I’ll never forget the drive to Superior Lodge Plus 4 in the New Forest – a proper faff from the start. We’d piled into the car from Southampton, me, the missus, and our two lads, aged eight and ten, buzzing with excitement for a three-day lodge getaway. The sat-nav was having a right old paddy, rerouting us down some narrow lane near Lymington because of “traffic ahead” that turned out to be a pony ambling across the road. New Forest ponies, cheeky as ever, causing gridlock without a care. I ended up with a grazed wing mirror after a daft three-point turn in a hedge-lined layby – nothing serious, just a reminder that I’m no Top Gear pro. “Dad’s turned us into off-roaders already!” the youngest piped up, giggling. Classic family chaos, but we laughed it off as we finally spotted the lodge nestled in that peaceful Pennington spot, just a stone’s throw from Lymington’s buzz.

Pulling up to Superior Lodge Plus 4 felt like stumbling into a hug from an old mate. It’s one of those hot tub lodges in a tidy holiday park, surrounded by whispering pines and those iconic New Forest vibes – you know, the kind where wild ponies might trot past your decking for a nosey. Ours was a spacious four-bedder, perfect for our rabble, with a big open-plan living area that screamed “kick back and relax.” First impressions? Blimey, it was spot on. We dumped the bags and the lads bolted straight for the PlayStation in the lounge, while I cracked open the sliding doors to the private deck. The hot tub was bubbling away invitingly, steam rising like a cheeky invitation on a crisp autumn afternoon. “Right, who’s first in?” I hollered, but the wife was already sorting the kettle for a proper brew – priorities, innit?

That first hour was pure bliss, the sort of simple pleasure you crave after the school run grind. We fired up the barbecue (gas, thank goodness – no faffing with charcoal), grilling bangers and burgers we’d nabbed from the nearby Co-op in Lymington. The smell wafted through the air, mingling with woodsmoke from neighbouring lodges. The boys chased each other round the deck, pretending to be forest rangers on a pony patrol, while we sipped lagers and watched the sun dip behind the trees. It’s funny how a place like this resets you – no emails pinging, just the rustle of leaves and distant birdsong. One pony did wander close, eyeing our sarnies with disdain before wandering off. “He’s the bouncer,” I joked, earning eye-rolls all round.

As evening rolled in, we piled into the hot tub – lodge life heaven. Bubbles churning, lads splashing like loons, and me reflecting quietly on how I’ve let work gobble up too many weekends lately. Here, with steam on my specs and stars popping out overhead, I felt properly present. The lodge’s cosy touches sealed it: plush sofas for a Netflix binge later (we demolished a couple of episodes of that pony documentary, naturally), a well-stocked kitchen for midnight toast raids, and those big windows framing the Forest’s magic. No grand adventures needed – just this pocket of calm, five minutes from Lymington’s quayside if we fancied a pub pint or fish and chips.

First impressions don’t get much better than Superior Lodge Plus 4. It’s got that relaxed family break vibe nailed – a bit of chaos from the drive-in, heaps of simple joys, and space to breathe. If you’re after New Forest lodge life without the hassle, this is your spot. We were already plotting a return before we’d even unpacked the toothbrushes.