A few weeks ago, Matt and I took ourselves on a camping trip away to the New Forest. When lunchtime rolled around, we did what everyone does: opened Google Maps and braced ourselves for decision paralysis. But then… we spotted Pantry Barn Cafe and the moment I saw Welsh rarebit on the menu, well, that was that. Decision made!

Nestled within the beautiful grounds of the Breamore Estate, the cafe feels like something out of a countryside daydream. It sits in a charming little courtyard, framed by rustic brick barns, dotted with independent shops, and wrapped in that peaceful New Forest hush. It’s the sort of place where muddy boots are welcome, dogs snooze happily under tables, and time seems to stretch just a little longer.

From the outside, Pantry Barn Cafe has that effortlessly classic barn charm, all warm wood and countryside character, with plenty of outdoor seating perfect for sunny afternoons and lazy lunches.

Step inside, and you’re greeted by the sweetest little twinkling bell (the kind that instantly makes you smile), before being wrapped in a cosy, nostalgic atmosphere. Think pre-war charm, soft music, and decor that makes you want to linger. It’s on the smaller side indoors, but that only adds to its snug, welcoming feel - and with the generous outdoor space, there’s plenty of room to settle in when the weather plays nice.

The welcome couldn’t have been warmer. From the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel right at home. A lovely gentleman (I’m fairly sure he was called Steve!) talked us through the specials and how everything works - easy, relaxed bar service, just as it should be.

Now, onto the food (the best bit, obviously). The menu is full of comforting cafe classics; breakfasts, lunches, and a tempting array of cakes, all freshly made to order. And the portions? Generous in the most satisfying way.

I went for the Welsh rarebit, and honestly… 10/10, no notes, would order again in a heartbeat. Rich, cheesy, perfectly done, everything you could wish for it to be. Matt chose the Italian flatbread special, which was just as delicious, and we shared a portion of perfectly salted chips (because you always have to).

And here’s the cherry on top: the pricing. Two meals and drinks for under £25? It almost feels like stepping back in time but in the best possible way.

So, would I recommend a visit to Pantry Barn Cafe? Wholeheartedly, yes. It’s cosy, welcoming, delicious, and just a little bit magical. We’re already dreaming about our next visit!

Molly

During that beautiful spell of early spring sunshine at the beginning of March, I fully leaned in and booked a camping trip to the New Forest. I had visions of golden sunrises from the tent, cosy evenings by the fire, card games at night, and long, lazy afternoons reading in the sunshine…

Naturally, the forecast had other plans. A classic bank holiday mixed bag of weather - wind, rain and stunning sunshine. Make up your mind please weather!

But instead of cancelling or rearranging (very tempting), we decided to go anyway and to fully romanticise our inclement weather camping trip. And honestly? We had the best time.

So before you cancel a camping trip because of bad weather, hear me out: camping in the rain and wind can be ridiculously cosy, unexpectedly aesthetic, and surprisingly relaxing.

Here’s how to turn a bad weather situation into something that feels like a slow, rainy Sunday escape.

1. Adjust the vibe rather than the plan

Think less adventure, more countryside retreat energy - slow mornings, warm drinks, roasting marshmallows, reading under a blanket and listening to the rain fall on the tent (one of the best sounds to relax to!)

Molly

If you’re after a proper countryside Sunday lunch spot, The Pembroke Arms in Wilton is one that absolutely lives up to the hype. My family and I headed there for a belated Mother's Day meal, and it did not disappoint.

Having moved away from Salisbury a few years ago, I’ve lost touch with the local food scene, but both of my sisters had been before and highly recommended it (although neither had tried the Sunday lunch). That was all the convincing we needed to get it booked.

From the outside, it gives classic countryside pub, full of character and inviting. One thing I would note is that there was also plenty of parking but I can imagine the car park can get quite full. Inside, the pub is cosy and there was a relaxed, welcoming energy which despite being busy felt warm rather than chaotic (which is always a good sign). We arrived about 12.45pm, and lunch service was in full swing. As we left about 2.30pm, it was even busier so booking ahead is definitely advisable. 

Onto the main event: the food.

None of us ordered starters, despite some very tempting options (the Welsh rarebit English muffin with pickled shallots - I'm looking at you!), as we had a feeling the roasts would be generous - and we were right.

