IF you’re a dog lover and planning a winter walk in the New Forest this weekend, you may be wondering which pubs you can visit with your four legged friend. Here are seven of the most dog friendly pubs in the area to check out...

1. THE BELL INN, BROOK: Dogs are welcome in the bar at this attractive 18th-century coaching inn on the edge of the New Forest which offers delicious local produce expertly prepared in the restaurant and elegant country-chic rooms with views of the local free-roaming livestock.

It’s located amid the stunning New Forest countryside just a mile from the M27, where local ponies and donkeys will press their nuzzles at the windows.The inn, which dates from 1782, is full of rustic charm with a contemporary twist – flagstone floors, inglenook fireplaces, tweed upholstered sofas and chairs, forest-themed wallpaper and choice nick nacks.

T: 023 8081 2214

W: bellinn-newforest.co.uk

2. THE FORESTERS ARMS, FROGHAM: Dogs are welcome on a lead at The Foresters Arms which is on the doorstep of a brilliant 7-mile circular walk which takes you to another great pub, the Royal Oak at Fritham, which you can also factor it in to your day if you need to stop off mid-walk! Known as ‘the donkey pub’ thanks to the sweet equines who greet you, it has been refurbished and has a cosy, rustic chic style, with leathers and tartans surrounding warming log burners in brick fireplaces, with rugs on wood or flagstone floors. It has a mix of old and new furniture including settles and pews and a grandfather clock. The fantastic food ranges from your usual pub fayre to sandwiches.

T: 01425 652294

W: the.littlepubgroup.co.uk/the-foresters-arms

3. THE ROYAL OAK, FRITHAM: Dogs are welcome at the cosy and characterful Royal Oak in the villager of Fritham. A free house dating back to the 1600’s, it is a quaint thatched cottage with 19th-century red-brick additions and has a roaring open fire.It consists of three small rooms with low-beamed ceilings which are light and airy. It has a large beer garden overlooking the beautiful rolling countryside.

There is a scrumptious selection of traditional country food, using locally sourced produce as much as possible and real ales and home brewed cider – top recommendations are the tasty homemade chutneys and the unusual garlic and nettle cheese.

T: 023 8081 2606

W: royaloakfritham.co.uk

4. HIGH CORNER INN, LINWOOD: A warm welcome awaits you, your dog, your children and even your horse at High Corner Inn. One of the Forest’s best kept secrets, this hidden gem truly ‘in the middle of nowhere’ is the place whermany pub-goers halt when on a long hack. And because it is tucked away down a gravel track,where you will discover ponies, deer and a vast array of other birds and animals, it is easier to reach on horseback although it can be reached by car too. There’s a lawned garden with wooden table nestled into the scenic woodland. In winter you can toast your feet in front of the open fire in the welcoming rooms. It is a perfect spot for a hearty meal after a winter walk. Home cooked food is served every day with seasonal specials, a gluten free menu and roasts on Sunday. You can enjoy real ales, great wines- and even stay overnight.

T: 01425 473973

W:highcornerinn.co.uk

5: THE OAK INN, BANK, LYNDHURST: This quintessential village pub is a cosy place to rest your legs. With a wood fire in the winter (and a large garden too), it is an ideal place for walkers, riders and cyclists, and dogs are very welcome too of course. You can relax under the low wooden beams and snuggle up to the fire or sit at the bar on one of the milk-churn stools. It has an excellent reputation for its selection of hearty meals, using local produce where possible. It specialises in local game, free-range eggs from a local farm and venison and trout that come from local suppliers.

T: 023 8028 2350

W: oakinnlyndhurst.co.uk

6. THE CROWN STIRRUP, NR LYNDHURST: This family pub is named after an ancient object that was used to decide which villages were allowed to take their dogs hunting in the New Forest in the 11th century. As the story goes, if your dog fitted through the stirrup it was allowed but if it didn’t, it was considered dangerous. There are no such restrictions in this dog-friendly pub now which welcomes all dogs great and small as long as they are on leads. There are grills, bar snacks, light bites and classic home cooked food as well as a carvery and a good selection of real ales to enjoy - all in front of the roaring open fire. All of their products are as locally sourced. There’s a beer garden and a footpath at the back leads to Brockenhurst. Perfect for a pub lunch it is set back from the road and surrounded by stunning scenic woodland. It is one of the only pubs in the area which offers walks into The New Forest directly from the back gate.

T:023 8028 2339

W: thecrownstirruplyndhurst.co.uk

7. THE DRIFT INN, BEAULIEU: Cosy up in front of one of the log fires in this relaxing, laid-back, family-friendly pub on the edge of the New Forest. Dogs are welcome (towels and water bowls provided). It is open for morning coffee, bar snacks, lunch, afternoon tea as well as evening meals and offers a locally sourced menu of home cooked seasonal fare. Enjoy a roast dinner on Sunday and choose something to accompany it from the long list of real ales! The pub is a member of the New Forest Marque which supports local producers and promotes quality food and drink.

T: 023 8029 2342

W: driftinn.co.uk

* See online for the full guide.