The New Forest is a gorgeous holiday destination in the South of England. From the beautiful rolling hills to the friendly free-roaming ponies – it has literally everything to offer you a peaceful and gorgeous family holiday! When planning your trip to The New Forest you will obviously want to check out what local pubs to eat and drink at. That is why I have put together a list of the best pubs in the New Forest. This way you can choose the best New Forest Pub no matter what village you are visiting or what camping ground or hotel you stay at. Here are the best pubs in the New Forest!
Other articles to help you plan your trip to The New Forest
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Best Pubs in Lyndhurst New Forest
Lyndhurst is often considered to be the capital of The New Forest and is for many the very first New Forest village they drive through.
Other articles about Lyndhurst
Fox and Hounds Pub New Forest
Your search for the ideal pub comes to an end in Lyndhurst, where the Fox & Hounds, a historic former coaching inn, provides superb cask ales and delicious fresh food. You can choose to either sink into one of the lush sofas by the fire or choose to relax on the beautiful outdoor patio in this New Forest Pub.
This Lyndhurst Pub has a great history. The earliest records that could be found date back to the 16th century. The inn we see today, however, was erected later. It was in the 19th century that The Fox and Hounds pun in The New Forest was used as a coaching inn. It would house guests that would need a place to sleep as it was located on the road between Bournemouth and Southampton.
One of the nice little facts we still have about this gorgeous coaching Inn is that ”Silly Jack” would perform a little comical step on the pavement whenever passengers stopped at the inn. Another great little fact was that the coachman coming down the road would sound his horn when he would pass The Swann in and the Swan Green. These pubs are about a mile from the Fox and Hounds Pub in Lyndhurst. When hearing the horn, the stable boys at The Fox and Hounds new that they needed to start preparing the horses for a change or depending on the time of day, get rooms ready in the inn for the guests!
The Fox and Hounds pub in Lyndhurst stayed a coaching inn up until 1912. Now it serves amazing food prepared with local produce. This New Forest Pub is a local favourite, not only because their staff is incredibly friendly, but also because their food is absolutely amazing.
The meat they serve comes from the award-winning Owton’s Butchers in Southampton. All meat is prime cut and hand-chosen. The fish they serves comes from local fishermen and their eggs come from the famous Fluffett’s farm which can be found just down the road.
When looking at the décor of this Lyndhurst pub, we see that they have a lovely dining area centred around a unique rotisserie oven. You can also choose to sit outside on the terrace. The terrace is known to be very sunny and very popular with both tourists and locals during summers in The New Forest.
Beer lovers can rejoice at the fact that this New Forest pub has one of the most extensive beer selections in The New Forest. You can choose from no less than five cask ales on tap. They also stock a large selection of craft beer from microbreweries – both local and international!
I would highly recommend having a beer or a glass of wine at the Fox and Hounds pub in Lyndhurst. Especially if you like beer or you feel like a nice plat of pie and fries – this is the place for you. They also have a selection of Fox’s Fizzes soft drinks if you are driving!
The Oak Inn Pub Lyndhurst
Another great New Forest Pub in Lyndhurst is The Oak Inn. This historic British pub has gorgeous wooden floors and oak beams. In the winter you can huddle around a roaring log fire with a pint of beer or a hot chocolate after a long walk in The New Forest.
The Oak Inn Pub is a quiet pub as it is located just outside of Lyndhurst. This makes the pub the ideal little hideaway for ramblers, dog walkers and locals. Yes – indeed, The Oak Inn Pub in Lyndhurst is very dog friendly, and they are happy to provide your dog with a bowl of water while you sip from your pint.
This New Forest Pub combines amazing food and ales with a stunning historic setting. Although The Oak Inn is part of the Fuller’s Group, you will in fact be greeted with that small-town friendliness The New Forest is known for.
The food served at The Oak In Pub New Forest is a variety of local dishes and international cuisine. Most of the food is made with local ingredients from The New Forest an Hampshire. You can expect amazing traditional British Pub Food with honest ingredients.
It is important to note, however, that kids under the age of 10 will not be admitted to the pub after 6 PM. This means it might be best to look for an alternative dinner spot when travelling with kids.
