Winter in the New Forest is a time of dark, starry skies, rustling frosted leaves, roaring fires and delicious, comforting food. Take a look at some wonderful inspiration for romantic date night locations in the New Forest... 

Treat your loved one to nature’s best free show – the view of the flaming sun, setting over the horizon. Bolton’s Bench near Lyndhurst is perfect for this, as is the view from Piper’s Wait near Bramshaw, our highest hill at 140 metres, and Cockley Hill, not far from Godstone.

On a dark and clear night, enjoy stargazing together. The New Forest has some of the UK’s darkest skies in the relatively light-polluted south-east. Nearly 90 per cent of our skies are in the three darkest categories which make us the perfect place to see the Milky Way, spot Orion and the winter meteor showers which are coming up in November and mid-December.

After all that gazing, you’re bound to feel hungry, so head straight to one of our cosy pubs or inns where you’ll find plenty of fab food plus amazing, locally produced wines, beers and ciders, as well as a warm welcome and crackling log fires.

The Trusty Servant Inn at Minstead has three fires for you to warm up by. Or try The Waterloo Arms for a cosy atmosphere. The Bell Inn have an extensive menu of delicious food, a welcoming feel and a stunning location some truly roaring flames.

The Walhampton Arms in Lymington is a great location for a romantic meal for two in a rustic and comtemporary area. Wine and dine at the lovely New Queen, on the outskirts of the New Forest. A pub full of style, with a relaxed ambience, making it perfect for date night. 

Want to get dressed up? We're home to some stunning restaurants, plus most of our beautiful hotels offer dining to non-residents so it’s really a case of taking your pick; from the laid-back tweed and leather of The Pig at Brockenhurst, the welcoming Beresfords Restaurant at Balmer Lawn – which specialises in British classics – or a romantic dinner a deux at The Kitchen at Chewton Glen.

If you need to relax – and who doesn’t? – did you know that many of our spas have some unmissable twilight offers, allowing you to use the facilities from late afternoon into evening?

SenSpa at Careys Manor Hotel in Brockenhurst will let you spa then tuck into something delicious at their Zen Garden Thai restaurant and you can add in a treatment, too. They also offer an unmissable Rhassoul Mud experience for two. The Herb House at Lime Wood’s Sundowner Package is £160 for two, with full use of the facilities plus a 60-minute de-stressing treatment and a platter from their Raw and Cured restaurant.

New Park Manor at Brockenhurst and Macdonald Elmers Court offer restful Twilight spa evenings and so does Chewton Glen, whose price includes full use of their spa and a 50-minute treatment.

You can also find beautiful spa treatments to book at the Saltus Spa at Balmer Lawn.

For further date-night inspiration, keep checking in at thenewforest.co.uk.