i'm out in the forest a lot, in fact most weeks most weeks at some point.
where to stay?
depends on your budget but
http://www.thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk/
alwyas seems really good and is close to the forest and not a great distance from salisbury with all it's obvious megalithic sites.

if you go to knowton henge you could do far worse than to call into the drovers inn
http://www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk/drovers.htm especially if you like a good pint!

or you could stay in burley which is a beautiful little village with new forest pony's roaming free in the streets and lot's and lot's of interesting shops if you are interested in witchcraft.....and a couple of really good pubs. the link below gives you a few options.
http://www.burleynewforest.co.uk/stay.htm