Why book into gastro pubs with rooms rather than a hotel? New Forest dining options include some gorgeous country pubs, serving fabulous food in a cosy, welcoming, character-packed setting. Some of these places to stay are dog-friendly too. It’s hard to beat pubs in the New Forest, really!
Think of sipping chilled fizz and eating fish dishes in flower-filled beer gardens in summer. By winter, crackling log fires ensure a warm, convivial atmosphere as you feast. Think homemade pies, butcher’s sausages, Asian specialities, delicious pasta dishes or stone-baked pizzas. All washed down with warm, fruity reds or real ales.
What makes the New Forest special? Miles and miles of unspoilt forest, much of it far more akin to moorland than endless trees. Springy heather underfoot and ponies grazing in the distance. Or often, wandering right through the centre of villages like Burley and Beaulieu. Gorgeous pubs, cafes and shops that offer something far more unique than the average high street.
If you love the seaside, you can tick that box too – just head to Lymington, a smart and compact town on the south coast. Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole are pretty close too, if you fancy a day trip. I reside in the former, and it’s a lovely medium-sized town with lots of history and great beaches.
My list of gastro pubs with rooms in the New Forest includes top picks in Beaulieu, Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Lymington and surrounding areas. This region is close to the south coast, to the west of Southampton and east of Bournemouth.
From the original pig to a stylish coastal eatery with rooms, traditional 18th century English hotel or award-winning restaurant with rooms, here are my favourite pubs with rooms in the New Forest, Hampshire.
| Name | Location | Style | Room rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Pig in the Forest | Brockenhurst | Country house | Click here |
| The Mayflower | Lymington | Nautical inn | Click here |
| The White Buck | Burley | Village pub | Click here |
| The Montagu Arms | Beaulieu | Historic inn | Click here |
| The Old Mill | Lymington | Country pub | Click here |
| The Master Builder’s | Beaulieu | Riverside manor | Click here |
| The Huntsman | Brockenhurst | Traditional pub | Click here |
7 of the best pubs with rooms New Forest
The Pig, Brockenhurst
This foodie brand of hotels is now well known in the hospitality industry, but The Pig in Brockenhurst was the first. Strictly speaking, it’s not exactly a country pub – more of a relaxed restaurant with rooms in the New Forest. Tucked away down the quiet road running between Brockenhurst and Beaulieu – just east of the former – The Pig hotel Brockenhurst is a 26 bedroom restaurant with rooms. (Head past the Balmer Lawn hotel and it’s just down there on the left).
Food and Drink
The Pig is all about the country house’s original walled garden. A great team here garden and forage to provide inspiration for the chef’s menu, and are dedicated to offering a very locally sourced 25-mile menu. Where this isn’t the case, this is clearly stated on the menu.
Starters
A typical menu at The Pig New Forest features nibbles like hummus and croutons, pork crackling with apple sauce or salmon and cod fishcakes. The ‘proper’ starters menu then might then feature dishes like white onion soup, black truffle risotto and bean stew.
Mains
There is a range of dishes on the menu that can be ordered as starters or mains: typical examples include New Forest venison chorizo on toast and Solent mackerel. The mains menu proper then lists locally sourced specialities like Poole plaice, Longwood partridge, Lyme Bay cod or Tile Barn Farm pork. Imaginative sides include a walled garden salad, tobacco onions and zero mile garlic mushrooms.
Desserts
As with the rest of the menu, there are retro favourites among the puddings too. After starting with a mushroom vol a vent, you can end your meal with apple crumble accompanied by Bird’s custard, ‘Nan’s’ rice pudding or a vegan chocolate pot.
Drinks
The wine list at the Pig in Brockenhurst includes old and new world reds, whites and rosés. A plentiful choice of cocktails, gins, beers and spirits is also offered. It’s a great place to hunker down for the night, drink in hand as you cosy up by the fire or gaze over the gardens.
Rooms
Rooms at The Pig New Forest range from smaller Snug and Comfy Rooms up to stable yard Hideaways or family-friendly rooms. There are also self-contained lodges, huts and cabins scattered around the grounds.