While most of the table went for the traditional Sunday roast, I opted for something slightly different: bangers and mash. I really liked that the menu offered more than just roasts - pies and fish and chips were also making their way around the dining room and looked equally impressive.

Between us, we tried all of the roast options on the menu, Sirloin Beef, Pork Loin (with crackling) and Slow Roasted Lamb. All were delicious but the Sirloin Beef gets a special mention as the overall favourite. If you are undecided, they do have a mixed roast option which offers all three meats and they also have a vegetarian option. The portions are very generous.

The roasts are served with crispy roast potatoes, proper Yorkshire puddings, seasonal veg (the braised red cabbage got high praise from my family!) and pork stuffing. The gravy deserves a special mention - rich, flavourful, and plentiful. And best of all, you can order extra roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, and gravy completely free of charge. A dream, especially if, like me, you think roasties are the best part.

My bangers and mash was equally excellent - proper sausages from Walter Rose, served on a mound of smooth, buttery mash with seasonal greens and that same standout gravy.

  

By the time we had finished, most of us were stuffed but some of the group shared a sticky toffee pudding dessert which they said tasted incredible. A couple of coffees were also had, and there were no complaints there.

Overall, the service was great - all of the staff were so friendly and efficient. Although, one thing I will say is like many popular spots, service can be a little slow however, it was a busy Sunday. For example, my main arrived around 5–10 minutes after the others, and we were only asked about condiments once all of the food had been served. Small details, and nothing that took away from the overall experience.

The roasts are slightly more expensive than your average pub offering (only by a few pounds) but to be honest, they were outstanding and most definitely worth it. There is also a 12.5% service charge, which felt fair given the quality of both the food and service.

Would I recommend? Absolutely. Make sure you book ahead and come hungry! I was so impressed that we booked to return for my birthday in May while we were still sat at the table. We look forward to our next visit to The Pembroke Arms!

Molly

Camping is meant to be relaxing, but there’s nothing relaxing about a cramped tent, poor airflow, or being wide awake at sunrise because it’s too bright to sleep. As we head into camping season, I thought it was the perfect time to talk about our current tent. Around a year ago, we upgraded from the Quechua Arpenaz 4 Man Tent (which I loved) to the Quechua Arpenaz 4.1 Fresh & Black Tent, and we’ve been using it ever since. If you want to read my full review of the original Arpenaz 4 Man Tent, I’ve linked that here.

The Arpenaz 4 Man Tent is an amazing starter tent, but as we started camping more often - and for longer trips - we realised we wanted a bit more space and, honestly, blackout technology was a must. We were so impressed with the quality of our first Decathlon tent that sticking with the brand was an obvious choice.

The tent has a blackout bedroom and a mid-sized living area that I can comfortably stand up in (I’m 5ft 6, for reference). In the living space, we have enough room for our camping kitchen, chairs, and a table, with plenty of space left to move around, which makes a huge difference on longer trips.

When it comes to sleeping space, I’ve mentioned this before, you can comfortably fit three adults, but four would be a squeeze. If you’re camping with kids, two adults and two small children would work well. For us, as a couple, we can easily fit our king-size blow-up bed in the bedroom, which feels very luxe for camping.

One thing I really love about this tent is that the groundsheet is included in the living area. This was a big upgrade for us. Even if the weather turns, we stay warm and dry and aren’t forced to spend all our time in the sleeping compartment.

Ventilation is also great. There are loads of ventilation points, so the tent never feels stuffy - something I’ve definitely struggled with in other tents. You can actually get proper airflow, which makes sleeping and daytime lounging much more comfortable.

Despite being a poled tent, it only uses three poles, and assembly is super straightforward. The colour-coded poles make it almost impossible to fluff up, and we can usually have it fully pitched in around 10–15 minutes, including guy ropes. It does come with lots of smaller pegs but only four heavy-duty ones, so I’d recommend buying a couple of extras just in case you’re camping somewhere remote.

Like with our previous Decathlon tent, we never struggle to get it back into the bag, which, if you’ve ever fought with a tent bag, you’ll know is a massive win.

The tent is priced at £199.99 (correct as of January 2026), and honestly, if you camp regularly and want that extra space and comfort, I think it’s great value.

I’d 100% recommend this tent - it’s been such a solid upgrade for us.

Our very first camping adventure of the 2026 season begins on April 2nd, and we couldn’t be more excited!

Molly