As this part of the world is as wonderful for pets as it is for humans, it’s hardly surprising that many visitors want to find dog friendly hotels in the New Forest. Which is exactly where this accommodation guide comes in.
Bring your pooch along and you won’t need to worry about getting someone to walk and feed your dog while you’re away. Nor paying kennel feels, or wondering if they’re pining after you.
Can’t wait? Find the pick of the dog friendly New Forest hotels here
I’ve chosen the Balmer Lawn because pets are welcomed as warmly as humans, and there are both Brockenhurst village and forest walks right on the doorstep.
And if you walk your dog in the New Forest, you’ll be in good company. According to the New Forest National Park Authority, around 25,000 dog walks per day take place in the area! Stay on the right side of locals and other visitors by keeping your dog on a lead -and always bagging up your pet’s waste.
Whether you want budget, mid-range or luxury hotels in the New Forest that are dog friendly, read on to discover the top 10. Let’s go!
Best New Forest dog friendly hotels comparison chart
| Name | Location | Type | Highlights | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balmer Lawn | Central Brockenhurst | 4 star hotel | Great location, fine dining & relaxed restaurants, spa & pools | Check here |
| Rhinefield House | Near Brockenhurst | 4 star hotel | Gothic building, in & outdoor pools, spacious grounds | Check here |
| Burley Manor | Burley | 4 star hotel | Deer spotting, lovely spa, between village & countryside | Check here |
| Master Builder’s | Buckler’s Hard, near Beaulieu | 3 star hotel | Riverside position, pub & restaurant on site, helpful staff | Check here |
| White Buck | Near Burley | 4 star pub & hotel | Woodland setting, luxury rooms, traditional pub downstairs | Check here |
| Bell Inn | Brook, near Lyndhurst | 4 star pub & hotel | Popular gastropub, lovely & historic building, superb service | Check here |
| Bartley Lodge | Outside Lyndhurst | 4 star hotel | Close to road links, good range of rooms, bar & restaurant | Check here |
| New Park Manor | Near Brockenhurst | 3 star hotel | Sauna & hot tub, in & outdoor pools, restaurant & bar | Check here |
| The Manor at Sway | Central Sway | 4 star hotel | In village near train station, grounds with lake & woodland | Check here |
| Stanwell House | Central Lymington | Boutique hotel | High street location, delicious dining, stylish rooms | Check here |
New Forest hotels that are dog friendly – Top Options
- Balmer Lawn, Brockenhurst
- Rhinefield House, near Brockenhurst
- Burley Manor, Burley
- Master Builder’s, Buckler’s Hard, near Beaulieu
- White Buck, Burley
- Bell Inn, Brook, near Lyndhurst
- Bartley Lodge, near Lyndhurst
- New Park Manor, near Brockenhurst
- Manor at Sway, Sway
- Stanwell House, Lymington
10 of the best dog friendly hotels in the New Forest
Balmer Lawn
Best for a warm welcome
- Star rating: ****
- Location: Central Brockenhurst
- Pet policy: Pets permitted. Charges may apply.
It’s no secret that I love the Balmer Lawn. The location is ideal – on the fringes of Brockenhurst, by a cricket pitch and the countryside, and right beside the roads leading to Lyndhurst and Beaulieu.
The Balmer Lawn feels luxurious, yet relaxed. And the warm welcome extended to all guests here extends to your furry friend, too. I love the lobby area where you can have afternoon tea, relax with a beer brewed on site, and look out for cricketers or ponies.
This property also offers great facilities for New Forest breaks with dogs. The Saltus Spa has a chill-out area, treatment rooms, a sauna, and a jacuzzi. Balmer Lawn also offers indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, and a choice of two restaurants.
One eatery, Beresfords, is along fine dining lines. The other is The Lodge, a laid-back bar and kitchen in a garden room, which has a pizza oven and serves brasserie-style fare. Past guests report their pets, meanwhile, being served dog sausage!
High points:
- Unbeatable location
- Fine dining and garden room restaurants
- Indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, jacuzzi, & spa
Low points:
- Some rooms could do with a refresh
Click here to book Balmer Lawn
Rhinefield House Hotel
Best for a gothic pile
- Star rating: ****
- Location: Near Brockenhurst
- Pet policy: Pets permitted on request. Charges may apply.
Idyllic Rhinefield House Hotel offers a stunning setting for your stay in the New Forest. It’s positioned on Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, a particularly scenic spot close to central Brockenhurst.
