How do I choose a village in the New Forest area to stay in?

[HaventSleptForAYear]

Will be stopping off for a couple of nights over a weekend in July from visiting friends in London, before visiting students in Winchester on the Monday.

Would like (unless there are any other suggestions) to stop off for 2 nights in a B&B with DH & 2DS (3.5 & 1.5).

Have spent several hours () today researching, seen loads of places (although loads that don't want kids either) but have no idea how to narrow my search down.

Any advice?

Buckler's Hard is nice for a day out, too...

ERmm link
Will look into Stockbridge too (and Burley and Lymington!!)

[gets out new piece of paper for her ever-extending list and considers buying a special notebook]

[scribbles furiously]

Local's top tip for the Witterings - only go if you really really really like traffic. And sitting in your car.

Second the pub in BH - good beer too.

NONONO to traffic !
[crosses it off list]

lol you are in danger of getting 'option paralysis' now.

I'd stick to your New Forest base plan, and do as little driving as possible once there. You'll have a great time.

Troo dat, but this is specifically wrt the OP's situation.

I used to cycle down from Chi - feel v smug as you speed past the longest 2 lane car park in Sussex.

aDAD I am in serious option paralysis now!

Already spent about 5 hours researching yesterday (supposed to be working from home).

Need to stay somewhere we can walk or cycle everywhere else to.

Erm - back to Brockenhurst !?

well why not, it is central NF, you only have to drive in the once, and you can pick a quiet time of day.

and you can rent bikes here?

So when is a quiet time of day in England? Saturday morning early? Friday night late?

Locals?

Have contacted those bike hire people already - thank you.

OK. Good to know. Was thinking of spending the Friday in Guildford with a friend and then going down after dinner (ie evening)

Yes, rush hour starts about 2pm on a Friday around the M25 and people heading westward. Failing that after 7-8pm traffic levels are pretty good.
If you want to stay somewhere and cycle I think Brockenhurst would be quite good, get a map of the New Forest or look at Streetmap.co.uk It is quite central, you can cycle to Lyndhurst through the woods, up to the Trusty Servant if you want. Or cycle south down to Lymington but not sure how far that is or how fit at cycling you are. There are cycle hire shops in Brockenhurst as well.

Yes I was thinking of leaving Guildford/London after 7.30pm. Or early next morning.

Will look up Guildford/New Forest route on AA

Whatever you do avoid the M3 on a Friday afternoon/evening. I have spent far too much of my life on that bloody motorway stuck in traffic on a Friday!

OK piglit. Sounds like Saturday morning would be better then.

I'll give you directions.
A3
M27
New Forest
There you go....
It won't take long.
I love the New Forest, used to camp there as a kids 2-3 times a year at least, then when we had our dogs we would go walking and pub lunching all the time. We take the kids down from time to time but not as often as I would like.
Hope you have a lovely time.

As a resident of the New Forest , I'm sure you will!

Ahh thanks everyone. Will get on the case with DH tonight and try and get booked soonish - have sent a couple of enquiries to b&bs which all seem to be booked up.

Also as someone said (so many helpful people) b&b may not be much fun if the weather's awful.

So am currently leaning towards a caravan at Sandy Balls (mostly because there are actually some available still !).

Gotta persuade DH.

Am still a little scared by the whole holiday park thing but we can hire bikes from there, walk to Fordingbridge and the river and go for walks, (and use the soft play if it rains).

Although £330 seems a little steep to be holed up in a caravan and a softplay centre - could be anywhere IYSWIM!