Daisybank B&B, Brockenhurst, New Forest: UK hotel review

Daisybank, New Forest: What's the score?

Daisybank is an attentively run B&B that covers all bases for a cushy weekend in the New Forest. Classic rooms? Yep. Contemporary rooms? Yep. A brand-new shepherd's hut out back? Oh, you betcha.

But this isn't just any old shepherd's hut. As well as all its rustic looks and cosy feels, it's got electricity, a pod espresso machine, a Roberts radio, a TV with inbuilt Netflix and a complimentary minibar of locally made gin and single-malt liqueur from nearby Dancing Cows distillery. Actually, most of the fittings and extras come from the New Forest: artisan chocolate made down the road, handmade soap crafted specially for Daisybank – even the mugs were a part of a limited run by a local potter, specifically because the B&B's owner Cheryl wanted something nice for guests to drink tea from.

Daisybank, New Forest: What to expect

In a word: ponies. You'll see them causing traffic jams in the centre of Brockenhurst, you'll see them sniffing at the front doors of houses without cattle grids, you might even run into a few of them playing high-stakes poker in the back room at the local saloon. OK, we lied about that last one, there aren't any US-style saloons in Brockenhurst. But there are about 4,600 semi-wild horses roaming freely, plus cows and sheep, too.

Daisybank, New Forest: What to eat

In spite of its high-calibre variety of lodgings, Daisybank is a pretty traditional B&B when it comes to grub: breakfast is the only meal served. Your choice is delicious stacked pancakes, a locally sourced New Forest fry-up, or a Full Irish with home-baked soda bread.

When it comes to lunch and dinner, you're spoilt for choice with a bevy of characterful inns and cafés in nearby Lyndhurst, or a blow-out dinner at The Pig [see below for more], which is a 20-minute picturesque walk outside of the village.

Daisybank, New Forest: What to do while you're there

Everything in the New Forest is easier on two wheels. Rent a bike and hit one of the numerous trails through the forest and you'll get your kicks – whether that's miles of woods, heath and common land, stops at cosy pubs or a schlep along the 40 miles of hidden coastline between Barton-on-Sea and Southampton Water. Then head back and chill in Daisybank's infrared sauna. Bliss.

While you’re in the area, here are three more places to put on your New Forest to-do list:

Eat at The Pig

The first of the now-burgeoning chain of restaurants serving locally sourced food supplemented by on-site farms and kitchen gardens, The Pig at Brockenhurst is the ideal setting for everything from veggie small plates to feasts of whole-animal cooking. Get there early to sink a cocktail in the bar, which is packed to the rafters with home-infused spirits. thepighotel.com

Felix Schmilinsky

Try fly fishing

Super bucolic, tantalisingly pretty and packed to the rafters with trout, the chalkbed streams of Hampshire are an absolute mecca for fly fishing. And on a day session with the experts at Upstream Dry Fly, you can (quite literally) wade in on the action. upstreamdryfly.com

Drink at Dancing Cows

No matter what your favourite tipple is, they sure as hell distil it at Dancing Cows Distillery and Brewhouse. This small-batch rum, gin and single-malt spirit distillery and brewery is based just outside Lymington, a 20-minute drive or 15-minute train from Brockenhurst (we’d suggest taking the train so you can give the entire range a try on a guided tour). dancingcows.co.uk

Paul Close/VisitEngland

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