The gothic-style building dates from the late 19th century, and the property is set among 40 acres of grounds. Whether you want to stretch your legs or settle down on the lawn, there’s plenty of space for everyone.
Rhinefield’s amenities include two restaurants, offering indoor and al fresco dining in a character-packed setting. There’s also a wellness centre with a crystal steam room, plus a gym, tennis courts, and both indoor and outdoor pools.
Don’t miss the breathtaking Alhambra Room at Rhinefield House. As long as it isn’t occupied, staff should be happy to show you. It’s a replica of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, and now used as a private dining space.
High points:
- Gothic building on 40-acre site
- Two restaurants, a bar and the Alhambra Room
- Spa with crystal steam room, and indoor and outdoor pools
Low points:
- Not in central Brockenhurst
Click here to book Rhinefield House
Burley Manor
Best for deer-spotting
- Star rating: ****
- Location: Central Burley
- Pet policy: Pets permitted on request. Charges may apply.
Four star Burley Manor is positioned right on the edge of the village. So you can walk everywhere in Burley, such as to the pubs, cafes, bike hire place, and shops.
Yet look out of the old windows, and all you can see is open countryside. Plus the odd New Forest pony, Burley being one of the best places to see the creatures wandering around. Deer are also often seen from here.
If you want to find dog friendly spa hotels in the New Forest, this is definitely one to consider. I love the heavenly scent of the spa here – so much so that I bought a spray bottle of the fragrance to use at home on my last visit.
Burley Manor occupies a lovely old building, has a bar and restaurant on site, and offers luxury touches like power showers, deep bathtubs, and Hypnos beds.
High points:
- Beautiful building
- Spa, bar, and restaurant
- Between village and countryside
Low points:
- Standard of service varies
Click here to book Burley Manor
Master Builder’s House Hotel
Best for a riverside spot
- Star rating: ***
- Location: Buckler’s Hard, Near Beaulieu
- Pet policy: Pets permitted on request. Charges may apply.
Book a room at the Master Builder’s House Hotel if you’re seeking New Forest stays with dogs by the river. The name of the Riverview Restaurant gives the game away, and there’s also Henry’s Pub on site.
The helpful staff at the Master Builder’s can assist with arranging bike, canoe, or kayak hire, so you can see the forest from the water or on two wheels. It’s a beautiful, peaceful position by the Beaulieu River, so you’re sure to want to get out there and explore.
Buckler’s Hard, where the Master Builder’s is situated, has a small museum. Beaulieu and the National Motor Museum are also just a few minutes’ drive from here.
High points:
- Helpful staff
- Peaceful riverside position
- Pub and restaurant on site
Low points:
- Some rooms a little tired
- Bar can get very busy
Click here to book the Master Builder’s
The White Buck
Best for woodland walks
- Star rating: ****
- Location: Near Burley
- Pet policy: Pets permitted on request. Charges may apply.
The White Buck is one of the nicest Burley pubs. It’s located in a lovely tranquil spot, a little way from the village centre. The staff team here are very helpful, and you can dine and drink downstairs in the Fuller’s inn, which offers a range of pub classics on the menu, plus a few more interesting dishes.
Due to the setting, guests at the White Buck are ideally placed for woodland walks, with or without a pet in tow. There’s plenty of parking, too, plus accommodation with disabled access.
The White Buck has 20 boutique-style rooms. These offer upmarket details such as Teapigs products, Nespresso coffee machines, Egyptian cotton bedding, and deluxe toiletries.
High points:
- Surrounded by woodland
- Luxury in-room amenities
- Traditional Fuller’s pub on site
Low points:
- Service is sometimes a little slow
Click here to book the White Buck
The Bell Inn
Best for a gastropub
- Star rating: ****
- Location: Brook, near Lyndhurst
- Pet policy: Pets permitted on request. Charges may apply.
Whether you’re more concerned about a country location or the on-site dining, the Bell Inn in Brook is a solid choice. Dog friendly hotels in Lyndhurst, New Forest don’t get any better – as long as you don’t want to be in the centre of the town itself.
Originally built back in 1782, the Bell Inn is now a popular foodie destination in its own right. I had a wonderful festive afternoon tea there in the run-up to Christmas, and local produce is a key feature of the menus.
Stay here and you’ll have a bar and restaurant downstairs, plus forest walks on your doorstep. There’s also a couple of golf courses in the vicinity, and Lyndhurst, the capital town of the New Forest, is close by. The M27 is also nearby.
The Bell Inn offers fresh, modern dog friendly accommodation in the New Forest, with great dining, a guest gym, and outstanding service.
