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Twelve top quality New Forest hotels, guesthouses and self catering cottages are offering environmentally-aware visitors a special incentive - if they leave their cars at home.

Visitors can get up to half price room rates, two for the price of one dinners, a spa massage, free transport to and from railway stations and other benefits if they travel by public transport to the forest.

Each hotel is offering different benefits and incentives during the promotion, but all those taking part are keen to urge visitors to leave the car at home.

Chair of the New Forest Tourism Association hotels group and owner of the Cottage Hotel (B&B), Christina Simons said, “As a group of individual accommodation providers we are committed to examining ways of reducing our carbon emissions".

“Car-free tourism hasn’t just been plucked out of the air – it’s part of a strategy spearheaded by key people within the forest to minimise our carbon footprint.”

One of those spearheading this initiative is Anthony Climpson, New Forest District Council’s tourism destination manager.

“We have been working in partnership with New Forest Tourism Association for nearly 20 years to develop tourism which reduces its negative footprint on the New Forest and the planet’s environment,” he said.

“Many of the properties taking part in the car-free initiative have signed up to the New Forest Green Leaf tourism scheme, which includes a wide range of initiatives to help tourism businesses reduce negative impacts in all aspects of operation.”

James Hiley-Jones, general manager of Carey’s Manor Hotel, said: “Where possible we are inviting guests to take the big step and leave their cars at home.

“We will invite those guests who arrive by car to leave their vehicle in the car park and discover the joy of exploring the forest on foot or by bike.”

A carbon footprint is a measure of human activities which cause Carbon Dioxide emissions. A calculation relating to leisure activities is devised according to an individual’s lifestyle, in addition to their burning of fossil fuels. More information on this can be found at www.carbonfootprint.com.

 

The hotels offering car-free incentives are:

Careys Manor	Rhinefield House
Chewton Glen	New Forest Hotels
Montagu Arms	Balmer Lawn
Ormonde House	Knightwood Lodge
Rufus House	Cottage Lodge
Valley View	The Log Cabin
The White Cottage

For more information on individual incentives contact the relevant hotel/guesthouse by clicking on their name above.

 

South West Trains and Virgin Cross Country services offer direct rail connections into the heart of the New Forest from London, the midlands and the north of England. Trains stop at Ashurst (for Ormonde House), Brockenhurst (for Carey’s Manor, Balmer Lawn and Cottage Hotel), Sway and New Milton (for Chewton Glen).

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Click here for Green Leaf Tourism Scheme information