Balmer Lawn to the rescue of locals in lockdown

Historic family owned Brockenhurst hotel carries on the traditions of generations in supporting its local community

Ever with positive attitudes as befits the overall winners of last year's New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards, during the temporary closure the Balmer Lawn team are focusing their time and energy into helping the local community through difficult times. 

At least we're not on rations as they were 75 years ago, indeed "comfort food" comes into its own...

...and the free delivery of essential food boxes has been a lifeline for some especially the older and more vulnerable locals: not only for the supplies but also the much needed friendly conversation with the Front of House Manager when ordering.

This has seen a network of new regular customers and friendships grow. Strawberries, locally grown delicious ones, are now on the box menu too! Click here for more information and how to order! 

Plus, not only are Balmer Lawn providing the essentials, they’ve been homing in on the skills of all of their talented team to share some fantastic tips for everyone at home, from Homemade Pizza Recipes from Head Chef, to creating Your Spa at Home from Head Spa Therapist, and even How to Plan your Wedding during lockdown from Wedding Co-ordinator Ruth. Read about all this in their blog. 

And now for the latest innovation: the New Forest's first Virtual Wedding Showcase

Balmer Lawn is a beautiful and convenient location and a fabulous venue for your wedding, too.

The latest innovation by Wedding Co-ordinator Ruth Mundy is the New Forest’s very first Virtual Wedding Showcase! It’s being held on Sunday 17th May from 11.00am.

This will include a virtual showround of the venue, presentations from their recommended suppliers and a live Q&A with Ruth - which will give you the opportunity to experience the team's legendary friendliness!

It’s a perfect opportunity for prospective couples who are itching to begin planning their weddings - including those postponed from this spring... Join them on Instagram @balmerlawnweddings - and check out https://www.balmerlawnhotel.com/weddings/

Balmer Lawn is back, sizzling like never before!

Historic family-owned Brockenhurst hotel is back in business big time with a whole host of welcome New Forest news to share

Since its grand re-opening in July, the Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brockenhurst has enjoyed welcoming a staggering number of new and returning hotel guests and diners alike to enjoy the new surroundings and menus on offer. And as we welcome the annual autumn pannage season and pigs customarily hanging out close to this iconic hotel, what better time for us to give it a great big welcome back to our pages as well.

Perfect for the New Normal: outdoor bar and pizza oven 

The latest addition on the front terrace is ‘The Lodge’ with is a fabulous new outdoor bar and pizza oven providing another option to the alfresco dining offerings.

This will, of course, facilitate distanced socialising into the cooler months

Read more about The Lodge on the Terrace here 

The Savernake Terrace hasn’t been forgotten about either with a wonderful new limestone patio and extended garden area with additional outdoor seating and space.

Dining has been spread out across the restaurant, lounge bar, two additional dining rooms and two terraces with comfortable socially distanced layouts.

Dine in the day - with less to pay!

What’s more, there’s the added incentive of the new ‘Dine in the Day with Less to Pay’ offer giving diners 20% off between 12.00pm and 4.00pm on a Monday to Thursday throughout September. Click here to read the details of "Dine in the Day"

COVID secure customer charter

The COVID secure procedures have been introduced seamlessly and a friendly host is available to welcome guests on arrival and take temperature checks of all guests prior to seating for your peace of mind.

The heated outdoor & indoor pools are open to residents along with the fitness gym, with pre-booked time slots, allowing for safe social distancing and cleaning between slots. The Saltus Spa is also open for business offering heavenly Spa treatments in a safe environment.

The Balmer Lawn team invite you to please if you'd like to before you visit, read the COVID Secure Customer Charter. 

Spot the pigs too on a 3-night getaway special

Treat yourself to a three-night getaway this Autumn, for a chance to see the ancient ritual of Pannage, where the Pigs roam freely around the New Forest eating the acorns and crab apples. Read the details here about the 3-night getaway special.

For more details about any of the above or indeed any other matter straight from the horse's mouth (or pony or piggy) you are invited to contact Samantha Gray on 01590 625777; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pop up for Balmer Lawn! 

Historic family-owned Brockenhurst Hotel launches new pop up restaurant - perfect for the times in which we live 

More news of initiatives and innovations from our friendly local family owned and run four star hotel with the announcement of the Balmer Lawn's new pop-up restaurant The Lodge Kitchen & Bar. Perfect of course, for distanced socialising into the cooler months, especially considering those who really do want to go out and socialise, but would feel safer staying "outside".

The restaurant takes the form of an enormous 28m x 10m stretch tent, located in front of the hotel on the terrace overlooking the cricket pitch.

