THE LOWDOWN

Full of character, The Montagu Arms in the pretty New Forest village of Beaulieu is a 33-bedroom country house hotel. The Four AA Star hotel its own smart restaurant, The Terrace, a casual dining pub, Monty’s, glorious gardens and more than a few adorable donkeys and horses tootling around outside.

At the bottom of the pretty Beaulieu High Street, it’s close to the beautiful Beaulieu River, Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House and the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

The Montagu Arms itself has no shortage of history: there’s been an inn on this site since the 16th-Century. The hotel has hosted many famous visitors including – but not limited to – Arthur Conan Doyle, Buffalo Bill, General Charles de Gaulle and Henry Irving. During WW2 the hotel was used by the home-guard (the real Dad’s Army).

THE VIBE

Donkey walking down the high street Beaulieu

Meandering around the country roads into the idyllic Beaulieu (with a brief pause for some donkey-related congestion) feels a bit like stepping back in time with thatched cottages and historic sights around every bend.

Arriving at the hotel you can tell its something a bit special from the off, with its entrance that somehow manages to be both grand and demure all at once.

The interior is full of wood panelling, wooden beams and gold framed paintings and large ticking grandfather clocks – all of which channels that old English homestead vibe. There’s a bar to find a pre-dinner drink and a comfortable lounge with board games, papers and magazines. The light-filled Terrace restaurant and dog-friendly conservatory both overlook the pretty garden, with a Kitchen Garden, wildlife area and car park beyond.

SCOFF & QUAFF

The Terrace restaurant Montagu Arms Beaulieu New Forest

Headed up by Executive Head Chef Alastair Craig, The Terrace is a fine dining affair perfect for foodies and those on a romantic break, with a focus on organic seasonal produce from the Hampshire countryside. It also serves up hand-picked ingredients from the hotel’s own kitchen garden.

If you like things a bit more casual, or are staying with dogs or kids, (The Terrace is limited to over 8s), book a table at Monty’s Pub next door.

Monty's Pub at the Montagu Arms Hotel Beaulieu New Forest

Inside is a cosy bar with open fire and games on one side and a recently refurbished restaurant on the other. Dining with my daughter and Mr. Muddy, we find a limited but well-priced children’s menu, with plenty of kid pleasers like tomato pasta, fish and chips or sausage and mash. On the day we eat, sweet-toothed Miss Eight is delighted to see there are actually more pudding choices than mains.

Whitebait Monty's Pub Beaulieu Montagu Arms Hotel Hampshire

Choosing from a mix of classic pub fare and gastro-style dishes, we start with a super crispy, satisfying serve of whitebait and utterly delicious wild mushrooms on toast with marmite butter (love it) and Old Winchester cheese.

steak and chips Monty's Inn Beaulieu New Forest

Mains are a dry-aged steak from Hampshire’s Owton’s butchers served with all the trimmings, including super chunky triple-cooked chips.

Fish dish at Monty's Inn Montagu Arms Beaulieu New Forest

Leaning once again towards the gastro fare, I opt for grilled hake with crushed celeriac and greens, which is well put-together and full of flavour.

apple crumble at Monty's Inn Montagu Arms Beaulieu New Forest

If you choose to dine at Monty’s Pub, don’t skip puds. Our Bramley apple crumble was even tastier than it looks. But the real winner was Miss Eight, who chose what turned out to be a freshly baked chocolate brownie with salted caramel ice cream. Moreish.

STAY

Courtyard suites at the Montagu Arms Hotel Beaulieu New Forest

The hotel comprises of 33 rooms ranging from standard up to suites, all with super comfortable king-sized beds. Ours was an open-plan, stylish studio in the Courtyard, the original chauffeur garages set around a pretty courtyard garden.

Courtyard suite at the Montagu Arms Beaulieu New Forest

Inside, it’s lovely and light with stylish modern touches in keeping with the luxe country vibe.

Bath running in a Courtyard suite at the Montagu Arms Beaulieu New Forest

Worthy of luxuriating in, the large bathroom has a large walk in shower, robes, freestanding bathtub and lovely smellies from The White Company.

damson gin decanter in a Courtyard suite at the Montagu Arms Beaulieu New Forest

Post check-in homemade flapjacks quickly snaffled with a coffee from the well-stocked machine we tear ourselves away on a walk to make the most of the beautiful weather. Later, we make the most of the complimentary decanter of very tasty damson gin for a pre-dinner snifter.

OUT & ABOUT

The New Forest is prime tourist territory, with attractions such as Buckler’s Hard and Beaulieu (above) just around the corner from the hotel. There’s also plenty of walking trails for all seasons and weathers, including a scenic walk from the back of the hotel to Buckler’s Hard.

However, the village of Beaulieu is worth exploring on its own with gorgeous little boutique shops such as Norris Gifts & Furnishing, Beaulieu Chocolate Studio, Fairweather’s Garden Centre mere steps from the front of the hotel.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Yes! Once a very grown-up affair (and still a great bolt hole for a romantic weekend break), the Montagu Arms has really broadened the family appeal and makes a great option for families. Kids stay free in a family suite or courtyard room with lots of lovely little touches including a personalised welcome pack. Monty’s has a dedicated kids menu or there’s half sized portions for mini gastronomes (aged 8+) looking for a grown-up meal in The Terrace.

DOG FRIENDLY

Dog at the Montagu Arms Dog friendly hotel New Forest Hampshire Beaulieu

The Montagu Arms offers everything a canine guest could want: comfy dog beds, bowls and a hamper of goodies, ready to go in choice of suites or snug rooms. The Terrace restaurant doesn’t allow pets but dogs are welcome to breakfast with their humans in the conservatory. After a day of exploring around beautiful Beaulieu or the New Forest, hole-up for a pint and a good meal at the Montagu Arms.

ACCESSIBILITY

Not all of the rooms are accessible because of the hotel’s Grade II heritage status but there’s disabled parking bays at the front and rear of the hotel and disabled guests can be accommodated in the Courtyard. The Terrace Restaurant and Library Bar are located on the ground floor and have direct access from the entrance, with no steps.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Couples, families and dogs will all find themselves very well looked after at The Montagu Arms. If you’re here without kids or dogs, it’s worth packing your bathers as guests also have access to the gym and excellent spa facilities at the SenSpa at Careys Manor in nearby Brockenhurst.

Not for: A budget break. The Montagu Arms is reassuringly expensive, but not eye-watering so.

The damage: A house snug starts at £259 a night, with suites and courtyard rooms edging around the £400-£450 a night mark. Dinner in The Terrace costs around £15-£18 for starters, £22-£35 for mains and £12 for puds. At Monty’s Inn, small plates are around £10, mains are £17-£38 and puds are £2.50-£12. The children’s menu is around £12.50 for two courses.

The Montagu Arms Hotel, Palace Ln, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst SO42 7ZL. Tel. 01590 624467

Muddy stays: The Montagu Arms, Beaulieu

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