Pub and restaurant The Drift, on Beaulieu Road, attracts avid ramblers, cycle adventurers, little and large families, and holidaymakers, not forgetting furry friends too.

They're attracted by the stunning setting with uninterrupted heathland views, nosy New Forest neighbours, a seasonally changing menu and a great children's play area. 

READ MORE: Waterside bar Quayside boasts 'the best view in Southampton'

Docile cattle, mischievous donkeys, and New Forest ponies often stop by to say hello. 

Part of New Forest Collection’s homegrown group of hospitality venues, The Drift serves up a menu of locally-sourced country pub classics from Head Chef Martins Bakutis and the team.

Guests particularly enjoy the New Forest pork belly and the dry-aged Hampshire sirloin steak using New Forest Marque-accredited ingredients.

Partnerships with local suppliers and distillers are showcased by The Drift’s extensive list of spirits and ales too, such as Wyrd Gin, Flak and Vibrant Forest.

The Drift’s weekly range of offers and activities includes burger Mondays, tipple Tuesdays, with wine discounts available, quiz night every Wednesday and a pie and a pint deal for £18.50 on Thursdays. 

Kicking off the weekend is the Curry Club every Friday, and Kids Eat for £1 throughout February.

Indoors, expect warming, country-inspired interiors, complete with roaring log fires, forest antiques and cosy nooks perfect for rainy or winter days.

The large garden with picnic benches, open Forest views and a large child’s playpark is a picturesque backdrop for a New Forest summer’s day.

Staff have a growing passion for sustainability and have forged a partnership with the New Forest National Park Rangers.

New Forest Collection consists of five unique and charming hotels, including Bartley Lodge, Burley Manor, Beaulieu Inn, Forest Lodge and Moorhill House along with their quintessentially British pub & restaurant, The Drift.

Each venue is located in the heart of the National Park with beautiful New Forest heathland and wandering New Forest Ponies along with picture postcard villages just a short walk away.

• The Drift is our pub of the week. We love writing about Hampshire watering holes, whether they're back street boozers or inns set in acres. If you'd like us to feature your pub, click on the link below, visit dailyecho.co.uk/pub-of-the-week or email lorelei.reddin@dailyecho.co.uk