If you thought the New Forest was just stunning woodland and wild ponies, think again. It’s not just a haven for cyclists, nature lovers and walkers – it’s a great destination for families too.
From top visitor attractions to world-class museums and a 40-mile ‘secret coast’, there’s something for all ages and tastes. Whether you’re a petrolhead or history buff, an adrenaline junkie or wildlife lover, there’s a myriad of things to do in New Forest for families. What’s more, at the New Forest Collection, there’s a great choice of places to stay in between all these busy days out – whether it’s a Grade II Listed townhouse hotel or a boutique shepherd’s hut.
Here are just a few of our favourite things to do with kids in the New Forest:
If your idea of a great day out is being flung around, upside down and maybe getting a bit wet, then Paultons Park is for you. The popular theme park has over 70 rides, all of which are included in the price of entry tickets (excluding Go Karts). There’s something for everyone, including roller coasters, water rides, train rides, flat rides, drop tower rides, a driving school – and, not least, Peppa Pig World, which has nine of its own rides for toddlers.
Car fanatics – the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is a must. With over 280 vehicles to drool over – from early carriages to some of the quirkiest, fastest and most expensive in the world, the National Motor Museum takes some beating.
Beaulieu National Motor Museum offers a variety of exciting activities and attractions for kids to enjoy: Rides and Drives, World of Top Gear, Interactive Exhibits, Children’s Activities, Vintage Bus Rides, Outdoor Spaces, Events and Special Exhibitions. With its wide range of attractions and activities, Beaulieu National Motor Museum provides a fun and educational experience for kids of all ages, making it an ideal destination for a family day out.
One of the largest of its kind in the country, Calshot Activities Centre, on the shores of the Solent, is a fantastic day out for families who love being active – whether that’s Indoor Climbing, Indoor Skiing and Snowboarding, Windsurfing and Sailing, Kayaking and Canoeing, Archery and Shooting, Rock Climbing Towers, Beach Activities. With its wide range of land and water-based activities, Calshot Activities Centre offers an exciting and memorable experience for kids of all ages, making it an ideal destination for a family day out.
For something a little gentler, how about a trip back in time? No, we’re not talking Marty McFly and Doc Brown; take a visit to Buckler’s Hard, an 18th century shipbuilding village which is now a fascinating maritime museum, with river cruises and a chance to see the famous Gipsy Moth IV, Sir Francis Chichester’s famous yacht in which he became the first person to sail single-handedly around the world.
If you need more hits of history, then head for the coast and Hurst Castle, a fantastic fortress built between 1541 and 1544 by Henry VIII as one of a chain of artillery defences protecting key ports and landing places around southern England from continental attack. It’s also where Charles I was kept prisoner in 1648 before his execution in London.
There’s a fantastic ferry ride to boot, and the Keyhaven marshes nearby are also worth a visit to spot the myriad of wildlife that call them home.
From canoeing to kayaking, archery to bushcraft, there’s a cornucopia of things for families to do at New Forest Activities in Beaulieu – which also include ropes courses, bicycle hire and Battlezone. There’s so much going on you might need more than one day there…
There are animals aplenty at New Forest Wildlife Park – mammals, birds and amphibians, including Giant Otters, Northern Lynx, Red Foxes, Common Toads and all manner of owls. With woodland trails to explore in a beautiful natural setting, the park is a must for nature lovers.
If someone in the family is a budding Steve Backshall, then maybe get them a Keeper Experience, where they can get even closer to the animals and see first-hand what it’s like to work there.
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