Boutique hotels
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Aviator
- Style
- Silver belle
- Setting
- Airfields of Farnborough
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Chewton Glen
- Style
- Spa-spangled manor
- Setting
- New Forest pony-country
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Lime Wood
- Style
- Mannered modern manor
- Setting
- New Forest’s ancient capital
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The Pig
- Style
- Super stylish sty
- Setting
- Wild woodland
Hampshire Eating, drinking and dancing
Restaurants
(+44 (0)1425 275341)
Maryat
Chewton Glen’s in-house eatery has earned three AA rosettes for its classic British menu, which draws heavily from local meat and produce. The wine list is even more impressive, and the restaurant often hosts special wine dinners, matching vintage to victuals.
Chewton Glen, New Milton BH25 6QS
(+44 (0)1590 643044)
One Park Lane
The two-rosette One Park Lane restaurant at Westover Hall Hotel serves superb Modern European food, taking advantage of the coastal setting to dish up sublime fish and seafood, as well as an excellent value nine-course tasting menu.
Park Lane, Milford on Sea, Lymington SO41 0PT
(+44 (0)1252 555890)
Sky Brasserie
Occupying a sweeping dining room on the ground floor of the Aviator hotel, this modern French-inspired restaurant serves a masculine menu of beautifully charred steaks, together with pastas and salads for those hwo like their meals less macho.
Farnborough Road, Farnborough GU14 6EL
Bars
(+44 (0)1590 675595)
Graze
Alongside a nibbley menu of tapas and sharing platters (hence the name), this smart town-centre bar mixes excellent cocktails and boasts a lengthy wine list.
9 Gosport Street, Lymington SO41 9BG
(+44 (0)1252 555890)
The Sky Bar
As suave and sophisticated as any Soho cocktail lounge, the Aviator’s Sky Bar overlooks the airfield – attractively illuminated by night. At £9 a glass, the cocktails aren’t cheap, but they are expertly crafted. The aviation theme continues in the oversized photos of bolts, rivets and other aeronautical bits and bobs that line the walls.
Farnborough Road, Farnborough GU14 6EL
Cafés
(+44 (0)1590 677705)
Fine Food 4 Sail
Despite a name that has too many puns that is good for it, this is one of the best places on the Solent to enjoy fresh fish dishes. The outfit began as a food-delivery service for those docked in the harbour, but recently opened a mess-type café serving great-value breakfasts, e lunches, suppers and snacks. Grab a spot on the decking, order something from the surprisingly extensive wine list, and watch the sun go down over the boatyard.
Anchor House, Bath Road, Berthon Marina, The Shipyard, Lymington SO41 8AA
(+44 (0)23 8028 2341)
Mad Hatter Tea Rooms
There’s much more than an excellent cuppa on offer at this cute New Forest café, the lunches (sausage sandwiches, filled potatoes and the ilk) are worth lingering over – especially on the roof terrace.
10 High Street, Lyndhurst SO43 7BD
(+44 (0)1425 611599)
The Beachcomber Café
A sweet seaside family-run affair serving decent, honest home-cooked food (as well as scrummy Marshwood Vale ice-cream from the parlour next door).
Marine Drive East, Barton on Sea BH25 7DZ
