The Best Family Days Out in The New Forest – Your Ultimate New Forest Guide
With ancient woodland, free-roaming ponies & donkeys, picturesque villages and miles of walking and cycling trails, it's one of the UK's most beautiful national parks. From cosy country pubs and luxury hotels to family-friendly attractions and stunning coastlines just a short drive away, the New Forest offers something for everyone. It's the perfect destination to reconnect with nature, discover hidden gems and enjoy a slower pace of life, all while creating unforgettable memories.
In this comprehensive guide for things to do in The New Forest, I’ll be sharing some of the very best things to see, do and experience. From charming picture postcard villages and scenic walking routes to family attractions, cosy cafés, luxury stays and hidden gems, I’ve rounded up my favourite places to help you make the most of your visit. Whether it’s your first trip or you’re returning to discover somewhere new, this guide is packed with inspiration to help you plan an unforgettable New Forest adventure.
Family Attractions
Paultons Park & Peppa Pig World
Paultons Park is one of the UK’s top family theme parks and home to the hugely popular Peppa Pig World. With more than 70 rides and attractions, beautiful gardens and plenty of entertainment for all ages, it’s a fantastic day out whether you’re visiting with toddlers, older children or thrill-seekers. Just a short drive from the heart of the New Forest, it’s well worth adding to your itinerary.
Advance ticket prices from £43 for a family of 4
Image – dreamstime.com
Beaulieu National Motor Museum
One of my childhood favourites – explore an incredible collection of classic cars, motorcycles and motoring memorabilia, stroll through the beautiful grounds of Beaulieu Palace House and Gardens, ride the monorail and historic bus, discover the historic Beaulieu Abbey. With interactive exhibits, picturesque gardens and plenty to see and do, it’s a must-visit destination in The New Forest. Check the website for the current exhibitions and interactive experiences
Advance tickets from £55 for a family of 4
Image – Beaulieu National Motor Museum
New Forest Wildlife Park
A wonderful family attraction dedicated to the conservation of native and endangered wildlife. Set in beautiful woodland, the park is home to playful otters, wolves, lynx, wild boar, owls and many other fascinating species. With daily keeper talks, feeding sessions and plenty of opportunities to get close to the animals, it’s an enjoyable and educational day out for visitors of all ages, afterwards have some fun in the playpark and cool off with an ice cream.
https://newforestwildlifepark.co.uk
Advance tickets from £56.50 for a family of 4
Image – New Forest Wildlife Park
Longdown Activity Farm
A fantastic place to spend the day in The New Forest. This family-friendly attraction is packed with hands-on experiences, giving little ones the chance to bottle-feed kid goats and calves, feed the ducks, and meet a whole host of friendly animals including donkeys, horses, alpacas, pygmy goats, Kunekune pigs, cows, chicks and more. There’s also an Animal Encounter Barn where children can get even closer to the animals.
The all-inclusive outdoor play area features trampolines, a zip wire, ride-on tractors, go-karts, Pitchfork and Putt crazy golf, a sandpit, diggers, and the popular Little Farmers’ Play Yard, where children can make mud pies in the mud kitchens and try their hand at sweeping out the pretend animal pens. This is a top choice for your little animal lovers.
Saver Ticket £54 for a family of 4
Image – Longdown Farm
Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum
Home to one of the finest collections of rare and historic motorcycles in the world, the museum showcases over 500 beautifully restored bikes spanning more than a century of motorcycling history. Beyond the impressive exhibits, you can enjoy the lovely gardens, café and children’s play area, making it a great day out for all ages. Located on the edge of the New Forest, it’s a fascinating attraction that’s well worth including in your holiday itinerary. Many events take place throughout the year so check out the website below for what’s on.
Family ticket £40
Image – Dreamstime.com
New Forest Water Park
Calling all fun seekers – the perfect place to make a splash and home to one of the UK’s largest floating inflatable aqua parks, it’s packed with giant slides, climbing walls, balance beams and obstacles think of the TV show Total Wipeout. You can also try paddleboarding, kayaking and wakeboarding, making it a fantastic destination for families, groups of friends and anyone who enjoys getting out on the water. New Forest Water Park is a great addition to any New Forest itinerary, near Fordingbridge.
https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/
From £22 per person
Image courtesy of Aqua Park
Liberty’s Owl Raptor & Reptile Centre
Another one for the animal lovers, a fantastic day out on the edge of the New Forest in Ringwood. Home to an impressive collection of owls, eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures and reptiles, the centre offers exciting daily flying displays and animal talks where you can learn more about these incredible creatures. As a rescue and conservation charity, it’s not only an entertaining visit but also an opportunity to support the rehabilitation and care of injured birds of prey. It’s a memorable attraction for families, wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike. My son did his work experience here and went on to work here for a few years so it has a firm place on my list for favourite places in The New Forest.
https://www.libertyscentre.co.uk/
Family ticket £52.70
Image credit – Liberty’s
Moors Valley Country Park
Right on my doorstep and spanning hundreds of acres of beautiful woodland, Moors Valley is the perfect place to enjoy scenic walks, cycling trails and outdoor activities. Children will love the imaginative play areas, Gruffalo-themed trail, miniature steam railway and adventure golf, while the more adventurous can tackle the Go Ape high ropes course. With lakeside picnic spots, a café, cycle hire and activities for all ages, it’s easy to spend an entire day exploring this much-loved country park, one that I have spent hours taking my own children to.