New Forest Inn Pub
Another great Pub in the New Forest is the New Forest Inn Pub. This great pub is actually an authentic 18th century country pub. You will not only notice this New Forest Pub’s long history on the outside – a beautiful typically British pub house, but also at the beautiful décor and pictures inside.
The New Forest Inn Pub is known for its great service and country charm and atmosphere. When having a pint at this New Forest Pub you will see ponies, donkeys cows, and in autumn even pigs, make their way through the street right outside this Lyndhurst pub. This is the perfect place for walkers, dog walkers, cyclists and even horse riders!
You will be close to Southampton where you can head out into the city or have a picnic on one of the beaches.
Waterloo Arms Lyndhurst Pub
The Waterloo Arms in Lyndhurst is another traditional New Forest Pub you should not miss when visiting the national park. This traditional 17th century pub in the heart of Lyndhurst is beautifully restored and has been a favourite with locals and tourists alike.
Stepping into the Waterloo Arms pub in Lyndhurst feels like stepping back in time. You will find yourself in a low-beamed room with bar brick and wood panelling. When it comes to the furniture of this gorgeous New Forest Pub, you will find leather sofas and beautiful farm chairs.
In the back of the Waterloo Arms pub in Lyndhurst you will also find a fenced off and well-kept garden. This garden can be used as a beer garden of the Waterloo Arms pub in Lyndhurst. When visiting the New Forest Pub on Saturday and Sunday, you will be able to order food all day. The menu changes a lot and I would recommend having a look a the specials which can include exotic meats.
You will also be able to enjoy a nice pint of ale when visiting the Waterloo Arms Pub in Lyndhurst. The pub serves classic cask-conditioned ales and chilled lagers. You will also have access to a wide range of well-known and rare ciders as a great variety of wines and spirits. The menu at this New Forest pub is extensive and you can order home-cooked food made with local ingredients. Food includes classic pub dishes such as gammon and fries or a nice burger, but also seafood and nice cuts of meets. Do have a look at their selection of deserts as these are also home-made.
Dogs and well-behaved kids are more than welcome at the Waterloo Arms pub in the New Forest!
The Crown Stirrup
The Crown Stirrup is a beautiful, rural tavern in the outskirts of Lyndhurst. You will find this New Forest Pub right off the Lyndhurst Parish Circular walk. The earliest mention of the Crown Stirrup dates back to the 15th century.
This New Forest Pub has a large and beautiful garden which is used as a large beer garden. The pub is very dog friendly and the staff is always happy to provide your kids with pencils and your dog with some water.
In winter this family pub in The New Forest has a large wood fire going which adds to the amazing atmosphere in this historic pub. I just absolutely love the character of the Crown Stirrup due to its low ceiling and amazing décor.
You will probably be asking yourself where The Crown Stirrup got its name. Well, this New Forest pub is named after a mechanism that was used by villagers in The New Forest during the reign of King William Rufus. The mechanism was used to see if a dog was allowed to go with its master on a deer hunt. The dog was considered to be harmless if it could squeeze through The Crown Stirrup. This stirrup can still be found in the pub!
Brockenhurst Pubs
Brockenhurst is one of the most popular villages in The New Forest. It has a train station and a nice little high-street full of locally owned family boutiques and businesses. From Brockenhurst you have easy access to the open forest, and many tourists decide to stay in or near Brockenhurst because of its many great pubs and restaurants.
The Huntsman of Brockenhurst New Forest Pub
The Huntsman of Brockenhurst is a New Forest Pub known for its beautiful and modern décor and great food. This New Forest Pub also boasts a charming courtyard which comes with fire pits and pergolas where you can hide away and sip your beer or wine.
Talking about beer: The Huntsman also serves lots of local beers and ales such as the beer brewed in Ringwood. You will also be able to order from their cocktail menu and they offer premium drinks such as Firefly, Fevertree and Fentimans.
This New Forest Pub is known for its great food and many Brockenhurst locals head to the Huntsman at least once ever month for their amazing wood-fired pizzas or amazing pastas. You can also head to the Huntsman pub in Brockenhurst for their charcoal grilled, juicy steaks.
