If you’re visiting the New Forest National Park, then knowing which Lyndhurst pubs you can call into for a bite to eat – or even book a room at – is useful. This pleasant town is the gateway to the New Forest.
For many Lyndhurst is the first port of call when travelling from the London area. Or even anywhere north of Hampshire. You’re likely to pass through Lyndhurst on your way to Brockenhurst, Lymington, Christchurch and more. So why not plan to stop for a break at one of the pubs in Lyndhurst, New Forest?
Read on to discover 10 of the best pubs in Lyndhurst. Whether you want to find Lyndhurst pubs with a garden, pubs in Lyndhurst high street, dog friendly pubs in Lyndhurst or pubs near Lyndhurst in a pretty village, these are the finest watering holes the town and surrounding area has to offer.
10 of the Best Pubs in Lyndhurst
1. The White Rabbit
Best for town and forest
- Where: Romsey Road, Lyndhurst SO43 7AR
- When: Monday to Thursday 7am to 10.30pm, Friday 7am to 11pm, Saturday 8am to 11pm, Sunday 8am to 10.30pm
- Why: A fresh, spacious pub right by the road into town, overlooking the edge of the forest
- Stay over: Yes
The White Rabbit in Lyndhurst is the first pub you’ll pass as you arrive in town when travelling via the A337 from the M27. It’s easy to access as it’s on the left hand side, and has plenty of parking too.
As you’ll see when passing, this is one of the pubs in Lyndhurst with outdoor seating, and it sits right at the edge of the town, by open forest. It’s an attractive white and grey painted building, with tables outside and plenty of lush plants. There’s accommodation here, including dog friendly rooms you can stay in, and these are fresh, modern and comfortable.
The White Rabbit pub in Lyndhurst serves typical British pub grub. There are brunch, Sunday lunch, gluten-free, kids’ and main menus. The latter features grills, pies, burgers, salads and so on, and there are international influences here and there.
2. The Waterloo Arms
Best for a thatched inn
- Where: Pikes Hill, Pikeshill, Lyndhurst SO43 7AS
- When: Monday to Thursday midday to 10pm, Friday and Saturday midday to 10.30pm, Sunday midday to 9pm
- Why: A traditional thatched pub in a village near Lyndhurst with open fires and a piano
- Stay over: No
The Waterloo Arms near Lyndhurst can be found in Pikeshill, a village north of town and located by the A337. It’s family-run, and has a cosy, homely atmosphere. The building dates back to the 17th century, and has had the current owners at the helm since 2007.
If you want to sample a traditional British inn, this is one of the best pubs near Lyndhurst in the New Forest to visit. It’s a whitewashed, thatched building, with original beams and wood burning stoves inside. Dogs on leads are welcome along with their owners.
Food choices include vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian dishes, plus those featuring local seafood or game. There’s a children’s menu too. Scampi, chilli, lasagne and a ploughman’s all feature on the main menu, along with more exotic choices like a Moroccan vegetable tagine and a mixed bean superfood salad.
3. The Swan Inn
Best for a set menu
- Where: Swan Green, Emery Down, Lyndhurst SO43 7DT
- When: Monday to Thursday 11am to 11pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 11.30pm, Sunday 11am to 10pm
- Why: Great value two and three course set menus on weekdays, plus afternoon tea
- Stay over: No
Like the White Rabbit Inn in Lyndhurst, the Swan Inn is one we pass every time we return home after heading north. It’s right by the bend where Lyndhurst town meets the A35 heading towards Christchurch area. So although the address may make you think it’s out of town, it’s actually just on the edge.
The Swan Inn, Lyndhurst is another of the Lyndhurst pubs and restaurants that you can really easily pull into when heading south. It’s also one of the Lyndhurst pubs that’s dog friendly. As well as the usual kids’, main, Sunday, vegan and gluten-free menus, you can order afternoon tea or a set menu here.
