What are the best picnic spots near Beaulieu?

What could be more glorious on a summer’s day than a picnic with a view, under ancient trees or on a scenic beach. The New Forest National Park is synonymous with picnics; with miles of trails to walk or cycle and winding roads to cruise, along these paths and country roads there are some truly beautiful spots to stop and spend time sitting in the sun, sharing lunch and making memories.

This summer, during your family hotel break, get out and explore some of the best picnic spots near Beaulieu…

 

Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary

Distance from Montagu Arms Hotel: 12 miles / 24-minute drive

Amenities: Free parking,

Accessibility: Accessible parking, toilets, viewing platforms, variety of accessible trails for wheelchair and buggy users.

The large grassy area of Bolderwood invites visitors to relax, play and picnic. The perfect family-friendly picnic spot, there’s plenty of space for kids to roam and run, and then you can walk the trails that meander through the woods to the purpose-built wooden platform overlooking the deer meadow where you can watch and admire the fallow and roe deer. The best time to see them is daily between midday and 3pm when they are fed by local New Forest rangers (when they’re available).

 

Lepe Country Park

Distance from Montagu Arms Hotel: 6.6 miles / 14-minute drive

Amenities: Main carpark (charges apply), public toilets, picnic areas, the Lookout Café and children’s play area.

Accessibility: Accessible parking spaces (access to parking payment machines can be challenging due to gravel paths.)

Picnic at the family-friendly Lepe Country Park, where you can enjoy the best of both worlds; vast woodland areas at the top of the cliffs and stunning views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Make it a beach picnic or find a peaceful spot in the wildflower meadows.

Hatchet Pond

Distance from Montagu Arms Hotel: 1.4 miles / 3 minute-drive / 32-minute walk

Amenities: Free parking, toilets

Accessibility: No designated accessible parking

A beautiful and tranquil waterside spot close to Beaulieu; why not make it a walk from our Hampshire hotel. Then, lay out a banket, sit and relax.
Hatchet Pond is the largest area of fresh water in the New Forest, surrounded by heathland grazed by cattle, ponies and donkeys. (Just beware of the wildlife… They may want to share your picnic!)

Roydon Woods Nature Reserve

Distance from Montagu Arms Hotel: 8.3 miles / 20-minute drive

Amenities: NA

Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible

If you’re looking for a spectacular spot for bluebells (when in season) Roydon Woods is often praised as one of the best. The un-grazed, protected area helps the bluebells to thrive and during the summer months we recommend bringing the family to listen to the birds and watch the butterflies dancing in the sunlight. Feel totally immersed in nature in this delightful picnic spot just 20 minutes from our Beaulieu hotel.

Exbury Gardens

Distance from Montagu Arms Hotel: Approximately 3.4 miles / 8-minute drive

Amenities: Free parking, toilets, café

Accessibility: Accessible parking, free garden admission for carers, accessible toilet facilities, and mobility scooter hire.

Pack a picnic for Exbury Gardens; covering more than 200 acres of the New Forest, a summer family break is not complete without a day spent exploring the outstanding collection of azaleas, camellias and rare trees bloom. Specifically for kids, there’s The Log Trail and an adventure play area with swings, climbing frames, and a rope obstacle course, whilst families always love the Steam Railway.

Picnics invite spontaneity and allow you to keep the whole family happy and appetites satiated when you can simply stop and snack. There are two lovely picnic sites within the gardens, overlooking Jubilee Pond in Yard Wood, and at the Sakura Cherry Orchard. If the weather turns, or you need some shade, there’s also a covered area at the patio near the Sundial Gardens.

Beaulieu River – Buckler’s Hard

Distance from Montagu Arms Hotel: 2.5 miles / 5-minute drive / 52-minute walk

Amenities: Beaulieu Village car park / parking at Buckler’s Hard, toilets

Accessibility: Main paths are flat gravel and grass. The river walk includes boardwalks.

When it comes to family-friendly weekends at our hotel, discover the popular walk and picnic spot that’s accessibly from our doorstep - Buckler’s Hard. Just 2.5 miles away, pack a picnic and set out on a truly picturesque and peaceful walk, taking you through woodland and marsh, following the Beaulieu River to the old shipbuilding village of Buckler’s Hard. The river passes through Buckler's Hard before entering the sea through the Solent. This area is a peaceful haven surrounded by wildlife, from kingfishers and kestrels to seals, and is a favourite picnic spot amongst locals and visitors alike.

Blackwater Arboretum

Distance from Montagu Arms Hotel: 11.3 miles / 21-minute drive

Amenities: Free parking, toilets, picnic benches

Accessibility: Disabled parking, accessible toilets, 0.7-mile circular trail with a smooth, gravelled surface suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

Picnic, play and then walk amongst the ancient trees of the Tall Trees Trail at the Blackwater Arboretum. With picnic benches, parking and toilets, it’s a favourite for families staying at the hotel, providing space to burn off energy, spot New Forest ponies and experience the beauty of the New Forest without little legs having to walk for miles.

When the family is re-fuelled and ready to go again, set out on the short one-and-a-half-mile circular walk that begins at the Blackwater carpark, taking you under the carved oak archway and across Rhinefield Ornamental Drive. The trail starts a short way along the gravel trail to your right, and is a gentle, low level gravel track, suitable for most ages and abilities.

Return to the luxury of our family-friendly hotel to relax and unwind in your room, sit and read in our English country garden or nap until it’s time to get ready for dinner. Your break is just that, all yours. To picnic and play, roam and relax and best of all, make memories that will last a lifetime.