Great British Drives

Many take to these roads for no particular purpose, they're not aiming to reach a destination, they simply want to enjoy the open road, admire the scenery and take their much-loved motor on an adventure. Locations such as China and America are wonderful, yet we know of plenty of Great British drives much closer to home – in the home of our Hampshire hotel in fact, the magnificent New Forest.

Of setting off in a classic motor with your partner beside you, a picnic in the boot and adventure on the mind. This daydream can become a reality in the New Forest National Park, which is home to plenty of pleasant drives which will be kind to your E-Type, Ferrari 250 GTE and Alpha Romeo Spider.

The New Forest has the most extensive area of heathland in Europe, providing plenty of wide open roads, and home to the ‘Classic Car Capital’ of the New Forest, Beaulieu. This quaint little village, where our luxury New Forest hotel can be found, is perfectly placed for your visit this summer. Aside from its charming, historical buildings, roaming wildlife and enchanting landscape, Beaulieu is also home to the famous National Motor Museum – a must-see for motor enthusiasts.

Tucked away from the A35, Ornamental Drive is a scenic road that leads through to the village of Brockenhurst; incidentally, where our sister hotel Careys Manor & SenSpa is located - visit for a delicious Thai lunch or an afternoon in the spa!

During late spring and early summer you'll have the pleasure of admiring a mixture of large rhododendrons, azaleas and majestic giant Redwoods and Douglas firs as you cruise through this hidden gem of the National Park.

Whilst being behind the wheel is a thrilling way to see this beautiful landscape, we do recommend stopping off at one of the car parks and taking a stroll along the gravel tracks to really immerse yourself in the beauty of this place. There are several walks that start and finish from Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, the most popular being the aptly named 'Tall Trees Trail'.

Create unforgettable memories on the road this summer with B&B rates from just £200 per room.  Or, book our Luxury Classic Car Break hotel special offer and choose from a selection of iconic cars to take for a spin, enjoy complimentary tickets to the National Motor Museum, plus luxurious accommodation at our award-winning New Forest hotel.