12 of the Best Family Hotels in the New Forest

Located in Southern England in the Hampshire county, the New Forest is known for having 350 square miles of stretches of lush green landscape, untouched feral natural parks, dense woods, and wild animals strolling around. In fact, you are highly likely to encounter a very kind little wild pony or a wandering cow while exploring nature at the walking and cycling trails. In short, it is a nature lover’s paradise! 

The New Forest is increasingly becoming popular for being a family-friendly tourist spot. It has become a haven for active families, especially those that enjoy partaking in scenic walks and hikes, cycling tours, and spending time at nature reserves and around animals and wildlife. 

If you are planning your next family trip to the New Forest, you need to go through 12 of the best family hotels in the New Forest to ensure that you find the best estate to house your family in comfort. Thankfully, most of these hotels offer picturesque views of the ancient woodland, making them a magical country escape. Let’s dive in!

Forest Park Hotel

Location: Rhinefield Rd, Brockenhurst. 

Located in the heart of the New Forest National Park in the Brockenhurst Village, the Forest Park Hotel is one of the most beautiful family hotels in the New Forest to book your stay with. The hotel’s Tudor renaissance exterior pulls you back in time to when it was built originally in the late 19th century. However, the blend of modern and contemporary interior compliments the building and gives the perfect feel of the national park for locals and tourists alike. 

Owing to the fact that the New Forest is a haven for walkers, cyclists, and explorers, staying at this hotel with your family is the best decision you will make as it does not attract a heavy crowd of solo travelers that may impact your stay in any way. Moreover, since the hotel is in the heart of the forest, you will likely catch a good glimpse of deers, wild ponies, and cattle – something your kids will cherish for a long time. 

New Park Manor

Location: Lyndhurst Rd, Brockenhurst. 

New Park Manor offers endless family-friendly facilities, making it one of the quickest booked family hotels in all of New Forest. If you are looking to spend a lot of quality time with your family, we highly recommend taking a dip at the family-friendly pool while enjoying the lush views of the forest. 

The hotel also offers creche and child gaming rooms so that parents can safely leave their beloved children in the hands of professional caretakers while they indulge in relaxing spa breaks, such as sauna and steam room, spa massages, and hot tub treatments, or if they want to take a break at the adult-only terrace. 

Chewton Glen Hotel

Location: Christchurch Rd, New Milton. 

A luxury 5-star hotel in the New Forest with endless facilities and an award-winning restaurant? Sounds like every family vacation’s dream estate! Expanding over 130 acres of beautiful green land ready to be explored, Chewton Glen Hotel is everything you and your family are looking for.

The house hotel has gorgeous treehouses suspended above the ground, giving you a pretty good look at the quaint area. Apart from heated pools, jacuzzis, and spas, there are ample outdoor play areas that serve the children best, including a small bug hotel to excite your children’s adventurous side. In fact, the hotel is merely a mile away from Peppa Pig World, in case you have younger kids looking to explore outside of nature. 

If you want to upgrade your family vacation and make it a memorable experience with complete privacy, you can always book the entire estate for a good discount.

Careys Manor Hotel and Spa

Location: Lyndhurst Rd, Brockenhurst.

Every once in a while, we deserve a vacation that offers spectacular views, comfort, and pampering. If you feel the same way, it is time to head out with your family to Careys Manor Hotel and Spa for some unwinding at the ever-gorgeous New Forest. From the minute you walk in with your family, the incredibly-friendly and experienced staff will ensure you feel welcomed. 

At the hotel, it is all about relaxing with a lush backdrop, low-level lighting, a hydrotherapy pool, and a good ol’ Thai massage at the spa facility. 

While you loosen up at the spa, your children can enjoy the many flavors of France at Blaireau, a French-themed restaurant within the estate that offer tens of mouthwatering dishes in a safe and family-friendly environment. If you can’t find them there, be sure to look at the Thai Zen Garden, as most children love the spot! 

The Montagu Arms

Location: Palace Lane, Brockenhurst

The Montagu Arms is a chic and refined country hotel. The overall décor is full of pretty prints of botanical wallpapers and soft furnishing mixed with wildlife art, resulting in a charming aura inside and outside the hotel. When you are tired of admiring the hotel’s exterior and interior, make your way to the sister hotel, Careys Manor’s spa, which has free access.

The best part about booking a room here is that everything else is in close proximity, making it very convenient to sightsee with family, especially if you have young children. The Beaulieu Palace House is a must-visit, followed by the National Motor Museum.

Bartley Lodge

Location: Lyndhurst Rd, Brockenhurst.

For spending the summer holidays at the New Forest, we recommend looking into the Bartley Lodge. The terrace overlooking acres of well-kept and maintained lush, green, and flowery gardens is a view like no other. That also means that there is plenty of space for your family to walk around, explore, and even indulge in family-friendly sports activities. 

