No excursion to the New Forest would be complete without a stop-off in Burley. There are unique gift shops, art galleries, tea rooms, locally made cider and even a wagon ride to try, as Claire Pitcher discovered
Dates for your diary - 2017
The New Forest Cider open weekend takes place this year on October 14 and 15.
The Burley Village show, held at the beginning of August, attracts many visitors and is generally a very English afternoon out.
The Fairy Festival on August 12-13 has all sorts of magical entertainment.
Plus Halloween is a special event for Burley with parades, competitions and all the shops taking part in dressing up.
Where to stay
There are plenty of campsites in the forest if you like staying under canvas. Take a look at new-forest-national-park.com for all the best places. In the village, you could check in to the Burley Manor Hotel. The former Royal manor has lovely rooms and oak-panelled restaurant, specialising in Mediterranean food. Book online at burleymanor.com.
Alternatively, spend a night or two at The Burley Inn. This traditional pub has 11 rooms and a good restaurant selling classic pub dishes. Find out more online at theburleyinn.co.uk.
To see and do
• Take in the picturesque lanes and forest with Burley Wagon Rides - wagonrides.co.uk
• Discover the local wildlife on a New Forest Deer Safari - newforestsafari.co.uk
• The best way to explore the forest is on two wheels. Hire a bike from New Forest Cycle Hire - forestleisurecycling.co.uk
• Visit the Coven of Witches to buy a ‘lucky witch’ - covenofwitches.co.uk
• See the landscape on horseback. Ride out from Brockenhurst Riding Stables - brockenhurstridingstables.co.uk
Did you know?
The Queen’s Head pub, built in the 16th century, was notorious for smugglers and highwaymen. A hidden cellar was discovered beneath the floor of the ‘Stable bar’, full of pistols, bottles and coins believed to be one of the hiding places of smugglers.
To take home
There are plenty of independent gift shops in Burley. Try Burley Fudge’s chocolate chilli flavour fudge. The Magpie’s Nest sells lovely jewellery, as well as many gift items and homewares. For something a bit different, Titan Leathercraft specialises in leather bags, photo album covers, phone and tablet covers, plus lots of cute gift items made from leather. Or how about Lawfords, where you can pick up some fine china, ceramics, pottery and brown glass among many other tempting items.
Grabbing a bite
At The Cider Pantry, you can enjoy a choice of salads, sandwiches and classic dishes. They serve breakfast too. Visit them online at newforestcider.co.uk. Try dinner at The White Buck, with treats such as New Forest venison casserole, slow braised Hampshire pork belly and baked hake, you’ll be spoilt for choice. They do Sunday lunches too. Book a table online at whitebuckburley.co.uk.
If you fancy picking up a few nibbles for a picnic in the New Forest, go to Burley-Licious. It’s also great for tea, coffee and cake. Or a lunchtime sandwich. Call them on 01425 402436.
Getting there
By car, leave the A31 at the Burley turn off, next to the Shell services, on to Ringwood Road and continue for about five miles. The sat nav postcode is BH24 4AB.
Trains run to Brockenhurst station and from there you can take the C15 bus from Brockenhurst College.
