Lime Wood

There’s plenty of laid-back glamour at this Georgian lodge in the heart of the New Forest, with a relaxed, family-friendly vibe and well-regarded spa. ‘Everything is just so without being strained,’ says a Guide insider. Romantic, neutral-tone rooms have a shabby-chic feel that is ‘way more chic than shabby’. They range from ‘cosy’ main-house rooms with a bath by the window and a walk-in shower, to hideaway suites, lodges and cabins with open fires, and new-look pavilions. Best of the public rooms is the glass-ceilinged Courtyard bar, ‘a hugely appealing place to sip a drink’. In Hartnett and Holder restaurant, Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder serve ‘the best of Italian and British food’. Short menus might include Woolley Park guineafowl, confit leg and nduja braised beans, and ‘if you like truffle, you’re in for a treat’. Or go for alfresco grazing from Raw & Cured, maybe Isle of Wight tomato or spiced chickpea salad, butterbean hummus, charcuterie from the smokehouse, local cheeses. ‘The grounds are perfect for a wander’ with forest trails from the door. ‘We took bikes and rode to the Pig for lunch’ (see The Pig in the Forest, Brockenhurst).