Introducing you to the Balmer Lawn hotel, New Forest
From its fantastic two-AA Rosette restaurant to its friendly service, a stay at the characterful Balmer Lawn Hotel, one of the region’s most historically rich hotels was always going to be highly enjoyable.
History of the Balmer Lawn hotel
And you will be in splendid company too, as this imposing family-owned hotel has hosted esteemed guests including royalty since the mid-1800s such as King George V, Queen Mary and Winston Churchill.
Situated in the heart of the stunning New Forest and the picturesque town of Brockenhurst, the Balmer Lawn is an expansive four-star red brick hotel surrounded by 500 acres of picturesque expanses of forestry complete with the obligatory cute ponies.
The building has taken on many guises over the years which includes a hunting lodge, field hospital and General Eisenhower even issued orders for the D-Day Landings during the Second World War from here.
The hotel has maintained many of its historical features and this aesthetic has been extended to the decor such as the antique-style furnishings, Windsor chairs and the vintage-inspired four-poster beds.
Staying at the Balmer Lawn hotel
We stayed in one of the sumptuous traditionally-styled queen rooms which makes for a truly romantic experience thanks to its traditional wooden furniture, heavy curtains and queen-sized four-poster bed. Heritage and vintage aesthetics are the name of the game and many of the rooms overlook the lush greenery where ponies roam.
Balmer Lawn hotel facilities
The hotel has an outdoor heated pool towards the rear of the hotel which made for a relaxing dip. It also has an indoor pool, sauna, gym and jacuzzi. The spa makes for a relaxing experience and has a cosy relaxation area where you can zen out with a healing cup of herbal tea.
Beresfords Restaurant at the Balmer Lawn hotel
As well as its stunning location in the Hampshire countryside, one of the highlights of staying at the Balmer Lawn is the amazing food at the two AA-rosette Beresfords restaurant.
Headed up by esteemed executive head chef Andrew Gault and head chef Ben Brooks, Beresfords have an impressive menu filled with delicious dishes with ethically and locally sourced ingredients.
We started with one of the ‘Beresfords Bites’ – the Gloucester Old Spot Pork Crackling with an apple and pear compote which was one of the best dishes of crackling I have ever had.
All of the dishes from the starters through to desert are jam-packed with flavour and enjoy exquisite presentation. The Cornish lobster souffle, the quail scotch egg and the vibrant salt-baked beetroot with goat’s curd are all excellent choices for starters and the watercress risotto, Cornish wild sea bass and roasted fillet of chalk stream trout are an absolute delight.
One particular highlight was the 28 day matured fillet steak which comes with thick chips, salsa verde and confit tomatoes.
For more informal dining, you can enjoy snacks and light bites at The Lodge Kitchen and Bar, which stretches out into an alfresco eatery.
There are some interesting wines to choose from on their expansive wine list and you can also opt for a beer from the local Ringwood Brewery.
The glorious New Forest is amazing all year round, but a stay at the Balmer Lawn makes for serene and highly-satisfying getaway.
Check in: Double rooms start from £215 per night or for a luxury four poster bed- £300 per night.
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