Now this is becoming increasingly challenging to move forward creating a stimulating blog! We are now about 3 weeks 'downstream' from the actual day we are describing........so remembering the details is somewhat challenging. We had a great time at Lympstone and now we are off to spend our last day traveling to the New Forest and our hotel destination - the Montagu Arms in the village of Beaulieu.
The day started with a wonderful breakfast in the main dining room at Lympstone. As last night's diner was at the Pool House pavilion, it was nice to have a chance to experience the main dining room. We had a great table at a window and the food was wonderful, part buffet and part ordered from the menu.
We headed out around 10:00.......difficult to leave Lympstone. The drive was only a couple hours and, for the most part, we were now back onto larger roads and highways. We made it to Beaulieu around noontime, just in time for lunch at the Montagu Arms. The fun story here is what we found upon entering the New Forest. We really didn't know much about this national park, but it turned out to be a fun experience.
The New Forest is one of the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heathland and forest in Southern England, covering southwest Hampshire and southeast Wiltshire. It was proclaimed a royal forest by William the Conqueror, featuring in the Domesday Book.
It is the home of the New Forest Commoners, whose ancient rights of common pasture are still recognized and exercised, enforced by official verderers and agisters. In the 18th century, the New Forest became a source of timber for the Royal Navy. It remains a habitat for many rare birds and mammals.
Welcome to the New Forest, where age-old tradition meets modern day innovation. Where folklore breathes life into ancient woodland and the earth beneath your feet reminds you that you're part of something much bigger. Here, stories aren't just told, they're lived, shaped by generations who've walked these paths before us and continue to care for the land today.
Escape to a world a million miles from your everyday life where ponies, cattle, donkeys and deer roam free... and all just 90 minutes by train from London. Experience the peace and fall in love with the forest's idyllic glades, ancient woodland, open moors, heathland and cliff top walks.
The New Forest National Park has been a cherished destination for generations - a place where time slows, nature thrives, and every visit brings something new to discover. With its ancient woodland, open heathland, and free-roaming ponies, this is a landscape shaped by people and place, past and present. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to a favorite spot, the New Forest is ready to welcome you.
The most amazing thing for us was the ponies and horses running free. We had no idea that this was a feature of the forest.......and it was quite a surprise for us, as we almost ran into one within 5 minutes of entering the forest! What a great ride this was!
Beaulieu is a village located on the southeastern edge of the New Forest in Hampshire, England. It is home to both Palace House and the National Motor Museum. In 2020, it was named the fifth most beautiful village in the UK and Ireland by Condé Nast Traveler. Situated at the head of the Beaulieu River, the village dates back to the 13th century when the village grew up around the abbey, founded in 1204 by Cistercian monks on land given to them by King John, who had a royal hunting lodge at Beaulieu.
Following Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530s, Beaulieu passed into ownership of present Lord Montagu's ancestors and has remained with the family ever since. The present Lord Montagu of Beaulieu founded Britain's National Motor Museum, which houses more than 250 vehicles and includes legendary motor vehicles from all over the world, including the record-braking Bluebird.
In the sleepy New Forest village of Beaulieu, the Montagu Arms Hotel is the hub of the area, with a 3 AA-rosette fine dining restaurant the Terrace, and a 1 AA-rosette brasserie in the cheery country pub Monty's Inn. The wisteria-clad 19th-century building is Grade II-listed and full of historic charm with roaring open fires, exposed brickwork and wooden beams. With just 33 rooms and suites the service is personal and friendly and you can choose between a four-poster bed and wood paneling in the main house or a stylish contemporary two-story barn conversion suite in the grounds. Enjoy croquet on the lawn in summer and board games by the fire in winter and plenty of walks in the forest directly from the hotel.
We checked into the Montagu Arms around 1:00.......and were escorted to a wonderful room in one of the renovated outbuildings. It was the largest room of our trip and was situated in some remarkable gardens with a nice terrace. The timing was great to have a very nice lunch in the patio off the main dining room......relaxing in a wonderful setting.
After lunch we wandered a bit through the gardens and ended up back in our room for a peaceful afternoon (and the obligatory travel 'nap'!) In mid-afternoon we were up for a walk through the village. It was a quite an enchanting place with historic buildings and interesting shops......very low key, but absolutely charming.
DINNER AT MONTY'S INN
We had a great meal at Monty's Inn, which is the pub restaurant associated with the hotel. It was right on the grounds, a bit closer to the main village street. The food was great.....only interrupted now and then by the couple at the table nearest to us with a very little baby. She was pretty well-behaved, other than a loud screeching call to her parents every 4-5 minutes......amazing lungs! Otherwise, top notch, and nothing a few drinks could not cure!
We both had amazing fish entrees!
GOOD NIGHT!
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