Much like the outdoor landscape, the hotel’s interior décor is mainly inspired by the New Forest itself, with nature-borne prints and trees surrounding your every move. Moreover, there is a restaurant inside the hotel, which serves mouth-wateringly delicious food and assorted dishes – something you and your family obviously cannot leave the estate without trying.

Shorefield Country Park

Location: Shorefield Rd, Milford on Sea. 

Just 3 miles from the New Forest sits Shorefield Country Park, 100 acres of undeniable beauty embedded with family-friendly activities and excellent hospitality. Plus, the hotel is built at a very convenient spot as it is close to many of the New Forest’s famous sightseeing activities. It is 30 minutes away from Bournemouth and Poole and is fairly close to the jumping-off point on the Isle of Wight.  

At the Shorefield Country Park, there is something for everyone to do! If you are looking to spend most of the time with your family having a meaty kickoff, you have the Bar and Grill at the hotel. If you prefer to relax at the indoor pool right next to the spa, spend some time at the spa and sauna facilities. 

Besides, there is an entire area designated for children so they can play and enjoy while parents relax during their holiday. And if you are thinking of taking a dip at night with the kids, there is a family-friendly outdoor heated swimming pool to make your way to. 

Balmer Lawn Hotel and Spa

Location: Lyndhurst Rd, Brockenhurst.

One can never go wrong with combining a family-friendly holiday with a pampering spa break, especially if the fun and safety of your children are guaranteed. Luckily, the Balmer Lawn Hotel and Spa makes it all happen all too quickly. 

There are many safe activities for children to stay busy as the adults have their fun, such as exploring the 500 acres of grounds, splashing a good time at the heated outdoor family-friendly pool, and making friends with other guests at the children’s park. 

One of the best activities to partake in with your family is near the banks of River Lymington, which is a few minutes away from the hotel. Spend the day paddling at the river as you keep an eye out for the wild ponies while enjoying a lovely meal. 

Spot in the Woods

Location: 174 Woodlands Rd, Woodlands.

Being one of the best family hotels in the New Forest, Spot in the Woods has the historical feel with its Edwardian facade, glamor with its smacking interior, and style in the middle of beautiful countryside with lush gardens. It is a country house boutique with a laidback charm that is absolutely perfect for those looking to stop by with young children. 

The hotel offers a quiet spot paired with delicious, home-sourced food. The hotel is famous for serving homemade cakes, breakfast meals, and hearty pizzas. However, be wary that there is no 24/7 food service at the hotel, unlike others nearby. Instead, there are specific timing between which you can order from the kitchen. While this may be inconvenient for some, it surely gives the feel of home away from home for many with families. 

Oakdene Forest Park

Location: St. Leonards

An incredible choice for those looking to stay in the heart of all activities, the Oakdene Forest Park is close to all the fun you can have with your family at the New Forest. Additionally, it has quite a lot of activities for adults and children to indulge in together on the estate, including entertainment at the Oak Show, Go Juniors Kids Club, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. 

Do you have small kids that are super hard to please during vacations? No problem! The Oakdene Forest Park is a mere 30-minute drive from Peppa Pig World and the Paultons Park Theme Park. 

Macdonald Elmers Court Resort

Location: S Baddesley Rd, Lymington

Macdonald Elmers Court Resort is built on 23 acres of a country estate in the heart of the market town of Lymington, which is the perfect place to stay for your family when exploring the New Forest. The smart, contemporary interiors blended with exquisite dining and excellent customer service make this one of the best family hotels in the New Forest. 

There are two heated swimming pools at the estate, with one surrounded by a lush green landscape, exquisite flowers, and sunbeds. It is the perfect place to hang out while keeping an eye on your children, laughing away at the children’s play area. Many famous art galleries and boutique stores are just a quick stroll away. The location is so ideal that you can partake in all walking, riding, and cycling trails of the national park. 

Sandy Balls Holiday Village

Location: Fordingbridge

Mainly surrounded by the lush green forest, wild ponies, and woodland walks, Sandy Balls Holiday Village is a picture-perfect family-friendly hotel. It has many activities for adults and children to partake in together, including adventure playgrounds, soft play, bushcraft schools, and alpaca walks. 

However, if you think this is all, you are simply wrong! Leave your children at the hands of professional caretakers at the children’s play area and enjoy exploring all the boutique stores, evening entertainment shows, and tasty fusion restaurants. If anything, this is probably one of the best and safest hotels for children. 

The Key Takeaway 

And that’s about it! We have wrapped up on 12 of the best family hotels in the New Forest. While most of these hotels are quite different from one another, especially in terms of exterior, interiors, and activities, they all guarantee the same thing – offering lots to do, which means you and your family are never going to be bored! 

With plenty of activities for families to indulge in, from walking around on beautiful lawns to snuggling up on a beanbag in spacious lounges and relaxing at the spa or by the pool, there is something for everyone to do at the New Forest, no matter the age! 

So, what are you waiting for? Take some time out for yourself and plan your next vacation to the very family-friendly New Forest. Settle down in a hotel that is right for you and settle in with your family to make some unforgettable memories.