What is the New Forest Marque?
The New Forest Marque is an independent accreditation scheme that certifies products and services that genuinely originate from or are strongly connected to the New Forest National Park. It acts as a guarantee for consumers, assuring them that what they are buying or experiencing is truly local, of high quality, and contributes directly to the region’s unique economy and environment.
It’s more than just a label; it’s a commitment by local businesses to uphold the values of the New Forest – sustainability, quality, and a connection to the area.
Why is the New Forest Marque Important?
Choosing products and services that carry the Marque offers multiple benefits:
- Supports the Local Economy: Every purchase directly benefits local producers, artisans, and businesses within the National Park and its surrounding areas, helping to sustain livelihoods and traditional skills.
- Guarantees Quality & Provenance: You can be confident that what you’re buying is authentic, often handmade, and produced with care and passion, using ingredients or materials sourced from the local environment.
- Promotes Sustainability: Many Marque holders operate with an ethos of environmental responsibility, reflecting the sensitive nature of the National Park.
- Preserves the Unique Identity: By supporting these local enterprises, you help maintain the distinct character, traditions, and culture that make the New Forest so special.
What Can You Find Under the New Forest Marque?
The range of products and services covered by the New Forest Marque is wonderfully diverse, allowing you to truly taste the New Forest and take a piece of it home with you.
-
Food & Drink: This is perhaps the most visible category. Look for delicious New Forest honey, locally reared meat (including the famous Pannage Pork in autumn), artisanal cheeses, fresh eggs, handmade preserves, ciders, beers, and spirits crafted with local ingredients. Examples of Marque holders in this category include:
- Beaulieu Chocolate Studio: Handcrafting exquisite chocolates with high-quality ingredients, often inspired by the local area.
- Naked Jam: Producing a delicious range of jams and preserves using locally sourced fruit whenever possible.
- New Forest Shortbread: Offering delightful, buttery shortbread, a perfect treat or gift.
- Pig Beer: A local brewery creating distinctive craft beers inspired by the New Forest.
- The New Forest Fruit Company: Known for their delicious strawberries and other soft fruits, available seasonally.
- Hockey’s Farm Shop: A fantastic spot to find a wide array of local produce, including their own meats and other Marque-certified items.
- New Forest Cake House: Offering a delicious range of cakes and traybakes, often using local ingredients.
- Sway Butchers: Providing quality local meats to the community.
- The Forest Foodie: Creating hampers packed with a wide variety of New Forest Marque products.
-
Crafts & Gifts: Discover unique handmade items such as pottery, textiles, jewellery, candles, and artwork inspired by the stunning local scenery. Some notable craftspeople include:
- A S Potter Instruments: Designing and creating bespoke guitars and other instruments from timber sourced within the New Forest.
- Rosie Wesley: A metalworker and jewellery designer who transforms natural elements from the Forest into unique pieces.
- New Forest Aromatics: Creating natural products for home and body, including candles and bath products, with many ingredients sourced locally.
- Brick Kiln Pottery: Offering beautiful handmade pottery.
- New Forest Mohair: Specialising in mohair knitting yarns and products from their own angora goats.
-
Eateries & Services: Many pubs, restaurants, and cafes proudly use Marque-accredited ingredients in their menus, ensuring you’re dining on the freshest local produce. Some visitor attractions and accommodation providers also participate:
- Lime Wood Hotel: A luxury hotel committed to using local produce in their acclaimed restaurant.
- Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa: Another fantastic hotel and spa that champions local ingredients in its dining experiences.
- The Montagu Arms Hotel: Offering quintessential English country house charm and a focus on local provenance in their menus.
- Forest Park Hotel: Featuring chef-driven menus that highlight fresh, locally sourced New Forest produce.
- Hockey’s Farm Shop Cafe: Serving meals prepared with their own farm produce.
- Pilley Community Shop: A community-run shop often stocking Marque-certified goods.
- Stay New Forest: (That’s us!) We are proud to be a Marque member, demonstrating our commitment to promoting and supporting the local New Forest economy and offering genuine experiences.
Where to Find New Forest Marque Products
Seeking out the New Forest Marque is part of the fun of exploring the area!
- Farm Shops: Many local farm shops across the New Forest prominently display Marque-certified products. This is often the best place for a wide selection of local foodstuffs.
- Local Markets: The vibrant Lymington Saturday Market is a fantastic place to meet producers directly and find a range of Marque goods. Other smaller village markets may also feature local artisans.
- Restaurants & Pubs: Look for the Marque logo on menus or outside establishments – it signifies their commitment to using local ingredients. Don’t hesitate to ask your server about their local suppliers!
- Direct from Producers: Many producers sell directly from their premises or online. Check the official New Forest Marque website for a full directory of members.
Stay New Forest and the New Forest Marque
Having lived in the New Forest our entire lives and with over a decade in the holiday let business, we at Stay New Forest are deeply committed to sharing the authentic charm of our home. This passion aligns perfectly with the New Forest Marque, which is why we’re proud to be a member. By choosing to stay with us, you’re not just guaranteed a memorable visit, you’re also directly supporting the vibrant community of local producers and businesses that make the New Forest truly special.
Why Choose the New Forest Marque?
Choosing items bearing the New Forest Marque is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your visit. It means you’re not just purchasing a product; you’re investing in the unique heritage of the New Forest, supporting the people who live and work here, and ensuring that the special qualities of this National Park continue to thrive for generations to come. It’s an authentic connection to the very heart of the Forest.
As you plan your next trip, make it a mission to discover the exceptional quality guaranteed by the New Forest Marque.