Check availability and rates for The Pig here
The Mayflower, Lymington
If you prefer more of a coastal vibe, then The Mayflower is probably best of the New Forest pubs for you. Sailor and resident Sir Ben Ainslie has a gold post box in Lymington – painted by locals despite Falmouth being his true home town. This is an upmarket seaside town on the edge of the New Forest, giving you the best of the coastal and country worlds. The Mayflower markets itself as a coastal inn offering a restaurant and rooms.
Food and drink
The Mayflower menu features a good balance between meat, fish and veggie dishes. Showcasing relaxed British pub food that is executed with flair and refinement, the selection is not broad but certainly offers something for everyone.
Starters
Starters aren’t really a thing at The Mayflower, so launch straight into the hearty main courses.
Mains
Substantial, tasty mains are the order of the day at this coastal New Forest pub with rooms. Dive into battered haddock with chips and minted peas or tuck into pie and mash, a vegan burger, rump steak, bream or roasted cauliflower.
Desserts
English classics make up the Mayflower dessert menu. Choose between favourites like sticky toffee pudding, lemon tart, chocolate brownie, Eton Mess, crumble or ice cream.
Drinks
The wine list here is helpfully divided into styles – think citrus and sunshine, warm and spicy, mineral and green or easy and fruity. There’s a good choice of sparklers too, including a couple of locals from Hampshire alongside French, Italian and Spanish fizz.
Rooms
A subtle, fresh nautical theme runs through the half dozen rooms at The Mayflower. Each has its own special perk, which may be a balcony, roll-top bath or sea view. Little luxuries like Nespresso machines and Egyptian cotton linens give accommodation a refined feel.
See the latest rates for The Mayflower Lymington here
The White Buck, Burley
Last I heard, Burley was home to Howard of Take That – a friend spotted him once queueing for fish and chips in nearby Bransgore. Anyway, Burley is a beautiful New Forest village with chocolate-box thatched cottages, wandering ponies and – apparently – a penchant for witchcraft. The White Buck is a traditional, mock-Tudor pub offering 20 hotel-style rooms and relaxed dining.
Food and Drink
Like other pubs owned by London brewery Fuller’s, the White Buck offers delicious pub-style food served in a stylish yet laid-back setting. In summer the beer garden is lovely, while in winter you can cosy up by a real, crackling fire.
Starters
Begin your meal at the White Buck with a dish like grilled sardines or tiger prawns, pea soup, ham hock terrine or mozzarella on sourdough.
Mains
From lighter dishes like caesar salad or mussels to a succulent steak or chunky burger, there’s just the right amount of choice here. Imaginative dishes like tomato and aubergine ragout or courgette bread and butter pudding make things more interesting for non-meat eaters.
Desserts
If you have room for dessert, you can opt for chocolate brownie, sticky toffee pudding, meringue, Bakewell tart and buffalo milk ice creams. Those who prefer savoury, meanwhile, may order a cheese platter instead.
Drinks
This is an archetypal modern, British pub. Think Fuller’s and other local or guest ales alongside a range of ciders, gins, craft beers, wines and artisan soft drinks.
Rooms
20 bedrooms at the White Buck range from snug, cosy, comfy or indulgence rooms to a junior suite. All offer top quality accommodation with Teapig and Nespresso hot beverages, deluxe toiletries, thick, fluffy towels and high thread count cotton linens.
View up-to-date rates for The White Buck Inn, Burley here
The Montagu Arms, Beaulieu
I loved my recent afternoon spent at the Montagu Arms – not least because I was sipping complimentary champagne. This pub is located within the gorgeous New Forest village of Beaulieu, home to the fascinating – and sizeable – National Motor Museum. A path leads directly from Palace House and the museum to this cosy, convivial New Forest inn. This makes it the perfect place to stop after admiring the superb collection of vintage cars and historic home.
Food and drink
I once visited the Montagu Arms at around the time of Harry and Meghan’s nuptials, and a special Royal Wedding afternoon tea was being served. A tour of the kitchen confirmed that the friendly staff at the Montagu Arms are completely dedicated to their craft. If you love food, don’t miss a meal here.