When looking at the other things on the menu we notice that they have a lot of great starters such as salad with pickled peppers and even marinated duck skewers. They serve a great mix between international fare and local dishes.
If you would head to The Huntsman pub in Brockenhurst for breakfast you can expect amazing croissants but also breakfasts such as a full English or smoked salmon with scrambled eggs.
Foresters Arms Pub Brockenhurst
Another great New Forest Pub to head to in Brockenhurst is the Foresters Arms. This gorgeous country pub was taken over by the Little Pub Group and has been remodelled to make it into a cosy little country pub, perfect for beer and a chat.
The Foresters Arms in Brockenhurst is dog friendly and even has a lovely little beer garden where you can head to when the sun is out. This New Forest Pub even has a wood burner in the garden for when the weather is not very great.
Dogs are more than welcome in the Foresters Arms Pub in Brockenhurst and staff is happy to provide your little friend with a bowl of water. The Foresters Arms Pub is a great example of how to preserve history but still make a New Forest Pub modern and comfortable.
This New Forest Pub in Brockenhurst serves great pub fare such as fish and chips or a burger. They also have a range of homemade pies on the menu and you can tuck into one of their great steaks.
The Snakecatcher Pub in Brockenhurst
The Snakecatcher Pub in Brockenhurst is located close to the Brockenhurst High Street. The Pub was named after Harry Mills. This eccentric Victorian Man had gathered 30.000 snakes in The New Forest that were then sold to zoos and – well, anyone who would like to buy them, really.
This amazing little pub is located close to the railway and is a great place to eat of have a pint when your train is delayed or just before you catch your train back home. Food and drink at the Snakecatcher are good value and you can expect amazing venison sausages, homemade burgers and even scampi and fish and chips.
The Snakecatcher is your run of the mill British pub serving amazing ales and great ciders, and it is probably one of the less-known places in this little village which means that it does not get overrun by tourists during bank holidays or in summer.
Escape Gin Bar Brockenhurst
The Escape Gin Bar is the first and only gin bar in The New Forest. Although it is not a pub, I did want to include it in this article about the best pubs in The New Forest.
Located in the Thatched Cottage hotel in Brockenhurst, this amazing gin bar serves gin from all over the United Kingdom, Ireland and even the world. Their menu promises amazing cocktails (gin based, of course) and you can even order a gin tasting flight where you can taste classic, local, fruity or unusual gins.
Their extensive gin menu is divided up depending on the type of gin – they have, for instance, juniper gin, but also citrus gin and floral gins.
Those who are not a massive fan of gin can also go for sparkling, white, or red wine, and beer, whiskey or soft drinks.
The Commoners Pub New Forest
The Commoners is a popular wine bar located on the high street of Brockenhurst. Apart from great wines, the Commoners also offers a selection of well-mixed cocktails and amazing and reasonably priced food.
The combination of great wine, good food and amazing cocktails of course means that the Commoners is often quite busy. It is best to try and book a table when you want to have lunch or dinner at this New Forest pub.
The Commoners in the New Forest is ran by a local New Forest family. The name Commoners was chose to reflect the way of life in The New Forest as the Commoners are the people who occupy land in the new forest and whose cattle have grazing rights on the meadows, hills, and moors of The New Forest.
Commoners Pub New Forest is definitely worth a visit – even if it is just for a glass of wine. Dogs are more than welcome here!
Best pubs in Beaulieu New Forest
There are not many pubs in Beulieu – in fact, the closest you will get to a pub in the centre of the village is Monty’s Inn. Beaulieu is a lovely sleepy New Forest village and one of the most beautiful in the region. This historic village is owned by the Baron as are most houses and dwellings. It is definitely worth a visit! Here are the best pubs in Beaulieu.
The Royal Oak pub New Forest
The Royal Oak Pub in Beaulieu dates back to 1848. Now it is a small pub and tearoom that attracts many cyclists, walkers and dog owners.
The Royal Oak Pub in Beaulieu is set on the outskirts of Beaulieu and is a great place to have a little rest, drink a beer or have dinner. The bar of The Royal Oak in the New Forest is completely renovated without doing away with the original charm and elegance of this historic building.
