Decent places to drink/eat in New Forest area?

[Painey]

I'm going down to the New Forest this weekend and I've been looking on the net for pubs to drink or grab a bite to eat in but can't really find that much. Does anybody have any recommendations of places in the area?

Myself and a few mates are going to be staying in Fordingbridge for a friends 30th birthday and I was planning on a taking the Griffith down there and stopping for a bite to eat for Friday lunch and then we'll be going out on the sauce Friday and Saturday night.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers - Chris.

[CK]

Hi Chris, guess not too many South Coasters have been on line today, so for what it is worth, try The Master Builders Hotel in Bucklers Hard, wonderful setting, but perhaps a bit pricey. Alternatively drive into Bournemouth for no end of cracking stuff, try the Brasserie (Upmarket beach cafe!!) on Branksome sea front, great car park right at the waters edge.
Have a great weekend & I hope that by posting it will encourage a few others to post as they might see it tomorrow.
Regards
CK

[IPAddis]

Try the Red Shoot Inn (****), The High Corner Inn (***) and the pub in the centre of Burley (not the one on the slight hill) (***).

Ian A.

[TVRWIDOW]

Painey

You could try the Alice Lyle at Ringwood - very nice, but very busy. Good to show off the car though!!
Alternatively you could visit the Lamb at Nomansland. A very busy weekend pub in the hearth of the New Forest- normally visited by soft tops this time of year, watch the horses on the road>

[Painey]

TVRWIDOW said:

Painey You could try the Alice Lyle at Ringwood - very nice, but very busy. Good to show off the car though!! Alternatively you could visit the Lamb at Nomansland. A very busy weekend pub in the hearth of the New Forest- normally visited by soft tops this time of year, watch the horses on the road>

Cheers for the replies! Got a few places lined up to visit and most definitely will be taking it easy in the New Forest. Been there before and one thing you don't do is speed through there. Especially as the other half has her own horse anyway and would be going crazy if I did put my foot down!

All the best - Chris

[SotonS2]

Painey said:

TVRWIDOW said: Painey You could try the Alice Lyle at Ringwood - very nice, but very busy. Good to show off the car though!! Alternatively you could visit the Lamb at Nomansland. A very busy weekend pub in the hearth of the New Forest- normally visited by soft tops this time of year, watch the horses on the road> Cheers for the replies! Got a few places lined up to visit and most definitely will be taking it easy in the New Forest. Been there before and one thing you don't do is speed through there. Especially as the other half has her own horse anyway and would be going crazy if I did put my foot down! All the best - Chris

Most of the Forest is a 40mph limit and it is enforced, particularly on sunny weekends. Keep 'em peeled

For info, the Red Shoot Inn (on the Brook to Ringwood cross country route) is historically a bikers pub. If you are in that neck of the woods then either the High Corner Inn or the Alice as mentioned before would get my vote.

Half the pleasure of the Forest though is to just go and explore. The scenery is great everywhere and there's no real 'bad' pubs as such. Get a map and plot a route which misses out the major roads and you're bound to stumble on a decent ale house at some point.

Happy

[The Wiz]

Tried to get in the Alice yesterday ... it was packed!

[SotonS2]

The Wiz said:

Tried to get in the Alice yesterday ... it was packed!

TVRWIDOW previously in this thread said:

You could try the Alice Lyle at Ringwood - very nice, but very busy.

She knows her pubs