There are two eateries – Monty’s pub or the Terrace restaurant. A great excuse to stay at least two nights, surely? There is a good value set lunch menu too, and the afternoon tea is lovely.
Starters
Snacks at Monty’s typically include pork pie, pigs’ ears and sourdough, while the starters menu features dishes like mushroom soup, Poole mackerel or Beaulieu partridge. At The Terrace, diners choose between dishes like local trout, pork belly, artichoke or a broccoli velouté.
Mains
The Terrace’s main menu includes specialities like a fillet of hake, beetroot risotto or honey roast chicken. Monty’s, meanwhile, offers a wider menu that typically includes burgers, sirloin steak, lamb rump, pork leg, trout, fish and chips or risotto.
Desserts
Finish a delicious meal at Monty’s or the Terrace with a cheese plate, selection of local ice creams or some sort of chocolate, salted caramel or sticky toffee concoction.
Drinks
From a local craft ale to the pub’s partner champagne Tattinger, there’s a great bar selection and wine list at the Montagu Arms. I highly recommend treating yourself to a glass of ‘Tatt’.
Rooms
There are 24 rooms and suites at the Montagu Arms in Beaulieu, including the gorgeous Hayloft Suites. I’ve been inside the latter, and would definitely urge you to stretch to a stay in one of these two sumptuous, self-contained suites if you can. In any case, accommodation is classically elegant. Character features like leaded windows and wood panelling are complemented by contemporary amenities such as rainfall showers and complimentary gin.
Check room rates for the Montagu Arms Beaulieu here
The Old Mill
Located near Lymington, The Old Mill close to Hordle is a friendly, unfussy and relaxed restaurant with rooms by the river. Formerly known as The Mill at Gordleton, it’s undergone a full refurbishment in recent times.
There are 13 en-suite bedrooms, and a unique feature of this property is the glorious gardens. Ducks waddle around the grounds and lucky guests might even spot a kingfisher. The 18th century building was once a working water mill.
The Old Mill
This riverside pub with rooms in Hampshire has a menu featuring contemporary British classics, plus cuisine with spicy Asian or Tex-Mex influences. Sides are a star feature of each plate and puddings are refined and satisfying.
Starters
Choose between starters that include the likes of seafood, plus small plates with Thai or Mexican influences.
Mains
English classics like burgers, fish and chips, chicken and the fish of the day sit alongside a range of tempting vegetarian dishes. Fillet and rib-eye steaks will satisfy meat-eaters too. Meal accompaniments are inventive and include Dauphinoise or Lyonnaise potatoes, harissa yoghurt and hispi cabbage.
Desserts
Round off a lovely meal at the Old Mill with the likes of passionfruit brulee, the cheesecake of the day, a salted caramel and chocolate torte or local ice creams. Fans of more savoury stuff can also order a cheese platter.
Rooms
Rooms at the Old Mill are decorated in a fresh, contemporary country house style. Bathrooms have double ended baths or large walk-in power showers, while rooms come with free WiFi, SMART TV, hot drink supplies and local shortbread. Think neutral tones with splashes of pattern and colours like china or duck egg blue, dusky pink, heather or plum.
Check out rates for The Old Mill here
The Master Builder’s, Buckler’s Hard
The Master Builder’s enjoys a fabulous position on the edge of the Beaulieu river in Buckler’s Hard. The location is really special – it’s a historic country house with grounds that lead directly to the water. A restaurant and rooms here keep visitors to the New Forest fed, watered and well rested. You can still see signs of the area’s shipbuilding past here too. For that is the kind of Master Builder we’re talking about here.
Food and Drink
Visitors can dine while enjoying the relaxed but more refined ambience of the Riverside Restaurant. As well as those views. Set menus at the Master Builder’s are great value and – unlike some other hotels or pubs in the area – can include dinner. Highly recommended for those who like to know what they’ll be spending.
Starters
Typical starters on the set dinner menu include crab risotto, seared mackerel, char-grilled aubergine, buttermilk cauliflower, pork, sage and onion terrine or seasonal soup.
