New Forest pub, The Hare and Hounds

 NEW FOREST CIDER, GUARANTEED TO 'SOUR YER GUTS AND MAKE YER WHEEZE'

After you've stocked up on witches spells, a visit to nearby Pound Lane the home of New Forest Cider will set your feet tapping. A sign at its entrance describes the dubious 'pleasures' within.

'Drink strong cider as much as yer please

Loses yer teeth and bows yer knees

Sours yer guts and makes yer wheeze

Turns yer blood and kills yer fleas

Drink strong cider as much as yer please.'

All tastes are catered for in this ancient forest; upscale dining at 'Le Poussin at Parkhill' in Lyndhurst, sipping ale and exchanging gossip in 'The Hare and Hounds' or one of the other forest pubs. My favourite was The Mad Hatter's Tearoom in Lyndhurst, where I enjoyed a steaming cup of fragrant Earl Gray accompanied by melt-in-your-mouth hot scones, butter and mounds of clotted cream and strawberry jam.

Posted by Anne Gordon on Friday, 5th November, 2010