DISCOVER OUR AREA
Explore Wiltshire, Cranborne Chase & the New Forest
Discover local pubs, independent producers, wildlife, countryside and places worth exploring around Downton Distillery.
Make a little more of your visit.
VISIT THE DISTILLERY. EXPLORE THE AREA.
Downton Distillery sits within the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, just beyond the boundary of the New Forest and surrounded by some of southern England’s most beautiful countryside and wildlife.
A visit to the distillery does not have to end when the tour finishes. We created this guide to share some of our favourite places to eat, drink, explore and experience nearby.
Discover a great country pub for lunch, visit an independent local producer, head out for a walk, see Great Bustards on Salisbury Plain or spend an afternoon exploring the New Forest.
These are places we know, enjoy and are happy to recommend. By visiting them, you can make more of your day with friends and family while supporting the independent businesses, producers and conservation organisations that make our local area special.
FIND SOMETHING TO DO
What do you fancy doing next?
We have divided our local recommendations into five simple sections. Whether you are looking for a good lunch, local produce, wildlife, a country walk or something more adventurous, there is plenty to discover after your distillery visit.
PUBS
PLACES TO EAT
From proper country pubs to excellent local food, discover some of our favourite places for lunch, dinner or a well-earned drink.
SHOPS & LOCAL PRODUCERS
PRODUCERS
Discover independent breweries, vineyards, beekeepers, food producers and shops. Take something genuinely local home with you.
WILDLIFE & NATURE
Explore wildlife
We are surrounded by exceptional wildlife. See Great Bustards, visit a nature reserve or discover the New Forest and Cranborne Chase.
With Family or Together
EXPERIENCES
Stretch your legs across chalk downland, ancient woodland, river valleys and open countryside, with walks ranging from strolls to longer routes.
EAT, DRINK & STAY A WHILE
Pubs & Places to Eat
Use these sections to promote a particular feature with editorial photography.
PLACES THAT WE ENJOY
A distillery tour is a good excuse to make a day of it. Sitting on the Wiltshire and Hampshire border, with the New Forest and south coast within easy reach, we are surrounded by some exceptional places to eat and drink. These are the pubs, restaurants and hidden gems we genuinely recommend, from relaxed local lunches to places worth making the journey for.
Best for: FOOD
THE GREAT BUSTARD | GREAT DURNFORD
Beautifully restored country pub celebrating seasonal produce, local provenance and ingredients grown and reared on the surrounding estate.
Location: SP4 6AY
BEST FOR: LOCAL LUNCH
THE GOAT | DOWNTON
Our local village pub. Relaxed, friendly and an easy choice for lunch or a drink after your distillery tour. A great choice of beers, alongside Polish dishes on the menu.
Location: SP5 3LY
BEST FOR: FIRE-LED COOKING
THE LARDER HOUSE | SOUTHBOURNE
James Golding and James Fowler bring provenance, seasonality and fire-led cooking together at this brilliant Southbourne restaurant.
Location: BH6 3QZ
BEST FOR: PUB & PIZZA
THE PEMBROKE ARMS | WILTON
Characterful coaching inn opposite Wilton House, combining a proper pub, seasonal food and excellent wood-fired sourdough pizzas.
Location: SP2 0BH
BEST FOR: THE NEW FOREST
THE ROYAL OAK | NORTH GORLEY
A proper New Forest country pub, with lovely gardens. Ideal for lunch before heading out to walk and explore the surrounding Forest.
Location: SP6 2PB
BEST FOR: COUNTRY LUNCH
THE ROYAL OAK | SWALLOWCLIFFE
A lovely village pub in the Nadder Valley, combining excellent food, a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful Wiltshire countryside.
Location: SP3 5PA
BEST FOR: GARDEN-TO-TABLE
PYTHOUSE KITCHEN GARDEN | TISBURY
A wonderful walled-garden restaurant where home-grown seasonal produce and cooking over fire sit at the heart of the experience.
Location: SP3 6PA
BEST FOR: BRUNCH & COFFEE
THE STALLS | SUTTON MANDEVILLE
Australian-inspired brunch, excellent coffee and a farm shop celebrating local produce, all tucked away on a working Wiltshire farm.
Location: SP3 5NH
EAT, DRINK & STAY A WHILE
LOCAL PRODUCERS AND SHOPS
Discover independent breweries, vineyards, beekeepers, food producers and shops. A chance to take something genuinely local home with you.
MADE, GROWN & CREATED LOCALLY
There are some brilliant independent makers, growers and producers around us. From tailoring and honey to wine, cider and beer, these are people doing things properly and giving our corner of the country its character.
Discover somewhere new, meet the people behind what they make and, hopefully, take something local home with you.
Regent Tailoring, Dark Revolution and Downton Brewery are all Downton Distillery Bottle for Life refill points.
BEST FOR: SARTORIAL TREASURES
Regent Tailoring | SALISBURY
Three floors of tailoring, clothing and beautifully chosen accessories. Always worth exploring for treasures.
Location: SP1 2PH
BEST FOR: HONEY & BEES
The Noble Bee | NEW FOREST
Award-winning raw New Forest honey, beeswax candles and a wonderful little farm pop-up, open every Thursday.
Location: SO45 3ND
BEST FOR: NEW FOREST PRODUCE
Farmers Butcher | BRAMSHAW
A proper farm butcher and shop in the heart of the New Forest. They support local producers, well worth calling into.
Location: SO43 7JJ
BEST FOR: ENGLISH WINES
Bluestone | CHOLDERTON
Family-run vineyard producing limited-release sparkling wines, with a tasting room and vineyard tours.
