The Not-So-Secret Garden You Need To See

A place of escape from the bustle of city life, a chance to slow down the pace for just a weekend and spend time in nature. Our hotel garden, yet another much-appreciated tranquil place in the heart of the National Park has brought much joy to our guests, and to us, over the years.

An English country garden, abundant in bee-loving flora; a peaceful place to sit and sip a cup of tea and perhaps enjoy a scone (or two); a beautiful picture to view from the warmth of the conservatory on rainy days or a colourful scene to enjoy on spring mornings at breakfast from The Terrace.

Wonderfully, our New Forest hotel is now a proud member of the National Garden Scheme, with the hope that our garden may be enjoyed by even more, with all donations going to the deserving beneficiaries of the National Garden Scheme (NGS).

The NGS scheme began in 1927 as a way to support district nurses, and to this day has raised millions of pounds for nursing and health charities. The NGS also supports charities doing work in gardens and health, they grant bursaries to support community gardening projects and help beginner gardeners kickstart their careers.

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So, as we head into September we can look forward to what summer 2025 will bring with the scheme.

Save the dates! On Saturday 7th and Sunday 8^th of June 2025, we will be hosting an open weekend from 10am until 4pm. Head Gardener, Matt, will be there to take you on a tour of the garden (10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm), with all donations for the tour going to NGS. And of course, plenty of tea and cake will be available to those attending for a small £3 donation.

Like the Spooktacular Halloween Quiz we're hosting at Monty's, our New Forest pub. Join us for a frightfully fun evening of trivia, all in aid of Hospitality Action and The Bumblebee Trust. Tickets are £14 per person and include a Thai Green Curry, entry into the quiz, and your donation to charity.

If, however, you’re keen to get out in the New Forest with your four-legged friend, then come along to The Great Beaulieu Dog Walk on the 23^rd October. The walk will start from The Montagu Arms Hotel and head to the historic Buckler’s Hard, and there will be complimentary tea, coffee and dog treats to start the day.

Or perhaps, as we start to look at another change in the season and towards the cooler months, it’s time to plan a short break where you can get out and spend time outside in the last weeks of our Indian summer. Sunset strolls, or a chance to discover the beauty of Forest bathing, or "Shinrin Yoku”; harnessing the tranquillity and calmness that only nature can give. Forest Bathing is the therapy of simply spending time out in nature; observing, listening, slowing the breath, which in turn reduces stress and anxiety, lowers blood pressure and improves mood.

The practice of Forest Bathing encourages relaxation by guiding you to pay particular attention to your breathing, whilst being mindful within your surroundings and tapping into all of your senses. Looking around at the colours, textures, shapes; smelling the plants, the trees, the animals. Touching the leaves, the ground, the bark. Listening to the birds, the rustling leaves, or the New Forest pony in the distance.