The New Forest is at its best at this time of year, as autumn transforms it into a sea of red and gold - its certainly our favourite time of year.

For deer autumn is the time of the rut - its a magical indeed almost spooky experience to hear distant bellows of the red deer and sika stags or the barks of the fallow bucks. Depending on the date, you may be able to see the stags and bucks battle it out for mating rights on their traditional "stands".

Autumn is also the time of year for "pannage" when pigs are allowed into the forest. It is delightful to see pigs roaming wild, gorging themselves on acorns. In the middle ages this would have been a common sight up and down the land but it now confined to just a few places.

In Autumn, the hordes of tourists of the summer months may have gone, but the New Forest tracks and cycle paths are usually still very useable - meaning that whether you are on bike or on foot you can explore the forest in peace and quiet. Better still, as there are fewer visitors around, you will get to see and hear a lot more wildlife.

A real challenge would be to spot and photograph a wild boar in the New Forest for the first time in 300 years - Lisa saw one just outside Brockenhurst but did not have a camera on her! In a decade's time they will no doubt be seen more frequently (we know they have reached areas close to the forest), but at present the opportunity to beat BBC Chris Packham to that elusive first photo is still there.

Of course the weather in Autumn can be changeable, but if the forecast is clear for a few days and you can get away, why not take advantage of our mid-week deals for October and November.

A midweek 2-night stay for a double room is just £99 including full English breakfast (you wont need lunch!)

To find out more of check or check availability, email lisa@crossings-brockenhurst.co.uk or call Lisa on 01590 622478.

We look forward to seeing you soon!