There are lots of things to see and do on a staycation in the New Forest this summer (Picture: Getty/Chewton Glen/Butcombe Pubs & Inns/Dark Arts Bar)
Think of the New Forest, and you’d be right to assume it’s full of wild ponies and beautiful scenery – however, on top of that, there’s a whole world of enchantment waiting to be explored.
From trees brimming with fairies, witchcraft, and folklore to cocktails sprinkled with dragon dust, this Hampshire beauty spot is the perfect staycation destination if you’re after a heady mix of tradition with transcendental.
And really, who wouldn’t?
Here’s our round up of where to go and what to see just at the end of the A31…
Fairies and the high seas
Get to know your pirates (Picture: St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery)
This summer’s exhibition at the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst involves 19 short documentary-style films about the park’s spiritual facets.
Fairy-hunting, folklore, energy healing, mysticism, magic and witchcraft all feature (July 8 to August 27, free; here).
Further south, Lymington’s St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery has a rather more family-focused offering.
On until September 9, Pirates!
Fact And Fiction teaches its visitors about famous buccaneers from around the world.
Adults £6, children £3, here.
Resurrected pubs
Have a pint in a reimagined 17th-century inn (Picture: Butcombe Pubs & Inns)
Just outside Linwood, a hamlet in the forest’s north-west, is somewhere that’s new and old all at once. The 17th-century High Corner Inn has been reimagined by its new owners, Butcombe Pubs & Inns.
Chandeliers and pendant lamps now illuminate botanical wallpaper, Chesterfield sofas, trunk tables and oversized rugs.
The original carved bar remains, but a terrace and children’s play area are other fresh additions. Food-wise, expect pub classics with clever twists plus Butcombe’s own ales and ciders.
Mains from £14.95, tables and rooms can be booked: here.
Magic potions in Southampton
Drink magical potions (Picture: Dark Arts Bar)
In Southampton, just south of the forest – and barely a minute by broomstick – is Dark Arts, a new magic-themed cocktail bar.
Inspired by ‘witchcraft and magic’ its candlelit, herb-scented interior serves ‘potions’ such as Wildfyre: vodka, Midori and watermelon liqueur topped with mysterious dragon dust.
Drinks-making classes and puzzles to solve are also offered.
Table bookings for the Dark Arts Bar can be made: here.
Robot waiters
Bella the robot waiter (Picture: The Beachcomber)
After Bella delivers dishes and perhaps sings you happy birthday, Ola will
clean tables and return dirty plates to the kitchen.
All completely normal – well, except that both waiters are robots.
Delighting junior visitors, this pair are part of the new Beachcomber complex at Milford-on-Sea’s Shorefield Country Park, whose 750-seat restaurant abuts a bar, cabaret venue and a special Pooch Corner, where canine guests can enjoy meals.
If struggling to choose between build-your-own burgers, steaks, sandwiches and salads, human diners could ask Bella for her favourites…
Mains from £10.50, more information can be found here.
Open-top bus tours return
The New Forest Tour (Credits: Chris Balcombe)
Back in operation until September 17, the open-top New Forest Tour has been estimated to have saved approximately 298,000 private car miles last season.
Its three routes offer views of pretty villages, ponies and heathland – all enhanced by audio commentary.
Tickets also give you discounts to attractions such as the Beaulieu National Motor Museum and New Forest Wildlife Park. Stops at cycle hire outlets encourage combined bike-and-bus days out.
Day tickets £19.50, can be booked here.
A-list restaurateurs
Sustainable and locally sourced (Picture: Restaurant AO)
Having trained under Marcus Wareing and Gordon Ramsay, the son of L’Enclume’s Simon Rogan has opened his own establishment in Southampton.
Daniel Rogan was raised in the city and locally sourced, sustainable fare is now being used in Restaurant AO’s eight-course tasting menus, with a wine-pairing option, at £85pp (without wine), here.
Meanwhile, the award-winning Max’s Brasserie — whose owner Max Romano once served George Bush Senior — has moved to new digs on nearby Commercial Road.
Inside the world’s largest cruise ship (five times bigger than Titanic!)