The spacious tent – ideal for social distancing and complemented with a wonderful lighting and heating scheme, is decorated with sheepskin rugs and rustic tables and will be perfect for an ‘Alpine’ atmosphere, completed by the waft of glühwein!

The restaurant menu will include classic Italian pasta dishes like Beef Ragu Pappardelle, sharing boards of Italian meats, breads, cheese pickles and more.

Christmas seasonal twists will appear alongside the superb pizzas being cooked in the open-air kitchen by the hotel chefs on the recently launched outdoor Gozney Pizza Oven.

Sample pizzas include the Isle of Wight (tomato, confit, garlic, Isle of Wight blue cheese, and basil), goat cheese and rocket with red onion confit, the classic Margherita (tomato, mozzarella and basil) and the renowned Diavola (spicy sausage, chilli, olives, basil and thick, creamy, mozzarella).

There is also a selection of flatbreads and salads including pulled brisket with Montagnolo and rocket, smoked local trout with capers and rocket, and home-made smoked Tunworth cheese with rocket and honey.

Alternatively, guests can choose from the Brasserie menu which has dishes including pan fried gnocchi with spinach and Puttanesca sauce, homemade burger made from 28-day-aged beef, and Creedy Carver duck breast with warm niçoise and a balsamic jus.

However, no dining experience at the Lodge Kitchen and Bar would be complete without sampling a local ale and you can’t get more local than ‘Henry’s Pale Ale’, which has been designed and brewed on the premises at the Brockenhurst Brewery by Henry (as the name suggests!) Wilson – son of the hotel owners Chris and Alison Wilson.

Read more about The Lodge on the Terrace here 

COVID secure customer charter

The COVID secure procedures have been introduced seamlessly and a friendly host is available to welcome guests on arrival and take temperature checks of all guests prior to seating for your peace of mind.

The Balmer Lawn team invite you also to read the COVID Secure Customer Charter. 

Pig spotting 3-night getaway special continues too

As previously advertised there is currently a special 3-night autumn offer, for a chance to see the ancient ritual of Pannage, where the pigs roam freely around the New Forest eating the acorns and crab apples. As above there are often pigs roaming close to the hotel. Read the details here about the 3-night getaway special (until 21 October).

Enquiries and bookings

More information and bookings:  please call the ‘Reservations Team on 01590 623116; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Stretch tent goes up early November, meanwhile everything else is in action on the Terrace!)

Who remembers Eddie the Eagle?   

Well he came to Brockenhurst, officially to open the brand new Lodge Kitchen & Bar at the Balmer Lawn Hotel!

Click here to read all about the new Lodge Kitchen & Bar with gorgeous Alpine theme...

Welcome news for post Lockdown number two was the grand opening, finally, of The Lodge Kitchen & Bar at Brockenhurst's friendly local family owned and run four star Balmer Lawn Hotel. For those who once hoped to be skiing over the next few weeks an après-ski theme is some compensation!

Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards opened the après-ski themed Lodge 

On Friday December 4, winter Olympic legend, Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards officially opened the new après-ski style venue, The Lodge Kitchen & Bar at the Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brockenhurst, kicking off the start of a much needed festive season of a kind.

The Lodge Kitchen & Bar is now open every evening throughout the season and at weekends playing host to Christmas-Fest themed evenings. Tables of up to six people will be able to celebrate with festive street food and party tunes.

Balmer Lawn Hotel General Manager, Michael Clitheroe, said, “Christmas is 100% on at Balmer Lawn Hotel and we want to make sure that each and every one of our guests has an experience to remember. The new stretch tent has been transformed into an alpine wonderland complete with festoon lights, cosy blankets and a Gozney pizza oven. 

“The clear weatherproof walls provide amazing views of the New Forest whilst ensuring everyone is kept snug inside. Christmas-Fest is going to have an amazing party atmosphere albeit a socially distanced one!”

Guests wishing to join in the fun should book a table now via www.balmerlawnhotel.co.uk.

“Tables are getting booked up in advance by people wanting to secure a Christmas experience to share with family and friends. I would recommend securing your table now to avoid disappointment,” Michael adds.

For more information about The Lodge Kitchen & Bar and Christmas at Balmer Lawn visit www.balmerlawnhotel.com/events/christmas-2020/.

The only privately owned hotel in the New Forest!

The Balmer Lawn Hotel is the only privately owned hotel in the New Forest and has been owned by the Wilson family for 23 years. It's a fabulous, iconic building with 54 rooms and it's all  surrounded by landscaped gardens, rivers and native wildlife. With wonderful welcoming atmosphere as soon as you set foot through the front door (past the wellies available for guests to borrow!) thanks to the Lodge it also now boasts two dining venues with different menus and atmospheres, an award winning spa and a heated outdoor swimming pool.

