A luxury hotel and spa on the edge of the New Forest has won another top award.
The five-star Chewton Glen at Christchurch Road, New Milton, has again been named Rural Hotel of the Year in the 2023 Food and Travel Readers Awards.
The awards are based on votes submitted by readers who are asked to nominate a property they love.
Andrew Stembridge is executive director of Iconic Luxury Hotels, which owns the 72-bed establishment.
He said: "It's wonderful to see Chewton Glen scooping this top award again, especially when it was up against an exceptionally strong shortlist, including several new additions to the increasingly competitive country house scene.
"Chewton Glen’s ever-evolving offer, brilliant team and consistent delivery continue to appeal to our both loyal regulars and new guests alike and we are extremely grateful for their votes and ongoing support."
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The hotel's general manager, Clive McNish, added: "We are honoured to be recognised as Food & Travel’s 2023 Rural Hotel of the Year.
"A big 'thank you' to all our guests who took the time to vote for us to receive this prestigious accolade, and congratulations to all our fellow colleagues working in the hospitality industry, who continue to create wonderful experiences for their guests.
"At Chewton Glen, we are incredibly proud of our culinary heritage, and we continue to offer a countryside escape like no other.
"However, none of this would be possible without the hard work of our incredible hotel team.
"I would also like to pay a special tribute to our executive head chef, Luke Matthews, who celebrates his 30th anniversary of leading our outstanding kitchen bridge at Chewton Glen this year."
Chewton Glen is set in 130 acres of countryside just minutes from Highcliffe Beach.
The establishment is home to two award-winning restaurants, a purpose-built cookery school, and a large kitchen garden.
It also boasts a nine-hole golf course, a "world-class spa", and a range of accommodation that includes 14 treehouse suites.
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The former manor house opened as a hotel in 1966 after being bought by Martin and Trevor Skan.
The property dates from around 1732 and enjoyed its first taste of fame in the 1800s, when it was purchased by Colonel George Marryat, brother of the celebrated author Captain Frederick Marryat.
His most famous novel, Children of the New Forest, published in 1847, was partly written at Chewton Glen.
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