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Gifting the New Forest
It’s that wonderful time of year where our minds turn to all things Christmas. Of time spent with loved ones, and the magic of present giving and New Year aspirations made. What could be more special, than gifting the New Forest? Whether it be a gift voucher towards a New Year stay at the Cottage Lodge or a selection of artisan goodies evocative of the National park and the local area. Share with the special people in your life the scents and tastes of the New Forest wherever you may be in the UK through our online shop Yellow Forest. By doing so you are helping to support small businesses and the local New Forest community of artisan producers. Christmas gifts and vouchers Have you ever stayed with us and loved our organic toiletries and enjoyed our marmalade? If so … Continue reading
Tree hugging New Forest
Have you ever hugged a tree? FREE HUGS AVAILABLE! Hugging a tree increases levels of hormone oxytocin. This hormone is responsible for feeling calm and emotional bonding. When hugging a tree, the hormones serotonin and dopamine make you feel happier. It is important to use this “free” space of a forest we were given by nature to holistically heal ourselves. When hugging a loved one is off the cards, what can we do to feel comfort? Why not try New Forest tree hugging? New Forest holistic hugging Try New Forest tree hugging… In the New Forest we are fortunate to have an amazing selection of trees on offer and we have taken some advice from our Northern friends, The Icelandic Forestry Service who have been encouraging people to hug trees while social distancing measures prevent them from hugging other people. In a time when close contact … Continue reading
New Forest deer watching
The New Forest is a special place and something that cannot be denied is the ethereal charm of the wandering deer. Herds can be seen throughout the forest. We are fortunate to have 5 types of deer resident here. Sika, Fallow, Roe, Muntjac and Red Deer roam uninterrupted throughout the New forest. History of deer in the New Forest King William the Conqueror named it as a Royal Forest in 1079. This was primarily “for the pursuit of the beasts of the chase – red, roe and fallow deer, and wild pigs.” It was the King’s personal hunting ground and for anyone else it was considered poaching! The deer in the New Forest have no natural predators. They have to be culled in order to keep numbers stable. That’s one of the many jobs of the New Forest Keepers. Around … Continue reading
Autumn New Forest Escapes
Book your autumn New Forest escapes. View the spectacular beauty of changing colours and nature at its finest in the National park. What’s the forest like? The New Forest is a lowland national park which means no large mountains. So expect to find beautiful scenery and wide trails through ancient woodland and heath. It’s a welcoming landscape with lots of villages, good visitor facilities and excellent rail and road links. The New Forest has been welcoming visitors since the early nineteenth century. Steeped in legends and history and yet timeless to visitors as you can walk in landscapes unchanged by modernity. Experience the heart of the New Forest by exploring the old hunting forest of the Norman kings. The New Forest is an all year round destination, which offers many different experiences to visitors throughout the year. What can I … Continue reading
Yellow Forest Eco Toiletries
We all love eco friendly products and at Yellow Forest we really love fresh, organic handmade eco toiletries. Here at Yellow Forest we have sourced one of the most inspiring companies in the industry. What’s even more special to us, and also very important, is that they are handmade locally here in the heart of the New Forest, in the village of Brockenhurst. Award winning New Forest Aromatics are a very special collaboration between truly talented aromatherapists to bring you Yellow Forest Eco Toiletries. ✓ Natural ✓ Local ✓ Ethical Our toiletries are beautiful, natural products for you and your home. Our products contain high quality ingredients from natural, organic or sustainable sources. As many ingredients as possible are sourced from within the New Forest boundary or Hampshire. Those that we cannot source locally, we obtain from natural, sustainable sources. … Continue reading
Recycling at Cottage Lodge
Here at Cottage Lodge we are on a mission! That mission is to be the first hotel in the New Forest to be 100% sustainable. This influences our green actions and hotel policies. From our choice of suppliers, to the type of cleaning products we use. One of our biggest considerations at Cottage Lodge is with our recycling. We have taken measures to be the very best we can be when we recycle. A green planet is a clean planet We are very fortunate that within the National Park, the New Forest District Council also have great policies on recycling. When you stay with us at the Cottage Lodge Hotel or dine at the White Tails restaurant we are eco conscious. We ensure that all rubbish that is created is segregated for recycling. This includes plastic bottles, paper, glass, cans … Continue reading
New Forest National Park, No.1 in Europe
Fantastic news alert!! The New Forest National Park has been ranked the No.1 top travel destination in Europe and the 10th best in world for outdoor enthusiasts in the Traveller’s choice awards for 2022. Recognising the New Forest National Park as a “best of the best “winner at Tripadvisor’s annual awards, which honours traveller’s favourite destinations worldwide based on the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings. The New Forest was described as “welcoming” and praised for its “scenic views, wide trails and ancient woodlands”. Add this praise to our own success as no.1 on Tripadvisor for the local area, and “best of the best” within the National park, and you have an award winning travel combination. So what does the New Forest offer? Welcome to the timeless New Forest, a place of tranquillity, natural beauty and free roaming animals. … Continue reading
Brockenhurst village New Forest
Brockenhurst meaning “badgers home” in Celtic. It is one of the largest villages in the New Forest. Brockenhurst village New Forest is centrally located in the National park and well connected on main travel routes whilst retaining an air of old world charm. Animals have right of way A popular destination all year round with walkers, cyclists and nature lovers who visit Brockenhurst village for its unique and quaint setting. Here in Brockenhurst wild horses, donkeys and cattle roam freely through the village on route to graze upon the open New Forest. It is a common occurrence that a traffic jam here is a donkey or pony strolling the high street or stopped for a rest in the middle of the road. Support local Community is very much at the heart of Brockenhurst. Our hotel ethos and we are well supplied … Continue reading
Winter walks New Forest National Park
Wrap yourselves up warm with layers and put on your boots or wellies, it’s time to explore the New Forest this winter. Embrace the crisp frosty mornings as you enjoy some beautiful winter walks. There’s stunning scenery to warm your soul, as you wander amongst free roaming ponies and deer grazing on the New Forest. Plan your walks to enjoy not only forest nature, but also the welcoming cafes, pubs and shops of the quaint New Forest towns. Perfect for a pit stop of great coffee, food or local beer, and even an opportunity to buy a lovely memento of your stay. Find your New Forest Walk Our favourite walk from Cottage Lodge is to WHITEFIELD MOOR, DURATION: 2 HOURS During the winter months, Whitefield Moor in Brockenhurst transforms into a magical winter wonderland. There are two routes to choose … Continue reading
Pannage Season (Pigs in The New Forest)
It’s that lovely time of year before Autumn hits. The “Common of Mast” begins, one of only six ancient commoners rights accorded from the time of William the Conqueror. This ancient practise is also known as Pannage. As the season begins, we see domestic pigs such as Tamworth and Gloucester Old Spot and their piglets, released onto the New Forest by their owners. What is pannage? Pannage is otherwise known as the ‘release of domestic pigs’ in the New Forest. Pannage is no longer carried out in many areas, but can still be observed every year, here in the New Forest. Following the summer at the beginning of the autumn after the acorns, beech mast, chestnuts and other nuts have fallen, the pigs are released and work their way through the forest hoovering them from the forest floor. This practise is believed … Continue reading
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