Bluebells, BBQs & the Best of the New Forest: Spring Has Arrived at Hockey’s Farm Shop
There are certain moments in the New Forest calendar that stop you in your tracks. The kind that remind you why this landscape is so special, why people travel from across Hampshire and beyond, and why those of us lucky enough to call it home never quite take it for granted.
From Tuesday 21st April, one of those moments begins.
Tucked quietly within our land here at Hockey’s Farm Shop in South Gorley, the Cuckoo Copse opens once again and with it, the chance to walk through one of spring’s most breathtaking natural displays. A woodland floor transformed into a sea of soft, vibrant blue. A place where time slows, the air feels fresher, and the only soundtrack is birdsong and the gentle rustle of leaves overhead.
While the bluebells may be stealing the show this week, there’s something else in the air too… the unmistakable scent of BBQ season arriving in the New Forest.
Step Into Spring: The Magic of Cuckoo Copse Bluebells
There is something quietly powerful about a bluebell wood. It’s not loud or showy,it doesn’t need to be. Instead, it draws you in gently, rewarding those who take the time to wander.
At Cuckoo Copse, the bluebells arrive in their thousands, carpeting the woodland floor in a vivid blanket of colour. As the sunlight filters through the trees, the blues deepen and shift, creating a landscape that feels almost dreamlike.
This is not a formal garden. It is nature, doing what it does best, undisturbed, seasonal, and fleeting.
That fleeting nature is what makes it so special. Bluebells bloom for only a short window each year, and when they’re gone, they’re gone. Which is why opening Cuckoo Copse to visitors feels like something worth sharing.
If you are looking for a peaceful walk in the New Forest, somewhere to reconnect with nature, or simply a moment of calm away from busy daily life, this is it.
Before heading down to the copse, we ask that all visitors sign in at The Vinery. It helps us manage numbers and protect the space for everyone to enjoy. We also kindly ask for a small donation to support Poppy’s Pals Rescue, a wonderful local charity doing incredible work for animals in need.
Make a Day of It in the New Forest
A visit to the bluebells is just the beginning.
One of the things we love most about being based here in South Gorley is how naturally a short stop can turn into a full day out. The New Forest has always been about slowing down, taking your time, and enjoying what’s around you and that’s exactly what we encourage when you visit Hockey’s.
Start your morning with breakfast in the Farmyard cafe, where locally sourced ingredients are at the heart of everything we serve. Whether it’s our much-loved Hungry Breakfast before 10am or something lighter with a good coffee in hand, it sets the tone for the day ahead.
From there, a wander through the Farm Shop brings you face to face with the very best local produce the New Forest has to offer. This is food with a story from farmers, growers, and makers who are intrinsically linked to this landscape.
Then of course, there’s The Vinery, a treasure trove of local gifts, homeware, and those little things you didn’t know you needed until you see them. It’s also your starting point for the Cuckoo Copse walk, making it a natural hub for your visit.
Add in the animals, the fresh air, and the surrounding walks, and what began as a quick visit often becomes something much more.
The Sound of BBQ Season Starting
There’s a shift that happens this time of year. You can feel it.
The mornings are brighter. The evenings stretch longer. And somewhere, in gardens across the New Forest and Hampshire, BBQs are being uncovered, cleaned, and readied for the season ahead.
We’ve certainly noticed it here.
The butchery counter has that familiar buzz, conversations turning from slow roasts and winter comfort food to burgers, steaks, and grilling plans for the weekend. It’s one of our favourite transitions of the year because it brings people together in a different way.
BBQ food is not just about eating. It’s about sharing, gathering, and making the most of good weather while it lasts.
This week, as temperatures begin to climb, we are well and truly ready.
At the Butchery: Prepared for the Weekend Ahead
Our butchery team, led by Tom and Graham, have been preparing for this shift for weeks. Every cut, every product, every display is carefully considered, not just for quality, but for how people actually want to cook and eat at this time of year.
As we head into the weekend, the counter is packed with everything you need to fire up the BBQ with confidence:
Hand-prepared burgers, full of flavour and made using quality, locally sourced beef
A wide selection of sausages, including our much-loved varieties that have become firm customer favourites
Marinated chicken wings, ready to go straight onto the grill
Beautiful steaks, cut and prepared by skilled butchers who understand exactly what makes a great BBQ cut
This is where having a proper farm shop butchery really makes a difference.
You are not picking something up off a shelf and hoping for the best. You can talk to the team, ask questions, get advice on cooking times, marinades, or which cuts will work best depending on how you’re planning to cook.
It’s personal, knowledgeable, and rooted in experience.
Provenance Matters: Local Meat from the New Forest & Beyond
One of the things we are most proud of at Hockey’s is where our meat comes from.
Our beef is locally sourced, supporting farms within the New Forest and surrounding areas, ensuring not only incredible flavour but also a connection to the land itself. You can taste the difference that care, welfare, and proper farming practices make.
Our wild venison is sourced from within just a couple of miles of the farm, a truly low food miles product that also plays a vital role in conservation and land management across the Forest.
Then there is our rare breed British Lop pork, something that has become a real signature for us. This award-winning pork is known for its flavour, quality, and the high welfare standards behind it. It’s a product we are incredibly proud to champion.
Looking ahead, we are also excited to welcome the return of Devon Red beef in the coming weeks, another fantastic addition to the counter and one well worth keeping an eye out for.
Planning Ahead: From Bluebells to BBQ Weekends
Spring in the New Forest is not just one moment, it’s a series of them, unfolding week by week.
One day it’s bluebells in full bloom. The next, it’s the first proper BBQ of the year. Then suddenly, the season gathers pace, and we’re into long evenings, outdoor dining, and making the most of every bit of sunshine.
That’s why now is the perfect time to start planning ahead.
Whether you are visiting for a peaceful walk through Cuckoo Copse, picking up supplies for a weekend BBQ, or simply stopping by to enjoy a coffee and a slower pace of life, there is something here waiting for you.
A Gentle Reminder: Respecting the Landscape
As always, with something as special as the bluebells, we ask visitors to tread carefully.
Bluebells are delicate, and once damaged, they can take years to recover. Please stick to paths, avoid stepping into the flowers, and help us preserve this natural display for others to enjoy.
It’s a shared space, and one that we are incredibly proud to open up.
Visit Hockey’s Farm Shop, South Gorley, New Forest
If you are searching for bluebell walks in the New Forest, things to do in Hampshire this spring, a farm shop near Fordingbridge, or quality local meat for BBQs, Hockey’s Farm Shop is ready to welcome you.
From Tuesday 21st April, Cuckoo Copse is open for visitors. Simply sign in at The Vinery, take a moment to support Poppy’s Pals Rescue if you can, and step into one of the most beautiful scenes the New Forest has to offer.
While you’re here, don’t forget to stop by the butchery because if the weather is anything to go by, BBQ season has officially begun.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
