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All you need to know
When it comes to water sports and activities in the New Forest, the New Forest Water Park is hard to beat. From wake boarding to inflatables, it is an adventurer’s paradise. It’s family friendly and with camping available you can visit for a few hours or a few days, depending on your endurance levels!
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We only did the inflatable part of the park but it was great fun, plenty of time to get around the whole thing and do all the best bits over again until exhaustion takes hold! I strongly suggest getting there at least 20 minutes before your booked time though as we were essentially told off for arriving late even though we were there for the time we booked for.
February 2018
Expensive but worth it. Visited by 13 year old and Father. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. You need to be able to climb out of the water yourself and on to the equipment. You MUST be able to get your face wet without being scared! Please also note that there is no point in going to watch a family member take part in this activity - you cannot see from the viewing area.
August 2020
Hosting a range of wildlife, the Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve consists of flooded gravel pits that are now used for nature conservation and drinking water storage. Surrounded by willow, birch and alder woodland as well as grassland, the reserve attracts thousands of wildfowl in winter as well as woodland birds including redpoll, siskin and brambling, not to mention playing home to adders, grass snakes, kingfishers, 26 species of dragonfly and invertebrates. Visit, get involved and learn, surrounded by an abundance of beauty.
A must for birdwatchers. Very good accessible hides
October 2022
Preserving the rich history of the village of Fordingbridge on the edge of the New Forest, the former market town’s famed folk including artist Augustus John, its role during the Second World War, and its trade past are all documented in this former granary run by volunteers. They have a collection of temporary and permanent exhibitions available to see, as well as seasonal events.
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Very interesting museum. Loved the dolls houses
October 2019
Feeling active? It’s Insight Activities for you then! Archery, combat tag, crossbows, axe throwing and woodland weaponry are all part of the game as you explore the New Forest in Robin Hood style. It’s perfect for anyone over the age of six, and is a chance to learn something new and have fun at the same time!
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Get up close to owls, reptiles and all sorts of creepy crawlies at Liberty’s. Highlights include a wide range of birds of prey on display, daily flying displays in the all-weather indoor flying area or outdoor field, a reptile house with snakes, lizards, and much more! Plus a large free car park, and a café and gift shop.
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Despite the weather had a terrific outing. Wonderful birds, knowledgeable staff.
August 2020
Plenty of birds to see , look well kept . Good bird display , told you a lot about the birds that he flew. Interesting reptile centre. Had a nice Tea and lemon drizzle cake. Well worth a visit
June 2022
We took the grandchildren here and had a great morning with them. There was lots to see, there was plenty of accessible information for the girls and the flying display was great!
June 2022
This former 17th century hunting lodge is in the pretty little village of North Gorley, opposite the village duck pond. You’ll often see New Forest ponies, cattle, donkeys and maybe the off pig or two grazing outside the pub, making a stop here for a drink or something to eat, a special treat. Varied weekly menus feature lots of local produce from the award-winning chef, all complemented by a good selection of drinks and cask ales. Dogs welcome.
The Royal Oak (T: 01425 652244) Ringwood Road, North Gorley SP6 2PB
This is a lovely friendly pub with beautiful food and very friendly and helpful staff. We loved it on two visits. Also it had free wi fi which was very helpful.
June 2017
Visited twice for a meal during our week's stay. The place was extremely clean and welcoming (both to us and our dog), and the food was freshly made and excellent. Wholly recommend it.
September 2018
We visited this pub twice whilst on Holiday during June 2021. The staff were friendly and helpful, the pub had a nice selection of drinks and food. We will definately return next time we are in the area.
June 2021
amazing place.
September 2021
We’re quite disappointed. We felt it was overpriced for the standard of food as we had several meals in the area that were better and less expensive. While we were advised that their beef was served rare which we like, it was rarer than rare and quite tough. Also the whole meal was cold. Should have complained but they were very busy. The staff were lovely
September 2021
In a beautiful location in the village of Frogham, and a favourite haunt for New Forest donkeys and ponies to gather! This traditional pub is super friendly, with plenty of seating inside, and outside in the large beer garden. Menus consist of popular pub classics served in big portions. Come for delicious, honest, home cooked food. Dogs welcome.
The Foresters Arms (T: 01425 652294) Frogham SP6 2JA
Best ploughman’s lunch ever.
August 2021
The Foresters, known locally as the 'Donkey pub' for the donkeys that often cluster outside, is a welcoming place to stop for a pint and maybe something nice to eat, especially if you are refuelling during a Forest walk. Dogs are welcome and there’s a lovely garden to enjoy in summer, and a cosy woodburner for the cooler months.
The Foresters (T: 01425 652 294) Fordingbridge SP6 2JA
Fantastic food and great ambience
April 2019
Visited this one evening 4 adults . We were sat in a room with a French door which was wide open.we asked to be moved told there was no where else free. They said they had to leave door open due to restrictions. It was cold and made food cold, surleythey could have opened a window instead they were taking the restrictions to the extreme. Spoilt our meal . Will not be going again.
July 2021
Didn't realise we had to book as it can get so busy but once we could get a table it was incredibly welcoming and the meal was fantastic! Would definitely recommend (and recommend booking!).
November 2021
Lovely pub in a great location with good food and friendly staff
July 2023
Smelt of new refurb but main grip was lack of attention when we arrived. Asked for coffee and was told no machine but eventually persuaded them you can make with kettle and jar of instant. Food good if pricy.
