New Forest Retreat Shorefield Country Park

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what caught me off guard about New Forest Retreat at Shorefield Country Park? It’s actually tucked away in this brilliant spot where you can literally walk to the beach in about ten minutes, but somehow it feels like you’re deep in proper New Forest countryside. I mean, you’ve got ponies wandering around the lanes just outside – which, heads up, they do have right of way and will absolutely stop traffic when they fancy a chat.

The place itself is sort of wonderfully unpretentious for somewhere that could easily charge London prices. They don’t bother with star ratings because, honestly, what’s the point when you’re doing something completely different? The rooms have this lived-in comfort that feels more like staying at a well-traveled friend’s place than a hotel. Everything’s thoughtfully done without being fussy – decent coffee makers (thank god), proper thick towels, and windows that actually open wide enough to let in that salty air from the Solent. The staff genuinely seem to know the area inside out, which is refreshing. When I asked about cycling routes, the guy at reception didn’t just hand me a generic map – he actually sketched out a route that avoided the busiest bits of the A337 and took me past this incredible viewpoint near Keyhaven that I never would’ve found otherwise.

What really makes this place work is the location itself. Shorefield’s one of those spots that locals have been quietly enjoying for years while everyone else heads to the obvious places. You’re a short drive from Lymington (proper town, not touristy rubbish), walking distance to some genuinely lovely coastal paths, and somehow still feel like you’re properly in the forest. The parking’s easy – no wrestling with tight spaces or paying through the nose for the privilege. Breakfast runs until a civilized hour, which I appreciated after a few too many drinks at the nearby Ship Inn (definitely walk there if you’re planning the same). The only minor gripe? The WiFi can be a bit temperamental when the weather’s rough, but then again, isn’t that sort of the point of being here? If you’re looking for somewhere that feels authentically New Forest without the theme park atmosphere some places have, this hits the sweet spot perfectly.