High points:
- Superb service
- Popular for dining
- Historic, atmospheric pub
Low points:
- You’ll need a car
- Limited amenities
Click here to book the Bell Inn
Bartley Lodge Hotel
Best for motorway access
- Star rating: ****
- Location: Outside Lyndhurst
- Pet policy: Pets permitted. Charges may apply.
Set on an eight-acre site, Bartley Lodge Hotel occupies a Grade II listed building. It was once a private hunting lodge.
This one is very conveniently sited, being close to the M27. Lyndhurst, the New Forest capital, is also just down the road. You can therefore get to this part of the forest faster from locations like London.
Bartley Lodge Hotel has a bar and restaurant, and offers room service too. So you don’t need to drive anywhere to dine on meals made from fresh, local produce.
This property offers a large range of room types, from singles and small doubles to family rooms, suites, and four poster rooms.
High points:
- Great motorway links
- Good range of room types
- Bar, restaurant, and room service
Low Points:
- Maintenance could be improved
- Food standards vary
Click here to book Bartley Lodge Hotel
New Park Manor
Best for royal heritage
- Star rating: ***
- Location: Near Brockenhurst
- Pet policy: Pets permitted. Charges may apply.
Pets are welcome at New Park Manor, and it’s also among the dog friendly hotels in the New Forest with a pool. In fact there are two – one inside, and one outside. So you’re sorted for all seasons at this property, which is family friendly as well as being open to pets.
The pool indoors belongs to the hotel’s Bath House Spa. This offers a range of beauty and pampering treatments, and massages. The hotel also has a sauna and an outdoor hot tub, and all the pools are clean and well-kept.
New Park Manor has a restaurant and bar, and is also great place for afternoon tea. It’s situated close to Brockenhurst, in the centre of the New Forest.
Pet friendly New Park Manor was once the hunting lodge of Charles II.
High points:
- Indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, and hot tub
- Central New Forest location
- Bar and restaurant on site
Low points:
- Variable WiFi
- Not as luxurious as some
Click here to book New Park Manor
The Manor at Sway
Best for a train station
- Star rating: ****
- Location: Central Sway
- Pet policy: Pets permitted on request. Charges may apply.
The Manor at Sway is another of the best pet friendly hotels in Hampshire. It’s also convenient for those arriving by train, as the village station is under five minutes’ walk away.
As the name suggests, this property occupies a grand Edwardian manor house, set among spacious five acre gardens. The restaurant here overlooks these pleasant grounds, and serves up a range of modern British dishes made using local, seasonal produce. Outside there’s a sunny terrace, woodland, and even a lake.
The refined, understated style of the public areas continues into the rooms at The Manor, and accommodation ranges from cosy doubles to manor doubles with superking beds.
This elegant property is ideal for anyone who wants to travel by train, while being located in a small village centre.
High points:
- Elegant Edwardian manor house
- Close to village and train station
- Glorious grounds with lake and woodland
Low points:
- Cosy rooms are small
- Some showers could be better
Click here to book The Manor at Sway
Stanwell House
Best for boutique style
- Location: Central Lymington
- Pet policy: Pets permitted on request. Charges may apply.
Located in a Regency townhouse in central Lymington, Stanwell House offers boutique accommodation, delicious dining, superb service, and an unparalleled position in the heart of town. It’s also one of the best dog friendly hotels on the New Forest coast.
There’s a choice of rooms and suites here, and some of the latter have a private terrace or balcony. The terrace rooms are the pet-friendly pick.
Yummy food is one of the real pleasures of staying at Stanwell House. The breakfast is outstanding, with service to match. Lymington itself is also a delightful town, with great shopping, characterful cobbled streets, and the sea water baths at the harbour.
There is some free parking at Stanwell House, available on a first-come-first-served basis.
High points:
- High street location
- Boutique accommodation
- Delicious breakfast and dining
Low points:
- Can be some town centre noise
Click here to book Stanwell House
Which New Forest dog friendly hotel will you book?
It’s not really surprising that there are so many lovely dog friendly hotels in the New Forest, UK. As walking is so popular in this area, it’s only natural that any dog owner would want to bring their pet along with them.
Whether you’d rather stay in the Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst, Beaulieu, Sway, Burley, or Lymington areas, there’s plenty of New Forest stays that are dog friendly!
Find more where-to-stay inspiration in my complete New Forest accommodation guide, or lists of the best pet-friendly cottages in the New Forest, the top New Forest family hotels, hotels in the New Forest with pools, or New Forest pubs with rooms.
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