We’re delighted to have teamed up with Stanwell House, Lymington’s elegant boutique hotel, to offer something special – three exclusive guided mountain-bike rides that showcase the best of the New Forest National Park. Whether you’re new to off-road riding or already chasing that perfect bit of flow, there’s a route to match your style.
The New Forest is a dream for riders, a blend of open heathland, ancient woodland, gravel fire roads and winding singletrack. A stone’s throw from the hotel’s doorstep, you can roll straight into the Forest, enjoy the freedom of quiet trails, and return to comfort, good food and a well-earned drink.
Our three rides are:
Ride 1: Lymington to Keyhaven – Coastal Flow
Duration: 2–3 hours | Distance: 13 miles | Terrain: Flat gravel tracks & quiet roads
A mellow coastal loop designed for easy spinning. Expect hard-packed gravel, smooth turns and big sea views. It’s perfect for beginners wanting to build confidence off-road (or a great warm-up ride for the more experienced!). There’s minimal climbing, plenty of scenery and time for a coffee stop overlooking the Solent.
Ride 2: Rhinefield Ornamental Drive – Into the Forest
Duration: 3–4 hours | Distance: 21 miles | Elevation: 300m
This one steps things up a gear. Starting from Lymington, we follow forest gravel and woodland singletrack towards Rhinefield Ornamental Drive – an iconic stretch lined with giant redwoods. Expect undulating terrain, short climbs, fast descents and a mix of surfaces to keep your legs and skills engaged.
It’s a ride that rewards rhythm; settle into your cadence, feel the flow and soak up the atmosphere of the forest’s heart.
Ride 3: Explore the New Forest – The Full Day Epic
Duration: 4–5 hours | Distance: 31 miles | Elevation: 317m
For seasoned riders, this is the big one. A full-day loop linking the best trails, forest tracks and open heathland around Lymington. You’ll encounter changing gradients, loose gravel, rolling climbs and long, flowing descents through quiet sections of the National Park.
It’s not technical, but it’s a satisfying mix of endurance and exploration; the sort of ride where you finish tired, happy and covered in a bit of honest trail dust (or possibly mud, depending on what time of year we ride!).
The perfect base
After the ride, roll back to Stanwell House, a boutique retreat with warm showers, secure bike storage and outstanding local food. Swap stories in the bar, refuel with a hearty dinner or unwind in the courtyard garden. Our local guides tailor each ride to ability and fitness, provide quality bikes if needed, and know every shortcut, scenic stop and hidden trail in the Forest.
After extensive refurbishment in 2022, Stanwell House is now one of the most luxurious boutique hotels in the New Forest. It occupies a beautiful Georgian property right in the heart of historic Lymington and offers comfort and luxury in a relaxed, elegant and welcoming atmosphere. It makes the perfect base for exploring the New Forest or England’s maritime heritage along the Solent.
Book your adventure now
Read a little more about each ride on the Stanwell House website here or drop them an email to book or enquire about dates.
Stay at Stanwell House, grab a bike and join us for a ride that blends comfort, adventure and classic New Forest scenery!
More Forest trails
If you want to discover more of the New Forest, you may also be interested in some of our other rides, including:
New Forest Leisure Tour: a 2-hour, 12-mile circular route from Brockenhurst
Roar of the Dragon: 3 to 4 hour, 22-mile ride, starting and returning to ‘The Green Dragon’ pub in Brook
Back of Beyond Adventure Ride: 4 to 5 hours, 30-mile ride along a disused railway and in open forest