Get out and about and have some fun this half term! Book a family break in a self-catering New Forest cottage. Autumn is the best time of year to see the New Forest in all its colourful glory. Get ready for a mystical adventure in ancient woods dressed in vibrant hues of scarlets, golds, greens and speckled yellows.
Reconnect with nature in this wild and beautiful National Park
Wrap up warm for long walks with crunchy leaves underfoot. Come and enjoy quality time together on family adventures exploring the New Forest towns and villages, hire bikes and head out over the National Park’s 140 miles of cycle routes, walking trails and running tracks. Have an adventure on horseback with Arniss Equestrian or Burley Villa Riding School or take a look at what’s on during your stay with the New Forest Walking Festival (12th October – 3rd November). Local guides will take you on a choice of more than 70 fantastic themed walks, many of which are family and stroller friendly. Explore the forest landscapes and learn about the history, heritage and fascinating wildlife around you.
If you’re keen for you and your children to learn something new while holidaying here, take a Fungi Foray with a local guide and explore the kingdom of wild mushrooms and fungi. The New Forest is famous for its abundant species of edible nibbles, yet beware! Many are beautiful and fascinating to look at but not all are edible and some are even poisonous. For dates of identification forays with experienced guides contact New Forest Mushrooms or Wild Heritage.
Curious kids can find out all about heritage and history in the great museums and visitor centres. Pop into The New Forest Heritage Centre Lyndhurst, St Barbe Museum Lymington, Eling Tide Mill Experience Totton, Red House Museum Christchurch, Fordingbridge Museum Fordingbridge and in nearby historic Salisbury, go and see the Magna Carta at Salisbury Cathedral.
A cottage holiday in the New Forest offers fantastic days out for family adventures and fabulous places to visit. Some of the must-dos for families include Paultons Park, home of Peppa Pig World, Longdown Activity Farm and Adventure Wonderland in Christchurch are always top of the list for the under 12’s. At Snowtrax artificial ski slope near Christchurch be sure to have a go on the ringos and skibobs, while the Alpine Restaurant is a big hit with the little ones. Liberty’s Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre near Ringwood is well worth a visit for its large collection of Birds of Prey and flying displays.
More animal magic can be seen at the New Forest Wildlife Park near Ashurst. Go to see otters, wolves, lynx and bison amongst other creatures in a vast woodland setting. Beaulieu Motor Museum, Palace and Abbey are the biggest attractions in the area but don’t miss Bucklers Hard. The historic shipbuilding village and maritime museum offers interactive fun. Talk to staff dressed in 18th Century costumes and find out what life was like in the village when building warships for Nelson’s Navy.
Don’t forget to visit the area’s pretty seaside towns as well. The sandy beaches of Bournemouth, Hengistbury Head and Mudeford make great days out for sea-salty walks and a pit stop for fish and chips. Highcliffe Castle is perched on the cliff above the beach near New Milton. It’s the former home of the luxury London shop owner, Harry Selfridge, which appeared in the hit TV series ‘Mr Selfridge’. For fantastic views across the bay and across to the Isle of Wight head along the one and a half mile pebble spit to Henry VIII’s coastal fortress, Hurst Castle. Take a walk around the castle’s rooms and courtyards detailing its history and exhibits of when the castle last saw active use as an armoury in WWII.
Family-friendly places to eat
There are so many child-friendly places to eat in the New Forest, too many to mention here, but they are plentiful – especially the historic pubs and cafes. Renting a cottage also gives you the option of buying a delicious home-cooked meal from a farm shop to take back and pop in the oven, or maybe pick up a tasty takeaway on the way home, or have one delivered to your door.
After a day exploring, return to a comfy cottage
If the kids are tired out, you’ll want somewhere comfortable and relaxing to return to after a day gallivanting. Having your own cottage means space for you and the family to sprawl out and relax. We also have lots of dog-friendly New forest cottages, so you won’t have to leave your four-legged member of the family behind.
October half-term weather usually means cold frosty nights and, there’s nothing better than gathering around a roaring log fire. Bring some board games or flick on the TV for a blockbuster family film with some popcorn for some good old-fashioned memory making. See our New Forest Cottages with log fires here.
For a memorable holiday with your children this half term, take a look at our full portfolio of 156 New Forest Cottages to rent by clicking here.