Free entry – car parking from £5.70 per hour
Additional activities such as Go Ape/ Train / Mini golf incur additional charges
Image – Moors Valley
Insight Activities
One for the adventurous – discover the award winning outdoor activities centre in Fordingbridge. From Axe throwing, archery, crossbow & bushcraft skills their rustic woodland setting provides the ideal location for experiencing unusual activities often describes as “Robin Hoods Camp in the woods” Safety is taken very seriously and pre booking is essential their highly trained staff are there to make your experience safe and enjoyable.
https://insightactivities.co.uk/
Activity costs vary – see website for details
Image – dreamstime
New Forest Activities
Kayaking & Canoeing on The Beaulieu River – From self-guided paddles to tours – from beginners to the experienced they have an option for you. In open Canadian style canoes you can choose to go upstream downstream, find hidden creeks or drift on tidal currents with their fully experienced guides, in fact this stunning nature reserve is totally off limits to the public without a guide so their expertise will provide something you just can’t do yourself. The centre also has many on land activities – see their website below for full activity & bike hire list.
https://www.newforestactivities.co.uk/
Activity costs vary – see website for details
Image – New Forest Activities
The New Forest Tour
An open top bus ride through the beauty of The National Park – The New Forest Tour 2026 season starts on Saturday, July 4th and runs through Sunday, September 13th. Choose from 3 different routes – Red route – taking in the most popular towns and villages of the Forest – Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Burley and Ringwood. Green – In the opposite direction also see Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst adding in Lymington, Beaulieu and Exbury. Lastly the `blue route – Lymington, Brockenhurst, Burley, New Milton, Barton-on-Sea and Milford-on-Sea. Hop on and off so you can explore these villages at your leisure or treat yourself to lunch or an ice cream. The buses are dog friendly so another one for those doggie holidays.
https://www.morebus.co.uk/About-NFT
Prices – See website for various routes
Image – New Forest Tour
Gardens, Nature & History
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway
No visit to the New Forest is complete without spending a few hours at Exbury Gardens. Covering over 200 acres, these spectacular woodland gardens are famous for their vibrant displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias in spring, as well as peaceful woodland walks and beautiful lakeside views throughout the year. One of the highlights for visitors both young and a little older is the charming Exbury Gardens Steam Railway, which takes visitors on a relaxing journey through the gardens, offering a unique perspective of the stunning landscapes. I have been lucky enough to have visited many times over the past few years and it is always just the most wholesome day out.
Check out the website for various summer holiday activities, pop ups, outdoor theatre and special events.
Family tickets from £31
Image – dreamstime.com
Furzey Gardens
For a quieter, more tranquil experience, make time to visit Furzey Gardens. This enchanting hidden gem is a beautiful woodland garden filled with winding paths, colourful seasonal blooms, peaceful ponds and charming thatched cottages. Families will also love searching for the tiny fairy doors tucked away throughout the gardens, adding a touch of magic for younger visitors. As a charity-run attraction supporting adults with learning disabilities, Furzey Gardens offers not only a relaxing escape but also a visit that makes a positive difference. It’s the perfect place to slow down, enjoy nature and experience one of the New Forest’s best-kept secrets. Enjoy the playparks and café after exploring and check the website for the annual outdoor theatre productions and special events.
https://www.furzey-gardens.org/
Family of 4 suggested donation £26
Image – Sarah Bourne
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
One of the best places in the New Forest to spot wild deer in their natural habitat. A purpose-built viewing platform overlooks a dedicated deer feeding area, giving visitors an excellent chance to see fallow deer, particularly during the summer months. Surrounded by ancient woodland, the sanctuary also offers beautiful walking trails and peaceful picnic spots, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers and families looking to experience the tranquillity of the New Forest. Another place I have been coming since a child, top tip the quieter you are the more likely you are to spot the deer.
https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/listing/bolderwood/78939101/
FREE ENTRY – car parking charges across the New Forest now apply
Image – Sarah Bourne
Rhinefield Ornamental Drive & Blackwater Arboretum
One of the New Forest’s most beautiful collection of trees, it features an impressive collection of exotic and native trees, including magnificent giant redwoods, the arboretum offers gentle walking trails through stunning woodland that’s especially spectacular in autumn when the leaves burst into vibrant shades of gold, orange and red. Take a stroll along the beautiful Tall Trees Trail, where you’ll discover some of the New Forest’s most impressive and historic trees with the oldest Douglas firs in Britain.
