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With Bridgerton back in the spotlight and windswept romance in the air, the Montagu Arms in the New Forest offers storybook charm, wild forest rides and a perfect dose of English countryside indulgence.
Emma Harrison checks in and swaps her writing chair for a saddle, enjoying a dreamy Easter New Forest hotel break filled with horses, gourmet dining and some seriously unforgettable accommodation.
If you are looking for an elegant yet rustic retreat in a truly beautiful setting, the Montagu Arms should be at the top of your list. This stylish staycation spot is full of classic English charm and timeless character.
The Montagu Arms: A historic New Forest hotel
With roots stretching back to the 16th century, the current house was built in 1888 in Arts and Crafts style and expanded in 1926. This charming New Forest hotel occupies one of Beaulieu’s most coveted spots, between the village’s picture-perfect High Street and the historic dam created by abbey monks in the 13th century. The dam separates the Beaulieu River from the tranquil Mill Pond, creating a setting that feels lifted from a painting.
The old corn mill sits quietly alongside, while just over the bridge lie Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House, home to Lord Montagu. Beyond, the New Forest stretches out in all its wild beauty, with coastal escapes to the Isle of Wight just a short hop from nearby Lymington.
With a fresh wave of windswept romance in the air, there is a renewed appetite for corsets, countryside and a slower, more romantic pace of life. For those ready to step into their own Austen-era fantasy, the Montagu Arms is the perfect base, blending historic charm with just the right amount of indulgence.
Explore the New Forest on horseback
For anyone keen to swap drawing rooms for the great outdoors, the hotel’s partnership with Coombe Stables offers the ideal adventure. Guests can saddle up for guided hacks across the open forest and experience the New Forest as it should be: wide open, untamed and quietly spectacular.
The horse riding experience is perfect for everyone, from complete beginners to confident riders.
There is something utterly enchanting about cantering through the forest, the breeze brushing past and sunlight flickering through the treetops. It makes a dreamy couples’ escape or a magical family adventure, offering a perspective on the forest that no walking trail could ever match.
With over 15 horses to choose from, I was paired with Val, a dark brown former polo horse aged six, who had the perfect mix of experience and youthful energy. My partner was teamed with Cauley, the wise elder of the stables at twenty, who moved with surprising vigour and grace, trotting along as if half his age.
For over an hour, we rode from the stables into the heart of the New Forest, guided by one of the friendly stablehands. Seeing the forest from horseback offered a completely different perspective, with open spaces and hidden glades revealing corners of the landscape you would never notice on foot.
There was something wonderfully calming about being immersed in nature, and even without bonnets or Regency gowns, it felt as if we had stepped straight into a Regency romance.
After the ride, returning to the Montagu Arms feels like stepping back into comfort and elegance – the perfect reward for an afternoon in the wilds of the New Forest.
From canters to comfort at the Montagu Arms
With the ride complete, we swapped our saddles for sloe gin in our exquisite Hayloft Barn Suite. Lovingly restored from an 1820s barn, the suite spreads over two floors. It brims with subtle nods to the surrounding British countryside and opens onto views of the beautifully planted gardens, inspired by Gertrude Jekyll.
The spacious ground floor houses the bedroom, with a hand-crafted super-king size bed, soft green furnishings and elegant wood panelling. There’s a huge bathroom complete with his and hers sinks, a walk-in shower and one of the largest bathtubs I have ever seen.
Wander up the carpeted stairs to the top floor and you are greeted by a generous living area – perfect for listening to music, watching TV (Bridgerton, anyone?) or losing yourself in one of the suite’s many books, coffee from the Nespresso machine in hand, or indeed a swig of the aforementioned sloe gin.
A taste of timeless English flavours
Taking inspiration from the New Forest, the dinner menu celebrated traditional English ingredients such as mushrooms, peas and garden herbs. We started with a delicate mushroom parfait with pickled shiitake on treacle bread, followed by an exquisite Chalkstream trout tartare served with nori mayonnaise and light-as-feather straw potatoes.
There was almost too many choices for our mains, but in the end, we both settled on locally sourced monkfish with cauliflower, salsify, and a fragrant pernod sauce.
After all the fresh air and horse riding, we couldn’t resist pudding: a silky vanilla crème brûlée with a refreshing lemon sorbet – the perfect finale to a memorable meal in the award-winning Terrace Restaurant.
From stables to a sophisticated stay in the New Forest
A stay at the Montagu Arms feels like stepping into a Regency romance. One minute you’re cantering through the New Forest, the next you’re kicking back in a beautifully restored suite with a gin in hand. It is adventure and indulgence rolled into one, wrapped in timeless English charm that lingers long after you leave.
Photo Credit – Montagu Hotel