This time last year the Balmer Lawn was the winner of the highly coveted New Forest Brilliance in Business overall Business of the Year Award. See http://lymington.com/87-business/1545-balmer-lawn-brilliance-in-business-2019 for the details!

Locals - if you haven't paid a visit to the Balmer Lawn lately it's high time to do it!

About Eddie the Eagle

Note about Eddie the Eagle as promised! The mention of his name brings a smile to the faces of those who remember him. Born in 1963, in 1988 he became the first Olympic ski-jump competitor since 1928 to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping. He finished last in the 70 m and 90 m events. He also however held the British ski jumping record from 1988 to 2001. 

Closed in locked down New Forest but keeping positive

Still closed, like so many of our favourite places - but the Turfcutters Arms keeps communicating

Like so many of our favourite places the Turfcutters is closed for now but the appreciation from its customers keeps rolling in, in response to its continuing posts on Facebook which attempt to keep everybody's spirits high and which record the special pleasures and moments of spring for us all to enjoy online. 

Follow the Turfcutters on Facebook here! 

Simon and Ged's legendary  hospitality to all comers is well known amongst locals and those faraway who've enjoyed B&B or Britstop (overnighting in their campervans) as well as great pub meals by the cosy fireside along with live music and festivals.

Outside there's a live event viewing area and enormous garden with plenty of outside tables and seating, a traditional play areas for the children and treats available for the dogs which are so warmly welcomed too provided they're well behaved.

Let’s hope this lovely outside space can come back into its own before too long as a place where eating, drinking and socialising at distance can put the finishing touch to lazy summer days!

Free weekly e-newsletter from Lymington.com

Lymington.com and its online media channels are independently owned and managed by Bartley Marketing Ltd. We produce a free weekly e-newsletter Weekly What's On which contains lots of useful information and suitable entertainment for lockdown days too, if you'd like to receive it please sign up here! 

SNAFood Festival - Situation Negative, All Funked Up!

SNAFood Festival is an online virtual festival to which all local producers New Forest and Dorset are invited 

Two business owners have devised a way of counteracting the current crisis to support producers in the New Forest and across Dorset. Ian Tiffen from Tips & Leaves and Rob Wheeler from Kernel Cobs came up with the idea of the SNAFood Festival following the cancellations of the spring and summer shows.

Ian said: “For many of us, the show season is a huge part of our business and it allows us to showcase what we do, as well as to meet both new and repeat customers. Rob and I thought what better way to keep us all connected and hopefully surviving than by taking the shows to the public online.”

The pair have a created a fun and informal stream for producers with the aim of driving sales to their own websites and sales platforms - now live and with more producers joining in all the time. 

Ian and Rob explain how it works: “All producers have to do is create a short video talking about their product as though they’re at a show, and then we’ll create a film that will be streamed on advertised days for the public to view. It’s a free service for producers and they’re applying every day, which is great.”

“Each stream will last around five minutes and will showcase three independent makers per stream. During the feed, we’ll also set up a live Q & A so the businesses can answer any questions and it can be as interactive as possible. We’re looking at upwards of 25-30 producers with more interested as we go along.”

“Each order the makers receive from the show will be despatched to the customer along with the names of all of the SNAFood exhibitors as well as a discount code for future purchases.”

“It really is about supporting the producers in these uncertain times, and we’d like to do everything we can to stay connected with the public.”

The website is at www.snafoodfestival.com and you can contact the organisers by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

More information from Ian Tiffen This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Rob Wheeler  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Free weekly e-newsletter from Lymington.com

Lymington.com and its online media channels are independently owned and managed by Bartley Marketing Ltd. We produce a free weekly e-newsletter Weekly What's On which contains lots of useful information and suitable entertainment for lockdown days too, if you'd like to receive it please sign up here! 

Meanwhile here live from Hampshire Foods is how to make a naanwich!

Three Cornered Leek Pesto - a thrifty nutritious meal

Create a delicious meal on a shoestring!

Fiona Hill from Real Food brings us a comfort recipe full of healthy ingredients for times of austerity.

This is Three Cornered Leek (wild garlic) it grows everywhere at this time of year and makes a wonderful pesto which is very easy to make. So take a look in your garden, or you may find it while you're out getting your daily exercise.

As Fiona says you can use any sort of nut, this is hazelnut, but you can use walnuts, almonds and cashews, much cheaper than the traditional pine nuts, with three cornered Leek and olive oil.

Ingredients for Three Cornered Leek Pesto

2 small bags of peeled hazelnuts

A large bunch of three cornered leek

5 FL OZ olive oil

Salt and pepper

As the leek grows all over the place it is easy to pick but do be very careful to wash well and check through for other bits of plant – you’re looking basically to use the stems.

