THE LOCATION

A relaxed country house hotel near Lyndhurst with top dining, beautiful spa and friendly service, Lime Wood is surrounded by lush ancient woodland, imbuing a real sense of calm which permeates the hotel.

In summer, lilac wisteria climbs up the rear exterior of the grand house, flanked by rolling lawns and daisy-filled meadows. If you like a super car, there’s always some pretty stylish motors parked outside waiting for a valet park. (Or if you really want to make an entrance, there’s a heli-pad).

Like most grand New Forest hotels, Lime Wood has its fair share of history. The estate dates back to the 13th century, when it was used as medieval hunting lodge. In the 1740s, the Duke of Clarence (no less) occupied the manor house. Over the years Lime Wood has had many incarnations, including a farm, school, wartime Fire Brigade base and private house.

Following major renovations in 2009, Lime Wood established itself as one of UK’s most exclusive country house hotels. Since then, it’s become a go-to New Forest bolthole for romantic weekenders and more than a few celebrity escapes. A worthy candidate indeed for a Muddy check in.

THE VIBE

Designed by top architects and interior designers, Lime Wood’s curated interiors blend antique paintings with Farrow & Ball-esque colour schemes and chic contemporary features. Together, they create an elegant, classic feel inside this handsome, country house retreat, without an ounce of stuffiness.

Standout features include the gloriously grand staircase and the light-filled central bar with its lovely Spanish courtyard feel.

Lemon tree at Lime Wood Hotel New Forest Hampshire luxury hotel

If you’ve come in search of a hefty dose of fresh air with your pampering (many city dwellers do) there’s mountain bikes and posh wellies to borrow to take in the beautiful New Forest trails. Or just have a little wander around the grounds, taking in leaping hare sculptures and the herbs and fruit trees in the glasshouse.

SPA & WELLBEING

Lime wood-hotel-new-forest-hampshire-spa-outdoor-spa-pool

Spread across three floors, the Herb House spa is beautifully blended into New Forest greenery. There’s serene views from the sauna and indoor spa pools and a dip-worthy lap pool and outdoor spa pool. Upstairs, the gym is well kitted out and overlooks a roof-top herb garden.

Lime Wood spa Hampshire best spas New Forest

Along with signature Bamford and VOYA, Sarah Chapman and Ground treatments, Lime Wood’s wellbeing menu continues to evolve. Newly launched in 2024, I went all-in with a full-body ayurvedic massage from the Herb House Spa’s very well qualified specialist practitioner – and emerged suitably impressed and floaty from it.

Also here, Lime Wood’s Raw & Cured café serves healthy smoothies, juices, breakfasts and lunches.

PILLOW TALK

Suite at Lime Wood Hotel Hampshire New Forest country house hotel

Lime Wood has 33 bedrooms –16 in the main house and 17 in separate houses in the grounds. They include the nature-blended standalone Lake Cabin, Forest Cottages and Cabin with exposed wood, leather sofas and Forest views.

In the main house, country-chic interior designer Susie Atkinson has tastefully teamed floral-patterned wallpapers with a pared-back colour palate. Rooms here feature antique furniture and marble topped bathrooms, all with coffee machine, robes, slippers and hair dryers, TV, Roberts radio, reusable water bottle and Bamford bath products.

Staying for a too-short overnighter with my international jet-setting sister from out of town (and fulfilling a Hampshire hotel bucket-list stay for both of us) our suite at the top of the grand staircase (above) is a real ‘room with a view’ – with a beautiful double-aspect overlooking the garden.

Tea and strawberries at Lime Wood hotel New Forest

Tucked away in a large cabinet with a full complement of cocktail glasses, coffee machine and kettle, we find some pretty teacups. Before doing anything else we sit back and enjoy the outlook sipping tea with fresh strawberries and biscuits. Later, we absolutely sink into the super king-sized bed, (the most comfortable I’ve stayed in for a long time).

