I’ll never forget the drive to Select Lodge Plus 1 in the New Forest – a proper autumn adventure that started with a daft little mishap. It was mid-October, you see, and the season had turned the A337 into a golden tunnel of crunching leaves, with those massive oaks shedding like they were auditioning for a confetti cannon. I’d set off from Southampton early, windows down to breathe in that crisp, earthy scent, but about five miles out, I managed to splatter a full cup of builder’s tea across the passenger seat. Classic me – too busy humming along to a podcast about ancient woodlands to notice the pothole. Laughable now, but it had me pulling over near Lyndhurst, dabbing at the stain with a service station napkin, chuckling at my own clumsiness while the mist rolled in like a soft blanket.

By the time I trundled up the lane to Lymington, the New Forest was in full autumn pomp. The air had that bracing chill, about 10°C, nipping at my cheeks as I parked outside Select Lodge Plus 1. Tucked away in a quiet spot just off the Pennington marshes, this little gem is a proper cosy two-bedroom lodge, the sort that screams “get your wellies on and explore”. First impressions? Spot on for the season. The wooden exterior glowed under the weak sun, surrounded by bracken turning fiery copper and rust, with the odd pony wandering past like it owned the place – because, let’s face it, in the New Forest, they sort of do.

Stepping inside was like being hugged by a warm Rayburn. The open-plan living area hit me with that instant homeliness: a wood-burning stove already stocked with kindling (cheers to the hosts for that thoughtful touch), squishy sofas piled with tartan blankets, and a kitchen kitted out with everything from cafetière to chopping boards for rustling up a stew. Autumn light filtered through the big windows, casting a honeyed glow over the oak beams and slate tiles. I dumped my bags and brewed a proper cuppa – none of that roadside rubbish – gazing out at the garden, where dew clung to spiderwebs like tiny jewels. The seasonal shift made it magical; in summer, this view might be all buzzing bees, but now it was serene, with the Solent’s distant shimmer under a slate sky.

First order of the day: a wander to stretch the legs after the drive. A five-minute stroll took me to the edge of Pennington Marshes, where the autumn tides lap at reed beds alive with waders – curlews calling like melancholy trumpets. The low sun turned the mudflats to molten gold, and I crunched through fallen leaves, dodging the free-roaming cattle that eyed me suspiciously. Back at the lodge by dusk, the real seasonal star emerged: that wood burner. I got it crackling (after a minor faff with the damper – note to self, watch a YouTube next time), and settled in with a glass of red, the flames dancing shadows on the walls. Outside, the night closed in early, around 6pm, with a proper foggy chill that made the lodge feel like a lantern in the wilds. No light pollution here – just stars peeking through scudding clouds, and the hoot of an owl from the nearby woods.

That first evening prompted a bit of gentle reflection as I toasted crumpets on the fire. Here I was, mid-forties, single, and suddenly grateful for the quiet. Life back home’s a whirlwind of deadlines and noise, but this autumn escape – with its mellow hues, misty mornings, and that insistent tug to slow down – reminded me why I needed it. Select Lodge Plus 1 nailed the first impressions: intimate, authentic New Forest, shaped utterly by the season’s embrace. Can’t wait to see what the next days bring, but honestly, arriving felt like the best bit already.