Hello!
We are working with New Forest author and resident Carole Smith to help spread the word about her wonderful new, illustrated children's book, Have You Seen The New Forest Unicorn? This is the first in the New Forest Tales series and is getting amazing reviews from parents, children, teachers, librarians and booksellers, particularly those who live in or near the New Forest, or who have fond memories of visiting the area as a child themselves. It's also a big hit with animal lovers, particularly horse riders.
As parents ourselves, we know that summer holidays can be an expensive time for families, so we've put together a trail around the New Forest, inspired by the journey the ponies take in this story, that families can follow over 1+ days if they are visiting the New Forest. And while you could, of course, buy a unicorn milkshake in one cafe, or some unicorn fudge in a gift shop, or enjoy a pub lunch along the way, we also heartily recommend bringing a picnic and enjoying a relatively cheap day out in the fresh air and countryside!
Please find below information about the trail, as well as the local, private, book launch party (media RSVPs to helenlewis@literallypr.com please) on 3rd September, a competition, and lots more! If you'd like an interview with Carole Smith let us know, and we're also happy to send you a paperback or digital copy of this fab book. If you're interested in sharing the trail as a recommendation with your audience, we'd love to hear from you and reshare/repost to help spread the word.
In the meantime, we hope you're enjoying the British summer :-)
Thanks,
Helen Lewis
Director - Literally PR
The Book PR People
www.literallypr.com
New Forest Unicorn Trail - The Must-Do Activity For Families In The New Forest This Summer Holidays!
Heading to the New Forest any time this month? Looking for something to keep you all busy this summer holiday? We have a fabulously original trail to follow around the New Forest that the whole family will love... whatever the weather!
Good Housekeeping magazine recommended staying at Careys Manor in the New Forest as their number one staycation destination this year:https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/travel/g34842793/staycation-uk/
Have You Seen The New Forest Unicorn? by New Forest resident Carole Smith is already a huge hit with young and old since its release just one month ago at The BIG Indie Book Launch in Foyles Charing Cross Road in London. Bringing back memories of childhood trips to the New Forest, enjoyed by those who appreciate a good unicorn tale (who doesn't, right?), and of course readers who are also horse riders or animal lovers. The beautifully illustrated picture book (illustrations by local artist Alexandra Wilson) is available to buy in multiple shops and tourist attractions in the New Forest, as well as online and in all good bookshops including Amazon. It's also on eBook!
https://www.thenewforesttales.com
In the story, the young New Forest ponies go on an adventure to find the New Forest Unicorn. The trail they follow is one that takes in some beautiful sights in this stunning part of the world, and you can follow in their footsteps too. We've put together a guide for you that you're welcome to share with your audience. And the best thing about this Unicorn Trail is that it's all free (especially if you bring our own packed lunch and drinks!).
If you're heading on The New Forest Unicorn Trail from outside of the area, one of your first stops may well be Lyndhurst, the first exit westbound from M27/A31. A wonderful place to start the day with breakfast and a limited edition Unicorn Milkshake is at The Greenwood Tree Café (https://www.thegreenwoodtreecafe.co.uk). A wonderful, family-run, welcoming café that serves delicious food and drink all day.
You may be lucky enough to see the Unicorn, it may be hiding behind the Gorse by the Stone Water Trough at Wootton.
A lovely place to adventure in search of unicorns! There are many stunning walks around this area. Here is a link to a particularly lovely 3-mile walk around Wootton:https://newforestwalks.co.uk/walks/wootton-coppice-and-brownhill-inclosures.html/
There is a gorgeous pub in the area called The Rising Sun (https://www.therisingsunbashley.co.uk), the ideal place to stop and rest a while. Indeed, this is where Carole Smith will be hosting her local book launch celebration, invite-only, but you can win a family ticket for up to four people to attend the party on 3rdSeptember, 2-4pm. For more information visit Carole's social media pages @newforesttales.
Before heading off to the next stop on the New Forest Unicorn Trail, perhaps call in at the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum (https://sammymiller.co.uk) down the road? It's a popular pitstop for petrol-heads!
Maybe Willow was right... it may go to Setley Pond for a drink!
After your walk, museum visit, perhaps even a delicious pub lunch, drive over to Setley Pond (10 mins away), which occupies the southernmost extension (dating from World War 2) of a gravel pit founded in Victorian times. You'll often spot a pony or two drinking from the pond and the bright yellow flowers and scent of The Gorse will help relax you! Swing by Setley Ridge Vineyard (https://setleyridge.co.uk) and browse the ornaments, plants, food and drink available in the farm shop, garden centre and tea garden.
It could even be visiting the Trolls that live under Wootton Bridge.
While we can't guarantee you'll spot a troll, if you didn't make it to Wootton earlier in the day (perhaps the weather wasn't up to scratch?) then we really recommend spending time around Wootton Bridge. It is a gorgeous place to stop for a picnic (perhaps a flask of tea and a slice of cake?) and to spot ponies, pigs, cattle and other Forest animals. If you're feeling more adventurous, Wootton Bridge has a circular gravelled 5-mile path as well as plenty of offshoot paths to explore (walking boots/wellies recommended!).
Perhaps the Unicorn did visit Hincheslea, and saw the Hot Air Balloon?
Hincheslea is an idyllic place to spot wildlife and enjoy the New Forest landscape including ancient, unenclosed woodlands, the Hincheslea bog, and lowland heath around Hincheslea Moor.
And on a walk at Wilverley Plain or Longslade, you may be lucky enough to see the New Forest ponies grazing or playing: Drummer, Merlin, Peewee, Riley, Willow and Juliet.
Wilverley Plain is a Forestry England location - check out their recommended Wilverley Wander trail:https://www.forestryengland.uk/wilverley
If you go to the Deer Sanctuary at Bolderwood or to Pipers Wait you may even see The Monarch.
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary offers different walks based on distance so there is something suitable for all ages, and boats a deer viewing platform, multiple picnic spots, and great walks through the ancient New Forest:https://www.forestryengland.uk/bolderwood
And if you fancy a sweet treat after all that adventuring, be sure to pop into Burley to buy some delicious Unicorn Fudge (https://www.burleyfudge.co.uk/product/unicorn-fudge)!
But on a dark clear night if you look up, the Unicorn may appear among the stars in the sky over The New Forest.
Drummer, Merlin, Peewee, Riley, Juliet and Willow will keep looking, will you join them?
The New Forest Ponies all roam free and wild within The New Forest, if you visit, please remember to look and to admire them, but never ever touch or feed them
Notes to Editors
MEDIA INVITE: JOIN THE NEW FOREST TALES BOOK LAUNCH ON 3RDSEPTEMBER 2-4PM AT THE RISING SUN, BRASHLEY COMMON ROAD, NEW MILTON.
RSVP TOHELENLEWIS@LITERALLYPR.COMTO ENSURE YOU'RE ON THE GUEST LIST!
Media enquiries, author interview requests, copies of the book for review etc: helenlewis@literallypr.com