A walk in the New Forest is the chance to fall in love all over again beneath the branches of ancient oaks and beech trees. 

Here’s a few suggestions for savouring time together in the fresh air with romantic strolls in the forest this Valentine’s weekend. 

Wrap up warm, don your wellies and there’s every chance you’ll lose your heart to one of the most beautiful and picturesque areas of England.

Wander through Rhinefield’s Tall Trees

Wander hand-in-hand along the Rhinefield trail through the majestic redwoods and firs that were planted in the Victorian era. With the the soft-filtered light through the trees, it’s the perfect place to immerse yourselves together in the enchanting surroundings of the New Forest.

Look out for the towering giant sequoia trees on this walk – the tallest trees in the New Forest. Inside the arboretum you can find tree species brought from around the globe. Footpath improvement work has been carried out on the trail and Blackwater car park has toilet and picnic facilities, making it a great base for exploring this part of the forest.

The view towards the bridge over the Blackwater is one of the most popular for wedding and engagement photographs in the forest.

Fine dining at Beaulieu

A riverside there-and-back route from Beaulieu follows the tidal stretch of the Beaulieu River. Follow the gentle quiet woodland tracks towards the historic maritime village of Buckler’s Hard.

And with fine pubs and restaurants in both Beaulieu and Buckler’s Hard, you can enjoy that end-of-walk warmth when you finally sit down to an intimate meal for two which really feels earned.

Picnic at Bolderwood

Pack up your favourite snacks and some of the New Forest’s finest locally-produced food for a picnic under the pine trees of Bolderwood. If the wild herd of fallow deer are in the sanctuary, just across the road from the car park, the viewing platform you can share the experience of watching these creatures which are so emblematic of the New Forest.

Bolderwood is a great starting point for a range of walks, of varying distances, to really experience a flavour of the forest.

A Brief Encounter at Brockenhurst

With its mainline train station, Brockenhurst is the perfect place for a romantic getaway.  The station was used as a location for the 1974 remake of one of cinema’s most romantic dramas, Brief Encounter staring Richard Burton and Sophia Loren. 

It’s another village with a fine choice of eateries ideal for an intimate dinner for two. Work up an appetite beforehand with a choice of walks around the village. Choose from walks including Balmer Lawn, Roydon Woods or Ober Water at Puttles Bridge. 

Gaze out from Bolton’s Bench

Sitting side-by-side under the iconic ancient yews at Bolton’s Bench, gaze out at the rolling grassland and wide skies outside Lyndhurst.

Starting from the popular Lyndhurst beauty spot, the walk heads into Pondhead Inclosure and through the woods of Beechen Lane, before returning along the ridgeway with sweeping views over White Moor.

The bench is a lovely spot to watch the sun go down – and there are plenty of restaurants on Lyndhurst’s high street for a romantic evening meal.

With so many other great walking routes throughout the forest, membership of New Forest Walks is the perfect Valentine’s gift for your other half – so you can enjoy them together, all year round.