Local Advice on Enjoying England

While Lisa Marlowe’s “Nibbling the Good Life at Chewton Glen” (Aug. 26) produced many nostalgic memories of my English childhood, may I offer a few observations from a “New Forest lad”?

To drive from Chewton Glen Hotel, Health & Country Club to Stonehenge, Winchester Cathedral or Thomas Hardy’s cottage within a half-hour, as Marlowe says is possible, is pushing it, especially during summer months, and getting to T.E. Lawrence’s retreat in 15 minutes is out of the question; allow one hour minimum.

Instead of driving endless miles to far-off, crowded tourist spots, one can experience the New Forest’s alluring atmosphere at the Rufus Stone, Rhinefield House Hotel and Exbury Gardens and see real village life, with pubs and Norman churches, at Boldre and Burley rather than over-commercialized places.

Incidentally, for those of us on a budget of somewhat less than $500-plus per night, who cannot afford to get within sniffing distance, let alone “nibbling” crumbs at Chewton Glen, may I suggest the many reasonably priced B&Bs; and pubs in the local centers of Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst?

BILL COUSINS

Upland