Cycling friendly hotels in the New Forest?

[Stephanie Plum]

I wonder if anyone can recommend any hotels in the New Forest with secure storage for our two mountain bikes when we aren't riding them? They have a combined value of c.£12k so we'd rather not leave them open to the elements!

I've tried a few of the upmarket hotels but even they only offer normal cycle storage out in the open which isn't ideal..... not looking for results of a google search btw, I have tried that, but more personal experience please..

[Harpoon]

There's a Premier Inn in Ringwood and Lymington - they are happy with bikes in room (assuming they aren't filthy post ride!)

https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/why/bike-friendly...

[MarcelM6]

We stayed at 'Le Chateau' in Cadnam about 2 years ago.

Bike storage in a locked, solid shed. 4 bikes (similar pricepoint to yours) for 2 nights without issue. Shed locked and we locked the bikes together.

[Stephanie Plum]

Thanks both. I’ll take a look. Any others?

[wal 45]

Slightly off topic but beware of the locals when on the roads around the Forest, they on the whole really seem to not like cyclists and be prepared for plenty of close passes from not the usual suspect cars.

I've ridden it quite a few times as only live 40 minutes or so away but to be honest never really enjoy it, best parts are closer to the shore (Lepe etc.) and it can be hard work if windy as pretty exposed a bit further up.

Sounds like you aren't a roadie though so maybe alright "off road".

[Stephanie Plum]

Interesting. I haven’t cycled there before but it looks from the maps as if there are plenty of trails. As you say we’ll be keeping off the roads as much as we can and know to avoid the ponies!

[yellowjack]

Stephanie Plum said:

Interesting. I haven’t cycled there before but it looks from the maps as if there are plenty of trails. As you say we’ll be keeping off the roads as much as we can and know to avoid the ponies!

There is quite a negative attitude toward "The Cyclists" from Commoners/Verderers in the New Forest. Currently there are 100 miles of "official traffic free routes" for cyclists within the National Park. but there is chitter-chatter about the NPA not renewing the permission that the Forestry Commission (Forestry England) have to signpost them. There are also absolute bucketloads of additional miles. Many of them on tracks that are exactly as wide, and similarly constructed/surfaced, but officially off limits to cyclists. Then there are unofficial single track trails. Or at least the anti-cyclist lobby within the New Forest will tell you there are. But I'll be damned if I've ever found them. A lot of complaints about cyclists "scaring the horses" and interrupting the annual roundup of the loose-grazing ponies, but in practice the livestock is incredibly resistant to being scared away by anything, least of all a few MTBers. "We" are also accused of breaking down fences to gain access, and being a generally negative, destructive influence on the Flora and Fauna of The Forest.

The imbecilic nature of the complaints is highlighted in opposition to Sportives and other organised events. Tacks have been scattered on roads. Bear in mind that these people have "concern for livestock and wildlife" at the very core of their traditional existence. Oh, and the funniest complaint was that cyclists "block the roads and slow the emergency services response" to such things as thatched roof fires and heart attacks. Funny how I've seen any number of cyclists just lift up their bicycle and place it on the verge, but I've never seen a fat, red faced Verderer do the same with a Land Rover Discovery...


I'm not trying to put you off, by the way. It's a genuinely lovely place to ride a bicycle once you get away from the tourist honeypots and ranty locals. It has several distinct characters too. Others have mentioned the coastal bits, but there are pine plantations, broadleaf woodland, hilly bits, flat bits, open heathland, rivers, etc. It's choc-a-block with history, too, if you're into stopping and learning. Airfields, pre-D-Day hiding places for vast armies before they embarked for Normandy. Dead kings https://www.hampshirelive.news/news/hampshire-news... (hunting accident or murder - you be the judge!). The official off road cycling trails vary greatly, too. There are sections of arrow-straight former railway lines, and there are twisty-turny downhill delights in wooded areas. Just watch out for those ponies and gormless dog-walkers. And tea rooms and pubs are fairly easy to find for a fuel stop.

I don't ride out in the Forest as much as I should, really. But responding to this thread might just inspire me to go out and further explore some of the parts which I have not yet seen.

£3.99 recently bought me a 'New Forest Cycling And Walking Map' from a local Tourist Information place. It's waterproof (not yet tested that claim) and has suggestions for circular walks, and shows the numbered posts that mark the official cycling trails. Or the OS Explorer OL22 sheet (1:25,000 scale) will give you more detail but without the numbered guide posts and their locations. A combination of both might be useful for planning routes based around wherever you end up staying. There's also a bus service (MoreBus New Forest Tour https://www.morebus.co.uk/about-NFT ) which can take up to four bikes at a time - a possible solution to starting or finishing a ride from further away without having to ride a more local loop?

[Stephanie Plum]

Thanks for taking the time to type all of that! Lots of helpful info in there. Cheers