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The New Forest in Hampshire offers miles and miles of walks in heathland and wooded areas, with the chance to see tall trees such as Redwood and Sequoia. This is a great place for a short break with your dog, where he can roam with you in safety. The New Forest Ponies are literally everywhere, but they are not worries by dogs scampering around their feet. Main centres to stay in the New Forest include :

Lyndhurst - busy small town with some good shops, but the main road cuts through the centre. Be prepared for traffic noise if you stay in a place on the main thoroughfare. The Lyndhurst Park Hotel set back from the Southampton Road but is within walking distance of shops and bars and the company accepts dogs in all its hotels. Call 0808 144 9494 for more information. Nearby is the smaller Knightwood Lodge hotel. This hotel is set behind a field where you are sure to see wild ponies grazing. It has a pool and spa, dogs are accepted in two self catering cottages that form part of the hotel complex. Call 023 8058 2052. www.knightwoodlodge.co.uk.

We have stayed in neighbouring Brockenhurst, where the Balmer Lawn Hotel is the imposing white building next to the village cricket pitch, about half a mile from the station and pubs. Dogs are accepted in the rooms at the Balmer Lawn, but a small charge is made for the dog to stay. This hotel has broadband connections in all rooms and WiFi in the public areas so remember your usb flash drive. It is probably ten minutes walk from the centre, but remember - the roads are not lit at night. The reason I mention the bars is that Brockenhurst has several quintessential English pubs, and two of them accept dogs in the restaurant area. This is a bonus for dog owners who want to eat out in the evenings.

The two best pubs in the village that we have sampled in Brockenhurst are the Forester’s Arms and the Snake Catcher. Both are relaxed and dog friendly. You need to reserve a table at the Forester’s as it becomes very busy: we booked a place in the corner so the dog would not get under people’s feet. When we arrived we found the staff had placed a dog bowl beside our table! Food is basic pub fare, the atmosphere is lively - mainly locals - who are friendly!

Brockenhurst is also home to the beautiful Thatched Cottage Hotel, where the two downstairs bedrooms are dog friendly. The other three are reached by climbing a narrow 300-year old wooden staircase so unless you wnat to carry your dog , the ground floor rooms are best. All are equipped to luxury standards - see the photo of one happy dog enjoying the fire in the Darjeeling Room! The other dog friendly room, the Pouchkin, has its own enclosed gazebo terrace so your pet can stretch his legs and enjoy al fresco meals. Tel: 01590 623090.

Right on the edge of the New Forest is the Woodlands Lodge Hotel, which is proud to offer a warm welcome to dogs. There are five bedrooms available to take dogs. They are all in the de-luxe double category or above. This hotel backs straight on to the edge of the forest, allowing guests to walk for hours with no need to get in the car. Telephone 023 8029 2257.

In fact the whole area can be enjoyed without four wheels, as there are lots of cycle hire companies and very good rail connections.
Lymington lies to the south of the New Forest National Park, a prosperous Georgian Sailing town with a Charter Market on Saturdays. Unlike many other areas that attract the sailing set, the town has managed to retain its authenticity. There are two places to stay where your dog can have an enjoyable stay. The first is the Mayflower (pictured below), a renovated pub with six rooms priced from £85 bed and breakfast. This is now a high quality bar and restaurant where dogs are made particluarly welcome. www.themayflower.uk.com, telephone 01590 672160.

Also in the centre of Lymington the Stanwell House welcomes well-behaved dogs (and owners) but charges a supplement of £15 for the stay. Telephone 01590 677123.