This month's feature article from the Montagu Arms in Beaulieu is all about what's on and upcoming this autumn and beyond into the Christmas Season too. Based above all on cosy gatherings, good food, creativity and making the most of the seasons!
Read on.
As the leaves begin to turn golden and the New Forest settles into its most atmospheric season, autumn at The Montagu Arms is all about cosy gatherings, good food, creativity and making the most of those crisp countryside days.
From lively quiz nights and live music to pumpkin trails, creative workshops and festive celebrations, there's plenty to look forward to over the coming months. Whether guests are joining for an evening, a leisurely afternoon or a longer Autumn New Forest break, here's what's coming up.
An Autumn Afternoon to Savour
Perhaps one of the loveliest ways to enjoy the changing season is to settle in for a leisurely afternoon.
From 1st September to 13th November, Sunday to Friday, The Montagu Arms is inviting guests to make their autumn afternoons a little more indulgent with a complimentary glass of English Sparkling Wine when joining for Afternoon Tea.
Simply quote AUTUMNSPARKLING to enjoy sparkling wine alongside Afternoon Tea.
For anyone searching for afternoon tea in the New Forest, it's a lovely excuse to make an afternoon of it. Perhaps begin with a stroll through Beaulieu, take in the autumn colours and then retreat indoors for something delicious and a little indulgent.
Evenings to Look Forward To
As the season begins, evenings at The Montagu Arms are filled with the kind of simple pleasures that make autumn so appealing.
Every second Thursday, Monty's Quiz Night brings friends together from 7pm for a little friendly competition. For just £2 per person, teams of up to six can battle it out for the chance to win a two-course dinner for two, along with the entry pot. Food and drinks are available from the bar throughout.
For those who prefer music, live music evenings at Monty's Inn take place on the last Friday of every month from 7pm, with guests settling in for dinner as the evening unfolds around them.
Prebooking is essential for all events.
Golden Woodland and a Little Halloween Magic
Then comes October, when the New Forest during autumn is at its most atmospheric.
The woodland becomes a patchwork of golden leaves and rich autumn colour, making it a wonderful time to pull on walking boots and explore the countryside. There's something particularly satisfying about returning from a crisp walk and settling somewhere warm and cosy afterwards.
For families visiting during half-term, there's a little adventure waiting in the gardens too.
From 24th October to 1st November, little ones can take part in the free Halloween Pumpkin Hunt. Following the trail, they can find the hidden pumpkins and collect their secret letters before unscrambling them to reveal a spooky Halloween word. Solve it and there's a tasty treat waiting.
Cosy Days and Creative Moments
By November, the evenings are drawing in and there's an even greater temptation to spend time indoors.
On 20th November, The Montagu Arms will welcome the Beaulieu Candle Company for a wonderfully creative candle-making workshop. Guests can spend the afternoon discovering the art of making container candles and wax melts, experimenting with wax, fragrances and dyes before creating their own pieces to take home.
With all materials provided and a New Forest afternoon tea included, it's the perfect kind of autumn experience — creative, relaxed and with something lovely to show for the time spent.
Then, on 27th November, the hotel will host a Paint & Fizz evening in partnership with Daisart.
This session's subject is a peacock, and whether guests are experienced painters or haven't picked up a paintbrush since school, there's no pressure to be perfect. The evening begins with a welcome glass of fizz, with all supplies provided and pizzas served along the way.
It's about good company, a little creativity and an evening that feels a world away from the everyday.
As Autumn Turns Towards Christmas
Almost before anyone knows it, the season begins to change again.
The Winter Flower Arranging Workshop on 9th December, led by florist Mala Williams, is a beautiful way to welcome the festive season. Guests can spend the day learning professional floristry tips and creating their own festive arrangement, with all materials, a buffet lunch, coffee and mulled wine included.
They'll leave with something handmade to enjoy at home or give as a special Christmas gift and perhaps a few new skills to put to use throughout the festive season.
Then, on 13th December, it's time to gather favourite people for the Forest Fizz Festive Afternoon Tea.
Guests can enjoy 90 minutes of free-flowing seasonal drinks, from handcrafted cocktails and botanical mocktails to winter wines, alongside a traditional tea tier filled with delicate sandwiches, warm scones and exquisite sweet treats.
It's a little taste of Christmas, and a wonderful way to spend a December afternoon together.
Festive Dining in the New Forest
As Christmas draws closer, The Montagu Arms becomes the perfect setting for festive dining in the New Forest. From relaxed lunches with friends to memorable Christmas dinners with family, the season is all about good food, warm hospitality and taking time to enjoy being together.
Whether you're looking for a special place for a festive lunch, a Christmas meal in the New Forest or an elegant setting for a seasonal celebration, our festive dining experiences offer a chance to make December feel that little bit more special.
And for those looking to celebrate without having to wait until Christmas, a festive meal at The Montagu Arms makes a wonderful Christmas treat in its own right.
Give the Gift of The Montagu Arms
For a gift that's about more than simply what's underneath the tree, Christmas gift vouchers from The Montagu Arms offer the chance to give someone a memorable experience to look forward to.
From dining experiences and afternoon tea to a relaxing stay in the New Forest, our gift vouchers can be enjoyed long after Christmas Day has passed. They're a thoughtful choice for food lovers, couples, friends and anyone who appreciates good food, beautiful surroundings and a little time away.
So, whether you're planning Christmas dining in the New Forest, looking for a festive afternoon tea, or searching for Christmas gift vouchers with a difference, The Montagu Arms offers plenty of ways to make the season memorable.
A Season Made for What You Love
Of course, guests don't have to fill their calendar to enjoy autumn at The Montagu Arms.
Sometimes the best autumn countryside escape is the one where there's nowhere anyone needs to be.
The hotel's A Season Made for What You Love offer has been created for exactly that. From £200 per room per night, guests can enjoy their choice of bedroom, continental breakfast and £50 hotel credit to spend on the things they love.
Perhaps it's a leisurely afternoon tea, dinner at Monty's Inn, a drink by the fire or something a little more indulgent. Or perhaps guests will head out to explore, with the beauty of the New Forest right on the doorstep.
Or get adventurous with tickets to Beaulieu, home of the National Motor Museum or Horse-riding with Coombe stables.
For those searching for autumn hotel deals, it's an opportunity to make a stay go a little further while enjoying the very best of the season.
Time to Slow Down
There's a particular rhythm to autumn at The Montagu Arms.
A crisp morning walk through the New Forest. The crunch of leaves underfoot. An afternoon spent over tea and something sweet. A long dinner with friends. A cosy evening in the bar. Perhaps a glass of wine before retreating to a room upstairs.
And as the season moves towards winter, those simple pleasures become even more inviting.
For anyone dreaming of cosy winter breaks, The Montagu Arms offers a place to slow down, switch off and enjoy the countryside at its most peaceful.
Because perhaps that's the real beauty of an autumn stay in Beaulieu. There's plenty happening for those who want to fill their days, but just as much pleasure in doing very little at all.
This autumn, The Montagu Arms is a place to make time for what you love.
Montagu Arms Hotel
Where here and heritage meet: discover our four star country house hotel in Hampshire.
Perched on the southeastern edge of the New Forest and nestled in the sleepy village of Beaulieu, our country house is a retreat from the everyday. It's a place where fresh flavours and undiscovered experiences await, rooted in the timeless traditions and spirit of this unique destination.