It’s the perfect spot for a relaxing stroll, wildlife watching or simply soaking up the tranquillity of the New Forest and grabbing an ice cream from one of the vans in the car parks – bring a picnic, there are a small amount of picnic benches available.
https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/trail/blackwater%3A-tall-trees-arboretum//
FREE ENTRY – car parking charges across the New Forest now apply
Image – Sarah Bourne
Lepe Country Park
Discover wildflower meadows, picnic spots and historic sites. Full of history learn about smugglers, D-Day and the role Lepe played in world war 2. Get your walking boots on for a 5 mile waymarked walk around the Lepe Loop which should take around 2 hours at a leisurely pace. (Can be a bit of rough ground in places) Follow the nature trail, take part in the seashore scavenger hunt or just walk along the mile of stoney beach and grab a coffee in the café, you can easily spend a day here while enjoying your New Forest holiday.
https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/lepe
FREE ENTRY – car parking charges across the New Forest now apply
Image – dreamstime.com
Bucklers Hard
On the banks of the Beaulieu river, you will find the unspoilt 18th century shipbuilding village, from the 13th century when owned by the Cistercian monks, to its time as a shipyard where boats for Nelson’s Navy were built, anyone with an interest in history will love a visit here. Grab lunch or a drink in the pub, follow the itinerary detailed on their website below or walk from Bucklers Hard to Beaulieu along the river and through the Solent nature reserve or from Easter to the end of October you can jump aboard a Beaulieu river cruise and see the natural beauty from the water. – Buy your tickets on board.
FREE ENTRY – car parking charges apply from £2.80 for 1 hour
Museum and Cruise charges are extra
Image – Sarah Bourne
Hurst Castle
Choose how you arrive at the historic Hurst Castle, jump aboard the ferry whilst spotting the local wildlife or take the 2 mile shingle walk along the spit with magnificent coastal views. Once there explore the historic 16th century Tudor castle – built by the King Henry VIII as a coastal sea defence between 1541 and 1544. 2 lighthouses also remain on the site so you will find lots to explore – being dog friendly it is an ideal day out for those of you bringing your furry friends on holiday.
https://www.hurstcastle.co.uk/
Family Ticket £30
Image – Hurst Castle
Free/low cost ideas for places to discover in The New Forest
FREE ENTRY – car parking charges across the New Forest now apply throughout The National Park
- Spot Wild Ponies: Watch free-roaming ponies, cows, and donkeys across the open heath and village streets, at certain times of year you can also see the pigs let out for pannage season.
- Rhinefield Ornamental Drive: Scenic forest drive showcasing the park’s tallest trees – no need to get out and walk if you choose not to, you can experience these majestic trees from the comfort of your car.
- Hatchet Pond: A large peaceful freshwater lake ideal for walking and birdwatching.
- Cycle the Forest Trails: Bring your own or rent bikes from various points in the forest to ride the miles of safe, flat off-road gravel tracks. (charges will apply for rental)
- Horse riding through the forest – Check out the equestrian centres & stables for a 4 legged explore of the Forest.
- Walking one of the many woodland or heathland trails – You could probably never walk all of it in your lifetime so choose one and pick a different trail on each visit.
- Pack a picnic and read a book – There are numerous scenic picnic spots throughout the National Park – take your picnic blanket a good book and just enjoy the nature that embodies all that is The New Forest (Please do not BBQ unless at a specifically designated area signposted for this activity – the risk of fires and damage to nature means it is forbidden in most places)
- Visit the nearby beaches – Lepe – Milford-on-Sea – Highcliffe – Avon Beach – Mudeford – Calshot – The best of both worlds beach and forest (parking charges will apply)
Villages to visit
FREE ENTRY – car parking charges across the New Forest now apply throughout The National Park
- Brockenhurst: Pretty village where animals frequently wander past local shops and cafes.
- Lyndhurst: The unofficial “capital” with independent tearooms, shops, and the New Forest Heritage Centre.
- Burley: Quaint village famous for its witchy folklore and local gift shops.
- Lymington: Georgian market town with a historic quay, cobblestone streets, and Saturday market.
- Eling Tide Mill: One of the last working tide mills in the UK, located near Totton.
- Breamore House: Elizabethan manor house and rural museum north of Fordingbridge
- Beaulieu Village – Nestled on the banks of the Beaulieu River, one of the New Forest’s prettiest destinations. With its charming tearooms, independent shops, traditional pubs & Montagu Arms hotel.
There really is something for everyone in The New Forest – take a look at my other articles here, and don’t forget to subscribe to our twice-monthly newsletter to be kept up to date with everything that’s going on!
By Sarah Bourne
Follow me on instagram – @girlaboutdorsetandthenewforest
