The Best Family Hotels in the New Forest

With its great expanses of heathery hillocks and woods that get gradually denser, its wild ponies, wandering cows and funny pheasants, the New Forest is a wonderful countryside escape for your family. The Beaulieu River is a great spot for a sailing lessons, there are hidden beaches just outside the forest and you’re a short ferry ride from the Isle of Wight. But natural surrounds aren’t the only strings to the New Forest’s bow, some of the others are pretty Beaulieu, with the National Motor Museum — the perfect family day out — Buckler’s Hard is where several of Admiral Nelson’s ships were built, and there are some great riding schools in the forest for a pony trek. Beyond that there are all the family-friendly facilities on offer in the hotels we’re recommending as the best family hotels in the New Forest. Among our top picks there are pools, tennis courts, croquet lawns, kid’s cooking classes, bike hire, kids clubs and games rooms. Plenty to keep all ages happy!

For a New Forest Family Escape

• Right on the Beaulieu River at Buckler’s Hard, is the Master Builder’s, a pub, hotel and where many of the great ships of the British navy were built. Some of the original shipbuilder’s cottages are now a museum, some are homes and some part of the hotel. Downstairs in the main building is the pub and restaurant, which has won several awards, and upstairs are the traditional rooms, with their country house hotel-style decor and varied sizes and shapes, then there’s a newer wing with more contemporary rooms. There’s lots of space here, and during the summer they have regular BBQs outside, which are a hit with the local sailing community.

Country House Hotels fit for your Family

• Once the New Forest hunting lodge of Charles II, New Park Manor today is a family friendly, 21 room hotel with great facilities for all the family and a traditional English restaurant. Your kids will appreciate the indoor and outdoor pool options, plus the croquet lawns, tennis courts, cinema and kid’s games room. And the adults in your party might appreciate the spa with its adults-only terrace, steam room, sauna, hot tub and extensive treatment menu.

New Forest Hotels with Family Apartments

• We’ve said apartments, but in the case of Chewton Glen we actually mean luxury tree-houses, which have multiple bedrooms and panoramic views. The main house, a gorgeous country house hotel, is one of the country’s finest, and has great facilities and very fine food. And there’s plenty of family-size accommodation there too — they’re happy to add extra beds or cots to certain rooms and suites. Chewton Glen also has a complimentary kid’s club - The Beehive, which runs every weekend and all week during the school holidays, plus an outdoor playground, cooking classes for kids, and tennis, croquet and golf, plus an outdoor pool and, of course, 130 acres of estate grounds.

For great value

• The Crown Manor House Hotel is a luxurious Lyndhurst hotel with 50 spacious rooms and suites in a wonderfully historic building. There are beautiful original features inside as well, with a good mix of elegant wood furnishings and richly textured fabrics in an autumnal palette. There’s a great restaurant a cosy lounge, and a charming terrace. For families they have a choice of rooms, from those with a sofa bed for the kids and a king for Mum and Dad, to suites which have additional bedrooms.

Still not sure which to book?

• Browse through our list of all our hotel recommendations in the New Forest.
• Or you could refine your search to just the best places to stay in Lymington, or the best places to stay in Brockenhurst, or the best places to stay in Beaulieu.
• Or you could consult our Guru’s recommendations for 5 of the Best Luxury Hotels in the New Forest, or 6 of the best Spa Hotels in the New Forest.
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.