I love the New Forest. It is less than two hours from London and is like entering another world. My favourite part about it is the wild ponies.
Literally, ponies roam free throughout the area – including crossing the roads, holding up traffic etc. Like cows in India but strangely enough, it happens in England.
The New Forest is about walks, cycling paths and great food. So it is, of course, there are quite a few pubs with rooms in the New Forest.
I enjoyed a lovely stay at the Bell Inn New Forest. Uniquely, this pub accommodation New Forest is family-owned.
It has been owned by the same family for over 200 years. The Grade II listed building features flagstone floors and open fireplaces.
The Bell Inn New Forest: Getting There and Getting Around
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The Bell Inn is located very close to the motorway (although you wouldn’t know it) and traffic dependent you could get there from West London in under 2 hours.
The nearest train station is Ashurst. A minicab to the Inn will cost you 12 pounds.
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Top Tip: Ashurst is quite a small station so have the Bell Inn book a taxi to pick you up – and for the return journey. Once you’re in the New Forest it is not necessary to have a car to get around and see what is on offer.
There are many walking and cycling paths (more to come) and this is the most pleasurable way to explore the area.
Pubs with Rooms New Forest – The Bell Inn: The rooms
There are 28 bedrooms which range from classic-sized (some of which are dog-friendly) to the large Master Suite. I stayed in a classic room which was a good size.
The ensuite bathroom had a powerful shower and the right number of towels – always important.
The rooms are decorated in a simple yet stylish manner – very Farrow and Ball! The sheets are Egyptian cotton and the duvet nice and soft. There is a big flat screen tv, hairdryer, wifi etc.
⇒ Read more reviews of the Bell Inn ⇒ Book Now
New Forest Pubs The Bell Inn: The Food
The Bell Inn’s head chef Mark Young is all about local sourcing. So alas, some of the cute sheep pigs and cows you see whilst exploring the New Forest may well end up on your plate.
Mark focuses on what is in season. When I visited it was a good time for pork. I enjoyed a succulent pork belly with ham hock hash.
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The menu is a classic English pub with a heavy focus on the local and a few twists. One of Mark’s signature dishes is the delicious crab Brulee starter.
The menu also offers potted crab as a starter for those who have a bigger appetite.
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For dessert, I chose to have 2 mini versions of the desserts listed – the chocolate torte and lavender panna cotta. I do wish more places did this.
As they offer up to 3 minis of any desserts you like I felt like I hadn’t really had a full dessert but got to try 2 different sweet treats – perfect.
Breakfast brings, of course, the full English – vegetarian and not vegetarian. There are also English classics like kippers on offer as well as scrambled eggs and salmon.
A small buffet offers some delicious granola and Greek yoghurt – the granola is made in house – and fresh pastries.
The Bell Inn Bramshaw: Things to Do
The New Forest has a lot on offer. Let’s start with what is unique to The Bell Inn – Bramshaw golf course. The Inn actually owns 2 18 hole golf courses which are literally next door.
The Manor Course offers a more traditional high-end golf experience. For the more adventurous try the well-named Forest Course, built by a local resident.
The Bell Inn has its own brochure to help you explore the walking and cycling paths in the area. It also provides you with a breakdown of the New Forest safari and its Big 5 – Ponies, Donkeys, Sheep, Pigs and Cows.
The tracks range from heading to Minstead Village to the Bolderwood Arboretum to Deadman’s Hill. Bikes can be hired for 12 pounds per day and picnics can be organized from 9 pounds per person.
There are some fantastic UK City and Sightseeing passes which offer free entry to all must-see attractions & great deals.
If you are feeling less active there is a New Forest Open Top bus which runs from July through September.
⇒ Top Tip: For something different head to the Beaulieu Motor Museum. This stunning building is home to more than 250 well-known cars and a Sky Train.
The Bell Inn New Forest: The Service
As you would expect from a family-run Inn, the Bell Inn is a very friendly and relaxed place. All of the staff are smiling and helpful.
There is a nice relaxed air to the Inn. It does feel more like being in someone’s home – but not too much.
The Bell Inn New Forest: The Verdict
The Bell Inn is the perfect New Forest pub weekend away or longer. It has everything you want from a pub with rooms – particularly on the food front – with all the friendliness of a New Forest B&B. This is a great value luxury in an area where prices can skyrocket.
⇒ The Solent Spa Hampshire is also another lovely place to stay in the area.
Who Paid for What in this Post
The Bell Inn was kind enough to host my stay and meals at their lovely pub – but as always my opinions are my own. I covered my costs to get to the New Forest.
This post does contain affiliate links. This means if you click through on some of the links and make a purchase I will receive a small commission. I just wanted to make sure that you knew this.
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Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.
Karim
Monday 1st of June 2020
It seems to me like the Bell Inn is providing a high-quality experience to its guests. Egyptian cotton bed sheets are one of the finest and the most luxurious bed sheets you can sleep on. I would bet you slept well on those sheets.
Robert Duchamp
Wednesday 27th of March 2019
Stunning hotel! Very unique! Have you ever visited Sri Lanka? I found out this nature eco hotel call the glenrock. Check the link www.glenrock.lk You won't be disappointed.