Pannage Extension a real treat for our Holiday Cottage Guests

These fantastic pigs are actual life savers!  Each year for around 60 days they are released onto the forest to devour their favorite food – the acorn.

Acorns are poisonous to many other species that roam the forest so the pigs do an extremely important job in recycling them.  2020 has been a particularly abundant year for them too, hence their 60 day roam has been extended until the 21st of December.

Local New Forest Pork

All those lovely acorns, chestnuts and beech masts eaten while roaming the forest make the pannage pigs meat taste just fantastic.  The local, award winning, family run farm shop can deliver while you are staying with us at our cottages or you can even order from back home to remind you of your stay with us in Hampshire.

You can also stock up on a host of local foods and drinks from cheese, ice cream and garlic to milk, juice and cider.

See the selection of local produce from the Hockeys Farm Website

These fantastic pigs are actual life savers! Each autumn, the New Forest’s pannage season begins — a tradition dating back to the 11th century. For around 60 days (or more in years of heavy acorn fall), local pigs are released into the forest to feast on acorns, chestnuts and beech mast. Acorns are highly toxic to New Forest ponies and cattle, and the pigs play an essential role in protecting the wider ecosystem by clearing them naturally.

2020 saw a particularly abundant harvest, so the pannage period was extended until the 21st of December. It’s not only a joy to watch but also a vital part of sustainable forest life, balancing tradition with modern stewardship.

Guests staying at our New Forest holiday cottages often spot these pink pannage pigs snuffling through the leaves, especially near properties like Beck Cottage and Arniss Lodge. It’s just one of the many moments that make a New Forest stay feel connected to nature.

All those foraged acorns and chestnuts give the pork an incredibly rich flavour — something our guests love to try. Hockeys Farm, a local family-run shop, sells award-winning pork and can deliver directly while you’re staying at one of our cottages. Or you can order online once you return home — a small way to keep the taste of Hampshire going just a bit longer.

Many of our dog-friendly cottages and holiday homes with hot tubs are perfect for autumn forest breaks like this, giving you the best of local life and warm comforts after a day outdoors.

Woohoo….We are so excited to announce that Short Stay Homes have been awarded the Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year for Riverside Lodge.

These regional annual awards were introduced to recognise small, independent businesses that are extremely successful.  Importantly, reviews, testimonials and public information were part of the judging process along with a panel of industry experts.

We think that you’ll agree, the Riverside Lodge is a fantastic holiday home nestled in woodland, close to nature in the New Forest.  Please do browse our images and see why we love it too…

VisitEngland 5 Star Gold Award

Here at Short Stay Homes we pride ourselves in attention to detail in all our homes and ensure that the facilities and cleanliness is that of the highest standard. This has been recognised by VisitEngland who we are proud to announce has issued Quay House with a 5 star Gold award.

VisitEngland understands that quality is the key to success within the modern hospitality industry. For the self-catering sector to be successful and competitive both nationally and internationally, it is important that quality standards are set high and continue to improve. The self-catering standard is designed to help all businesses achieve success.

VisitEngland’s unique Gold award is given in recognition of exceptional quality within the star rating bands. This award helps customers find those extra special places where the owner and staff go the extra mile, whatever the size, style, or star rating of the business. To achieve an award, you need to demonstrate consistent levels of high quality in the five key areas identified as very important.

• Cleanliness
• Public Areas
• Bedrooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen

Eligibility for an award is triggered by the properties overall score meeting a minimum score in each of the critical areas listed in the bullet points above.

VisitEngland inspectors go over a property with a fine-tooth comb. This outlines exactly what holidaymakers look for & their standards of cleanliness. The star rating achieved provides our guests with the reassurance that they can expect a certain level of quality when staying in one of our holiday homes.

The assessors or inspectors are experts in their field. They provide valuable advice on improvements as well as upgrades to the property and its facilities. Having an official inspection of your holiday home can reveal aspects and elements to improve that you may never have thought of. Their experience and knowledge of the market in the self-catering field can be invaluable.

The VisitEngland rose sign is one that most travellers recognise. It is reassuring as it proves to our guests that we are a genuine home rental owner. It also shows that our property is of extremely high standards from the importance of cleanliness, the attention to detail on furnishings, décor and even down to your dining experience with the finest crockery.

