The Best Hotels and B&Bs to Book Near Hurst Castle

With its mock Tudor facade and glorious countryside setting, a visit to South Lawn Hotel feels like a breath of fresh air. The 26 ensuite rooms are well-appointed, with calming green palettes, but it’s the hotel’s position – wedged between New Forest National Park and the Hampshire coastline – that’s the real draw. Stretch out on woodland and seaside strolls when you’re not visiting the castle, whose car park is just a four-minute drive or 20-minute walk away.

A cool clifftop restaurant with rooms, Pebble Beach is a foodie haven. The restaurant overlooks the Solent, so spectacular views accompany meals – whether twice-baked souffle, salad with Isle of Wight tomatoes or Cornish lamb – and there’s an international wine list. Each of the three double rooms have a modern, coastal theme, with soft blues and nautical touches.

If you didn’t already know you were at the seaside in Lymington, there’ll be no doubt as you enter the Mayflower. The pub-with-rooms takes the nautical theme and makes it classy. Think roll top tubs with views over the marina, ship-print wallpaper and calming blue hues. Opt for a cooked breakfast come morning, but consider booking dinner for some fish-focused fare, too.

Britannia House in pretty Lymington is a chic home away from home for visiting Hurst Castle. The Victorian residence was built in 1865 and sits just two minutes from Lymington quay and the high street. Each of its individually designed rooms are Insta-worthy – but those looking for a bit more space should opt for the two-storey apartment and its private balcony overlooking the Isle of Wight.

As its name suggests, the Cliff House is set on a cliff overlooking the Solent – so you can let the lapping waves lull you to sleep at night. The seven rooms, with names like Wight and Dover, celebrate the hotel’s maritime heritage, while the on-site (and dog-friendly) restaurant serves everything from South Coast mussels to truffled mac’n’cheese and a plant-based burger.

For a unique stay that’s close to the coast and a short walk from the Hurst Castle car park, it’s got to be Vinegar Hill Pottery B&B. There are four types of self-contained accommodation here – choose anything from the 1885 showman’s wagon to the airy loft room, which is only accessible via spiral staircase. Breakfast is dropped at your door and will set you up nicely for a day’s exploring.

A four-minute walk from Sway station, Manor at Sway is a great option for those travelling to the New Forest by public transport – you can even get to Hurst Castle by bus from here. The hotel is set in an Edwardian house across five acres (2ha) of land, and rooms are achingly stylish, with bold paints, antique furnishings and framed watercolour prints.

With a staff-to-guest ratio of two-to-one, you know you’re going to be well looked after at Chewton Glen. The hotel seamlessly blends old-school elegance with modern grandeur, reflected in everything from its world-class spa to its fine-dining restaurant, where you can try the five-course tasting menu with paired wines. For an intimate stay, book into one of its luxe treehouses and sit in your private outdoor hot tub under the stars.