New Forest
/50°49'51.3"N 1°34'50.8"W New Forest, England
The name New Forest is deceptive. It is in fact old. Given that it got its name around 1079 as the royal hunting ground for William the Conqueror and before that was known by the Saxon name 'Ytene', meaning land of the Jutes.
In 2005 New Forest become a national park protecting vast tracts of unspoilt woodland, heathland and river valleys.
Today deer, ponies and cattle continue to roam free in its ancient heaths and woodland and it is both rather English and rather lovely!
Dad, it may be his 65th birthday but you’re never too old to ride no hands!
highland cattle cow
Beaulieu promises a plethora of attractions, we started at the The National Motor museum with everyones favourite fine four fendered friend, Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Oh Chitty Chitty Bang Bang we love you!
Wilderness gardens, kitchen garden, victorian garden …. pretty Pear arches ….
Birds of prey demonstration on the lawn in front of Palace House, once the gatehouse of the medieval Beaulieu Abbey (we’ll get to that), has been the Montagu family home since 1538… the kitchen hasn’t changed since!
Then made our way to the Abbey, founded by King John in the 13th Century before being destroyed on the orders of King Henry VIII in 1538, walking through the preserved foundations of the Abbey Church provides an impression of the vast scale of what once stood here.
The Abbey was to be called, in Latin, `Bellus Locus Regis` (The King's Beautiful Place). The monks, who came from Normandy simplified and translated the name into French, and Bellus Locus became `Beau Lieu`.
My very down to earth folks are allergic to pomp and flare, so we picked The Pig in Brockenhurst for Dad’s celebratory dinner.
“We’ve got an obsessive commitment to home-grown and local produce: simple food done well” promised The Pig. We picked from their 25 mile menu and sure enough it was simple and delicious. From the home smoked salt to the lineup of Wellies at the door the vibe was relaxed and cheerful, I would very much like to escape here for a weekend!
Dad’s home on wheels was pleasantly parked up amongst the vines of Setley Ridge, Brockenhurst. We woke to beautiful blue skies and drank our morning cuppa basking in the dappled light of a new day.
There is a fantastic footpath hovering over the marshlands from Lymington marina, heading west to Hurst Castle, with views across to Isle of Wight along the way. Just be prepared to share the path with more four legged friends.
England put on her sunniest disposition today, rounding off the evening with a game of Pétanque, glass of wine and a home cooked meal in the vineyard. Not too shabby England, not too shabby at all.
C x
