7 Things We Love About Spring in the New Forest

Our ancient woodland is forever changing and evolving, every season brings with it something special; a cyclic rhythm of changing colours and aromas, festivities and feelings, but spring is always a favourite. The long-awaited season that promises new life and the time when our beautiful New Forest National Park bursts back into vivid colour after hibernating through the winter. 
This spring, we invite you to experience the New Forest in all it’s splendour as the clocks spring forward this coming Easter Sunday 31st March. We’ve been considering the things we love about the season and why we think you will fall for it too. 

The Foals and Fawns

You can’t drive our winding forest roads or gaze out at our miles of heathland without spotting signs of new life. Take a moment to stop and watch as our New Forest ponies roam with their foals – their shaky first steps and their joyful springs are a sight not to be missed. During your short countryside break, be sure to set out from our New Forest hotel for pony-spotting wanders. We’d love to see your photos of spring; you can share them with us by using the hashtag #SpringAtTheMontagu when you post them. 

The Glorious Bluebells 

The fresh green of spring is wonderfully interrupted from late March to early May by a mass of blue and purple. Walking amongst these wildflowers, which carpet the forest floor, and experiencing their fairytale haze is something to behold. And you’ll be delighted to learn too, that these glorious wildflowers are an important source of nectar for many species of bees and butterflies and are best found in areas of low grazing. 
One of the best places to see the bluebells in bloom is just 6 miles from our New Forest hotel at Pondhead Inclosure. A unique and protected area of woodland that has not been grazed by cattle or ponies or roamed by wild deer for several centuries and so is home to an abundance of flora and fauna not found elsewhere in the National Park. 

The Colours of Exbury Gardens 

For more horticultural delights, plan a visit to Exbury Gardens to witness their world-renowned collections including rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias, all of which truly burst into life during the spring months. From landscaped woodland to formal flower gardens, for anyone visiting the New Forest in spring, Exbury is a highlight. 

A Feast for the Senses

The New Forest in spring not only showcases nature’s beautiful colours in all their glory, but it invites you to take in all its wonderful aromas as you move through the park. Take in the smell of pine as you meander or cycle along forest trails, the yellow gorse flowers’ surprisingly exotic coconut fragrance, the alluring and unmistakable botanical scent of the bluebells and the sweet, aromatic wild primrose. 

Easter Festivities 

Spring means Easter, a time of hope and happiness, and we’re starting the Easter weekend early with an Easter Charity Quiz at our hotel pub and restaurant Monty’s on Thursday 28th March. Gather your friends and family to join in the fun, with exciting prizes awaiting 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, and a wooden spoon for the last team! 
Dine on a delicious Thai green curry bowl served with rice and prawn crackers while you compete to be the ultimate Easter quiz champion. The evening fun begins at 7pm and costs £12 per person to enter, with all proceeds from our Charity Quiz Night going to our partner charity, Hospitality Action – a charity that offers vital assistance to all who work, or have worked within hospitality in the UK. Contact us at 01590 614986 to secure your spot.

Exploring Beaulieu 

Spring is a wonderful time to get out and explore our local attractions. You can spend hours at Beaulieu; marvel at the world-famous displays at the National Motor Museum, meander around the medieval Abbey, the impressive Palace House, the manicured grounds and gardens, the art exhibits, or ride the monorail and take in the freshness of spring. 

Wild swimming

As the days warm up with the spring sun, enjoy a fresh dip to reinvigorate the mind and body! Lepe Country Park is just 6 miles from our New Forest hotel and an idyllic coastal location for a spring wild swim, or perhaps you’d rather walk the coastal trails, through wildflower meadows, view historic WWII remains or pack your binoculars and enjoy the tranquillity of the bird hide as you look out for returning migratory birds. 

What do you love about spring? For many it simply signifies the start of outdoor adventures and explorations. Time to warm up the body after winter’s hibernation; to feel the warmth of the sun on your face, to enjoy longer days, the chance to move, potter in the garden or set out for warm Sunday walks. A short spring break away can dust off the cobwebs, a way of mindfully stepping into the new season feeling deeply relaxed and well-rested, and our country hotel in the heart of the New Forest, is the perfect base. 
 

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