The New Forest is always full of events and adventures from small and intimate get-togethers to the biggest event of its kind in the world. August brings us a rolling calendar of county shows, inspirational festivals and plenty of excuses for alfresco food and drink, there’s always something to see and do in the New Forest National Park.
Beaulieu August Events
One of the New Forest’s biggest attractions is Beaulieu, and throughout August they host some great weekends which appeal to history lovers as well as petrol heads. Ticket prices to the Abbey, Palace House and National Motor Museum are included in the entry ticket price.
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3rd – 4th August is Beaulieu Super Car Weekend, a must for those who’d love to see some of the world’s most exclusive and expensive cars. Pop along on Sunday 11th August for a day entry to the VW T Chill and see a wide array of VW Transporter vans and chat to the owners. For fans of two wheels, the annual Graham Walker Memorial Run is also on 11th August which is a gathering of vintage and veteran motorcycles built before 31 December 1940. For more beautiful car ogling, 18th August is Simply Mercedes weekend and 25thAugust is MG 95th Anniversary Rally.
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30th July – 1st August New Forest & Hampshire County Show
The biggest and best country show in the New Forest. It’s brimming with stalls, crafts, everything and anything to do with country living, tents of farm animals and lots of displays and livestock competitions in the main ring. You can bring a picnic but be warned you’ll be tempted by oodles of wonderful food and drink offerings. Find out more here.
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Bournemouth Friday Night Fireworks
Pop over to Bournemouth on Friday nights throughout August to see fireworks pop, sparkle and whizz across the skies above Bournemouth Pier. They start at 10pm so get there early, find a spot to park and head down to the beach or clifftop for the best view.
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10th – 11th August Lymington Seafood Festival
One of the newer festivals for the New Forest and, boy, it’s a good one. The Lymington Seafood Festival is a two-day festival which turns Bath Road recreation ground into a culinary pop-up destination for fish and seafood lovers. It’s a sinfully delicious mingle of stalls, music, demo theatres and entertainment.
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10th – 11th August New Forest Fairy Festival
Wannabe elves and fairies, Mums and Dads and lovers of all things kitsch and glittery will adore the New Forest Fairy Festival in Burley. Expect lots of stalls, storytelling, arts and crafts, crystals, food and drink. Arrive dressed in costume, don some wings or just come as you are – maybe you’ll be sprinkled with magical fairy dust! This enchanting festival is perfect for Instagram stories and happy memories for enchanted children.
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10th – 17th August Cowes Week
Cowes Week is the world’s largest sailing regatta which is exciting, thrilling and great fun to watch. Running over 8 days around the Isle of Wight and The Solent, head to Lymington and the adjacent shoreline for great views. Cowes Week attracts over 100,000 spectators and 8000 competitors. The vibe is electric with plenty of shoreside entertainment day and night.
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29th August – 1st September Bournemouth Air Festival
Hailed as the best and biggest aviation event in the UK, Bournemouth Air Festival has grown from strength to strength over the years to cover the skies, sea and shores of Bournemouth Bay, from historic planes to the latest high-tech jets, flying displays and entertainment in the skies. The bay is filled with Royal Navy ships and pleasure boats whilst the shoreline and cliff tops are teeming with traders, music, hospitality, funfairs and interactive displays. The fun in the air and on the land lasts well into the night.