With the summer nearly over, Jerry and I sneaked in a weekend off before back to school and back to work chaos began and slipped away for a night on the Beaulieu River without the girls. The summer holidays have been glorious and after a couple of weeks in France, we really didn’t want it to end, much less come back to reality. So when a rare chance to snatch some last minute peace and quiet just the two of us came our way, overnight bags were packed and waiting by the door before you could say G and T time! Our hosts for the evening? The rather wonderfully quirky and nautical The Master Builders in Bucker’s Hard. For anyone looking for somewhere in the New Forest to spend the weekend, we can heartily recommend it.
Set back from the river’s edge, The Master Builders has bags of nautique chic (think Rule Britannia) with rooms which start from £99 per room per night including a New Forest breakfast. From Posh Classics in the Henry Adams Wing……..
to Chic and Luxury rooms in the main house (we stayed in one of the Quirky Luxury rooms), The Master Builders is the perfect place for a weekend getaway in the New Forest. Dogs are very welcome too and your hound can order to his heart’s content with the Dog Room Service menu, ensuring that his stay is as comfortable as yours. The spaniels would have had a field day, dear Reader!
Whether you intend to sip a riverside pint or large G&T, the new Yachtsman’s Bar & Garden is open daily from 11am and even offers the option of a take away menu from 5pm – a fantastic option if you are moored nearby. Yachties take note. Wonderfully relaxed, Jerry and I watched as fabulously gargantuan portions of classic pub grub with a few little Italian twists and plenty of local delights were served up. The Ringwood ale battered haddock and chips and South Coast Seafood Sharing platter looked real winners – Jerry had to repeatedly tell me to stop staring as the table next to us tucked in.
Seated in the Riverview Restaurant, I’m glad I hadn’t sneaked a chip from our neighbouring table as Chef Tom and his kitchen brigade produced the most marvellous three courses from start to finish. The A la Carte menu is a treasure trove of lip smackingly gutsy flavours executed beautifully with a large emphasis on locally sourced produce and the best of the New Forest. I must make particular mention of the rabbit loin and black pudding as well as the lamb rump with spiced cauliflower and pomegranate which was a delight and the apple millefeuille which Jerry had for pudding was light as a feather, palate cleansingly clean and fresh tasting. We hadn’t been sure of what to expect. To say that we were surprised would be an understatement. Quite frankly, it was one of the loveliest meals we’ve had in an age and Jose, the restaurant manager could not have been more obliging, including letting me sneak into the kitchen to chat to Chef.
The table of digestifs was more than a little inviting too, dear Reader!
Waking up to the gentle sounds of the river below our window, I think you’ll agree, dear Reader that you would be hard pushed to open the curtains to a more peaceful view…..
No stay would be complete without a leisurely breakfast – we really couldn’t resist the rather spectacular New Forest breakfast which supports and champions New Forest Marque produce.
Jerry was most put out when I made him wait until his breakfast had been snapped. It was far too good not to warrant a picture, dear Reader! I did let him eat it in the end…..
From the décor to the food, the service to the location, it was a very enjoyable night away. The Master Builders is a great little New Forest weekend bolthole – perfect for long walks and even longer G & Ts, delicious food for any occasion whether it’s three courses in the Riverview Restaurant or a hearty pub lunch with a difference and the well appointed rooms with a view offer up cosiness alongside a slice of riverside get aways. A huge thank you to Claire and Clive for organising and hosting us. Jerry and I can’t wait to come back!
Exploring round every nook and cranny and even into the dusty corners of the Cellarium, the trail took us round and about the gardens exploring, solving riddles, singing songs and peeking behind tiny yellow doors. I wonder if you can guess which of Beatrix Potter’s characters we found, dear Reader.
With so much to see and do, sadly an afternoon just wasn’t long enough. So, we will most certainly be back to revisit the gallery and take part in all the other fabulous activities and birthday celebrations planned as Mottisfont’s 
You’ll be pleased to hear that I’ve been swotting up on the good life this month, dear Reader. As most of you will know, when we first moved here in summer 2013, it marked the beginning of a new life for the four of us – turning our back on the urban sprawl and learning the ways of the countryside. In fact it was the view above of one of the cottage’s neighbouring fields which convinced us to move. For a couple of beginners like Jerry and I, the prospect of living the good life was more than a little daunting. Yet here we are, nearly three years down the line and we’ve raised orphan lambs, adopted a Large Black called Cumberland and an elderly pony named Willow, taken on hens and now have a share in three little piglets, Huff, Puff and Snuff. We never intended to grow such a menagerie – it just sort of happened. I often wonder if our friends ever thought that we would turn out to be this animal mad when we left the Big Smoke.
to the benefits of planting wild flower meadows…
keeping pigs and hens, planning an orchard and getting started in the kitchen garden. Nick and Bella’s aim with The New Homesteader is to inspire others to give modern homesteading a go whether it’s in the countryside, city or suburbs. You might not be able to keep pigs in a courtyard garden in South West London but you can grow fruit and veg in pots or try your hand at making your own butter (not as difficult as you may think). Honestly, dear Reader, even if you have no desire to up sticks for a rural living, I challenge you not to fall in love with the wonderful pictures and story which Nick and Bell tell in The New Homesteader. It’s a rare treat and the perfect read for those who yearn for a slice of the good life. The pictures of their delightful home will have you on Pinterest seeking to recreate their country chic in a jiffy!
