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The Bold Forester, Marchwood
MARCHWOOD has seen many changes since the days when it was a traditional New Forest village, complete with thatched cottages and ponies ambling along the lanes.
Major expansion has taken place in the past few decades, with hundreds of new homes being built on agricultural land surrounding the original settlement.
The growth of housing has been matched by the march of industry.
A large industrial estate on the western shores of Southampton Water is dominated by a £40m rubbish burner, and a gas-fired power station is also due to be built in the parish.
However, one corner of Marchwood has remained almost untouched by the passage of time.
Separated from the rest of the village by the busy A326, the Beaulieu Road area is still a rural oasis dominated by trees and fields.
Its peaceful and picturesque setting is one of the reasons why the Bold Forester is so popular, particularly among young couples with children.
The family-friendly pub boasts a large beer garden with picnic benches at one end and a children's play area at the other.
Former customers include Ted "Darkie" Duckett, a famous step-dancer who lived at Hanger Corner, near Beaulieu, 50 years ago.
The manager is Karen O'Connor, 43, who has been in the licensing trade for 20 years. She worked in several pubs in Southampton, including the Junction at St Denys, before transferring to the Forest.
She has been at the Bold Forester for four-and-a-half years.
"I was at the Croft in Hythe when this place came up and decided to move," she said. "The Bold Forester was more food-related, which is what I wanted to get into."
The pub serves meals all day, every day and is famous for the quality of its Sunday carvery, which attracts customers from a wide area.
Nearby tourist attractions include the National Motor Museum and the New Forest Otter, Owl & Wildlife Park, which is just up the road.
Karen added: "Trade tends to be very seasonal. We get a lot of holidaymakers, plus a few locals - including people who like to cycle up from Hythe.
"The pub is very family-orientated. It's not what I'd call a drinking establishment."
The Bold Forester, Beaulieu Road, Marchwood. 023 8086 5967
4:21pm Friday 8th June 2007
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CommentPosted by: T Hurlock, Marchwood on 10:14am Tue 12 Jun 07
I love the Bold! Its perfect - friendly staff, great food [italic][bold]AND[/bold] [/italic] a bowling alley!!!!!!
What more do you want from life?
I love the Bold! Its perfect - friendly staff, great food
AND a bowling alley!!!!!!
What more do you want from life?
Posted by: Graeme Willison, Oxfordshire on 10:36am Tue 12 Jun 07
We have visited the Bold Forrester on many occasions - the range of beer is excellent, the little horrors adore the climbing frames in the garden.
I usually bring the wife so I can get well oiled so she can drive me back to the campsite!
10/10!!
We have visited the Bold Forrester on many occasions - the range of beer is excellent, the little horrors adore the climbing frames in the garden.
I usually bring the wife so I can get well oiled so she can drive me back to the campsite!
10/10!!
Posted by: J Wurd, New Forest on 4:15pm Tue 12 Jun 07
Its got a really big car park, so its really easy for me to put the ramps down for my wheelchair
Its got a really big car park, so its really easy for me to put the ramps down for my wheelchair
Posted by: L Kitcher, Southampton on 2:28pm Tue 28 Aug 07
We visited the Bold Forrester on Sunday after hearing good things about it - I was actually very dissappointed, the Carvery was dry and tastless (at 1pm, you would expect it to be fresh). We had to remind the staff twice that we still hadn't received our child's meal and 30 mins later it arrived! Other diners in the 'grubby' family room didn't sound very impressed either! We will not be visiting again!
We visited the Bold Forrester on Sunday after hearing good things about it - I was actually very dissappointed, the Carvery was dry and tastless (at 1pm, you would expect it to be fresh). We had to remind the staff twice that we still hadn't received our child's meal and 30 mins later it arrived! Other diners in the 'grubby' family room didn't sound very impressed either! We will not be visiting again!
Posted by: fiona puckett, hythe on 4:18pm Sun 13 Jul 08
we had carvary today it was nice plenty of it .we then took grandaughter to garden it was very dissapointing splinters all over the place dog ends really sad end to a lovely meal
we had carvary today it was nice plenty of it .we then took grandaughter to garden it was very dissapointing splinters all over the place dog ends really sad end to a lovely meal
Posted by: Ray Claridge, New Forest on 3:28pm Mon 28 Jul 08
We recentley visited on the strength of their advertisement flyer, which boasted cask ales and delicious food. Unfortunately we were very disappointed, the food was very poor, rotten lettuce, nan bread not warmed up, virtualy no detectable garlic on the garlic bread, only 4 prawns in a pasta and prawn dish and no cask ales, no Newcastle Brown ale, they only had 1 beer apart from lager. Hence we will NOT be visiting again.
We recentley visited on the strength of their advertisement flyer, which boasted cask ales and delicious food. Unfortunately we were very disappointed, the food was very poor, rotten lettuce, nan bread not warmed up, virtualy no detectable garlic on the garlic bread, only 4 prawns in a pasta and prawn dish and no cask ales, no Newcastle Brown ale, they only had 1 beer apart from lager. Hence we will NOT be visiting again.
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