5 Ways To Fulfil Your Wanderlust In 2024

If you’re suffering from a bout of unfulfilled wanderlust that has you dreaming of escaping the city for sandy beaches, wild forests, delicious food and new experiences, we’ve got some marvellous news – you can scratch that travel itch from the UK.

As the trend of slow travel continues to wind its way through the tourism industry, more travellers are opting for environmentally conscious experience-based staycations that reduce the stress of travelling and tick all the boxes when it comes to that need for escape.

BOOK AN ESCAPE

 

You needn’t travel to the other side of the world or for weeks on end to fulfil that sense of wanderlust. A short countryside break in the heart of the ancient New Forest can satiate a hunger for exploration, whilst the seasonal, ever-changing menus of our modern British restaurant The Terrace and our extensive wine cellar will provide the culinary experiences, the New Forest’s fascinating history, legend and tranquillity will fulfil the desire to ‘be a tourist’ and want to get away from it all.

There is nothing more exotic than jetting off to tropical islands or far-flung countries but have you discovered the beauty that lies just a drive or train ride away from your home. The UK has some truly beautiful coast and countryside just waiting to be explored, and the time saved on travel will mean more time sipping fine wine and walking in the countryside.

Winter sun in the New Forest means picturesque sunsets, blue-sky days and crisp walks over frost-covered heath and the bray of ponies as they wander among the ancient trees. Do not underestimate just how special a New Forest getaway can be.

A world away from city life, the New Forest in winter is a place of peacefulness and calm, free of summer’s tourists, you can enjoy miles of trail all to yourself. Romantic cycle rides to quintessential towns and spontaneous stops in country pubs.

 

 

Plan your trip

Often one of the most exciting parts of any trip is the planning, the reading, and the anticipation.

When you’re planning your short break, why don’t you pick up a book about our National Park. Wildlife photographer Mathew Conway’s book ‘The New Forest’ covers history, folklore and stories of the area, as well as a bit about the culture and wildlife. Or perhaps a compelling fictional story by Edward Rutherfurd whose historical novel, ‘The Forest,’ cleverly weaves together history and legend, with the main character being the New Forest itself.  

 

Create a list

If there are places that you’d like to see and things you’d like to do on your short break - make a list.

Perhaps you’ve always wanted to visit the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, just a short walk from our New Forest hotel. Capture a New Forest pony at sunset or spend an afternoon of indulgence sampling our traditional afternoon tea, our beautiful English country garden the perfect backdrop to such a quintessentially British pastime.

You needn’t do it all whilst you’re here but having a few ideas in mind means you can relax and switch off during your break knowing that you’ve got a few pre-planned activities to do and places to see.  

 

Be a tourist

You may think you know a place if you’ve visited previously or if you live nearby, but whilst you’re away on your break in the country, to fully embrace your role as tourist is to experience it all with fresh eyes.

Be a tourist in our National Park; visit new places, eat different food, learn about the area and experience the New Forest as if you’ve never seen it. Book a walking tour, a guided hike or cycle ride, or paddle along the Beaulieu River and discover more about the local flora and fauna. Visit local museums and attractions such as the Buckler’s Hard Maritime Museum; an 18th century shipbuilding village where boats were once built for Nelson’s Navy, with reconstructed cottages to explore, a quaint country pub and peaceful riverside walks.

Culinary exploration

When you’re away often it’s the intricate detail and wonderful flavours of your culinary experiences you remember.

Make it a dining break in the New Forest, enjoy hearty classic dishes in our country pub Monty’s Inn, perfect after a long forest hike. Then step into the wood panelled dining room of The Terrace to experience the delights created by our chefs; refined, modern cuisine that pays homage to the seasons and locally produced ingredients. Elevate your dining experience with a wine pairing – a handpicked selection beautifully paired with your chosen dishes by our in-house Sommelier.

Scratch your culinary itch from your very own kitchen and recreate the flavours of our Terrace Restaurant at home with recipes from our chefs, like our Slow Cooked Spiced Lamb Shoulder Recipe, or The Noble Bee Honey Cake Recipe.

 

Try something new

“When in Rome.” Embrace all that a countryside getaway offers; freedom to roam, try new experiences and venture to new places.

When you’re in the New Forest you ought to wander around the picturesque village of Brockenhurst, capture the New Forest ponies among the trees, the donkeys on the paths and watch the deer feeding at Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary. Find the oldest tree, stroll underneath giants on the Tall Tree Trail, sip local brews and enjoy cream teas.

If you’ve never cycled our miles of waymarked paths, hire a bike and explore our beautiful forest; if there are quaint hamlets and villages you’ve not visited, wander the independent boutiques and cafes for an afternoon, or swap country for coast and head to the nearby market towns of Lymington or Milford on Sea if you didn’t know how close our New Forest hotel is to the sea.

 

Fulfil your wanderlust with a short break in Hampshire. Allow us to help you to create the anticipation and excitement in the planning, book new experiences, dine like never before, see it all as a tourist and enjoy an escape that ticks all the boxes, without any of the stress of lengthy travel.

Your wholesome winter escape awaits, and it’s closer than you’d think.  

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