Location: SP4 0EW
BEST FOR: CRAFT BEER & PIZZA
Dark Revolution Brewery | OLD SARUM
Excellent independent brewery and taproom. Even better when The Slinky Fox rolls in with its wood-fired pizzas.
Location: SP4 6FB
BEST FOR: LOCAL BEER and Ales
Downton Brewery | DOWNTON
Our neighbours in Downton, brewing award-winning beers with a tap bar and shop opposite the brewery.
Location: SP5 3HU
BEST FOR: LOCAL CIDER
CRANBORNE CHASE CIDER | CRANBORNE CHASE
Small-batch local cider, with early-summer events offering a great excuse to visit and meet the people behind it.
Location: DT11 8DH
BEST FOR: CHEESE & FARM TOURS
LYBURN FARM | LANDFORD
Award-winning farmhouse cheese, a little farm shop and summer tours around the farm, finishing with a cheese plate.
Location: SP5 2DN
BACK TO NATURE
Wildlife & Nature
Discover Great Bustards, ancient woodlands, wetlands and remarkable wildlife in our area.
RECONNECT WITH NATURE
Rediscover nature through the seasons. Our corner of the country is full of wonderful places to encounter wildlife, from Great Bustards on Salisbury Plain and lakes alive with migrating birds to the chalk downs, heathland and ancient woodlands of the New Forest.
Each location also offers a fabulous walk, from gentle 3km loops to longer 10km routes, depending on how energetic you are feeling. And, importantly, we have made sure there is a good pub nearby for a well-earned drink or lunch afterwards.
BEST FOR: GREAT BUSTARDS
GREAT BUSTARD GROUP | ENFORD
Visit onto Salisbury Plain to see the world's heaviest flying bird, reintroduced to its native landscape. A group of Great Bustards is called a drove and can contain 20 to 40 birds.
Pub: The Swan in Enford.
Visits by arrangement.
BEST FOR: BIRDWATCHING
BLASHFORD LAKES | RINGWOOD
Explore lakes, woodland and bird hides, with kingfishers, lapwings and thousands of visiting and overwintering birds throughout the year. You might see the white tailed sea eagles.
Pub: The Alice Lisle.
Location: BH24 3PJ
BEST FOR: FOREST BIRDLIFE
GODSHILL INCLOSURE | NEW FOREST
Explore woodland, heathland and open grassland for woodpeckers, hawfinches, nightjars, woodlarks and Dartford warblers throughout the seasons.
Pub: The Horse & Groom.
Godshill: Inclosure Car Park
BEST FOR: WOODLAND BIRDS
EYEWORTH POND | FRITHAM
See Mandarin ducks, nuthatches and marsh tits up close before exploring the surrounding woodland and open heath. Finish with a pint at the Royal Oak.
Pub: Royal Oak.
Location: SO43 7HL
GO. EXPLORE. HAVE A GO.
Experiences to Share
From foraging and cycling to history and water sports, discover something different to experience together.
MAKE A DAY OF IT
There is plenty to do beyond eating, drinking and walking. Learn to forage for wild ingredients, climb Salisbury Cathedral’s tower, uncover centuries of history at Wilton House or take to the water at the New Forest Water Park.
For something more relaxed, hire bikes in Lyndhurst and explore the New Forest on two wheels, stopping at a pub or café along the way. Whether you are visiting as a couple, with friends or bringing the family, these are experiences that can turn a distillery tour into a proper day out.
PLANNING AHEAD?
Both the beekeeping and foraging experiences are now taking bookings for 2027, and places tend to go quickly. If either takes your fancy, it is worth contacting Simon at 'The Noble Bee' or Jen at 'Naked Jam' directly to discuss dates and availability.
BEST FOR: LEARNING TO FORAGE
Naked Jam | HORDLE
Join Jen Williams to explore seasonal wild ingredients and discover how the flavours of the New Forest can reach the kitchen.
Location: SO41 6DG
BEST FOR: BECOMING A BEEKEEPER
The Noble Bee | FURZEDOWN FARM
Suit up, open a working hive, and discover the fascinating world of bees with professional New Forest beekeepers.
Location: SO45 3ND
BEST FOR: ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
Liberty's Centre | RINGWOOD
Meet owls, eagles, hawks and reptiles up close, with flying demonstrations, animal talks and plenty for younger visitors.
Location: BH24 3EA
BEST FOR: HISTORY & ADVENTURE
Salisbury Cathedral
Discover Magna Carta, Britain’s tallest cathedral spire and the medieval clock, with trails and tours bringing its history to life.
Location: SP1 2EJ
BEST FOR: HISTORY & BRIDGERTON
Wilton House | WILTON
Explore this magnificent historic house and gardens, familiar from Bridgerton, The Crown and Pride & Prejudice.
Location: SP2 0BJ
BEST FOR: NEW FOREST CYCLING
The Woods Cyclery | LYNDHURST
Hire a bike or e-bike in Lyndhurst and head straight out to explore the tracks of the New Forest.
Location: SO43 7BG
BEST FOR: GETTING WET
New Forest Water Park
Take on the inflatable Aqua Park, try wakeboarding or simply enjoy a brilliantly energetic day out on the water.
Location: SP6 2EY
BEST FOR: LITTLE ADVENTURERS
Peppa Pig World | OWER
Nine Peppa-themed rides, play areas and plenty of muddy puddles make this an excellent day out for younger families.
Location: SO51 6AL