The latter offers great value on a two or three course dinner, and is available after 4pm Monday to Friday. You can order dishes such as Gloucester Old Spot bangers and mash or a tomato, pepper and bean pie with crushed potatoes, or pay a supplement to tuck into a steak, sea bass, duck breast or lamb.
4. The New Forest Inn
Best for New Forest ponies
- Where: Emery Down, Lyndhurst SO43 7DY
- When: Open daily from 8.30am to 11pm,
- Why: In a peaceful spot with comfortable rooms, local wildlife and a varied menu
- Stay over: Yes
The New Forest Inn, Lyndhurst is another of the pubs in Lyndhurst with accommodation. Twin and double rooms are available, and these offer comfortable accommodation with a green outlook. The pub is close to town, but far enough away from the traffic to be more peaceful.
The inn dates from the 18th century, and you may well see a local New Forest pony or two ambling past during your meal or stay here. It’s ideal for outdoor types, with bike rides and forest walks from the front door. Again this is also among Lyndhurst’s dog friendly pubs.
There are breakfast, sandwich, kids’, dessert, Sunday and seasonal menus here. Choices include classics like ham, egg and chips as well as less obvious options such as a Jamaican goat curry. There’s some good meat-free picks too, like veggie fajitas, jackfruit curry or even a lasagne made with vegan ‘chorizo’.
5. The Crown Stirrup
Best for forest walks
- Where: 12 Clay Hill, Clayhill, Lyndhurst SO43 7DE
- When: Monday to Thursday 11am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 10pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm
- Why: Fresh, local pub grub and a great beer garden with play equipment and trail access
- Stay over: No
The Crown Stirrup, Lyndhurst is located south of town, on the road leading towards Brockenhurst. This is the heart of the New Forest. It’s yet another of the dog friendly pubs in Lyndhurst, New Forest – pets are part of everyday life in this area!
The Crown Stirrup pub near Lyndhurst serves freshly prepared pub food, made from local produce where possible. Sometimes there’s live music here, and a cosy fire in winter. Real ales are served, and there’s a carvery on Sundays.
It’s the ideal pitstop for walkers, as a trail leads directly from the beer garden and into the forest. This outdoor area is a real perk of the place, and there’s even some kids’ play equipment here. Plus a fire pit when required. What more could you want?
6. The Mailmans Arms
Best for the town centre
- Where: 71 High Street, Lyndhurst SO43 7BE
- When: Monday to Thursday midday to 10pm, Friday and Saturday midday to 10.30pm, Sunday midday to 7pm
- Why: A high street hostelry with a beer garden, regular events and cream teas
- Stay over: No
This is a Greene King pub in Lyndhurst, right there on the high street. It has a beer garden at the back, and hosts regular events, including live music. For winter, you’ll find a roaring real fire inside.
The Mailmans Arms in Lyndhurst is a popular pub for watching sport, with three large TV screens and offers like a burger and pint deal. This place is also good for gin or rum fans, as around 20 of each are offered for sale. You can also enjoy a cream tea here at any time of year.
The menu includes many of the usual favourites, plus a few more inventive options like a rustic chilli, beef bourguignon or mozzarella and smoked haddock fishcakes. There’s also a specials board and a Sunday carvery.
7. The Bell Inn
Best for afternoon tea
- Where: Canterton Lane, Brook, Lyndhurst SO43 7HE
- When: Lunch – Monday to Saturday midday to 2.30pm, Sunday midday to 4pm. Afternoon tea – Daily from 3pm to 5pm. Dinner – Monday to Sunday 6pm to 8pm. Bar open til 11pm
- Why: A smart countryside bolthole with contemporary rooms and fabulous food
- Stay over: Yes
The Bell Inn, Lyndhurst is a village rather than a town pub. I first discovered it when invited for afternoon tea, and was charmed by both the inn and the tranquil location. The festive afternoon tea was also fabulous (mine is pictured above), and is one of the best and most affordable in the New Forest.
