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Esme’s Tea Rooms in the heart of the New Forest National Park. 

About Us

Welcome to Esme's Tea Rooms. We are an independent, family business, run by Phil and Helen, situated in Brockenhurst, the heart of the New Forest. Between us we share over 30 years' experience working in hotels & restaurants. Esme's Teas Rooms was launched in March 2024 and follows on from our original business Esme's Kitchen & Bakery.

Please see our Facebook page, Esme's Tea Rooms at the Thatched Cottage Hotel, for more details and lots more photos! 

Forest Rights
 

Commoners of the New Forest are those who occupy land or property to which attaches one or more rights over the Forest. There are five key Commoners rights...

1. Common of Pasture:

Allows Commoners to turn out ponies, cattle and donkeys onto the unenclosed parts of the New Forest to graze.

2. Common of Mast: 

The right to turn out pigs in the autumn to devour the acorns - this provides food for the pigs and reduces the threat to ponies and cattle from the poisonous acorns.

3. Common of Estover: 

The free supply of fuelwood  to certain eligible Forest properties. (This right is strictly controlled by the Forestry Commission.) 

4. Common of Marl: 

The right to dig clay to improve agricultural land - this right is no longer exercised.

5. Common of Turbary: 

The right to cut peat turves for the Commoner’s personal use.

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Our New Forest Ponies
 

New Forest ponies are a very hardy breed and stay out on the forest all year round. They spend their time roaming freely on the open forest and they tend to stay with in a a few mile radius of their haunt. Each pony has its own owner’s brand, so they can be identified. You will see examples of our family brands and photographs around the tea rooms.

Caring for our Forest

Two new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) have been introduced across the New Forest National Park.

1. BBQ’s :

The lighting of fires of any type including BBQs and any outdoor cooking facilities or equipment is banned. It also makes it an offence to place, throw or drop items likely to cause a fire such as lit cigarettes. 

2. Wildstock :

The feeding and petting of all ponies or donkeys are is banned

If you fail to comply you could be liable to a fixed penalty fine or prosecution.

Please see below a selection of pictures of the working New Forest and Commoners tending to their wildstock. Thank you to Sally Fear & bronze design for some lovely photographs!

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