With our giant, living Christmas trees, crisp, frosty walks, magical roaming ponies and wild deer – not to mention our amazing hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and inns – the New Forest is the perfect place for a cool or cosy Yule.

If your idea of Christmas heaven is roaring fires, beautiful surroundings and someone else taking care of the food and drink, it’s time to check out these festive packages from our top-rated hotels.

But don’t forget, too, that the New Forest is also perfect for pre-Christmas get-togethers, whether they be dinner a deux, a fun family lunch, or post shopping drinks and nibbles. And, after the year we’ve all endured, there’s never been a better time to treat yourself and the ones you love to the best festive season ever!

If you’re planning to enjoy time as a family, Balmer Lawn Hotel near Brockenhurst has packages starting from £1,650 per room. Their festive break sees you starting Christmas Eve with a cream tea and then enjoying a drinks reception before dinner and a restful night’s slumber, before plunging into a full day of fun on December 25 and 26, leaving on the 27.

There are also full festive breaks available at The Crown Manor House Hotel in Lyndhurst, the Forest’s bustling ‘capital’, with a choice of two, three, or four-night packages so you can really have time to get out and explore the area.

Careys Manor Hotel’s Christmas break includes a choice of three restaurants to dine in on Christmas Eve, as well as impeccable festive entertainment plus the full use of their award-winning, Thai-inspired SenSpa, to enjoy some moments of calm.

Forest Park Hotel in Brockenhurst is promising a Winter Wonderland of fabulous decorations and events, starting in late November. Their festive package starts at £696 per room, with the choice of a traditional Christmas lunch – or one starring Boeuf Wellington, John Dory or a luxe vegetarian moussaka - as well as entertainment and the opportunity to join in activities or relax as you wish.

If you’d rather be nearer the coast at Christmas, South Lawn Hotel at Milford on Sea has some incredible residential packages for you to while away the festive days. The fun starts on Christmas Eve, where you’ll be welcomed with stollen and tea and extends to Monday December 27, from £495 per person sharing a double room.

Each of our hotels has its own personality and location, so don’t forget to check out many other hotels based in locations across the forest, from deep in the woods, to the centre of a lonely heath.

And remember, many of our hotels, restaurants and country pubs are offering some amazing Christmas Day Lunch options, for those who don’t fancy the booking but do want to stay at home. For further hotel packages and deals, don’t forget to check out our Christmas pages.

Now you’ve got your Yuletide sorted, it’s time to organise some pre-Christmas fun!

Our local hotels are also hosting pre-Christmas parties, lunches and dinners and many have dreamed up some fab festive Afternoon Teas, too, so visit our Christmas dining and Christmas celebrations and parties webpages for more inspiration and information.

And don’t forget that many of our pubs and inns are waiting to welcome you to the finest of pre-Christmas lunches and dinners too, whether you’re looking for the perfect ending to a winter morning’s walk across our frosty heathland, or through the sparkling forest or a fun, festive get-togethers throughout this merry season.

You’ll find pubs located in the middle of the forest, by rivers, within our quaint villages, pubs which welcome dogs, and most of all, pubs with giant log fires – perfect for a cold winter’s day.

Christmas lunches in the fabled Steff’s Kitchen at Fairweather’s Garden Centre is running from November 29 until Thursday December 23. Book now and celebrate this magical time of year with friends and family.

For those wanting something completely different, Ritual Feast offers it in spades – an off grid, open-air pop-up restaurant in a beautiful location.

They’ve been enchanting visitors to the New Forest all summer and on Sunday December 19 only, they’ll be doing it all again. If you want to experience food cooked on giant open fires, the magic of the elements capturing the essence of the Christmas season, this one’s for you.

The New Forest is full with Christmas events and activities in the lead up to and over the Christmas period!

Paultons Park’s annual Celebration of Christmas is back! Running on weekends from December 4-23 inclusive, the park is transformed into a winter wonderland with lights, decorations, and illuminations at every turn.

Santa will be appearing daily on the show stage for storytime and his Magical Christmas Wish shows and Peppa and George Pig will also be doing meet and greets in their festive outfits in Peppa Pig World. Paultons Park’s newest attraction, Tornado Springs, will also be decorated for Christmas and open for Americana inspired festivities.

New Forest Activities offer the perfect opportunity to see Saint Nick, receive your own present and pick up a new skill! Their Christmas Canoe Paddles are great for the whole family and hot chocolate is also offered to keep everyone toasty. They’re also running winter archery and winter paddling throughout December.

Check out lots of festive events in the New Forest this year in the New Forest and watch out for our Christmas events blog coming soon…

Get into the full Christmas spirit and do some shopping for gifts at local Christmas markets. There are many to choose from this season, from New Forest Eats 'n' Treats on November 28 in Brockenhurst, to The Artisan Collective Fair at Beaulieu from December 10-12! Keep an eye out for details of more Christmas Markets on our webpage.

However you choose to celebrate and spend Christmas this year, we hope you have a very merry time in the New Forest!