Taste the New Forest

Celebrate the New Forest’s phenomenal food and drink! From farmers and local artisan producers who grow and create our amazing food and drink, to the shops and hamper companies that sell it. And we can’t forget our talented chefs who make the delicious dishes in our pubsrestaurants and cafes to satiate appetites and satisfy palates for locals and visitors alike.

In short, there is a whole host of incredible food and drink produced in the New Forest and surrounding areas, from cheese, smoked meats, eggs, cider, ales to locally-sourced produce including game, beef, pannage pork and seafood as well as a wide range of crops grown here too, from berriesasparaguslettuce to pumpkins and mushrooms. Look out for the New Forest Marque symbol, the sign of local provenance.

Lots of local shops dotted around the forest sell this sumptuous produce for enjoyment and use in your own dishes at home or to make up the perfect picnic. Or you could even purchase a pre-made hamper, full of great local produce, from local hamper companies.

So now we’ve whetted your appetite, where can you go in the New Forest to relax and enjoy our mouth watering dishes and thirst quenching drinks? We are famous for our cosy, thatched pubs, and fine dining restaurants, which are a gastronomic delight at any time of day. Our quaint cafes and tearooms are the perfect place to relax with a cuppa and a slice of cake after a long walk in the forest, or for a tasty breakfast, brunch or lunch. 

Here in the New Forest we are proud of our established foodie events, including Lymington Seafood Festival and loads more, as well as other established events, where local producers also showcase their fantastic food and drink, such as at Dogstival and the New Forest Show.

Share your incredible New Forest food & drink experiences with us, by hashtagging #tastethenewforest on your posts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

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