Find the Best Lyndhurst Bed and Breakfast

The pretty village of Lyndhurst lies slap-bang in the centre of the New Forest National Park. It's a delightful place, radiating Victorian and Georgian splendour, though its history stretches back to the Middle Ages, when kings would use the settlement as a base for royal hunting trips. Today, its high street bustles with local life – independent shops, busy little art galleries and quaint pavement cafes. If you come to stay in one of the Lyndhurst bed and breakfasts, you don't need to confine yourself to just the town, though. You're just a short hop from some of the country's most scenic walking and mountain biking trails. You can even bring the dogs with you if you nab one of the pet-friendly B&Bs.

Detached Family Homes and Brick-Built Farmhouse B&Bs, Lyndhurst

There's just something so right about staying in one of the bed and breakfasts in Lyndhurst. Maybe it's their home-away-from-home ambience or the local owners, who go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Perhaps it's the cost difference compared to one of the expensive hotels, nearby, or their proximity to the many outdoor activities on offer. If you're sold on a B&B in Lyndhurst, the best place to start looking is Expedia, which lists every property, along with detailed descriptions and photos. All you need to do is plug in your dates, location and budget, scan through the B&Bs and book your favourite in just a few clicks. Arranging your weekend break just got a whole lot easier. It doesn't matter whether you're coming on an outdoorsy break or a romantic getaway, you'll always find a B&B that fits the bill. Some are charmingly traditional and haven't changed all that much over the years. Others are handsome, detached family homes, surrounded by private gardens. Others, still, are converted brick farmhouses covered in creeping ivy and wisteria.

You'll be pleasantly surprised by the guestrooms at Lyndhurst bed and breakfasts. Cosy, comfortable and full of character – it's hard to not fall for their charm. Plus, they're usually packed with amenities, like a kettle for making hot drinks, lots of storage for your things and even a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. Complimentary WiFi is a given and comes in handy for helping to plan your adventure. Be sure to spend some time chatting with the owners, many of whom have been running their properties for years and are a font of knowledge when it comes to things to do. Come daybreak, you can wake up to a hearty English breakfast – with veggie options available, too – the perfect way to set yourself up for a day of hiking or sightseeing. If Lyndhurst doesn't sound right for your break, try a few nights in the buzzy West Country capital, exploring activities in Bristol, instead.

Hiking, Golf and Wildlife-Spotting Near Your B&B, Lyndhurst

The town isn't nicknamed "The Gateway to the New Forest" for nothing. It's true that most people come to stay in Lyndhurst bed and breakfasts to use them as a base for exploring the surrounding national park. There are plenty of things on offer for those who aren't outdoorsy types, though. At the New Forest Golf Club, you can practise your swing along their sunny fairways, while just west of the village you can catch a glimpse of Britain's native reptiles and amphibians, at the New Forest Reptile Centre. If spotting wildlife is your thing, don't miss swinging by the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, where you can watch these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. If all that sounds like too much effort, you can settle into one of the cosy tearooms or cafes, or linger over a quiet drink in one of the old pubs.