Sparkles and Shoes

A Fashion, Travel, and Lifestyle Blog

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • My Style
    • Spring Style
    • Summer Style
    • Fall Style
    • Winter Style
  • Fashion
    • Really Love My …
    • Shop My Instagram
    • Style Icons
    • Trending
  • Travel
    • Africa
      • Egypt
      • Kenya
      • Morocco
      • Southern Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Indonesia
      • Qatar
      • Singapore
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Cyprus
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • England
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Scotland
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Vatican City
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Central America
      • St Lucia
      • US: East Coast
      • US: West Coast
    • South America
  • Favorites
    • Beauty
    • Delicious Eats
    • London
    • Sparkle Sessions
  • wedding
    • Engagement Story
    • Planning My Day
    • Wedding Inspo

A Weekend in the New Forest

04/12/22 | Biking, Castles, England, New Forest, Travel, United Kingdom

New Forest Weekend - Biking to Hurst Castle

This past weekend Mark and I visited the New Forest We went last summer and it was freezing – almost the same temperature last July as it was now in early April, crazy!  This was actually the third time I have been on a New Forest weekend getaway, you may remember I went with my parents in 2019, and it was just as pretty as my previous trips.

We stayed central in Brockenhurst, taking the train from London after work on Friday. Saturday morning we got back on the train but for a very quick eight minute journey down to the coastal town of Lymington. I’ve never been to this beautiful British seaside town but it is absolutely gorgeous and Mark and I actually talked about coming back just to visit here. We wandered around, explored the Saturday market which takes over the full main street, and then rented bikes for the afternoon to head out to hurst Castle. On the way out we biked along the water which was gorgeous though very windy.

The hardest part was the mile approached to the castle which is a long a spit of pebbled rocks only accessible by walking, or in our case biking. We are able to bike about 90% of it and had to walk our bikes through very deep patches of pebbles especially as I want to be careful with the pregnancy.  Hurst was a bit more of a fort than a castle definitely a very defensive structure given its position and insane amount of walls, cannons, gun power storage, and more. I came back we took a bit more of an easier route through the forest which was much smoother pavement and less wind as it wasn’t by the water. I kept pictures to a minimum along our 14-mile ride as I was focused on biking but here are a few:

Quay Harbor in LymingtonBrochure for Hurst CastleKeyhaven Lake and Milford on Sea from Hurst CastleNew Forest Weekend - Hurst Point Lighthouse at Hurst CastleIce Cream in Lymington Harbor

We finished the bike with delicious ice cream back in Lymington before heading back to our hotel in Brockenhurst.  The main reason for our New Forest weekend getaway was dinner at The Pig, a famed hotel and restaurant, and it was definitely the highlight. Friends from the UK got us a voucher for dinner for two as a wedding gift and we had an amazing meal dining off the 25-mile menu.

When eating at a place like this I like to order different things from Mark so we got a full experience but for the main dish the special, local braised beef, sounded far too good and it came with creamy mashed potatoes which are great basic cab for my morning sickness. I started with the  Pea & Asparagus Soup with Herb Croutons and finished with the Apple & New Forest Raspberry Crumble, served with Bird’s Custard.  Mark on the other hand ordered the chipolatas (think mini hot dogs) and for desert had the  Pump Street 72% Chocolate Custard with Bitter Orange Sorbet.  All of the dishes were delicious and you can see more in this Instagram reel.
THE PIG, New Forest Hotel & Restaurant in BrockenhurstNew Forest Weekend - 19 Week Bumpshot
Not only did Mark and I have a great meal but the babies certainly enjoyed it too – they were popping! While the dress I wore is sold out I am wearing my favorite AllSaints leather jacket and pantent leather Christian Louboutin pumps.  On Sunday we decided to take it easy and took a walk around the town of Brockenhurst.  The wild horses really are my favorite and we also came across cows, donkeys, and a whole host of other wild animals. This area of the country really is gorgeous!
National Park SignNew Forest Weekend - Wild DonkeysNew Forest Weekend - Baby Bump in BrockenhurstNew Forest Weekend - Cottage in Brockenhurst
Would you be interested in a New Forest weekend?
Signature

Subscribe

« The Sephora Spring Sale 2022
A 20 Week Bumpdate  »

Related Posts

  • Bournemouth Beach - Rainbow Beach Huts 02Exploring the Beautiful Bournemouth Beach
  • London Eye and London Aquarium from the Westminster Bridge.A London Walking Tour From The Locals
  • Path to the Timpanogos Cave National MonumentTravel Diaries: Hiking in Utah
  • Tortworth Court from the GardensA Weekend at Tortworth Court

Comments

  1. Mary says

    April 18, 2022 at 10:36 am

    Babies are growing and how fun that they got a field trip litterly and figuratively.

    They will be world travelers even before they are born just like their mom!

  2. Shelly says

    April 15, 2022 at 2:56 pm

    I would be up for any fun romantic weekend.

    Struggling with always looking at the same four walls so I really need to get out and schedule some travel.

    Glad that you are getting out and about!

  3. Marsha says

    April 14, 2022 at 2:39 pm

    What a picturesque spot you found, horses, water, castles and an awesome place for dinner.

    Sign me up right away.

    So glad you are getting out before the babies arrive.

    Very smart.

  4. Belinda says

    April 14, 2022 at 7:20 am

    What a fun weekend and those horses. I guess they get used to people being close to them. Do you get to feed them?

  5. Linda says

    April 14, 2022 at 4:28 am

    Thanks for sharing your adventures, excellent pix, especially like your outfits showing off your “babies” bump. You look amazing.

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog.  I am a New York City girl at heart but I moved to London in the Spring of 2018!

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Newsletter

POPULAR POSTS

  • Style Icon: Rosie Thomas
  • Fringe Heels | Schutz Kija Fringe Heels Fringe Heels
  • Quote about Magnificen Soul Have you Heard of Atticus Poetry?
  • Ocean Color Palette - Sea Brights 1 Inspiring Ocean Color Palettes
  • Never Will I Ever … Shave Half My Head

WHERE I SHOP

Amazon (US)

Amazon (UK)

Beauty Pie

Nordstrom 

Sephora

Wayfair



Archives

  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012

Fine Print

Sparkles and Shoes is a part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site or any related social media platforms (including Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest), I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase. All opinions are my own.

© Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes, 2012-2022 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Get the latest

Receive Sparkles and Shoes right to your inbox!

Connect with me

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 · Designed by High Note Designs, LLC

Copyright © 2023 · Tasteful Theme on Genesis Framework