New Forest holiday lets

Take a self-catering break in the New Forest and stay in a rural cottage or pine lodge to be surrounded by wild ponies and woodland walks. Wake up each day to the prospect of gentle rambles through woodland where wild ponies graze contentedly, undetered by holidaymakers around them.

Find out more about self-catering cottages in the New Forest

Hampshire's New Forest is one of England's prettiest national parks. There are plenty of forested areas interspersed with heaths, ponds, lakes and charming villages. Traffic free and quiet roads make cycling a pleasure. It does not matter whether you walk, cycle or drive through this lovely rural area, there is plenty to see and enjoy.

Nature thrives in this happy landscape. Bartley Water, Beaulieu River, the Lymington River and its tributaries water help the vegetation flourish and feed the various ponds and lakes where animals can go to drink. These lakes are the favourite haunt of anglers and the ponies can often be spotted around them.

The New Forest can be a source of inspiration for wildlife photographers. It is possible to spot shy fallow deer, grass snakes and adders sunning themselvs on hot days, frogs, toads and lizards. Dragonflies and birds are present in numbers around the stretches of water.

The presence of large numbers of tourists has resulted in good tea shops in the villages, also art galleries, souvenir shops, cycle hire and other services aimed at holidaymakers.

There is a wide range of holiday cottages, log cabins and apartments to rent;  something to suit every budget. Go for a week, a weekend or a mid week break when there are fewer people around and have  a lovely holiday in the New Forest.

A few suggestions for a holiday in the New Forest:

• Try canoeing and kayaking on the Beaulieu River near Beauliey. The town also has a National Motor Museum to visit

• Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway make for a relaxed afternoon out

• Interested in art, pop into a stained glass workshop in Lyndhurst

• The Isle of Wight lies just across the Solent; perhaps somewhere to visit for a day out?

• Hampshire's beaches offer lazy days at the seaside

A holiday in the New Forest is an enjoyable, varied and interesting expereince. It's a place with much beautiful scenery and makes everyone feel happy and relaxed. Rent self-catering accommodation for a real 'home from home' experience and have that special New Forest encounter.