16 Best Pubs in the New Forest to Visit in 2025

I’ve visited all of these New Forest pubs, after making it my mission to find the best ones in the National Park. Someone’s got to do it!

One of the best things about exploring the New Forest is knowing there’s always a cosy pub waiting at the end of your walk. Picture muddy boots kicked off by the fire, a pint of local ale in hand, and maybe even a plate of proper pub grub to refuel.

The New Forest is full of characterful pubs – some tucked away down leafy lanes, others with big beer gardens perfect for sunny afternoons. Whether you’re wandering with the dog, heading out with the kids, or just fancy a lazy Sunday roast, there’s a pub here with your name on it. Presenting… the best New Forest pubs for your drinking pleasure.

1. The White Buck Inn, Burley

This ancient and classic country house was built just at the turn of the 20th century, but it wasn’t until the 60s that one family took on the project to bring it back to life.

The White Buck Inn, named after a majestic forest animal that runs around nearby, soon became a popular, and musical, place for people to visit.

This is one of the most famous pubs in the New Forest, where you can enjoy the end of a day of sightseeing with a foamy pint of tap beer. The White Buck Inn has a good range of beer brands – you can also enjoy cider, seasonal ale and some exclusive bottles of wine too. Great car park here by the way.  

Burley is such a cute village in the New Forest – kinda witchy. There’s a really lovely village centre, and it’s great for a park up and look around.

2. The New Forest, Ashurst

If you’ve reached the end of a particularly active day and you didn’t even have the time to get a proper lunch, The New Forest in Ashurst is the ideal choice for you.

One of the best New Forest pubs in town, here you’ll find a mouthwatering menu as well as an endless drink menu that includes wine, cask ales, draught beer and cider, bottled beer, gin, vodka, scotch, assorted cocktails and even non-alcoholic beverages if all you’re looking for is a calm dinner and great atmosphere.

The New Forest usually has attractive promotions like a burger and a beer for £15 or a bottle of Prosecco for £15 each Friday. It’s right at the edge of the New Forest, on the way back to Southampton – kinda a last chance saloon if you like.

3. The Oak Inn, Lyndhurst

From the warmest evenings to the coldest nights, The Oak Inn pub in The New Forest will always welcome you with open arms – whether you’re a cyclist, rambler or regular customer.

From the moment you walk through the door, the scent of the most delicious dishes tickle your nose. Indulge in great pub meals such as steaks, fish, roasties, kids’ meals and a fair selection of sweets and desserts too.

But no pub is complete without its most important element: a refreshing drink. Tap beers, bottled beers, wine and sweet cocktails made with fresh fruit and only the best liquors. And there’s a nice garden round the back to enjoy it all from too.

What to do on a day out in the New Forest?

Read about all the best New Forest activities here.

4. The New Forest Inn, Lyndhurst

The New Forest Inn is a traditional pub with a unique green facade and some outdoors garden benches to enjoy fresh drinks during the hottest months of the year. Love to sit here and watch the people and traffic go by.

The New Forest Inn menu contains some real local ales, a huge selection of the finest wines, cider and all sorts of cocktails. When the weather starts to drop and you just want to curl up next to the fire at the end of your touring day, there’s also a cosy sitting area on the inside. 

You’re not far from The Swan here and you could walk between the two for a bit of a pub crawl, if you fancy.

5. The Hare and Hounds, Sway

If you’re looking to visit the best pubs in the New Forest, you absolutely have to go to The Hare and Hounds in Sway.

With friendly staff and a chilled vibe you can pick one of two different seating areas to enjoy a brisk summer night in the garden, or take cover on rainy and cold days in one of their inside tables and comfortable seating areas.

6. The Plough Inn

One of the best New Forest pubs IMHO, is The Plough Inn. Their family-friendly beer garden is FAB.

From high-end dishes that look like they belong on a fancy New Forest restaurant to the many, many brands of ale, cider and beer, The Plough Inn has all you need for the perfect end of the day.

7. Fleur de Lys, Pilley near Lymington

Not only is this one of the best New Forest pubs, it’s also the oldest one in town. Fleur de Lys served its first mouth-watering pint of beer in 1096 and has a traceable list of landlords that begins in 1498. Also known as the Grand Old Lady of the Forest, this pub has a very rustic exterior with a thick thatched roof and a lovely, welcoming interior.

During cold winters you can enjoy comfortable seating by the fire, and in the summer, you can chill by the garden with your pets and kids. Fleur de Lys serves chilled exclusive wines and all types of local ales.