The pub has some comfortable seating which makes the room very cosy and snug. The owners of The Royal Oak Pub, Debby and Duane Lewis, fell in love with the pub but understood that work had to be done in order to attract more tourists and to conquer the hearts of the locals yet again.
And they did an amazing job! This New Forest Pub offers amazing food, great tea, and amazing drinks. Everyone is very welcome at The Royal Oak Pub. They even have four horse corrals in the Yard so you could even head to the pub on horseback!
Monty's Inn pub Beaulieu
Another great place to have a beer and eat some amazing food is the Monty’s Inn Pub in Beaulieu. This New Forest Pub is well known for its British food such as homemade Scotch eggs, game pies and even their famous British Cheese ploughman sandwiches.
When heading to the Monty’s Inn you can expect high-quality food, drinks, and even service. They source their own products and even cultivate fruits and vegetables in the kitchen garden. The Monty’s Inn pub in the New Forest works together with local vendors. Their pork, for instance, comes from Pondhead Farm in Lyndhurst, the ales come from Ringwood, the gin from Lymington and the beef from Alderstone Farm in Romsey.
The Monty’s Inn is the only pub in Beaulieu that is centrally located. This means you won’t have much choice when it comes to pubs or restaurants when walking through this gorgeous little village. You can also head to Bucklers Hard for a pint, but that is already quite far away.
You can also head to this New Forest Pub for Sunday Lunch and they have a comprehensive children’s menu.
Best pubs in Burley
Burley is a sleepy little village in the heart of the New Forest. This gorgeous little village is known for its history of witchcraft and the many little shops selling sweets, local delicacies and little keepsakes. You can easily bike to Burley, and it is a great village to have a pint at or go for lunch or dinner. To help you choose where to drink that pint, here are the best pubs in Burley.
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Queen's Head Pub New Forest
The Queen’s Head is a beautiful historic pub located in the centre of Burley. This New Forest Pub is the perfect little pit stop after a day of trekking or walking.
This rustic red-brick pub was first mentioned in records in 1645. It was a favourite little hangout for smugglers and other New Forest Criminals because it has so many alcoves, nooks and crannies. This makes the pub incredibly cosy and a great place to have a drink at during your stay in The New Forest.
The Queen’s Head Pub in Burley is dog-friendly. In summer, dogs are allowed in the bar, the restaurant and the beer garden.
I particularly love the beer garden because there are many little nooks and crannies you and your friends can hide away. It is the perfect place to calm down and to enjoy a beer in the middle of a historic village! If you are lucky you can even see the deer roaming around in the fields from the beer garden!
The Burley Inn Pub in the New Forest
The Burley Inn is a pub located in the dead centre of the village. It is large Victorian inn with 11 bedrooms and a large pub. They are known to do a great fried breakfast and have an extensive, quintessentially British menu with loads of great pies and other pub fare.
The Burley inn can get quite busy – especially during the summer when Burley is one of the top-destinations in The New Forest. That is why I would recommend booking a table in this New Forest Pub. Although you can get a cold beer in the Burley Inn, I would say it is more a restaurant than a pub.
The Burley inn is a quintessential Burley Pub and well-known and loved by locals. I would also recommend having a look at staying overnight in the Burley Inn if you are still looking for a place to stay in The New Forest.
The White Buck Pub in Burley
The White Buck pub in Burley is a well-known pub located on the New Forest. It is a 15-minute walk from the centre of the village, nestled between century old trees. The White Buck was named after a white buck that roams around Burley – so if you are lucky you might even be able to see it during your stay!
The White Buck Pub New Forest is beautifully decorated with amazing period features. I particularly love the wood panelling, the oak floorboards and the high beamed ceilings. They invested in beautiful Turkish rugs and chesterfield sofas to give the pub and the connected rooms in the hotel that up-scale Southern English country feel.
The white Buck is a dog-friendly pub in The New Forest, and the friendly staff is very happy to provide your dog with a bowl of water and even some cookies! Kids are also more than welcome to join you as The White Buck Pub in Burley has a large yard and a secret adventure playground. They also have a large chessboard outside – you just have to ask for the chess pieces.
