Make it a staycation to remember in the New Forest’s quirkiest accommodation!

If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to stay in a treehouse or a retro bell tent, make this the year to find out.

Because, when it comes to quirky accommodation nowhere beats the magical New Forest, which is bursting with Insta-worthy, fascinating and off-beat places to stay.

Fancy a bit of glamping but with something more substantial than canvas to keep the weather at bay? The Bothy at Red Shoot Camping Park fits the bill. River keeper’s huts have been a feature of traditional rural English landscape for hundreds of years and Red Shoot’s have been built by a local craftsman using traditional methods. 

The bothies are fully insulated with a Douglas Fir chassis, warm pine cladding inside and sit on traditional cast iron wheels. They offer the perfect glamping experience whilst enjoying the friendly buzz and facilities of the park. Ideal for a quick getaway or a longer break, The Bothy and The Drey at Red Shoot have everything you need for a relaxed stay without having to load up your car with everything including the kitchen sink!

Best news of all? Red Shoot currently have availability for much of May and June (mostly midweek in June). July and August are more or less fully booked but they have availability throughout September and October.

For a real choice of glamping accommodation, book into Back of Beyond Touring Park, which has Shepherd’s Huts, a luxury yurt, pods and lodges, all set in 30 acres of Dorset countryside, close to the Forest’s western edge.

Back of Beyond have two dog-friendly Shepherd’s Huts, both with woodburning stoves, as well as a yurt with woodburner, four pods with decks and outdoor kitchens, and two wooden lodges with decks and camping kitchens.

The park has 18 acres of woodland and heath to enjoy, a pitch and putt golf course, wildlife lakes, Monty’s pop-up bar, visiting foodie takeaway facilities and fire baskets for hire.

For a holiday to remember, book yourself and your loved ones into one of Chewton Glen’s prestigious treehouses. The last word in luxury and peace, the treehouses have found favour with visitors from all over the world, including some very VIPs, and rightly so.

If your budget can’t quite run to the Chewton Glen option then don’t despair – Shorefield Country Park have just finished their luxury treehouses at their Milford on Sea Park.

There are two opulent three-bedroom treehouses - Silvertree House and Coppertree House - each of which sleep up to six guests. Alternatively, a smaller woodland accommodation called The Shrubbery is also set within the treehouse development, sleeping two guests.

If all this luxe rustic living isn’t quite your style then don’t fret – because we’ve got that covered, too!

Esme and the Knightwoods are the two new holiday cottages at Sandy Balls Holiday Village near Fordingbridge. Designed to appeal to Yummy Mummies – and with a retro Scandi Insta-feel throughout - the Esme cottage has a fresh, modern décor and a main bathroom with a bathtub for a proper relax. Knightwoods sleeps eight and has two bathrooms, a private hot tub and a heated outdoor seated area as well as a doggy shower to keep your pooch clean.

If you fancy a piece of ancient history being part of your New Forest holiday when hotels re-open, book into Cottage Lodge Hotel where the award-winning eco-chic facilities date back to 1650.

Constructed using the frame of a decommissioned merchant ship, the main timbers from the oldest parts of the cottage would have been a sapling in 1100, not long after William the Conqueror made the forest his royal hunting ground. The hotel has now evolved into a small environmentally-friendly hotel of 16 individually designed rooms, which are all creatively named after local places or people and all feature an element of the New Forest.

Or, for something completely different, take a look at Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Centre which accommodates family, friends and groups for self-catering lodge stays and camping breaks.

The central point of the site is a Grade I listed house that provides dormitory style accommodation for groups (when they are allowed to visit) and there are many features among the 65 acres of Grade II listed grounds that provide historical insight into the heritage of Avon Tyrrell.

In addition, the centre hosts over 40 different outdoor activities including their new climbing tower, tree top trail, archery, high ropes, canoeing, an adventure course, bushcraft, paddleboarding, mountain biking and bike hire which are available to book, creating an action-filled package for those looking for a real New Forest adventure!

*Find more of our amazing accommodation here.