You might be surprised to learn that the UK south coast’s New Forest National Park has been voted No. 1 National Park in Europe (2022 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for Destinations) and 10th top National Park in the world. The New Forest covers 219 square miles of woods; heather carpeted heathlands, rivers, ponds, and wildflower meadows to explore either on foot or bike using over 100 miles of designated cycle paths – it’s also one of the most dog-friendly destinations in the UK.
Go canoeing with the family, kayaking, horse riding, swinging through the trees on high ropes or spend a day learning bushcraft and cooking under the stars. As the National Park is on the coast, you can easily spend the morning in the forest and the afternoon on nearby soft sandy beaches swimming or enjoying a variety of watersports. If that seems too energetic, try a cookery or pottery class, go foraging with an expert or sign up for some photography lessons. There’s a huge and diverse range of adventures available, and this is what makes the New Forest such a popular destination for couples, families, friends. There is something to satisfy all ages, and the area gets top marks for its attention to accessibility.
But breaks in this National Park are best known for switching off the screens and getting back to nature. It is a wildlife hotspot with over 10,000 ponies, donkeys, cows and pigs wandering around the forest, and it’s pretty chocolate-box villages. In addition, for nature lovers, 55% of Britain’s butterflies and 74% of our dragonfly species can be found in the New Forest alongside 700 wildflower varieties and a whopping 2,700 species of fungi and mushrooms.
The New Forest is also a food lovers paradise. The culinary scene here is exciting and abundant, with producers and talented chefs pairing up to offer some exquisite taste sensations. It’s not all about fancy restaurants (although there are plenty); think farm shops, independent producers, vineyards, microbreweries and thatched gastro pubs with pretty beer gardens.
Day trips and attractions include Beaulieu National Motor Museum, Paultons Park – home of Peppa Pig World, Marwell Zoo, Monkey World, Stonehenge, Poole sandbanks, historic houses and many more.
Where to stay: New Forest Cottages have over 160 cottages, country houses, apartments and barns in and around the National Park sleeping 2 – 12 guests, suiting all tastes and budgets.
Among their luxury offering is Argentor Cottage at East Boldre, which sleeps 6. Behind the thick cobb walls of this 18th Century cottage is a gorgeous Scandi inspired interior and large bloom filled garden with lots of woodland wildlife to keep you company. Available for 3 nights from £904.
Dog-friendly properties include Piglets at Burley, sleeping 4. This little cottage wins rave reviews from past guests who love the comfort, location and enclosed garden for their pooch. Dog-friendly gastro pubs and lots of good places for supper close by. Available for 7 nights from £765.
Big homes for friends and family are also available, including Thatchby Oak which sleeps 12 in Brockenhurst. This huge, thatched cottage has a private gated swimming pool within a large garden surrounded by lofty trees. It’s a short stroll to the village centre and a posse of great eating options. Available for 3 nights from £2,012.
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.
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8 Comments
Probably wise that you ended that headline with a question. There will be many a contender throughout Europe challenging for that title. I’m no expert but I remember a post on a park in Croatia grabbing my attention or maybe it was Slovenia. Wherever it was they’ve got to be in with a big shout too.
That’s some achievement for the New Forest as it’s probably close to being the UK’s smallest national park. It’s probably helped that about a thousand years ago the Norman’s decided to look after it for hunting. All those ponies help as well getting the cute vote.
Living between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, I must admit to being a little biased when it comes to UK national parks (and would question whether it’s the #1 national park in the UK, let alone in Europe). But if that’s the one TripAdvisor Travellers’ chose, then I suppose it’s hard to argue!
From what I remember the New Forest packs a punch, with loads and loads of stuff to do. I don’t know if it counted towards the award as it’s got a beautiful coastline too.
It’s easy to forget that part of the New Forest NP is actually on the coast… a very good point, Ted!
I’ve seen this story in another media. It’s a very controversial shout. A lot of comments are very critical. I suppose it’s the old saying though that any publicity is good publicity. Speaking personally I loved the New Forest when we stayed there for 2 nights.
Go canoeing with the family, kayaking, horse riding, swinging through the trees on high ropes or spend a day learning bushcraft and cooking under the stars. As the National Park is on the coast, you can easily spend the morning in the forest and the afternoon on nearby soft sandy beaches swimming or enjoying a variety of watersports. If that seems too energetic, try a cookery or pottery class, go foraging with an expert or sign up for some photography lessons. There’s a huge and diverse range of adventures available, and this is what makes the New Forest such a popular destination for couples, families, friends. There is something to satisfy all ages, and the area gets top marks for its attention to accessibility.
But breaks in this National Park are best known for switching off the screens and getting back to nature. It is a wildlife hotspot with over 10,000 ponies, donkeys, cows and pigs wandering around the forest, and it’s pretty chocolate-box villages. In addition, for nature lovers, 55% of Britain’s butterflies and 74% of our dragonfly species can be found in the New Forest alongside 700 wildflower varieties and a whopping 2,700 species of fungi and mushrooms.
