It’s beginning to look a lot like…you know what!
But, if you’re worried that means you’ve left it too late to book Christmas in the magical New Forest, then think again.
From the 5* sumptuousness of the luxury hotels to the cosiest of country cottages, we’ve got a heavenly host of festive stays and last-minute Christmas breaks just waiting to be snapped up!
And, if you fancy getting away after the big day – because who doesn’t love a Twixmas or a New Year treat? - we can do that, too.
Here’s just a few ideas to get you started…
Image - Rhinefield House Hotel
Taking the kids? Check out the Balmer Lawn in Brockenhurst, where they have a swimming pool and children go free on their three-night festive getaway, which starts at £1,875.
Another great place to holiday with the kids is New Park Manor near Brockenhurst. Their four-day Christmas House Party includes an Afternoon Tea buffet on arrival and plenty of ideas to keep little ones amused; from magic tricks to a gingerbread house-making competition. They also do a selection of Twixmas and New Year breaks, too.
Fancy some truly heavenly peace? Try the three-night Christmas Spa Break at Careys Manor Hotel, which comes with a pass to the spa’s hydrotherapy facilities, and a Black Tie dinner party on Boxing Day. Prices start at £1,134 per person.
Image - Careys Manor Hotel
Brockenhurst’s Forest Park Hotel has a three-day Christmas package starting at £900 per person, which includes a three-course Christmas Eve dinner. The three-night break at McDonald Elmers Court near Lymington starts at £820 per person and includes a four-course gala dinner on Boxing Day – and plenty of time to get out for a bracing Christmas Day walk.
The halls at Stanwell House in Lymington will be decked with a lot more than holly for their Christmas festivities and, so long as you book two nights, you can tailor make the break to suit yourselves! From mulled wine to mince pies, to a gourmet Christmas lunch, you’ll find it all at this stylish boutique retreat.
In nearby Milford on Sea, another coastal Christmas awaits at the South Lawn Country House Hotel with a visit from a Very Special Person, who will be hand-delivering a gift to visiting child guests, as he makes his festive rounds. They are running a variety of residential packages over the festive season which includes everything from a portion of turkey to take home with you, to a New Year’s Eve gala dinner and dance.
Image - Macdonalds Elmers Court
Festive packages at the Crown Manor House Hotel in Lyndhurst start at £329 per night but, if you plump for Twixmas instead (December 27-30) you’ll enjoy two nights’ bed and breakfast, with a Hampshire Cream Tea for two on the first night of your stay, from £72 per person per night.
If you want to totally sleigh the country house feel, try The Pig at Brockenhurst, which is hosting three-night Christmas stays for two, starting at £1,170. Combine 25-mile menus with long winter walks, and the chance to sink into a giant sofa in front of a roaring log fire.
Another hotel with that country manor feel is historic Bartley Lodge, hidden in the forest just minutes from the end of the M27 motorway. Their Christmas includes a four-course lunch, a quiz and fizz and canapes, plus seasonal movies and a festive three-course dinner on Boxing Day. Two nights start at £1,200.
Burley Manor is running a number of Christmas packages with a choice of four different main courses for Christmas Day lunch. There’s also a New Year’s Eve party, with a day-time scavenger hunt, all against the backdrop of the deer-park, and close to pretty Burley village.
Image - Burley Manor
Bring your Christmas presence to the Beaulieu Inn, and you’ll find a variety of festive packages designed to ensure the maximum fun. This remote and beautiful location will also give you a chance to nip outside and experience the wonders of the dark night skies – and any special stars that happen to be passing!
You really could see three ships come sailing in if you book the three-night Christmas break at the Master Builder’s Hotel on the river at Buckler’s Hard. The tiny village used to build ships for Nelson’s Royal Navy and is home to many a beautiful yacht and boat, making it the perfect place for a few, well-timed holiday walks, before cosying up for a feast of festive fayre.
And, for the ultimate indulgence, why not treat yourselves to the 5* magnificence of Christmas at the Chewton Glen Hotel? Their three-day package starts at £5,580 per room – which will see you invited to everything from champagne receptions, to five-course dinners, a four-course Christmas lunch, evening entertainment and use of the spa.
Image - Chewton Glen Hotel
Beguiled by the hit Christmas movie, The Holiday? We’ve got plenty of Insta-worthy cottages you can book – for two, four or the whole family – including furry friends. If you don’t fancy doing the cooking, then book Christmas lunch at one of our beautiful hotels or pubs, which also welcome visitors for the Big Day. You’ll find more than 100 properties across the New Forest on offer at Self-Catering Cottages and Forest Cottages
Brogenslade is a large rural cottage for eight guests and a pup in a beautiful location overlooking Ibsley Common. It’s surrounded by woodland wildlife, nature and the forest’s famous free-roaming ponies, cattle, and donkeys. There are endless walks and bike rides from the front door to explore this much quieter region of the forest. Enjoy walks and bike rides from the front door to a great choice of good-eating pubs to refuel with a tasty lunch. There’s plenty of space for everyone to relax, which, while being very spacious, retains a cosy, homely feel. Besides the lounge/dining room, there's also a snug with an inglenook fireplace and log-burning stove to warm up after you’ve been out and about. Christmas week costs £1,982 from New Forest Cottages direct.
Image - New Forest Cottages
Or why not decide to make the most of Twixmas and book into some of our beautiful B&Bs, where you’ll find warm welcomes and bedrooms – and locations that put you in the heart of this beautiful part of the world.
Remember, too, that several of our award-winning holiday parks stay open for Christmas – which means plenty of places for the kids to work off some of that yuletide excitement. Take your pick from Shorefield Country Park, Sandy Balls Holiday Village or check out Back of Beyond, who are extending their Christmas and New Year openings for visitors.
We can’t possibly include all the festive fun, events and offers for Christmas 2024 in this blog. But the good news is that our site is updated daily, with things to do, places to see, eat and stay and wonderful activities to enjoy.