Cool Place of the Day: The Foresters Arms, New Forest

Every day, a new place to discover or explore from coolplaces.co.uk

Part of the excellent Little Pub group (which owns a number of pubs in Hampshire and around), The Foresters Arms, in the heart of the New Forest, has long been known locally as the "Donkey pub" for the donkeys that often cluster outside.

It’s also a great example of how pubs can change and reinvent themselves, while still doing all the things that pubs are supposed to do, providing a cosy venue to stop for a chat, a pint and maybe something nice to eat – and, in the case of the Foresters, a welcome stopping-off point for weary New Forest walkers.

The Little Pub people know their stuff, and they have been careful to preserve all that's good about this traditional inn, placing an emphasis on serving good local ales and delicious food in a suitably pubby environment. Dogs are welcome, there's a lovely garden for when the weather is clement, and when it's not they crank up the wood-burner indoors.

The food they serve isn't anything out of the ordinary – fish and chips, a lovely burger with cheese and bacon, homemade pies and steaks – but it's moderately priced, beautifully prepared and frankly delicious. And if you're especially hungry you can tuck into their haunch of venison, served with sauteed potatoes and wild mushrooms. If you're not, just opt for a filled baguette or a sharing platter of cold meats. All in all, perfect fuel for tramping the woods and meadows of the New Forest.

Cool Places is a new website from the creators of Rough Guides and Cool Camping, suggesting the best places to stay, eat, drink and shop in Britain (coolplaces.co.uk).