Green Eggs poached kale Lime Wood Hotel Breakfast

Breakfast in the morning is an absolute treat. After picking through the grazing table of local cheese, smoked salmon, pastry and fruit, we order a deliciously tasty take on green eggs (very Dr Seuss). They arrive perfectly poached with kale, yoghurt and chilli.

SCOFF & QUAFF

Hartnett Holder & Co restaurant Lime Wood Hampshire

Headed up by chefs Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder, Lime Wood’s in-house Italian restaurant, Hartnett Holder & Co, is full of fresh, Italian-influenced dishes. It also features plenty of seasonal ingredients, including meat and fish cured in the onsite Smokehouse.

Celebrating our escape to laid-back luxe nirvana post spa, I share a toast over cocktails in the Courtyard Bar. Perfectly fitting the mood and the setting, it has to be La Dolce Vita, a refreshing and summery spritz.

Hartnett and Holder Lime Wood Hotel Stuffed courgette

Moving on to the dining room we peruse the menu. Designed Italian-style, it has a choice of small and sharing plates as well as larger mains. We start with antipasti of a beautiful, ricotta-filled courgette fritti and Loch Duart salmon crudo with tomato, ginger and cucumber.

Smoked Salmon at Lime Wood Hotel Hartnett and Holder

Following on with more small dishes, we’re wowed by a superb gnocci con parmigiano and the Cornish lobster linguine.

Gnocci Lime Wood Hartnett Holder New Forest pasta

Next up in our Italian-style feast, we share beautifully cooked Cornish bream ‘alla plancha’ with a side of bitter leaves and herbs.

Always glad for a little help, we put our friendly sommelier to the test. She helps us navigate the extensive wine list by preference and pairing as we opt to go by the glass, rather than bottle. It pays off: everything we try is extremely quaffable.

When the food is this good, passing on the delicious dolci simply isn’t an option. My sister has a modest scoop of cherry gelati but I power on to the 75% chocolate Cremieux with fresh raspberries and toasted pistachios. It has to be one of the best puds I’ve had in a very long time. Magnifico.

DISABILITY ACCESS

There are rooms available in all categories for guests with disabilities (excluding Eaves rooms). The spa is also accessible.

CHILDREN

Pedal cars at Lime Wood Hotel New Forest Hampshire children

The R&R here is simply too good to share. But if you do decide to bring the kids, Lime Wood will happily arrange cots and extra beds. There’s also children’s wellies and bikes to borrow and allocated swim times for families in the spa’s lap pool.

PET FRIENDLY?

Book ahead and dogs can join you in Garden Room & Lodges, the Coach House, Crescent and Pavilions, for £30 a stay with beds and bowls provided. They can’t be taken into the Main House, Spa or restaurants.

OUT & ABOUT

If you can bear to tear yourself away, the New Forest National Park is right on the doorstep. Great local trails include Rhinefield’s Tall Trees and the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary. Close by at Minstead, Furzey Gardens supports people with learning difficulties and makes a great outing, with its beautiful gardens (above) cosy thatched tea room, rare and unusual plants and 40+ fairy doors to find.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: One of the most luxurious hotels in the New Forest, Lime Wood’s destination spa is the perfect spot for pampering reset or spoil-yourself romantic getaway.

Not for: Budget or family breaks – kids can be accommodated but book a babysitter so you can enjoy the place all to yourself.

The damage: Eaves rooms start at £395 room only rising to £995+ for a Forest Cabin. Cocktails are around £18, wines by the glass are £11-£13. Antipasti and Primi are £18-£36, Secondi is £42-£44, Dolci is £15-£20. On weekdays, a two-three course set lunch is £39.50 – £45.00.

Lime Wood, Beaulieu Rd, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7FZ. Tel. 023 8028 6998, limewoodhotel.co.uk.

Review: Lime Wood, Lyndhurst, New Forest

You may also like