Sample our fresh, local produce on a visit here to The New Forest. You will be surprised by just how many culinary treats you will find on your travels. By buying local produce not only will you be helping to reduce your food miles (and help the planet) you will also be helping to support our local economy, helping to make the New Forest as sustainable as possible.
Whether you head to one of our farm shops or taste some tempting treats at one of our cafes and restaurants where local fare is top of the menu you will be sure to find a wide array of local produce on offer here in the New Forest. Read on to discover more…
Local food to sample
If you are here on a holiday we would highly recommend you try some of our local fare. Venison, mushrooms, fruit and vegetables, fish and alcoholic drinks are just some of the things on offer here.
Eling Tide Mill has been used for 900 years to grind wheat into flour, and it is still being used to this day! In their shop, you can buy bags of their flour to do some home baking, or you can buy delicious bread made from their flour.
Tasty Pastries in Lyndhurst High Street is a great place to try some delicious local baked goods. From cookies to pastries, you'll be sure to find something yummy to eat here. Or you can try the artisan breads at Bakehouse24 in Ringwood, where traditional sourdough methods are used to make breads, pastries and cakes.
Sample local cheeses from Loosehanger Cheeses, in Redlynch or Lyburn Farmhouse Cheesemakers in Landford.
New Forest Raw Milk offer milk from a self-service vending machine in Milford-on-Sea as well as butters and cream and in Fordingbridge you can buy milk and eggs from Witt & Son.
If you fancy some fish then look out for the Hampshire Farmers’ Markets where you might find the New Forest Smokery and Trout Farm selling their cold and hot smoked trout from their farm in Fordingbridge.
Locally produced honey, jams and chutneys are available from many of our local stores.
Hockey`s Farm Shop is an independent, family business which supports the local community and local producers. Here you will be able to buy local meat, which is all either from Hockey’s Farm, or produced by Andrew, in St. Ives, just outside Ringwood, freshly baked bread and pastries, local fruit and vegetables and a well-chosen selection of wines and local beers.
Take some sweet treats home with you by stopping by at the Beaulieu Chocolate Studio, Burley Fudge Shop or Fordingbridge Fudge. New Forest Shortbread also make delicious shortbread to order, homemade from Burley Rails Cottage.
If you would like a hamper made up for a special occasion or a picnic then get in touch with Milford-on-Sea based New Forest Hamper Company. Hampers can be filled with a wide array of local produce including chutneys, relishes and locally made wines.
If you are here when the New Forest & Hampshire County Show takes place in Brockenhurst then we’d highly recommend a visit to the Food Hall. Here, you will find over forty stalls, including stalls from local butchers and bakers.
Locally produced drink
Fancy a tipple? Then a tour of Ringwood Brewery is a must, you’ll even get to sample some of the produce in the Pin Bar as part of the two-hour tour. Or, if time’s an issue, simply pop into the brewery’s shop and pick up a bottle or two of your favourite ale. Ringwood Brewery’s ales are also on offer at many of the area’s pubs and farm shops.
If you're a lover of Gin, you need to make a trip to Bombay Sapphire Distillery, which is located just outside of the New Forest in Whitchurch. Here you can try and buy their famous Gin and you can also get to see how the Gin is made on their tour.
Not only is there a local produce shop at Setley Ridge, you can also take away with you Setley Ridge Vineyard wine, made from vines onsite. This makes a great gift, or of course, a lovely treat for you!
Look out for other locally-produced wines from Brook Hill Vineyard in Bramshaw, Coach House Vineyard in West Wellow and Marlings Vineyard in Sway.
In Burley, New Forest Cider is a popular stopping point for visitors. Try the unpasteurised, real cider straight from the barrels and take some home with you. If you don’t want anything alcoholic then there’s the New Forest apple juice also available here. Locally made apple juice is also available from the Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum shop and is produced on the Beaulieu estate.
The New Forest Marque
Make sure you always look out for New Forest Marque whilst you're out in the New Forest. This membership scheme is offered to producers who fall within the boundary of the New Forest and fit certain criteria.
The New Forest Marque’s aim is to develop and promote the production, processing and distribution of local produce from the New Forest. Producers, shops, artisans, hotels, pubs, cafes and restaurants (plus lots more) can apply to be part of this scheme.
Farmers’ markets
A great place to pick up local food and drink that comes directly from the producer is at one of our Farmers’ markets.
Regular Farmers’ markets take place in Ringwood, plus look out for additional markets due to take place around the area by checking out our what’s on pages.
The regular Saturday street market in Lymington has a selection of stalls from local producers as well where you will be able to pick up freshly caught fish, local meats and cheeses. There are also regular markets in Hythe and New Milton, too.
Pubs, restaurants and cafes with a focus on local fare
Look out for pubs and restaurants in The New Forest that feature the New Forest Marque – indicating that they have a strong emphasis on fresh, local produce. The restaurants at Burley Manor Hotel, Lime Wood Hotel, The Pig and Careys Manor are just some of the hotels that have this accreditation. Discover seasonal dishes and tempting treats using the best of New Forest produce.
Many of our cafes will make their cakes on the premises and look out for New Forest Ice Cream which is made in Lymington, it’s available from lots of the ice cream kiosks around the national park. The toughest thing will be deciding which flavour you want to go for!
Farm shops and other retailers
Another great place to get local produce from is from one of The New Forest’s farm shops. You’ll find the following farm shops in The New Forest area:
More on local produce
If you're holding an event in the New Forest and you need some catering for it, then use Appetite for Adventure. They offer a true culinary taste experience, using local produce, for all sorts of events and occassions, including festivals, private dining, meetings and more.
So what’s stopping you? Come and sample the wide range of food and drink available in the New Forest. You can even sample a New Forest breakfast at many of our local B&Bs, hotels and inns or with a welcome pack on a arrival in one of our self-catering properties.
Take a look at the listings below giving you details of some of the places you can purchase our local fare and why not buy a Go New Forest Card, saving you money off places to eat, shop, visit and much more?!
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
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