Comfort Season: Sunday Lunch & Strolls in the New Forest
As March creeps ever closer, you’ll be forgiven for wishing away February for spring’s early arrival.
But until then it’s still comfort season, so as winter lingers on threatening snowy snaps and icy mornings, we are still embracing the beauty of winter walks and chilly adventures, made even better when happily buffered by warming coffee stops and nourishing lunches.
Research has shown that physical comfort during the winter directly impacts our state of mind and that feeling warm and cosy can help to reduce feelings of stress. During the chilly months we seek comfort food that will keep us warm and this in turn promotes relaxation and the release of feel-good-hormones, endorphins. Not to mention that the British have been loving the Sunday lunch since the 15th century, during the reign of King Henry VII – when his royal guards even inherited the name of the “Beefeaters”.
Today, for many, Sunday is a day of walking and long lunches, or family time and relaxation.
We have some wonderful ideas for things to do in the New Forest in the winter, from self-guided walks to locally-guided walks and relaxing weekend breaks to horse rides, and cycling the miles of waymarked tracks.
- Top 5 Things To Do In January In The New Forest – Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa
- Best Places To Go For A Winter Walk In The New Forest – Careys Manor Hotel
Which is why we suggest that you stop by our country hotel on one of your days out in the New Forest to sample our new Sunday Lunch menu, the perfect way to conclude a ramble in the forest and a great reason to get out even if it is a bit too cold outside.
Cambium, one of our three hotel restaurants, celebrates modern British cuisine, crafted from fine seasonal ingredients from our British coast and country. The new Sunday lunch menu honours tradition by elevating classic Sunday dishes, pairing them with fine locally sourced ingredients, including Hampshire’s Chalk stream trout and roast sirloin beef.
Is it even a Sunday lunch without the rich and comforting flavour of roast potatoes?
Or a true winter warmer – the steamed pudding with vanilla custard. And for the table to share, the timeless flavours of winter continue with cauliflower rarebit and honey glazed carrots & parsnips.
If, however, you are looking to veer from tradition, there are plenty of other delicious choices that invite you to taste the season, with starters like the chicken, grape and cornichon terrine or the Jerusalem artichoke soup paired with poached quail egg. To follow, the roast hake with a bouillabaisse mussel sauce or something lighter; smoked salt baked celeriac with roast celeriac purée, pickled apple and frisse salad.
And to finish? Make it 3 courses – there’s always room for dessert. Whether you’re drawn to the comforting flavours of pineapple and rum-soaked steamed pud’, juicy black cherries or rich chocolate and coffee mousse… Not to worry, you don’t have to decide just yet.
If it’s a family day out that brings you to our New Forest National Park, you could always spend a morning playing, exploring, cycling or walking and then come in and make it a family lunch and refuel the troops. Our chefs have created a delicious children’s menu with such things as roast chicken and tempura haddock goujons, although we predict their eyes might dart straight for the choice between chocolate brownie or knickerbocker glory – always a tough decision!
Our new 2-course or 3-course Sunday lunch menu includes a complimentary pot of tea or coffee and is available on Sundays between 12.30pm and 2.30pm – you can book now.
But even if lunch is taken care of, why not seek the cosiness and warmth of our hotel fireplace for an afternoon coffee or a hot chocolate whilst you’re venturing in our ancient woodland on a relaxing Sunday.