Mains
Fish fans might opt for pan-roasted bream or pan-fried cod, while meat lovers may prefer a sirloin steak or braised pork belly. Vegetarians are well catered for here too, with interesting and delicious meatless mains such as a mixed bean cassoulet or polenta with maple-glazed root vegetables.
Desserts
Those with a savoury-favouring palate can opt for a cheeseboard in lieu of dessert. If you have a sweet tooth, you might like to choose an inventive pudding like lemon tart with whisky ice cream and raspberry sauce, warm ginger and pear cake or an amaretto and ice chocolate parfait.
Drinks
The drinks list is typical of a country house property in the New Forest. Everything from Prosecco to Bollinger is covered, along with red, white and rosé wines from Argentina, France, Australia, Italy, New Zealand and California. The range of spirits includes local and flavoured gins and there are draught or bottled beers.
Rooms
The range of rooms at this Buckler’s Hard property is varied. Classic rooms are found in the Henry Adams wing – named for a former resident and shipbuilder. Modern, designer Chic and Luxury rooms are mostly in the main house and many have a naval theme. If you have a pet pooch, ask for a dog-friendly room – pets are very welcome at the Master Builder’s and even have their own room service menu.
Discover room types and rates at The Master Builder’s here
The Huntsman of Brockenhurst
This is lovely, cosy pub with rooms in the central New Forest village of Brockenhurst. A train station here makes this area a great spot for those travelling without a car. There are also plenty of other eateries and pubs in the village, making this a good base for a longer stay. Food at The Huntsman is modern British – with more than the occasional Asian or European dish thrown in.
Food and drink
As well as the dishes on the main menu, diners can choose from a list of steak options plus stone-baked, sourdough pizzas. There are sharing platters too – and a fabulous cocktail list. If you like to have lots to choose from, this is the New Forest pub with rooms to book into.
Starters
Huntsman starters include a range of interesting choices. Those who like spice may like the sound of spiced carrot bhajis, while seafood fans will love crab and prawn bruschetta. Dedicated carnivores can chomp on pork belly or a scotch egg with chorizo and vegetable-based options include a rainbow salad or soup.
Mains
The mains menu at this Brockenhurst pub with rooms covers a variety of options. All the pub classics like fish and chips, sausage and mash or a hearty pie are here. Creative pizza toppings include spicy Korean chicken, chestnut mushroom, beef ragu, mackerel and prawn or carbonara. Steak fans can share the Chateaubriand, or order their own bone-in or boneless rib eye, fillet, rump or sirloin.
Desserts
Even the classic desserts are given a twist here. The sticky toffee pudding is a sticky banoffee pud. Honeycomb comes with the brownie. A lemon curd cheesecake rather than lemon tart is offered, or dig into a coconut and chocolate torte or white chocolate sphere.
Drinks
This New Forest pub with rooms has a great cocktail list and showcases some artisan spirits too. There are world bottled or draught beers, including featured guest and local ales. Some non-alcoholic concoctions will keep non-drinkers happy. Wines have been carefully chosen to complement the food and can be bought by the glass or bottle.
Rooms
All rooms at the Huntsman contain luxuries like Nespresso machines, deluxe linens, White Company toiletries, SMART TV and WiFi. They range from doubles to kings and family rooms. There is even a suite at this new Forest pub. Decor is fresh and modern, with neutral tones accented by touches of rich jewel tones like emerald or amethyst.
See the range of rooms at The Huntsman here
Which of these pubs with rooms in the New Forest will you check into?
I hope you can find the New Forest inn for you on this list. To check prices per night, availability or current special offers, click on the name at the top of each listing or the link beneath. Why bother with self-catering holiday cottages when a pub stay gives you everything on site? Whether you want to stay close to the area’s golf courses, the coast or the countryside, pubs with rooms in the new Forest have so much to offer. Including a very warm British welcome.
For more on where to stay, read the complete New Forest accommodation guide, the best New Forest hotels for families, the 5 best Burley pubs, the top holiday cottages in the New Forest, the 5 best Milford pubs and 15 New Forest glamping sites.
You can also discover the 10 best pubs in Lymington here, the top New Forest restaurants here, the best restaurants in Bournemouth or the top 10 Lyndhurst pubs here.
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