Log Cabins & Lodges in New Forest

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a log cabin in the New Forest?
• Log cabins in the New Forest: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring the New Forest: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in the New Forest?

• Cosy cabins and lodges: Choose from our listings of log cabins and timber lodges, many with private hot tubs, enclosed gardens and pet-friendly touches, set among the woodland of the New Forest National Park.
• Where to base yourself: Stay near Lymington for the coast and sailing, Brockenhurst for roaming ponies and woodland walks, or Beaulieu for riverside history.
• Top-rated retreats: Recent guests scored lodges such as Heathfield Lodge and the New Forest Riverside Lodge above 9.8, praising their quiet settings and easy reach of forest trails.
• Where to eat: Tuck into garden-to-plate dishes at The Pig in Brockenhurst, fresh seafood at Verveine in Milford on Sea, or hearty pub classics at The Oak Inn.
• Things to do: Wander Exbury Gardens, meet the animals at Marwell Zoo and explore motoring history at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.

The New Forest's log cabins and timber lodges range from snug properties for two to spacious retreats that sleep the whole family, many set in private woodland plots with decked verandas and wood-burning stoves. If a cabin isn't quite what you're after, you can also browse cottages in the New Forest, self-catering holiday homes and welcoming bed and breakfasts across the same area. Most cabins come well equipped for a relaxed countryside stay, with favourites including:

• A private hot tub or whirlpool
• Enclosed gardens with barbecues
• Wood-burning stoves and cosy log fires
• Pet-friendly spaces
• Fast Wi-Fi throughout

Whichever you choose, you'll wake surrounded by woodland, open heath and the New Forest's famous free-roaming ponies.

What are the best areas to stay in the New Forest?

Brockenhurst sits right in the heart of the forest and makes a brilliant first base, though for more choice you can explore all our holiday lettings across the New Forest. The table below details regions for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Cabins and lodges in the New Forest are a firm favourite with our guests, who single out the relaxing private hot tubs, the wood-burning stoves and how genuinely dog-friendly the properties are.

Here are our top-rated log cabins from the past year:

1. Heathfield Lodge - 9.8+: A snug retreat for two near Bransgore, praised for its tranquil garden setting, cosy interior and the warm welcome from its host.
2. Secluded, New Forest Riverside Lodge - 9.8+: A peaceful riverside lodge near Fordingbridge with a private hot tub and pet-friendly terrace, ideal for unwinding after forest walks.
3. Lymington Lodge - 9.0+: A comfortable bolthole for couples in Lymington, within easy reach of the harbour, weekly market and coastal walks.

The New Forest lies in southern Hampshire on England's south coast, stretching between Southampton and Bournemouth and reaching down to the Solent, with the Isle of Wight just offshore. Famous for its wild ponies and windswept landscapes, it's a peaceful, rural corner of England ideal for those who want to get away from it all.

🥗Where to eat in the New Forest?

Classic cream teas, freshly-caught seafood and locally-brewed ales are highlights of New Forest dining. Visit in autumn to enjoy meals built around mushrooms that have been foraged from the forest. Here are our travel experts' favourite spots to dine:

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Grace and Adam recommend The Montagu Arms in Beaulieu: after a long woodland walk, its relaxed terrace and locally sourced menu were the perfect way to round off the day.

1. Wander the colourful Exbury Gardens
2. Meet the animals at Marwell Zoo
3. Explore the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu
4. Step back in time at Hurst Castle
5. Discover the fairy doors at Furzey Gardens
6. Uncover local history at St Barbe Museum
7. Spend a day at Paultons Park

1. Wander the colourful Exbury Gardens

   Spread across more than 200 acres beside the Beaulieu River, Exbury Gardens is a feast of colour in every season. Wander the formal borders, a rock garden of Himalayan alpines and woodland walks famous for their rhododendrons and azaleas. Younger visitors love the narrow-gauge steam railway that loops through the grounds, whilst the tea rooms make a fine spot to pause.

2. Meet the animals at Marwell Zoo

   Just north of the forest, Marwell Zoo spreads across 140 acres and is home to more than 100 species, from Amur tigers and snow leopards to giraffes, zebras and penguins. Explore the two-level Tropical House for sloths, marmosets and an aquarium of 2,500 fish, then let the children burn off energy in one of four playgrounds.

3. Explore the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu

   At Beaulieu, the National Motor Museum is world famous for its collection of around 280 vehicles, from veteran cars and family classics to record-breaking land-speed machines. Spot the car from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, browse 800 vintage toy cars, then explore Palace House and its riverside grounds.

4. Step back in time at Hurst Castle

   Built for Henry VIII to guard the Solent, Hurst Castle sits at the end of a long shingle spit reached by a gentle ferry from Keyhaven. The fortress saw service in both World Wars, and its ramparts offer sweeping views across to the Isle of Wight — itself a lovely add-on, with our holiday lettings on the Isle of Wight just a short crossing away.

5. Discover the fairy doors at Furzey Gardens

   Tucked away near Minstead, Furzey Gardens is a tranquil three-hectare garden of winding trails, a pretty duck pond and vibrant planting from India, China and Tibet. Children adore the hunt for the 40 hidden fairy doors dotted among the trees, whilst a thatched, fairy-tale tea room serves cakes and drinks.

6. Uncover local history at St Barbe Museum

   In the harbour town of Lymington, St Barbe Museum tells the story of the New Forest coast through interactive exhibits and a well-regarded art gallery. Displays range from local maritime history to changing exhibitions of marine painting, so there's usually something new to see.

7. Spend a day at Paultons Park

   On the forest's northern edge, Paultons Park packs 140 acres of rides and attractions, headlined by the world's only Peppa Pig World. Families can also explore the dinosaur-themed Lost Kingdom, the 1950s-styled Tornado Springs and gentle rides for little ones, plus animals and play areas dotted throughout.