Sway
A village in the New Forest, Hampshire, UK
Wildwood B&B is located in the centre of the friendly village of Sway, which is often described as a hidden gem in the heart of the New Forest. We are very close to the train station and you can travel here from London in just 2 hours by train. You can also visit Bournmouth, Poole, Brockenhurst, Winchester and Southampton easily by train from Wildwood.
Or, if you drive, we can provide a free parking space and you will have the freedom to explore the whole of the New Forest. The image above was taken on our local circular walk from Wildwood, through Setthorns Inclosure and coming back down Brighton Road – it’s Milo’s favourite walk.
As well as being walking distance to the open forest, a haven for walkers & cyclists and those wishing to explore, Sway is only a short drive from the coast. Milford on sea and Barton on sea are just 15 or 20 minutes drive away and further afield is the beautiful Dorset coastline.
There are several local shops in Sway, plus a small cinema, Co-op, a couple of popular local pubs, a cafe and a restaurant. You can find details of all these below plus also in the village there is a Pharmacy and Doctor’s surgery.
The Forest Deli & Cafe
Opposite Sway Butchers on Middle Road is Forest Deli, a local family run cafe offering home cooked meals, great coffee, cakes and lunches. They also sell fresh bread and can make freshly cut sandwiches for you to take away, which is great if you are out walking for the day.
The New Forest Hamper Company
Just up the road from Wildwood is a new shop which is a welcome addition to Sway: The New Forest Hamper Company who sell a wide range of New Forest food and gifts. You can design your own hamper to take away with you or purchase individual gifts for friends and family. Take a look at their facebbook page to see the wide range of products sold in their shop...
The Silver Hind
You are guaranteed a warm welome at the Silver Hind bar and restaurant next door to Wildwood in Sway. Lots of great menu choices and specials to choose from. This venue is a popular choice with many of our guests at Wildwood. Booking is essential!
Sway Co-op
The Co-op convenience store is just 2 mins walk from Wildwood and open daily until 9pm
Sway Cinema
Sway Cinema is based in the village hall in Sway and shows films 2 or 3 times a month. Refreshments are available, including wine. Either buy tickets online using the link below or at Sway Deli & Coffee Shop (cash only please). All Under 12's must be accompanied by an adult
"Just beautiful. Lovely hosts. Loved Milo the dog. The area is so central to so many parts of the New Forest. Better than a big hotel any day"
Jane
Review on Booking.com
Sway Butchers
We buy award winning sausages and bacon for our B&B guests from Sway Butchers in our village. This Butchers is a family business and the family have been butchers since 1830. The business is currently run by 6th Generation Master Butcher David West. David arrived in Sway in 1976, and over the last 40 years, the business has become well known for excellent quality produce. As well as sausages and a vast range of meat, Sway Butchers sells home cooked pies, curries, BBQ food and even homemade cakes and apple pie.
Hare & Hounds pub
A short 10 minutes walk away from Wildwood B&B is the Hare & Hounds pub offering cask conditioned ales, and a wide selection of fine wines and a varied menu of freshly prepared homemade specials. Whether you are looking for a quiet drink, light lunch or 3 a course meal, this family run pub brings together everything to ensure you get a flavour of the forest to make your visit enjoyable. Booking is essential!
The Manor at Sway
Treat yourselves to some fine dining at the Manor during your stay with us. Smart/casual dress code and beautifully presented food. Only 2 minutes walk from Wildwood.
Hairsway
Just past Central is Hairsway, a local hair and beauty salon in Sway. If you would like a haircut or blowdry during your stay, booking is advised.
SpudWORKS Creative Hub
Across the road from Wildwood is SpudWORKS. SPUD is an arts and education charity that creates opportunities for artists to engage with the public, architecture, urban design and the environment, producing new work as a catalyst for exploration, debate and public understanding. SpudWORKS is creative hub, with a community workshop space, gallery, artists studios and a wide range of creative businesses renting desk and office space.
Janet Kirk Floral Designs
Janet Kirk Floral Designs is a florist based at Sunnyside, Brighton Road, Sway, selling the most wonderful flowers for all occasions, plus a range of gifts and cards
ABOUT WILDWOOD B&B
Our B&B is part of our family home, but rest assured you will not be disturbed by family life as the two B&B rooms are separated by a staircase from the rest of the house and have their own lobby. We have strived to create a comfortable luxurious environment with all the essentials and more. As well as free WiFi, guest rooms each have a smart TV with Netflix, should you decide to have a cosy night in. The rooms are newly decorated, with brand new carpets and private ensuite shower rooms with complimentary luxury toiletries. A choice of continental and/or cooked breakfast is offered and served in our dining room. There is fridge for guests to use, plus lots of little extras like playing cards, novels, retro games and a wide range of books and maps about the New Forest to borrow during your stay. Please note, we have our own dog, so unfortunately pets are not allowed in our B&B rooms. There is an oak stairgate to the guest lobby to ensure our dog is kept away from the guest area. Please do not invite him in!
“Everything about this stay was what we wanted. Tania and Steve made us so welcome.The house was so comfortable and homely. Food scrummy fresh and local. Brilliant place to use as a base to explore the coast and the forest.”
Peter
Reviewer on Booking.com
FOREST WALKS & BIKE RIDES
From Sway, there are several routes you can take from the centre of the village to reach the open forest. You can either travel on foot or alternatively why not hire a bike from nearby Brockenhurst and cover far more ground. In the lobby of Wildwood B&B you will find lots of books that describe various walking/cycling routes across the New Forest
“This was a wonderful room, with great hosts. They were able to find somewhere to store our bikes, which I had forgotten to mention on booking. Breakfast was wonderful and delivered to our room, and a great pub 15 minutes walk away for dinner.”
Sophie
Reviewer on Booking.com
FLOWERS, BIRDS & WILDLIFE
For the nature lover, each season in the New Forest has something to interest everyone. In Spring, a huge abundance of wildflowers are everywhere, dotting the landscape with colour. Many of the free roaming New Forest ponies are giving birth to foals and they are a constant joy to behold. In Autumn there are beautiful lichen, fungi, mushrooms and of course the wildlife is forever present. It is not uncommon for a deer to cross your path in the forest and if you are lucky you will see large groups of deer, and even the occasional pure white one which is an incredible sight. Whereas in Spring the forest turns shades of green and the new leaves cover the trees and the ferns unfurl, throughout Autumn the dominant colours are copper, russet browns and reds of fallen leaves, dying ferns and copper beech leaves. In the Winter months heavy mists can shroud the forest and the white ponies often loom out of it like mythical creatures...
ESCAPE TO THE COAST
Staying in Sway is an ideal location if you love both the forest and the coast. The nearest beaches are only 15 minutes drive from Wildwood B&B. Milford on sea for example is a lovely coastal village with restaurants, pubs and shops. There you will find Mr Pink's, a great fish and chip shop. Perhaps you would like to buy a takeaway supper and watch the sun set over the sea. But watch out for seagulls...
"Easiest review to write ever, everything was perfect!! Me and my partner stayed at Wildwood the night before the New Forest marathon. We needed somewhere homely to relax on the Saturday but also had to get a good nights rest. The room was lovely with lots of different teas, huge comfy bed, tv with Netflix and was beautifully designed. Tania was the most accommodating host possible and was more than happy to wake up early on the Sunday to feed us both. We will definitely be returning to explore more of the New Forest soon"
Maria
Booking.com review