Visiting the NewForest ..
Situated in Southern England, covering an area of 219 sq. miles sits theNewForestNational Park. Boasting trees of Birch, Beech and Oak, wildlife and animals in abundance, the area attracts visitors in their millions year upon year. During the summer months hotels, guest houses and camping sites are full to capacity as visitors return each year to what is one of the most beautiful beauty spots in the country.
But what of the area in winter you may ask, well, it takes on a newsuit of clothes. The trees are bare, their past foliage covering the ground in an array of colour or on a frostymorning crunches underfoot, a time to visit the famous beauty spots and ancient sites without crowds, roads free of heavy traffic allowing you to stop and admire the wildlife and animals that freely roam the Forest.
I travelled with South Western Railway from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst in a remarkably quick 92 minutes, just time for a coffee and a quick read of the daily paper.
There are many residences to choose from but my choice was the Balmer Lawn Hotel on the outskirts of Brockenhurst and I was not disappointed.Why this hotel, several reasons, it’s run by Chris and Alison Wilson owners for the last 20 years who together with a very dedicated staff put immense effort into ensuring their guests receive 100%satisfaction. The bedrooms, all 53 of them, are individually designed, tastefully furnished and well appointed, many with wonderful panoramic views across the forest, it has its own microbrewery, the Brockenhurst Brewery producing Smokin’Deer Alewhich is on sale at the hotel bar. For the more energetic there are both indoor and outdoor pools, squash courts and all weather tennis courts thus, having exerted all that energy, what better than to relax in the Nordic Spar with its comfortable loungers or enjoy a massage in one of the luxurious massage rooms.
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Feeling hungry after all that? Sample the main restaurant, ‘Beresford’s, which even offers a 7 course tasting menu. Balmer Lawn has a history that few canmatch, a former hunting lodge, duringWW1 as a hospital and duringWW11 it was used by the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division as their HQ prior to the D-Day Landings. Contact them direct for the best price.
Using Balmer Lawn as a base the locality is a myriad of venues and attractions to visit. One of the most famous being the NationalMotorMuseum. Founded by the 3rd BaronMontagu of Beaulieu, beginning life with just 5 motor cars on display at the official opening of Palace House and Gardens in 1952. Over the last 55 years the exhibition has grown to what it is today, a collection of 250 vehicles manufactured since the late 1800’s accompanied by books, journals and films fromaround theworld. Other attractions include theMonorail, rides on a veteran bus or in a vintage car and having done all of this there is the restaurant to eat and relax in. Also visit the Palace House with much of it nowopen to the public togetherwith the partial ruins of Beaulieu
Abbey.Open every daywith the exception of ChristmasDay this is worth a visit winter or summer.
One of many iconic cars at Beaulieu MAIDSTONE & MID KENT ADVERTISER
A BREAK FOR ALL SEASONS
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