Bonjour lecteurs! As you may already know, we love nothing more than an adventure in the UK. J’adore exploring and visiting new places all over the country. L’Angleterre has so much to offer; no need to go abroad for escapism! We’ve been to the New Forest many times over the years. It’s such a calm and beautiful area and only 3 hours drive from London. So Visit the New Forest With The Children!
Staying At The Montagu Arms in Beaulieu
We’ve recently been back to The New Forest for a weekend in Beaulieu to check out all the most family-friendly locations in the area.
During our trip, we stayed at the beautiful Montagu Arms in Beaulieu. Located in the heart of The New Forest, the 300 years old hotel is ever so charming.
If like me, you love indulging in the country, this is your place! The Montagu Arms is quintessentially British with its large rooms decorated with wood panelling, fireplaces and a gorgeous garden for you to rest and dream!
It was so peaceful despite the weather when we were there, I can only imagine what it is like in the Spring with the flowers blooming.
The Montagu Arms Hotel is combines traditional English character with elegant touches. It features 22 bedrooms and has it all for your family to have a lovely stay.
Our Family Room at The Montagu Arms
We actually stayed in one of the most recent buildings at the back of the hotel.
It’s been added to the original hotel a few years back and made of several family rooms right by the Gertrude Jekyll inspired garden.
Our chambre was très spacieuse and light thanks to its beautiful décor. Think pale colours and lots of green touches to make it the most welcome venue ever.
Dans le centre, there was a sofa bed prepared for Stanley with a huge TV screen within the bookshelf for a very smart look.
As for the parents, we had a super king size bed right by the window. It led on a small terrace outside so that you could relax on the patio in the summer.
For extra comfort, we also had a huge bathroom with an elegant and modern bath tube and 2 sinks s’il-vous-plaît! La parfaite family bathroom!
I had a bath one night and it was gorgeous to soak in and relax before going to bed.
Le Petit-Déjeuner at The Montagu Arms
The hotel is clearly proud of its heritage. It started with an inn back in the 16th Century called the Ship and then the George. The name of the Montagu Arms settled in 1742 and remained it since then.
How beautiful to stay in a place that is literally part of the local héritage!
As so, we got to enjoy a traditional English breakfast during our stay. On top of a large buffet, you can order a cooked petit-déjeuner freshly served in the restaurant or on the conservatory while you look at the fountain and birds in the garden.
Quel rêve! Isn’t it dreamy? With an excellent service! But your experience can be even more delightful…
Indeed, as a guest of The Montagu Arms, you can also visit the spa at the sister hotel, Careys Manor.
We stopped by after day out and the Thai-inspired spa did not disappoint! Please, note that children are not allowed in the spa. Now l’excuse parfaite to fully unwind while the boys relaxed at the bar…
Le Blaireau Restaurant in Brockenhurst
Now you would have noticed that Beaulieu sounds French. It actually mean ‘beautiful place’ and it is because of the heritage of the town. It all started with Beaulieu Abbey founded in the 13th century by French monks.
Given all the Frenchie vibes of the area, we had to go and eat in a French restaurant, non? And what a find! We ended up at the Blaireau Restaurant! My very own surname! Did you know that my name actually mean Cécile Badger in French?
After driving along the country roads in the dark, witnessing deers and ponies roaming freely on the roads or nearby, we landed into Paris!
Et voilà! It was like being in a brasserie with classic French food you got to love! Bien sûr, I got some chèvre chaud or warm goat cheese like only the French can do it, with a good glass of Merlot s’il-vous-plaît!
Stanley loved chatting to the French messieurs et mesdames au restaurant, while we relaxed and enjoyed some délicieuse food, including baguette and chouquettes! It’s basically a French pastry with sugar on it. Try it next time you are in France!
The Balmer Lawn Hotel
Another good food spot we got to check out during our stay was the Balmer Lawn Hotel. The luxury country home nestled in the heart of the New Forest has it all for you to relax.
You can sit in the lodge and feel like you are in some cool French resorts.
Or sit down in the main restaurant area with its beautiful décor full of colours. C’est très chic and the service was excellent!