April 2024
A popular country pub due to its lovely food, drinks and location. Riders like The Red Shoot to tie up their horses and stop off for lunch. Real ale fans are in for a treat as the pub has its own microbrewery onsite. Inside is roomy with a log fire burning when it’s chilly. During the warmer months, there’s outdoor seating to watch the world go by. Food is really good with a good selection of well executed pub classics, including pizzas and a separate gluten free menu. Dogs are very welcome with water bowls and doggie treats from the bar.
The Red Shoot (T: 01425 475792) Toms Lane, Linwood, BH24 3QT
The food was excellent as usual. We have visited several times over the years and the standard has never dropped which is remarkable. The social distancing and arrangements were clear and easy to follow with staff around to help make sure we did.
August 2020
Our first visit here in several years, for lunch. The interior is as it was, so pleasantly rustic whilst smart. Food was 'good'.
April 2024
On the A338 between Ringwood and Fordingbridge is the little village of Ibsley and The Old Beams Inn. Beneath the thatched roof is a large, beautiful oak beamed pub, adorned with curios, comfortable seating and a big open fire. In the summer months, there’s plenty of seating to the front and decked area to the rear. The simple menu offers traditional pub fare and some options for children.
Old Beams Inn (T: 01425 473387) Ibsley BH24 3PP
We ate there four times as the food and service was excellent and staff very friendly.
October 2019
Favourite pub of the holiday!!!!! Friendly staff, waitress was excellent, wore. Me out just watching her running about. Food was delicious and I’ve never been served such hot food anywhere. We were allowed to decide where we sat even though we had a little dog with us. Very varied menu and quick efficient service and very reasonably priced.
June 2023
Highcliffe beach, beneath the popular Cliffhanger Restaurant is a part sandy, part pebble beach. The beach has sloping access as well as steps down to the shore from the pay and display clifftop car park. To the east, Highcliffe beach towards Barton on Sea is a part sandy beach at the foot of the second most eroded cliff in England. This side of the beach is dog-friendly all year. However do check the tide times as high tide can make it difficult to walk along the beach.
To the west towards Highcliffe Castle beach, the promenade leads across the top of the small beaches inbetween the groynes with views across Christchurch Bay and Hengistbury Head. Groynes 4-8 have dog restrictions as does the promenade during the summer months, May-September.
A picturesque, tree-lined beach of shingle, and sand at low tide. Good facilities on the cliff top including an excellent tea room, public toilets, baby change and a children’s play area in the Castle gardens. Plenty of parking and sloping access down to the beach. Highcliffe Castle beach is dog-friendly all year round.
Lovely clean sandy beach and a really i would highly recommend this spot for your car to break down takes the ouch out of waiting for the recovery truck
April 2017
Lovely
April 2019
Very picturesque beach with great access, looks good for a beach day
October 2021
A family friendly beach close to Mudeford and Christchurch Harbour with plenty to do for all. For those with disabilities or small children there is a beach level carpark, and to keep everyone safe there is a designated bathing area and a seperate area allocated for watersports, all overseen by lifeguards in the summer months. This pretty sand and shingle beach is backed by trees and countryside and if you fancy some fresh local seafood or simply a coffee, ice cream or a cold drink, the beach is home to the excellent Noisy Lobster, serving breakfast, lunch and supper all year round.
Beautiful beach, lots of sand for youngsters- definitely been high on our favourites list, for more than 30 years and still is now the 'children' are nearly 30! - well worth the drive from New Forest. The Noisy Lobster is great and now has an 'outdoor upstairs' too. The Beach Cafe, half-way along, is excellent too- used to do very good carrot cake! The connecting beach towards Steamer Point is dog-friendly all year which is a bonus. Walking to the quay end, you can catch the ferry to Hengistbury Head which is beautiful beach too and often quieter (top favourite!) Even this last week (JULY 2021) the 'kids' wanted to crab-fish from Mudeford Quay!!
August 2021
Nice beach with good facilities
April 2023
A stony beach with sandy areas as the tide goes out, and a great spot to do some fossil hunting. The cliffs are subject to considerable coastal erosion and at times parts of the beach can be cordoned off. The Beachcomber Café on the cliff top is one of the most popular cafés in the region. Plenty of parking in car parks along the cliff top as well as on-road parking.
Super walk, nice and easy and great place for a meal or tea and cake by the car park.
April 2019
A pleasant walk along the cliff top and along the beach. There was less cliff than last time we went to the New Forest.
June 2023
This is one of the most scenic of New Forest beaches. Lined with some of the most picturesque and expensive beach huts in the country! There’s no parking next to the beach, as it’s a traffic-free zone, but there’s pay and display parking at Hengistbury Head from where you can catch a little train to the sandbank, and Mudeford Quay which runs a small ferry (5 mins) over to the sandbank. Can also be reached on foot and by bicycle.
Beautiful place, our favourite beach in south of England. It feels like an island, when you go over on the ferry and at times (off-season!) on sunny days it can feel like a little piece of Heaven, it's so peaceful and beautiful- bit of a sense of New England. There's a super little 'restaurant', the Beach Hut, which does great breakfasts, meals all day and some evenings. Also takeaway eg pizzas, you can eat on the beach. Very simple surroundings, with a sheltered veranda that can be uncovered in fine weather, and amazing views. Quite pricey and often very busy (and you are best to ring and check opening times and book since often weather and ferry-dependant) but the quality of the food and those stunning views make it more than worthwhile!
March 2018
As usual, stunning. 4 ferries but sadly the Land train not running although according to their web site they were. Always visit when in the area
September 2020
This is a holiday must. A short ferry out to amazing beach makes for a great day out.
September 2022