With 26 bedrooms, the Bell Inn hotel near Lyndhurst is also a great place to stay. Accommodation is modern, fresh and beautifully decorated. The inn is packed with character throughout – and popular with locals and visitors alike.
The Bell Inn is also a favourite among golfers, as there are two good courses close by. If you want to escape to the countryside, book a table at the Bell Inn for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea. Based on my experience, you’ll be far from disappointed.
8. The Crown Inn
Best for award-winning food
- Where: High Street, Lyndhurst SO43 7NF
- When: Daily from breakfast time to last orders
- Why: Award-winning food, a classic yet contemporary setting and a central position
- Stay over: Yes
The Crown Inn, Lyndhurst is a hotel right in the centre of town. It’s the one of the best places to stay in the New Forest if you want a central location – everything is right outside the door. The hotel and pub is also known as the Crown Manor House Hotel, and has a hidden walled garden outside.
The theme both in the pub and the rooms here is modern British – classic, but with a definite contemporary twist. Its bar and grill is award-winning, and serves fine New Forest fare to visitors as well as those staying there.
You can be as adventurous (or not) as you like when choosing from the menu. Pick beer battered fish and chips or a chargrilled burger, or go for seared venison, a squash and spinach risotto, mushroom wellington or seafood panache.
9. The Stag Hotel
Best for a backyard bar
- Where: High Street, Lyndhurst SO43 7BE
- When: Daily from 11am to 11pm
- Why: A high street position, a range of rooms and a bar in the beer garden
- Stay over: Yes
The Stag Hotel or Stag Inn, Lyndhurst is close to the Crown on the high street. In addition to the bar and dining, you can also stay over, as it’s one of the Lyndhurst pubs with accommodation. There are single, twin and double rooms of various sizes. Each is named after a place in the New Forest.
The Stag is also a dog-friendly hostelry, and has a ‘backyard bar’ outside as well as the main pub. There are breakfast, Sunday, kids’ main and dessert menus.
Diners can pick meaty mains like buttermilk chicken or calves’ liver and bacon, seafood choices like pan fried salmon or fish and chips, or meatless dishes such as a bean and mushroom burger or olive and tomato paella.
10. The Oak Inn
Best for cyclists and walkers
- Where: Pinkney Lane, Bank, Lyndhurst SO43 7FD
- When: Monday to Saturday 11.30am to 10pm, Sunday midday to 8.30pm
- Why: A rural favourite with those who come to cycle, walk or run through the forest
- Stay over: No
If you want to find pubs in Bank near Lyndhurst, this Fuller’s one is favoured by cyclists and walkers exploring the forest. With cartwheels adorning the whitewashed exterior, it’s a traditional English pub in a rural setting.
You can stop here to sup a pint of real ale before carrying on with your walk or ride, or stay for something more substantial. There are Sunday, sandwich, children’s, main and chef’s specials menus. Produce from the New Forest and Hampshire is used throughout.
Dine from the main menu, for example, and you can start with London Porter smoked salmon or cheddar and stout rarebit. Next move onto spiced cauliflower, dry-aged ribeye or the pie of the day. Round things off with a chocolate knickerbocker glory or good old sticky toffee pud.
Which Lyndhurst pubs will you dine, drink or stay at?
From the White Rabbit pub in Lyndhurst as you enter the town from the north to the New Forest Inn in Emery Down near Lyndhurst, there are plenty of country and town pubs in the area to choose from.
You can stay over at some of the pubs in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, or simply use the Lyndhurst pubs in the New Forest as a pitstop for a pint. Whether you drop in for breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea or a tot of something warming, pubs in the Lyndhurst area have plenty to delight visitors to this lovely area.
If you’re planning to come to the New Forest, posts on pubs with rooms in the area, the top 10 pubs in Lymington, the 5 best Milford-on-Sea pubs, the Burley pubs to drink and dine at and where to stay in the New Forest may be helpful.
Note – This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy via these, I may earn a small fee. This has absolutely no effect on the price you pay. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
2 comments
Comments are closed.