Method

Put the whole nuts in a food processor, this can be done with a pestle and mortar but that takes more time and makes less at one time.

Grind for 30 seconds then add the washed and lightly snipped leeks (I use scissors) with half of the oil, a good pinch of pepper and salt then blend again adding the rest of the oil till a thick paste is achieved.

This can be kept in the fridge for at least a week, if it lasts that long and can also be frozen. Best in ice cube size containers for storage.

Add it to pasta, rice and sauces, spread it on chicken, fish and meat . Believe me you will become addicted to the taste.

One of springs great bounties!

About three-cornered leeks

https://www.wildfooduk.com/edible-wild-plants/three-cornered-leek/

Three-cornered leeks are to be found everywhere, almost. They are toxic to most animals but great for humans.

With their luscious leaves, tender stems and crunchy flower buds and bulbs they are particularly versatile. You can eat all parts of the plant and it’s in season nearly all year – perfect.

About Fiona Hill and Real Food

http://lymington.com/real-food-catering-for-all-occasions

Fiona will cook and deliver delicious home cooked meals to the local area centred on Barton on Sea – including Lymington, Milford on Sea, New Milton and Highcliffe.

Based on your choice of meal, the cost is whatever the shopping list is with Fiona’s time on top so as she says "all clear and transparent"

Anything from soups and casseroles to pies and pasties, pasta meals; vegetarian and vegan included.

Please contact Fiona directly on 07759817288 or by email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Can’t find strong flour or yeast? No worries…

No yeast bread recipe from Fairweather Garden Centre Beaulieu doesn't even require strong flour

This recipe for no-yeast bread has been very popular on social media and already tried by many with positive results! Fairweather’s Garden Centre head chef Karl’s no-yeast bread recipe might be useful especially as yeast seems to be one of the things which hasn’t come back into most shops!

Ingredients for no yeast bread

• 500g plain flour,
• 4 tsp baking powder,
• 10g salt
• 300ml buttermilk (or milk - I used milk as that is what I had available)
• Handful oats

Method

• Bring dough together.
• Don’t be tempted to add more liquid at first - but may need a tiny splash depending on your flour.
• Knead briefly and divide in 2.
• Make round balls - flattened to 5cm.
• Score top and bake at 200 c for 20 -25 minutes until the bread sounds hollow, cook and enjoy with butter.

This bread freshly baked is simply fabulous with soups.  Mmmm it's also delicious buttered with home made jam!

About Fairweather's Garden Centre

Fairweather’s Garden Centre we miss you!  But fortunately we do have Fairweather’s Online...

Fairweather’s like most destinations not considered “essential” is currently under coronavirus lockdown. So the garden centre is sadly closed as is the lovely Steffs Kitchen, but, with time and inclination for gardening you can in fact order some of their “home grown” plants online.

Stunning agapanthus which so loves our New Forest soil, fragrant and bee-friendly lavender, and clever semi evergreen heuchera are all available to buy online here

Normally delivered by courier but if you live locally i.e. Beaulieu, Lymington, Marchwood and in the Waterside area, Fairweather’s will be able to deliver to you themselves for free, when you spend £50 or more. When they deliver they will leave these plants on your doorstep.

Fine dining and great New Forest pub food 

Delicious dining at “locals” pub the Turfcutters Arms - which appeals very much also to visitors

Game Night at the Turfcutters a couple of weeks ago (20 February) proved to be fine dining too in the always relaxed, convivial forest setting - warm and welcoming whatever the weather. For those of us not yet vegan, a veritable feast treat!

And a reminder if any were needed, of what a fabulous pub this is!  (The best pub in the New Forest?)

It was also good "sport" to see the looks on the faces of people as they came in thinking they were coming to a “Games” rather than a “Game” night…

It’s a bit unusual to take on two courses of game in one meal and even go on to manage a dessert too, but so cleverly planned, prepared and served was each and every item on the menu (our group between us tried them all) that the whole was a very definite vote for greater than the sum of the parts.

A warm welcome from Simon, Ged and the brilliant team always awaits all comers - including cheery fire in the hearth on all but the hottest days of the year.

Well behaved canine companions are included inside and out with treats on the bar – the accolade of New Forest Dog Friendly Pub of the Year is well deserved!

The Turfs Facebook page says it all, with compliments pouring in daily! From the Murder Mystery on Valentine’s night (what a great idea!) “Brilliant night, lovely food great entertainment, excellent staff ...would definitely recommend. Can't wait to return. Absolutely brilliant.”

More information, address, opening hours etc...