This time, I went for the croquettes and the burger. But you can also savour a beautiful Afternoon Tea in the luxurious location.
It proved to be a popular place at the weekend.
Et le top?! It has a play room on the other side of the hotel where we played some table football. Now that’s what I call the parfaite family-friendly place! Even better with an apple mousse like this…
Fancy a list of cool places to see when you Visit The New Forest With Children? I’ve got you sorted!
National Motor Museum Beaulieu
We’ve previously stopped by this cool musée the last time we were in the area and we knew how fab it was. So, I was very much looking forward to come back!
The National Motor Museum Beaulieu features over 280 vehicles!
But not only! You can also travel on the monorail that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Or play at Little Beaulieu, the huge play area featuring its own mini castle and rope maze. Such un grand programme!
You can literally spend all day there. We particularly loved the Top Gear experience and the monorail this time. We went in it 4 times!
But we also loved visiting the family home, discovering more about the Montagus.
As it was half-term, there were some très cool activités to take part in and Stanley got to play with traditional old toys or even learn more about cooking and cleaning in the Victorian times! What do you think, should I employ him as my new cleaner?
Other Family-Friendly Locations In The New Forest
This time around, we stayed in the area of Beaulieu quite a bit but the New Forest has so many beautiful places to offer!
On top of all the places I mentionned in this post, there is so much you can do when you Visit The New Forest With Children.
Rent a bike and go for a ride in the forêt or even go for a walk. There are so many cycling and hiking routes!
En plus, the area is riche of history and you can wander around its villages such as Beaulieu. We even encoutered all sorts of wild animals. C’est magique! But we also love:
- Paultons Park & Peppa Pig World: c’est inévitable with kids. Stanley loved it 2 years ago and the park is really big so you can make a full day out of it! Classique!
- If your children are animals lovers, you can also visit Marwell Zoo. We had a great time and it was so relaxing to sit by the castle in the sun!
- Looking for something a but more picturesque? Lymington is absolutely stunning with its traditional English houses and cottages and the marina. We also love Milton on Sea where you can walk along the coast and get some fresh air!
If you are members, it’s also worth visiting the National Trust and English Heritage sites.
Do you enjoy nature? Beautiful traditional locations with a large history behind it? The New Forest is way more than beautiful horses that are happy to stop by on the road and slow down the traffic for a bit!
Make it your next destination this Spring and Summer! Visit The New Forest With Children and make some of the most beautiful memories with your family!
Get inspired and see what you can explore next below. I hope I influenced you to come and see it for yourself!
- The Montagu Arms Hotel: https://www.montaguarmshotel.co.uk/
- Careys Manor Hotel & Spa: https://www.careysmanor.com/
- The New Forest: https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/
- The Blaireau Restaurant: https://www.careysmanor.com/restaurants/le-blaireau/
- Balmer Lawn Hotel: https://www.balmerlawnhotel.com/
- Beaulieu National Motor Museum: https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with The New Forest. All opinions are my own. With thanks to all our partners.
Wow! What a trip. I don’t think I have ever stayed in a hotel that is so old, 300 years old?!? It looks amazing. Definitely the best sofa bed I’ve seen.
Looking at how much there is so do in New Forest I think I need to consider taking my kids there. You guys look like you had a blast. What a half term!
Also, I just googled chouquettes and now I need to find some, haha.
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haha yes you need to try chouquettes and go to the New Forest, it’s not far from London and you can even make it to other cities in Hampshire like Portsmouth, Winchester. We love this area
You are all so lucky – amazing place to stay ! So grand
I used to live in Southampton when I was a child and loved the New Forest!
Looks wonderful, and lots of memories to cherish too x
Another lovely break for you. I love the New Forest but haven’t been in a while, so much to see and do
This looks great!
we also love the new forest, best time to go is spring and autumn as the roads get gridlocked in the summer
Wow! It all looks absolutely fabulous and fun, too. A perfect weekend treat for a special occasion!
Hotel looks amazing and looks like you all had a lovely time!
I’ve visited many years ago a lovely place looks absolutely fantastic ????
Looks like a wonderful time was had in such gorgeous setting and your dresses are beautiful ????
Lools like a lovely place to visit with the family