Tucked away in the heart of the New Forest National Park, Woodlands Restaurant at the Woodlands Hotel is a celebration of traditional British dining done properly with hearty classics, seasonal twists, and an atmosphere that feels as relaxed as it does refined.
Known locally as The Cattle Grid, the restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, welcoming both hotel guests and non-residents alike. Its ethos is clear: seasonality, locality, quality and sustainability. This is a kitchen that respects its surroundings sourcing ingredients from nearby producers and letting the New Forest landscape inspire the menu.
Whether you're stopping in after a woodland walk or staying the night on a dinner, bed and breakfast package, expect a warm welcome and menus packed with flavour. For an example of what's on offer, you might start with a duck pâté with caramelised onion and Melba toast, or a haddock fishcake with a surprise poached egg centre and silky hollandaise. Mains range from comforting plates like feather blade of beef with rosti potatoes and stout jus, to lighter options like a cod pie with samphire and grilled tomato sauce, or a plant-based sweet potato and chickpea curry.
For dessert? It’s a close call between the apple and cranberry crumble with crème anglaise or a classic cheesecake with raspberry purée, though if you’re visiting in the afternoon, you might prefer to book in for a traditional afternoon tea, served daily from 2-5pm.
On warmer days, the restaurant’s al fresco terrace offers views over the hotel’s manicured gardens. It's an ideal spot for a lazy lunch or a G&T in the sun. Inside, the setting is equally inviting: unfussy, elegant and in tune with its forest location with huge windows that welcome the outside, in - as well as offering views of the surrounding greenery.