In the summer, The White Buck has an outdoor pizza oven making amazing pizzas. Many locals also head to this New Forest Pub for its Sunday roasts and absolutely amazing gin and tonics. Also have a look at their potted duck and venison carpaccio.
Beer lovers will feel at home in this Burley pub as The White Buck offers staples such as Fuller’s Honey Dew Organic Golden Ale. This New Forest Pub also has an extensive gin and tonic menu with no less than 25 options!
The Wathen Bartlett Pub In the New Forest
The Wathen Bartlett is a typical British Pub and working man’s club and can be seen as the local pub in Burley. The pub originally dates back from 1897 and alcohol was served in the pub since 1904.
This local pub in Burley can be found just outside the centre of the village, meaning it is very much a local pub with very little tourists. If other pubs in Burley are full, the Wathen Bartlett is a great guess as they will surely have some space!
The Wathen Bartlett is a working man’s club and members can pay a joining fee to get discounts on drinks and food. The license of the club, however, means that non-members are also allowed to come in. Everyone is welcome – even the dog!
The pub is known for its amazing selection of ales and bitters. They even have their own Wathen Bartlett Best bitter! This New Forest Pub also stocks ciders, lagers, wines, spirits and soft drinks.
In this Burley pub you will find two full-sized snooker tables and a pool table. There is also a dart board, free Wi-Fi and an internet connected jukebox!
Best pubs in Sway New Forest
Sway is a small little village in The New Forest, probably best known for the Sway Tower. This folly – also known as Peterson’s Folly, is still the tallest non-reinforced concrete structure in the world. The village of sway is quite cute and there are lots of lovely walking and hiking paths in the area. After a long walk you will of course want to find a pub to drink a hot chocolate or a cold pint. These are the best New Forest Pubs in Sway.
Hare and Hounds Pub in the New Forest
The Hare and Hounds pub in Sway is a typical New Forest Pub offering visitors a great pint of beer and even better food.
The pub itself is a 200 year old coaching inn set in a quaint, white little pub house. It is located close to the centre of Sway and even has a dog-friendly beer garden for those who would like to enjoy their food or drink outside.
In winters you can huddle together around the wood burner and enjoy their home made fish and chips or the gammon with fries and peas!
The Silver Hind Pub in Sway
The Silver Hind is a local pub and restaurant in the centre of Sway. This New Forest Pub is ran by Andy and Carol Cottingham. They are very dedicated to using locally produced meats, vegetables and even ales in their food and on their menu.
The Silver Hind is currently located in a house that was built in 1909 as the residence of the village’s district nurse. The Pub was expanded by the previous owners and now Andy and Carol have refurbished The Silver Hind to be a beautiful New Forest Pub in Sway.
The Plough Inn Pub Sway
The plough Inn in Sway is a wonderful, traditional English Pub in The New Forest. It is a great place to head to after a walk of just for dinner as it offers great lagers and homecooked meals. Located in a charming 16-th century building in Tiptoe, this New Forest pub has lots of character.
Inside you will find a full bar and restaurant with a sports room. In the sports room there are a pool table and a dart board. Outside of this New Forest Pub in Sway there is also a Children’s play area and a large beer garden.
The pub was refurbished in the 2014 by the new owners, basically giving this New Forest Pub a new lease on life. Families and dogs are very welcome, and the public house now has a large parking lot, accessible toilets, new restrooms and even baby changing facilities!
When looking at the menu of this New Forest Pub, we see cooked bacon, fish and chips, and lamb among others. You can also order a delicious pudding, one of their delicious cheesecakes or ice creams.
On the drinks menu of The Plough Inn Pub in Sway you will also be able to find ale, beer and cider as well as wine, soft drinks and hot drinks. There is both outdoor seating and indoor seating and I absolutely love how cosy this pub is!
Best pubs in Lymington New Forest
Those who are looking to combine the beauty of The New Forest with the beach can head to Lymington. This gorgeous little village with its cobbled streets houses many pubs. To help you choose the best Lymington Pub, here are the best New Forest Pubs in Lymington.
