1 / 17Clares Cottage
Lyndhurst, Hampshire
A one bedroom cottage for two at Lyndhurst in the New Forest, with a fully enclosed garden, a wood burner and two dogs welcome, a walk from the open forest.
Go to the end of the street and the forest is there. Lyndhurst is the one settlement inside the New Forest with a proper high street, and Clares Cottage stands in it, dog friendly, a single bedroom for two, a fully enclosed garden with a patio, and two dogs welcome. Bolton's Bench and the open ground are up at the top of the town.
Two people, one bedroom, and a wood burner with logs put in for the colder half of the year. The garden is fully enclosed and furnished, which in a forest village counts for more than it would anywhere else: beyond the fence the ponies and cattle go where they choose, and an enclosure a dog cannot leave is the only ground inside the village boundary where a lead comes off at all.
It is a cottage for two people who came here for the forest and have no intention of driving to it. The pub is a few minutes away on foot, bicycles can be locked away out of the weather, and the walking begins where the houses stop. Two dogs get a village to be admired in and several thousand acres immediately behind it, which beats a remote cottage with one lane out of it.
At the top of Lyndhurst, Bolton's Bench is a yew-topped mound where the open forest starts, and from there heath and ancient woodland run west without a break in them. Bolderwood lies 2.9 miles out that way, a deer sanctuary set in tall Victorian planting with a platform looking onto the lawn the fallow deer use. Between the two there is more walking, marked and unmarked, than two dogs will get through in a fortnight.
Book your stay
from £674 for 7 nights
Clares Cottage takes 2 dogs and is booked through holidaycottages.co.uk.
Book with holidaycottages.co.ukPrices are a guide only, checked 27 August 2026, and change with dates and availability. We may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
At a Glance
- Dogs Welcome
- 2 dogs
- Enclosed Garden
- Yes
- Fully enclosed garden with patio and garden furniture | Bike storage | Bath towels, tea towels, bed linen and utilities all included (excludes beach towels) | Parking in the lane opposite the cottage
- Sleeps
- 2 guests
- Rooms
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Price
- from £674 / 7 nights
- Grading
- 4 star
- Arrival
- in from 16:00, out by 10:00
- Facilities
- Open fire, Wifi
Clares Cottage from £674 for 7 nights
Book with holidaycottages.co.ukFrequently Asked Questions
Is Clares Cottage dog friendly?
Yes, Clares Cottage welcomes up to two dogs. It has a fully enclosed garden where dogs can be let off the lead safely, which is particularly valuable in Lyndhurst where New Forest ponies and cattle roam freely beyond the garden fence.
Are dogs allowed at Clares Cottage year round?
The listing doesn't specify any seasonal restrictions on dogs, so they appear to be welcome throughout the year. The cottage does have a wood burner with logs provided for the colder months, making it a cosy option for an off-season visit with your dogs.
What should I know before visiting Clares Cottage with my dog?
The most important thing to be aware of is that New Forest ponies and cattle roam freely through Lyndhurst itself, so dogs will need to be on a lead outside the cottage garden. The fully enclosed garden is the only place within the village boundary where you can let your dog off safely — beyond the fence, the open forest is wonderfully walkable but dogs should be kept under close control around the free-roaming animals.
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Clares Cottage from £674 for 7 nights
Book with holidaycottages.co.ukWhat’s Nearby?
Lyndhurst Parish Circular (from Bolton’s Bench)
Hampshire
A varied New Forest circuit from the main hub town with outstanding dog-friendly facilities; free-roaming ponies and cattle across the open areas require leads nearby.
Walk2.6 mi awayBlackwater Arboretum / Tall Trees
Hampshire
A gentle stroll among towering redwoods and ancient oaks with excellent off-lead potential; one of the most accessible and rewarding short walks in the New Forest.
Walk2.7 mi awayRhinefield Ornamental Drive Loop
Hampshire
Stunning ornamental woodland with towering redwoods and excellent off-lead potential on clear forest paths; regular stream access and natural shade make it comfortable year-round.
Walk2.9 mi awayBolderwood Deer Sanctuary Trail
Hampshire
A gentle forest walk with deer viewing opportunities and accessible compacted paths; dogs must be kept under close control near the deer sanctuary.
Walk3.4 mi awayBalmer Lawn & Brockenhurst Loop
Hampshire
Flat, accessible New Forest walking with exceptional off-lead potential across open lawn and good stream access; free-roaming ponies and cattle are very common so leads needed near them.
Walk5.3 mi awayWilverley Inclosure Walk
Hampshire
Rewarding enclosed forest walking with high off-lead potential on clear woodland paths; easy terrain suits dogs of all fitness levels.