The New Forest is also a food lovers paradise. The culinary scene here is exciting and abundant, with producers and talented chefs pairing up to offer some exquisite taste sensations. It’s not all about fancy restaurants (although there are plenty); think farm shops, independent producers, vineyards, microbreweries and thatched gastro pubs with pretty beer gardens.
Day trips and attractions include Beaulieu National Motor Museum, Paultons Park – home of Peppa Pig World, Marwell Zoo, Monkey World, Stonehenge, Poole sandbanks, historic houses and many more.
Where to stay: New Forest Cottages have over 160 cottages, country houses, apartments and barns in and around the National Park sleeping 2 – 12 guests, suiting all tastes and budgets.
Among their luxury offering is Argentor Cottage at East Boldre, which sleeps 6. Behind the thick cobb walls of this 18th Century cottage is a gorgeous Scandi inspired interior and large bloom filled garden with lots of woodland wildlife to keep you company. Available for 3 nights from £904.
Go canoeing with the family, kayaking, horse riding, swinging through the trees on high ropes or spend a day learning bushcraft and cooking under the stars. As the National Park is on the coast, you can easily spend the morning in the forest and the afternoon on nearby soft sandy beaches swimming or enjoying a variety of watersports. If that seems too energetic, try a cookery or pottery class, go foraging with an expert or sign up for some photography lessons. There’s a huge and diverse range of adventures available, and this is what makes the New Forest such a popular destination for couples, families, friends. There is something to satisfy all ages, and the area gets top marks for its attention to accessibility.
But breaks in this National Park are best known for switching off the screens and getting back to nature. It is a wildlife hotspot with over 10,000 ponies, donkeys, cows and pigs wandering around the forest, and it’s pretty chocolate-box villages. In addition, for nature lovers, 55% of Britain’s butterflies and 74% of our dragonfly species can be found in the New Forest alongside 700 wildflower varieties and a whopping 2,700 species of fungi and mushrooms.
The New Forest is also a food lovers paradise. The culinary scene here is exciting and abundant, with producers and talented chefs pairing up to offer some exquisite taste sensations. It’s not all about fancy restaurants (although there are plenty); think farm shops, independent producers, vineyards, microbreweries and thatched gastro pubs with pretty beer gardens.
Day trips and attractions include Beaulieu National Motor Museum, Paultons Park – home of Peppa Pig World, Marwell Zoo, Monkey World, Stonehenge, Poole sandbanks, historic houses and many more.
Where to stay: New Forest Cottages have over 160 cottages, country houses, apartments and barns in and around the National Park sleeping 2 – 12 guests, suiting all tastes and budgets.
Among their luxury offering is Argentor Cottage at East Boldre, which sleeps 6. Behind the thick cobb walls of this 18th Century cottage is a gorgeous Scandi inspired interior and large bloom filled garden with lots of woodland wildlife to keep you company. Available for 3 nights from £904.
Dog-friendly properties include Piglets at Burley, sleeping 4. This little cottage wins rave reviews from past guests who love the comfort, location and enclosed garden for their pooch. Dog-friendly gastro pubs and lots of good places for supper close by. Available for 7 nights from £765.
Big homes for friends and family are also available, including Thatchby Oak which sleeps 12 in Brockenhurst. This huge, thatched cottage has a private gated swimming pool within a large garden surrounded by lofty trees. It’s a short stroll to the village centre and a posse of great eating options. Available for 3 nights from £2,012.
Probably wise that you ended that headline with a question. There will be many a contender throughout Europe challenging for that title. I’m no expert but I remember a post on a park in Croatia grabbing my attention or maybe it was Slovenia. Wherever it was they’ve got to be in with a big shout too.
I’m guessing Plitvice Lakes National Park…? It’s been on my ‘must visit’ list for a while!
That’s some achievement for the New Forest as it’s probably close to being the UK’s smallest national park. It’s probably helped that about a thousand years ago the Norman’s decided to look after it for hunting. All those ponies help as well getting the cute vote.
Living between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, I must admit to being a little biased when it comes to UK national parks (and would question whether it’s the #1 national park in the UK, let alone in Europe). But if that’s the one TripAdvisor Travellers’ chose, then I suppose it’s hard to argue!
From what I remember the New Forest packs a punch, with loads and loads of stuff to do. I don’t know if it counted towards the award as it’s got a beautiful coastline too.
It’s easy to forget that part of the New Forest NP is actually on the coast… a very good point, Ted!
I’ve seen this story in another media. It’s a very controversial shout. A lot of comments are very critical. I suppose it’s the old saying though that any publicity is good publicity. Speaking personally I loved the New Forest when we stayed there for 2 nights.
Yes, I must admit, I was a little surprised myself. We have 15 national parks in the UK so I suppose we are a little spoilt for choice.