Here is a snippet of how the assessor described our beautiful 6 bedroom listed Georgian Town House………

“The substantial Georgian house continues to be very well maintained to the exterior and is situated in a tidy garden with large terrace well-furnished for alfresco dining. The property is located close to Christchurch Quay, Priory and town centre amenities. Cleaners to be commended for the attention to detail evident throughout the property. Mirrors gleaming and the beds very neatly dressed with fresh linen. The kitchen units are carefully arranged which allows guests to locate all items with ease. Spacious, high quality accommodation.”

Our handy guide will help you spot and identify animals when staying in a New Forest Cottage. Remember to pack a good supply of water and snacks, or even a picnic to enjoy whilst you explore.  The Viewranger app is a great addition to find your way around.  Take a camera and snap some shots for your Facebook and Instagram pages too. An ordnance survey map is generally provided in your New Forest Cottage for you to use.

New Forest Ponies

There are around 5,000 New Forest ponies that are owned by commoners who have lived in the New Forest for generations. If you are staying near on in the Forest, then the New Forest Pony is the most likely animal that you will encounter.  Although they are used to people, they are not tame.  Please do not feed them as they are not able to digest a human diet and the food we eat can actually make them very ill.  Did you know that horses can die from stomach ache?  They are unable to be sick. Therefore, if they eat something bad for them the intestines become entangled, causing colic and death.   Their natural food is grass and the heathlands of the New Forest are ideal.

Donkeys

There a lot of donkeys of varying shapes and sizes near our holiday cottages. Donkeys particularly like hedgerows so can be regularly seen in the villages and towns. They tend to be more docile than the New Forest pony but beware, many lunches have been stolen by them and they are partial to an ice cream so best to stay and admire them from a distance.

Snakes, lizards and frogs

Adder or Grass snake, spot the difference!

Adder – only venomous snake in the UK and luckily very shy.  They will generally move away and avoid contact with people but can be seen basking in the sun. This image is taken in the New Forest when out walking last summer.

Grass – more common than the Adder, they have a distinctive yellow band around the back of their head.

Lizards – can frequently be seen particularly in sunny spots.  They can be extremely small and hard to spot due to their fantastic camouflage.

Cattle

Around 3000 cattle can be seen throughout the year grazing in the New Forest.  There are various breeds from Friesian to Highland.

Pigs

These are only released onto the forest during the Autumn.  They help to eat the acorns and nuts that would otherwise poison the New Forest ponies.

Deer

There are five different breeds of deer that can be spotted around the New Forest… see how many you can spot during your stay.

• Red
• Roe
• Fallow
• Sika
• Muntjac

There are also the more common squirrels, rabbits and badgers as well as some beautiful birds.  They all add to the abundance of wildlife that can be spotted when you are out walking, cycling or running in the New Forest.

Top Tips For Staying In A Dog Friendly Cottage

For many, our dogs are part of the family and a holiday simply wouldn’t be the same without bringing our four-legged friends with us. Taking your dog on holiday to explore new places is likely to be an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Whether you are looking for coastal footpaths, a stroll through the forest, woodlands and meadows, you are likely to be spoilt for choice by the beautiful walks in the most rural setting. Allow your dog to race around on the beach and splash about in the sea on one of the numerous dog friendly beaches in Dorset or admire the beautiful countryside as you walk through the New Forest. Wherever you decide to take your on holiday, you are likely to find several pubs, restaurants and attractions that welcome well behaved dogs. And with a variety of holiday cottages that provide a home from home feel for you and your furry friends, there really are no excuses to leave your dog at home!

To ensure that both you and your dogs have a happy and stress free holiday you will need to do a little bit of planning. Here are a few tips to help you make sure your holiday is memorable for all the right reasons!

• When you are in the process of booking a dog friendly holiday cottage make sure that you notify the owner of your intention to bring your dog, and how many you are planning to bring. Check that the property and garden is big enough for your dog/dogs to let off some energy. Also make sure you discuss any ‘pet rules’ prior to your booking to ensure that the cottage is suitable for both you and your dogs needs.

• To get the most out of your holiday do some research about the surrounding area. Find out what pubs, beaches and attractions welcome dogs. Also find out what walking opportunities there are in the local vicinity.

• Packing to go on holiday can be rather time consuming, and especially if you are taking your dog as well. Think about what your dog needs on a day-to-day basis at home, such as food, bowls, a bed, toys, a crate, their collar and lead and anything else.

• If your dog is on medication ensure you take enough to see you through your stay, with an extra buffer in case of unforeseen circumstances.

• And lastly, enjoy your holiday with your four-legged family.