Travel bucket list idea:
Hampshire, United Kingdom (UK)
|Hidden away between the swathes of woodland, the New Forest is home to dozens of specialist food and drink producers, offering everything from cheeses and cider to chocolates, cured meats and home-made baked goods, as well as traditional holiday treats including fudge and ice-cream.
Building further on the local gastro theme, throughout the Forest, pubs, restaurants and hotels offer menus with ingredients sourced locally; look out for the New Forest Marque – awarded to produce that has been grown, reared or produced within the New Forest.
Beaulieu, Hampshire, United Kingdom (UK)
A local chocolatier, where you can buy over 30 flavoursome varieties – all made on site. Half the premises is the chocolate-making studio – you can see the chocolate being made through a glass window.
Best for ages 4+
Burley, Hampshire, United Kingdom (UK)
A New Forest institution, this artisan fudge-maker is the place to come for a bewildering array of over 30 fudgie-flavours, from chilli to Eton Mess. Vegan, gluten-free and alternative sugar varieties available.
Best for ages 4+
Ringwood, Hampshire, United Kingdom (UK)
Wild Food offer these excellent 3- to 4-hour foraging courses in the Forest, collecting wild herbs, mushrooms, fruit and other vegetables. Tours on Friday-Sunday depart from the Red Shoot Inn.
Adult price: £70
Best for ages 13+
Duration: 3-4 hours
Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom (UK)
Hand-made on the farm, Lyburn’s cows-milk cheeses are soft and creamy, and found in shops throughout the Forest. Check the website to see if pre-bookable tours of the farm are available.
Best for ages 18+
Burley, Hampshire, United Kingdom (UK)
In the picturesque village of Burley, New Forest Cider offers the chance to try different varieties straight from the barrel, all made with apples from their own orchards.
Best for ages 18+
Lymington, Hampshire, United Kingdom (UK)
A local producer of natural, organic jams, preserves and chutneys that supplies many of the top luxury hotels in the UK. They offer jam-making classes and foraging tours from their base in Lymington.
Best for ages 13+
Ringwood, Hampshire, United Kingdom (UK)
Ringwood has been brewing its popular ales since 1978, and offers tours of its brewery along with tastings of some of its classic beers, including Old Thumper and the wonderfully-named Boondoggle.
Min age 18
Best for ages 18+
Brockenhurst, Hampshire, United Kingdom (UK)
Just outside Brockenhurst, Setley has been producing white, red and rose wine for twenty years, and offers pre-bookable tours and tastings.
Min age 18
Best for ages 18+
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Hampshire, United Kingdom (UK)
A magical, highly accessible region of ancient woodland, open heathland and postcard-perfect traditional English villages.
