We are going for a five day break a week tomorrow and wondered if people could suggest good walks away from any roads preferably where there is safe water for swims for the hounds? Also wondering where the nearest dog friendly beach is as well ?

Thanks
Lucy

How about Hengistbury Head in Christchurch. Its a good walk & the dogs can go on the beach (I think, I haven't been for a while).http://www.hengistbury-head.co.uk/hengistbury-head-intro.php

Will have a look thanks

There are good walks along Linwood Brook and parking is easy.  Latchmore Bottom is a lovely area too, we used to play here as kids BUT do Google it as fatalities have recently been reported by dog owners and vets.  The area around The Red Shute is good too.

I'd suggest buying an OS map of the forest and just driving around.  It's  a pretty small area and there are some lovely walks almost everywhere if you are prepared to walk further than the car parks.  I'm always amazed at how many people stay within 100 yards of their cars!!

One pub I'd rate very highly is The Oak Inn at Bank - it's just off the A35.  We've never had a bad meal here and the dogs are very welcome.  Our woofs just kip under table whilst we eat.

I used to live in Ringwood and I've taken my kids back a few times for family holidays.  It's a great place but will be busy at this time of year though so try and avoid the hotspots like Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst and Burley in the middle of the day or you'll just waste time in traffic.  Have fun

We always try and get off the normal walks and get into the non tourist walks when we go away.

Living in the Cotswolds we are well used to avoiding people and traffic !

We have an OS map but wanted some personal recommendations as CD is always a good source of reliable info :-)

Thanks for the suggestions  

Love Christchurch beach if its dog friendly.

We used to just find random walks with our dogs off from the campsite where we were staying, normally pretty good for allowing them of lead :-)

Avoid Brockenhurst this week we have the New Forest show going on tomorrow weds and thurs. it will be traffic galore coming into the village & going down to Lymington!

It is next week we go so it shouldn't be too bad.

Next question is what about good pubs near the area that do nice food and ant good takeaways that will deliver as well ?

I have been here, it's a few years ago but it still gets great reviews, though it is rather expensive xx
http://www.thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk/

Head to Burley for some good walks, don't know about pubs there though. Brockenhurst has a fab fish & chip take away but doesn't deliver to Ringwood!
If you go as far as east boldre (near Beaulieu) the Turf Cutters Arms is very dog friendly as is the Trusty servant in Minstead. The Oak at Bank (lyndhurst) is very good but do book because always busy.

There are some great walks in the New Forest, pretty much stop at any forest car park, but avoid the areas where dogs have been ill http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-96mh8r

The Red Shoot Inn @ Linwood is good for pub grub & its dog friendly. About a mins drive away (turn left from pub then turn right 1/4 mile) there is a gated enclosure called Broomy Walk.  We always make it a circular walk (about an hour) & there are a few streams for the dogs to cool off in.  Its usually quiet & safe for off lead dogs away from the road. Another dog friendly pub is the High Corner Inn, which is literally the other side of the road from Broomy Walk.  This also has some really good walking area's. I am aware there have been reports of dogs falling ill earlier in the year, after walking close to Ogdens Farm but we have walked there recently with our dogs without any prob's.

Thanks for all the good suggestions will report back next week how we got on!