If you ask most visitors, they will probably say yes. Long sunny days, picnics in the woods or by the beach, walks alongside free-roaming ponies, and long lunches in beautiful beer gardens all make June, July and August an easy choice.
But does that make it the best season of the year?
Ask locals, like the team at New Forest Cottages, who live and work in the forest, and you’ll probably get a different answer. Because they know that once the school holidays have drawn to a close, the forest, whilst still bathed in sunshine and warm days, takes on a calmer feel. The roads are quieter, the beaches more spacious, the leaves, berries and fungi emerge and change colour almost week by week, and before you know it, crackling log fires, festive markets, and the glimmer of Christmas lights appear in the forest’s chocolate-box villages.
The forest never shuts down, but it certainly changes character, often in the autumn months; it’s visually quite dramatic, and those in the know have long realised a weekend or a week or two away between late summer and Christmas is their favourite time to visit this beautiful National Park.
It’s funny that September often feels like a well-kept secret, being a warm and sunny month to enjoy alfresco lunches and dips in the sea. It’s a great time of year to explore the forest’s towns and villages as well as attractions, and with less traffic surrounding the forest, it’s easy to explore the wider region for day trips.
Lymington is a lovely maritime town. Its Georgian High Street is lined with independent shops, eateries and a street market. It’s a popular spot for locals to gather alongside sailors stopping for supplies after mooring in one of the three large marinas. If you’d like to stay for a break, there are more than 60 New Forest Cottages in Lymington, and Rose Cottage (sleeps 6) in Lower Pennington (close to the sea wall walk) would be a great choice. If you’re coming with a four-legged member of the family, Mulberry Cottage is close to the High Street and has a pretty courtyard garden that’s fully enclosed.
Explore New Forest dog-friendly cottages
Autumn is a blaze of colour in the New Forest
As September slips into October, the New Forest National Park becomes one of the best places for leaf-peeping walks in the south of England. Think shades of amber, copper and russet red with pops of fungi carpeting the forest floor. It’s perfect for forest walks with your dog, with stops at forest pubs welcoming muddy paws and walking boots with a genuine, warm and friendly smile. Overlooking open forest with ponies outside your window, Conway Cottage (sleeps 6 and dog-friendly) is a new addition to the New Forest Cottages portfolio in the village of East Boldre. For an easy mix of coastal walks in the morning and a wander in the woods after lunch, Giddings, just outside Lymington, which sleeps six and two dogs, offers the best of both worlds.
November hails the glow of log fires, cosy coffees with a book in hand and walks through a sleepy landscape. The New Forest coastline feels fresh with big skies, ever-changing shades of green and blue across the sea, and an abundance of salty-air walks on hand. The staff at New Forest Cottages recommend Hythe when asked where’s a great place to stay in November. It’s on the edge of the New Forest overlooking Southampton Water with a stream of cruise ships frequenting the port. A promenade, pier and high street, plus a little ferry over to Southampton, provide plenty of entertainment. Stay at Twin Tides (sleeps 3) or Waterfront House (sleeps 5); both are just off the High Street and only moments from the Promenade, leading to Hythe Marina Village for a choice of restaurants and waterfront dining.
The magic of December and Christmas in the New Forest
Frost-laden, sparkly trees and twinkling heathland set the scene for a wonderful month in this fairytale location - bringing smiles to the faces of both young and old. The New Forest is proudly the antithesis of a crowd-crushing festive break in the city. Instead, imagine towns and villages decorated with tiny trees laden with lights, windows dressed in shades of red, green and gold, a zillion baubles of every shape, size and colour and shops filled with ideas for gifts for the big day. The community spirit of the New Forest locals shines in a calendar of festivals and events for everyone to enjoy, and the mood is warm, friendly and unhurried. Bring friends and family together with a stay at Moonfleet Cottage in East End (sleeps 8 and dog-friendly). It’s big, with a lounge, study and sitting room featuring a whopping inglenook fireplace and wood burner. If a slightly bigger village is more your scene, Azalea in Brockenhurst sleeps 8 and dog-friendly is an absolute gem with two lounges and a large dining room. If you're coming by train, it’s an easy, flat walk from Brockenhurst’s station, which is only a 90-minute journey from London Waterloo.
If you’ve only considered a holiday in the New Forest in summer, maybe try something different, because you really don’t have to wait until next summer rolls around.