The Ship Inn Pub in Lymington
The Ship Inn in Lymington is a beautiful pub by the Lymington harbour. From here you have a gorgeous view over the yachts and the water. It is a very popular destination for both tourists and locals. In winter The Ship Inn is popular because of its log fire and cosy seating areas, where in summer you can book a table on the patio from where you have an amazing view over the Lymington harbour.
I especially like The Ship Inn during winter and Autumn because they have a wood fire going and it has a lovely and very pleasant atmosphere. Dogs are more than welcome and from The Ship Inn you will also have a lovely view over the harbour. Their food is great and they have a nice selection of ciders.
The Mayflower Pub New Forest
The Mayflower is a beautiful gastro pub in Lymington, completely in a nautical theme. The walls of this Lymington Pub are decorated in beautiful blue and green tones and there are loads of pictures and drawings from sailing boats. You will even be able to see old sailing charts and nautical artefacts.
The bar and the restaurant both are decked out with gorgeous parquet floors. The owners invested in comfortable sofas and even a wood-burning fireplace to huddle around in winter. Staff in this New Forest pub is considered to be very welcoming and friendly, and you can even have a look at the large guestbook where you will find nothing but compliments and thank yous from guests all over the country.
In summer, The Mayflower pub in Lymington also has an outdoor bar and outdoor bbq – they even have a children’s play area.
The motto of this New Forest pub is ”seasonal and local” and the menu really is shaped towards this. They serve amazing seasonal dishes which means you can expect game in autumn and lamb in spring. Their meat and vegetables are bought from hand-picked local vendors and farms.
This New Forest Pub even buys local ales and beers from the Ringwood brewery, and has a great selection of wines and real ales.
The Kings head pub in Lymington
The Kings Head is a New Forest Pub in Lymington located on the top of the famous Quay Hill. Quay Hill is a sett-paved pedestrian area with many grade II listed shops and buildings. The beautiful interior of The Kings Head is one of the reasons why I would highly recommend visiting this beautiful Pub in Lymington.
Inside The King’s head you will find a rustic interior. The owners have tankards dangling from the beam and the gorgeous open fire adds to the cosy interior of this pub. On the weekend the pub serves food all day while during the week you can head over for dinner.
The King’s Head is one of the oldest pubs in Lymington at more than 300 year old. The building itself is absolutely gorgeous and you can see the Lymington river flowing by from the windows.
The Angel and the Blue Pig pub Lymington
The Angel and the Blue Pig Pub Lymington is a gastropub that can be found right in the centre of Lymington. This beautiful pub is a great place to stay or a perfect place to get a pint and some food when exploring Lymington.
The building that this gorgeous New Forest Pub is located in, dates back from the 13th century. The owners were able to keep all the character and charm associated with historic taverns. This means you can expect thick wooden beams and a huge bar. The dining area has lots of amazing nooks and crannies where you can hide away with your pint or food!
Speaking of food, this Lymington Pub is known for it amazing food and menu. You can order local veggies and fish or a well-prepared steak. The meat you order at The Angel and the Blue Pig Pub in Lymington is cooked in a charcoal oven. This means the meat is very juicy and incredibly smoky.
The Sail Inn Pub New Forest
The Sail Inn is a great pub in Lymington that has undergone a comprehensive renovation. The Sail Inn is decorated with a maritime theme where you will see lots of surfing and sailing pictures against the walls.
This pub in Lymington has an indoor seating area and an outdoor area. The outdoor area has lots of space with new tables and chairs as well as fairy lights to keep the area cosy.
When looking at the menu of this New Forest Pub we see that it is mostly classic British pub food with specials for seniors and kids.
The Sail Inn offers cask ales and premium lagers and this Lymington Pub is also known for its gin bar and great cocktail menu. When heading to this pub in the New Forest you can also choose from a large selection of wines.
Lieze Neven is a globetrotting travel writer and expat currently based in Nepal. With a passion for exploration, she has lived in Dubai, the UK, and Belgium, alongside her international teacher husband. Her parents live in France and she tries to visit Paris at least once a year. Together, they travel the world looking for the best hotels, experiences and food locations have to offer!