the Beaulieu Estate. Dogs are allowed in the Palace House gardens and grounds but not inside the main attractions. We had a wander through the charming village, which is centred around a single street lined with red-brick houses, boutique shops, and craft stores. We stopped in at the Beaulieu Bakehouse, a friendly cafe that’s perfect fora quick drink or a light lunch. Before heading home, we stopped at Burley, our favourite New Forest village. It’s a quirky, olde worlde type of place, with two classic pubs and several witchcraft- and sorcery-themed shops. There’s a fun pagan vibe to the place, which adds to its unique charm. We treated ourselves to some delicious New Forest ice cream (easily some of the best around) and I picked up the freshest-ever Cornish pasty from Burley Stores, mostly to tease Stanley. But since he waited so patiently while I ate it, I shared a piece with him. We had a lovely time in the New Forest and are already looking forward to returning, trying one of the other bus routes, and exploring even more of the fantastic dog friendly walks the region has to offer.
Stanley waiting patiently for a piece of Cornish Pasty
FACT FILE
Beaulieu Inn Hotel
ADDRESS Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7YQ
CONTACT 0800 444 441
PRICE Double room for 2 nights from £176 – look up special offers when you sign up to their mailing list, 2 dogs allowed per room, £15 per dog per day.
WEBSITE newforesthotels.co.uk
