THERE’S something about eating outdoors that makes everything taste so much better. With that in mind, we’ve done the leg-work to find your perfect New Forest al fresco dining spot…

1. For garden lovers: Gaze upon a Gertrude Jekyll-style garden – complete with sculpted water feature - at The Terrace restaurant at The Montagu Arms in Beaulieu. Food is created by Roux scholar chef Matt Tomkinson with some of the ingredients coming from the very garden you are sitting in.

2. For modern Italian: Hartnett & Holder at Lime Wood near Lyndhurst. Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder create locally sourced Italian dishes and during the warm weather you can eat them outside in the true Italian manner. Lime Wood’s courtyard also has a retractable roof.

3. For five star dining: It’s the restaurant where James Martin was famously the pastry chef. What you may not know is that you can eat lunch at the Chewton Glen overlooking the grounds for under £30. Yes, really.

4. For walkers and bikers: Balmer Lawn’s Beresford Restaurant near Brockenhurst, is a great place to break off for lunch. They have three giant parasols to shelter you from the sun, heaters for when the cool wind blows and a menu of fresh food, sourced locally, to re-fuel on for the next part of your day.

5. For a country house atmosphere: The courtyard at The Pig at Brockenhurst offers uncomplicated British garden food. It is also sheltered by walls and has an open fire for chillier evenings.

6. For when it might possibly rain: The conservatory area at Burley Manor feel as though you’re outdoors. But, if it clouds over, you can chomp away at their Mediterranean-inspired menu

7. For perfect views: The Grill Room at Rhinefield House Hotel is another of those clever eating spaces that has a year-round outdoor feel. However, in the summer they open the terraces to diners so you can enjoy the view across their ornamental ponds, and the gardens to the forest beyond.

8. For furry friends: Forest Lodge Hotel near Lyndhurst allows pooches. If you're feeling a little peckish, their Glasshouse Brasserie and Bar serves up light bites and British classic dishes.

9. For river views: Try the Yachtsman’s bar and garden at The Master Builder’s, Bucker’s Hard which offers sumptuous seafood; maybe their spiced, potted crab, or beer battered haddock and chips.

10. For art in the garden: Gordleton Mill near Hordle has a number of local and national artists exhibiting. They also have an Art Walk, a tour around the grounds and a traditional knot garden as well as their best-kept secret, a newly renovated Victorian swimming pool, now used as a pond, complete with a stunning tree fountain.

For more details see the newforest.co.uk.