The storms, rain and grey skies we’ve seen recently will eventually give way to blue skies and sunshine. When Easter 2020 arrives, new growth and colourful blooms will burst on to the landscape. Celebrate the longer days with a break in a New Forest cottage and enjoy warmer rays of sunshine, milder temperatures and watch nature and wildlife emerge from the depths of a long, dark winter.
Think walks along deep carpets of violet bluebells – Royden Woods near Setley and Pondhead Inclosure near Lyndhurst are favourite spots. Pack a picnic and stroll through woods of emerald and lime greens as trees burst into colourful life. Find a grassy spot among wildflowers and relax in a landscape dotted with the famous free-roaming New Forest ponies. Spring heralds the arrival of leggy foals, Bambi like fawns and playful calves bouncing about. It’s a rejuvenating, smile-inducing and most wonderful sight to see.
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The New Forest offers plenty of opportunities for rest and relaxation if you need to re-charge, as well as plenty of outdoor adventures if you’re one of the active crowd. Take a look at things to do and see on an Easter Break in and around the New Forest National Park.
Big day trip attractions
Beaulieu
Beaulieu National Motor Museum, Palace House and Gardens are a sure hit with all ages. This Easter sees the grand opening of ‘Little Beaulieu’, a super adventure play park. It’s big and fun with lots to explore, including a wooden bridge and miniature ‘Palace’. The Motor Museum has a new exhibition, Motoring in Miniature – featuring the Toys of Your Childhood. Plus, crafts and cookery and a huge Easter bunny hopping through the grounds.
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Marwell Zoo
This world-famous zoo with more than 140 species is enough of a reason to visit in its own right. But this Easter, you can also see the world’s first attraction to host an exhibition of supersized toy brick creatures! Go to see these weird and wonderful creations made from over two million toy bricks dotted around the zoo. Expect to see enormous models of colourful animals like the honey badger, a spitting cobra, blue-ringed octopus, tarantula and assassin bug!
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New Forest Activities
Spend a day in the forest learning bush craft, high ropes and low ropes courses, archery and woodland laser battle (it’s a bit like paintball – without the pain). Top of the bill for Easter is a trip to explore the majestic Beaulieu River on a rather quirky, but incredibly good fun River Easter Egg hunt! They have family-sized big, sturdy Canadian Style canoes seating up to four. Set off along the river with your guide spotting wildlife along your way and search for Easter eggs on the riverbank.
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Perennial hits with the kids
Paultons Park
Paultons Park – home of Peppa Pig World – are celebrating 2020 with a ‘Hoppy Easter’. Take the little ones to see the UK’s #1 family theme park and shake hands with Bobtail Bunny and his forest friends! They’ll also see Betty Bunny, Hennie the Hedgehog and Red the Deer – keep an eye open for naughty Fenton Fox! The park will be decked in all things Easter related, including giant Easter eggs and gorgeous bunny rabbits!
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Longdown Activity Farm
Children LOVE interacting with kid goats and feeding the ducks and calves. You’ll also get the chance to cuddle baby rabbits, fluffy chicks and, if you’re lucky, a piglet or two! There are plenty of animals to see, bumpy tractor trailer rides and impressive indoor and outdoor play areas. This Easter, children can get crafty and decorate Easter flowerpots to take home and grow a plant.
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Exceptional gardens
Exbury Gardens
Garden lovers and anybody that appreciates beautiful plants should make a beeline for Exbury Gardens who provide a treat for the eyes. Expect banks of gorgeous flowers and botanical displays. The gardens are well known for their stunning rhododendron and azaleas. If you don’t fancy walking, take a ride on the popular narrow-gauge steam train.
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Furzey Gardens
Furzey Gardens near Minstead are wonderful. Go to see 10 acres of magical woodlands, with pathways meandering through swathes of bluebells, azaleas, primulas, rare plants and rhododendrons.
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Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is a fantastic day out to explore over 180 acres of outstanding plant collections. Expect colourful spring bulbs, Japanese flowering cherries and stunning magnolias among 42,000 plants in themed gardens, ponds, a bog garden, woods and countryside – and its famous arboretum.
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Take a look at over 140 New Forest cottages for an Easter break