There are a lot of cute thatched cottages in the New Forest, and the Fleur De Lys pub is the stunning epitome of this. The road it’s on is really beautiful too – lots of lovely photo ops here!

8. Green Dragon, Brook

If you want to indulge in a foamy beer and you’d like to learn more about England’s most iconic places, you have to pay a visit to the Green Dragon pub.

This cosy New Forest pub dates back to the 15th Century, but it became a beer house about 200 years ago. From the moment you get closer you’ll notice a calm stream and an old-fashioned hump-backed bridge spanning to the entrance.

Enjoy one of their specialty cask ales while you get the chance to spot wild ponies, pigs, cows, donkeys and more farm animals walking nearby. The house opposite is AMAZING.

9. The Royal Oak, Fritham

To fully live the rural pub experience in England, you must pay a visit to The Royal Oak. Located in Fritham, this picturesque pub shares space with a working farm, so it’s most likely you’ll end up meeting some friendly livestock such as ponies and pigs.

In spite of its simple and modest appearance, The Royal Oak has some delicious lunchtime meals, seven real ales, wines by the glass, country wines, local cider and even a fun September beer festival.

If you’re looking for fun activities on your visit to this pub, there’s always board games, darts and even books available for those who want some alone time. One of the best New Forest pubs for the traditional, English pub experience.

10. Master Builder, Bucklers Hard

The Master Builder in Bucklers Hard is a house hotel in the New Forest that serves everyone from the most casual bystanders to the fanciest customers who want to have a special dining experience. With a neat and lovely garden, you can have a brisk summer evening with friends enjoying some of the most delicious local ales or all sorts of cocktails while you enjoy delicious meals.

There’s also a lovely terrace where you can enjoy the weather at the end of a day of sightseeing in the New Forest. I went to a wedding here and it was a stunning location, overlooking the waters nearby.

11. Red Shoot Inn, Linwood

With an authentic rural and hunting-themed decor, the Red Shoot Inn is a country pub located right in the heart of the New Forest National Park. It’s a homely pub, serving home-cooked meals such as beer battered fish & chips, Hunter’s board and rustic bread.

Another cool thing about this New Forest pub is that it has its own Micro Brewery, where they work on 4 different ales for you to try.

12. Crown Stirrup, Lyndhurst

Another lovely, picturesque pub that looks like it comes straight out of a movie, the Crown Stirrup pub is located in the outskirts of Lyndhurst, off the Lyndhurst Parish Circular Walk. The Crown Stirrup also dates back to the 15th century, and you can see it through its low ceilings, log fires and ultra-traditional decor.

This pub welcomes cyclists, walkers and even pets into their homey garden. Enjoy some of the most refreshing and traditional drinks by the fire or while stargazing in the summer. 

13. Waterloo Arms, Lyndhurst

A friendly and welcoming ambience awaits you on your visit to the Waterloo Arms pub. This place dates back to the 17th century, and it serves the most mouthwatering home-cooked English traditional meals.

Live music, social gatherings and a beautiful decoration are part of this pub’s history.

The Waterloo Arms is kinda dark inside, but cosy too. It doesn’t matter if you visit in the winter or in the hottest months of the year, this pub offers you a cosy fireplace and a lovely beer garden to enjoy some fresh air. 

14. The Alice Lisle, Ringwood

I haven’t actually been inside the Alice Lisle, but I spotted it from the roadside while I was touring the New Forest pubs for photos. The beer garden looked great, the staff came out and were very friendly. And there was little horses outside too.

It’s always popular, and has a large car park so I think this will be next on my list of New Forest pubs to visit.

15. The Swan, Lyndhurst

The Swan is a great pub in the New Forest, located on a pretty crossroads in Lyndhurst. If you cross over the road there are some really pretty thatched cottages there, well worth a little looksee.

As for The Swan, you’ll enjoy the usual range of food and drink from an English pub, as well as some great coffee. The nice, big car park here makes it easy to find a safe spot for your car. Parking can be tricky in the New Forest!

16. The Ferryman, Lymington

The location of The Ferryman is all part of the joy. Just over the road you’ll find the Lymington River – and all the lovely wildlife and waterlife that goes with it. You can hire a kayak or canoe, and take to the water to choose your yacht from the many parked up there.

As for The Ferryman, not only is it one of the best located New Forest pubs, it’s also one of the best foodie pubs too. Seasonal foodie highlights include Braised Beef Blade, Twice Baked Cheese Souffle and Fisherman’s Stew. Another pub in the New Forest with great parking, as there are spaces back and front. Enjoy!