The New Forest’s royal connections date back as far as William the Conqueror who gave it its name and preserved the forest for his hunting. In fact, his son Rufus was famously killed while he was king on a hunt in the New Forest by an arrow that supposedly bounced off an oak tree.

This beautiful part of the country has superb, must-visit areas. From the French-named Beaulieu – famous for its old abbey – to the coastal areas of Christchurch and Lymington, and Burley – renowned for its association with witchcraft, the New Forest is a total marvel. Offering sweeping fields, thick woods and the close proximity to the sea, it’s one of southern England’s most valued areas. A little over two hours drive out of London, here you’ll discover forest trails, heathland and an abundance of wildlife, including the native ponies.

Bashley

One underrated area of the New Forest is Bashley. Buried deep in the heart of the New Forest, this quaint little hamlet is surrounded by stunning countryside. Just two miles inland from the Solent, Bashley’s location makes it easy to explore some of the south coast’s beautiful beaches, including Highcliffe and Barton on Sea.

It’s also close to pretty villages such as Brockenhurst and the aforementioned Burley; the Georgian market town of Lymington is also just a short drive away.

Bashley’s also home to a great dog-friendly pub called the Rising Sun, which is more than 200 years old. Perfect for a rustic, countryside meal and a local ale or two.

New Forest Cottages

So, we’ve decided Bashley is the place to be in the New Forest, which leads to our next question: where to stay? This is where New Forest Cottages comes in. Privately owned, locally based and with over 40 years of experience, the team here has the specialist knowledge and skills to ensure that both guests and owners will have the most enjoyable experience. The team prides itself on its local knowledge of the New Forest area, whilst also being able to draw on the know-how of parent company, Toad Hall Cottages, who provide holiday accommodation throughout the South West of England. Having won multiple awards over the years for a friendly, flexible service, New Forest Cottages has scooped consecutive Gold Service awards from Feefo based purely on genuine reviews from real customers.

From grand townhouses and luxury apartments to traditional thatched cottages in quaint villages, the range of New Forest holiday cottages is second to none.

Hollybank Cottage

The one we fell in love with was Hollybank Cottage. This special house provides plenty of space to spread out downstairs, with a very large and comfortable sitting room, which features a cosy wood-burning stove for chillier evenings. There’s also a bright sun-filled conservatory with a rattan bistro set, which is an idyllic part of the house to wake up in over a coffee in the morning overlooking the huge garden.

You’ll also discover a separate dining room in the oldest part of the cottage, which then leads into a well-equipped kitchen and useful utility room. There’s also a small study with a piano, which is lovely for an evening tipple if you’re with a guest who can play.

Upstairs, there are three charming double bedrooms accessed via two separate staircases. There’s an en-suite shower room and dressing area within the master bedroom, and the luxuriously fitted family bathroom sits conveniently between the remaining two bedrooms.

It’s the large private rear garden that stole our hearts because here you can watch your four-legged friend run around and enjoy themselves, while you enjoy a soak in the bubbling hot tub.

Fully equipped to sleep six people, Hollybank Cottage is the perfect base for any family, group of friends and pooches alike!

New Forest Cottages is the largest accommodation provider in the National Park and adjacent coastline. Its portfolio is home to over 180 cute cottages, big family homes, dog-friendly pads, wood cabins and trendy apartments sleeping two to 12 guests. Some come with swimming pools, hot tubs, orchards and even their own beach!

Hollybank Cottage in Bashley is available from £971 for a long weekend or £1272 per week. It’s new to the New Forest Cottages portfolio, so has plenty of availability. There’s also currently 15% off March 2023 bookings.

For more information, visit Hollybank Cottage.