Activities
Beaulieu National Motor Museum
SO42 7ZN
Voted best large visitor attraction 2013 by VisitBritain, this is much more than just a Motor Museum, as well as telling the fascinating story of motoring through the ages, it also boasts the historic Beaulieu Abbey, and charming Palace House with its glorious gardens. For more information visit: Here.
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
SO43 7GQ
The wooden viewing platform is just a short distance from the main Bolderwood car park. Adjacent to the car park is a large flat grassy Forest lawn, perfect for kicking a football around or a game of rounders. Bolderwood is one of the most popular spots in the New Forest for spending a sunny day and the area can become a bit congested during the better weather and at holiday times. Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
Bournemouth Oceanarium
BH2 5AA
The perfect rainy day activity, based on Bournemouth’s sea front. Featuring fish from several different areas including the Amazon, Great Barrier Reef and Key West. Also a virtual interactive dive cage. 15% discount if you book online. Bournemouth Oceanarium.
Historic Houses & Gardens
SO42 7XB
The exciting Maritime Museum and Buckler’s Hard Story gives an insight into the history of this 18th century shipbuilding village famous for the vessels it built for Nelson's Navy. Walk beside the riverbank for an opportunity to see some of the abundant wildlife that inhabits its banks. Buckler's Hard has been voted by Visit England as one of the '101 Things To Do Before You Go Abroad'.
Calshot Castle
SO45 1BR
This picturesque castle is one of Henry VIII's device forts, built on Calshot Spit at the Solent near Fawley to guard the entrance to Southampton Water. It was built as part of Henry's chain of coastal defences against foreign invasion especially during his turbulent times after his break from the Roman Catholic Church: Calshot Castle.
Eling Tide Mill
SO40 9HF
Visit one of the only tide mills in the world. Eling Tide Mill is a water mill that harnesses the power of the tide to grind wheat into wholemeal flour. Situated on the edge of Southampton Water beside the renowned New Forest, there has been a mill on the site for over 900 years. Closed in the 1940s, it had the good fortune to survive until it was restored between 1975 and 1980, at which time it re-opened as both a working mill, and a museum. Eling Tide Mill.
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway
SO45 1AZ
Exbury Gardens 200 acres of earthly paradise offer a riot of colour in spring, an oasis of tranquillity in summer followed by a splendid show as the leaves change in the autumn. The famous Steam Railway runs every day the Gardens are open, with trains departing Exbury Central Station at regular intervals for 20 minute rides.
Hurst Castle
SO41 0TP
Come and discover this artillery fortress built by Henry VIII at the seaward end of a spit. Commanding the entrance to the Solent, Hurst Castle offers one of the best views in England. It played a part in the imprisonment of Charles I in the 17th century and defended England from invasion threats in the 19th and 20th centuries. With plenty of open space for children to explore and fantastic views of the Isle of the Wight from the top of the Tudor keep, Hurst Castle is a great day out for the whole family: Hurst Castle.
Liberty’s Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre
BH24 3EA
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. Liberty’s Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre.
Longdown Activity Farm
SO40 7EH
A fantastic family day for everyone. Bottle-feed kid goats and calves, meet the pigs, donkeys and ponies, cuddle baby rabbits, chicks or maybe even a piglet! PLUS lots more friendly animals to see. Lots of farmyard buildings to explore and fabulous indoor and outdoor play areas including the trampoline barn, a soft play area and The Farmer's Straw Den. Also Longdown Farm Shop has a large range of delicious local produce. Longdown Activity Farm.
Marwell Zoo
SO21 1JY
A short drive from the New Forest, Marwell Zoo offers the chance to get up close to the wonders of the natural world and play a part in helping to save them. The 140 acre park is home to over 250 exotic and endangered species, in beautiful landscaped surroundings.
Moors Valley Country Park
BH24 2ET
Enjoy a peaceful walk together through the Forest, and if you have other family members to entertain, there’s an extensive selection of wooden climbing frames, tunnels and castles to explore, as well as the tree top high wire adventure experience, Go Ape.
New Forest Cycling
The New Forest is ideal for families wanting a safe off road experience and gentle cycle routes amongst open heathland and shelterd woods.
The station at Brockenhurst allows you to bring your bikes and get straight out into the forest or if you don’t have bikes with you, you can hire them from one of the many cycle hire centres, including those in the heart of the New Forest: Burley or Brockenhurst.
New Forest Centre
SO43 7NY
There is so much that makes the New Forest a special place to visit. The New Forest Centre runs an exciting programme of New Forest themed exhibitions and events throughout the year which explain the New Forest in a nutshell. There’s something for all ages, which will help you make the most of your time in the Forest
New Forest Horse Riding
One of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of the New Forest is on horseback.
Whether you are an experienced rider or a beginner, a ride or hack can be booked at one of the many local stables including Burley Manor Riding Stables.
Woodlands Trails
Why not explore over 140 miles of unspoilt heathland and ancient woodland track by foot, bike or horseback? It’s the best way to get close to an abundant variety of wildlife and habitats on your journey.
See here for some ideas on way marked walks suitable for all levels, including those who are less able and pushchairs and buggies.
New Forest Wildlife Park
SO40 4UH
Enjoy a wildlife adventure in 25 acres of unspoilt woodland on the lovely New Forest. There are many amazing animals to see from several species of owls and otters to wolves, bison, wild boar, red deer, Muntjac deer, Scottish wildcats, lynx, wallabies, water voles, adders, foxes, polecats, pine martins and ferrets. Children will love the harvest mice scurrying around their mini home. New “Go Wild” Adventure playground is now open. New Forest Wildlife Park
Paulton's Family Theme Park
SO51 6AL
Paultons Family Theme Park, home to Peppa Pig World, features over 60 exciting rides and attractions and has been voted as the number 1 UK theme park for families. The Park is set within 140 acres of beautiful parkland on the edge of the New Forest National Park. Paulton's
St Barbe Museum
SO41 9BH
St Barbe Museum explores the unique history of Lymington and the New Forest Coast. The hands-on displays provide a fascinating journey of discovery for all ages, charting Lymington’s development as a market town and port and looking at the smugglers and boat builders who have used the Solent shore. The art galleries host an exclusive programme of exhibitions that regularly works on loan from national and regional collections.
Water sports in the New Forest
Sunset sails, adrenalin-rush rib rides, or the south coast’s first water-skiing and wakeboarding cable system, the New Forest has it all!
Book a relaxed skippered sailing trip with Escape Yachting, a fast powerboat ride with or hire a self-drive motor boat from Lymington Boat Hire.
Alternatively experience the thrill of the south coast’s first water-skiing and wakeboarding cable system at the New Forest Water Park where you can also take part in activities such as kayaking, canoeing, banana boat rides and much more.