THE New Forest has been named the second-best British rural staycation destination, according to new research.

Defender, a Land Rover brand, has set out to find the best rural and upmarket destinations to explore in Great Britain this year. The so-called ‘Defender Destinations Index’ compares a location’s population to its number of highly rated five-star hotels, golf clubs, Michelin restaurants, wellness retreats, hiking trails and National Trust sites.

The index determines the best remote destinations in Great Britain by categorising the provision of amenities against the population of each area, taking you off the beaten track.

By analysing the number of five-star hotels, Michelin Guide restaurants, five-star golf clubs, exceptional spa and wellness centres, excellent hiking trails and National Trust locations in each area, these resulting destinations define the best remote destinations for luxury travel amenities across England, Scotland and Wales.

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Salisbury Journal:

With a population of 34,000, two five-star hotels, three Michelin Guide restaurants, one five-star golf club, 13 luxury spa and wellness centres, one 'excellent' hiking trail and six National trust locations, the New Forest National Park ranked in second place, with an overall index score of 61.

First place was awarded to the Lake District, with an overall score of 11, while the Cotswolds ranked third, with a score of 65.

The study said this about the New Forest: "The Lake District is not the only National Park in Great Britain that arrives in the Defender Destination top 20, though.

"In Southern England, you will find the New Forest National Park in Hampshire, which comes in second and the Peak District National Park in Central England, which comes in fourth.

"With a low population but a larger number of extraordinary trails in the areas, these are remote natural havens of the British territory for those who want to go off the beaten track."

The top 10 is as follows:

  1. Lake District
  2. New Forest
  3. The Cotswolds
  4. Peak District
  5. Argyll and Bute
  6. Pembrokeshire
  7. Perth and Kinross
  8. Cornwall
  9. Ceredigion
  10. Bath

Readers can find the full research here landrover.co.uk/experience-landrover/defender-destinations.html