There are plenty of things to do in the New Forest, which is what makes it such a great place for a retreat in the UK. Whether you are looking for a day out to entertain yourself, a romantic thing to do or ways to keep the whole family busy – the New Forest has it all. There are many paid attractions in the area as well as free things to do. Below, in no particular order, are 10 of the best things to do in the New Forest.
We couldn’t have a list of the best things to do in the New Forest without including the National Park! Situated at the heart of the area, New Forest National Park is perfect for nature lovers. It is home to stunning open heathland, stretching coastlines, towering woodlands, forest trails, stunning cycle routes and amazing wildlife. The New Forest National Park covers an area of 219 square miles and was granted National Park status in 2005. There is something for everyone to enjoy in the area from nature spotting to coastal walks.
A popular thing to do with kids in the New Forest is to enjoy a day out at Paultons Park. The family theme park is situated in Romsey, Hampshire which lies within the New Forest National Park. It is home to over 70 rides, roller coasters, themed worlds and of course – the famous Peppa Pig World. The hugely popular Peppa Pig World has 9 fun rides for your children to enjoy including Peppa’s Big Balloon Ride, Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club and George’s Dinosaur Adventure. The themes worlds also include the new Tornado Springs, Lost Kingdom, Critter Creek and Little Africa. There is something that the whole family can enjoy with rides including the Storm Chaser, Cyclonator, The Cobra, Cat-O-Pillar Coaster, Log Flume, Pirate Ship, Go Karts and much more. As well as rides and roller coasters, Paultons Park also has a range of attractions such as Water Kingdom and a host of playgrounds. If you are looking for a hotel near Paultons Park, look no further than the New Forest Collection.
Situated in Beaulieu, the National Motor Museum is an enjoyable day out in the New Forest – especially for car lovers. It is home to a stunning collection of cars, motorcycles and motoring memorabilia. The collection of vehicles includes former F1 cars such as a McLaren Mercedes, early vehicle creations such as the 1898 Benz Velo, former commercial vehicle and land speed record vehicles such as the 1000hp Sunbeam. The museum is full of stunning motoring history and is the perfect way to learn all about the story of motoring.
Whether you are looking for an adventure day on land or action packed activities on water – New Forest Activities has it all. The adventure company hosts a wide range of adventure days that are suitable for solo, couples and families. Popular land activities include: archery, ropes courses, bushcraft and bike hire. Popular activities include: canoeing along the Beaulieu River, sea kayaking and courses. As well as these activities they also host team building events and parties. It is the perfect way to enjoy a thrilling day out in the New Forest.
One of the best free things to do in the New Forest is to enjoy a day of nature spotting. With so much wildlife in the area, it is a must whilst visiting. Wildlife to look out for includes New Forest ponies, New Forest donkeys, deer, cattle, pigs, reptiles, birds and more. Many animals roam freely across the land grazing and are easily spotted. Different animals are easier to spot at different times of year as well as time of day. It is a great way to entertain the whole family whilst learning about the different species. There are many rare species of animals and birds living in the New Forest. As well as animals, keep a look out for the stunning flowers and trees that make the landscape as beautiful as it is.
Located on the Hurst Spit, Hurst Castle is a fort built for Henry VIII between 1541 and 1544. Visitors can tour the castle and feel the history that the castle holds. You can walk in the footsteps of Charles I and take in the spectacular views of the Isle of Wight. The spit makes for a popular bird spotting place so it is worth keeping an eye out for different species of birds whilst you visit the castle.
Exbury Gardens is located between Beaulieu and The Solent. It is an informal woodland garden that stretches over 200 acres. It makes for a great family day out in the New Forest with picnic areas and adventure trails for children to enjoy. However, the main attraction is the Exbury Steam Railway. The narrow-gauge steam railway travels through the Summer Lane Garden, the Rock Garden and Dragonfly Pond. The tracks take you through a tunnel and over a bridge.
Another way to enjoy the natural beauty of the New Forest is to take a trip to the beach. It is a free day out that all of the family can enjoy. There are plenty of stunning beaches in the New Forest for you to choose from with some of the most popular including: Barton-on-Sea, Milford-on-Sea, Lepe Beach, Hurst Castle Spit, Calshot Beach and many more. There are pebble beaches, sandy beaches, beaches for watersports and beaches for fishing – so there really is something for everyone to enjoy.
There are plenty of golf courses in the New Forest for you to explore – with courses suited to all abilities. There are plenty of golf courses with stunning fairways and beautiful greens – with some where you might even spot some New Forest ponies grazing. If you don’t fancy doing an 18 hole course, there are driving ranges for you to test your skills. For beginners, there are golf lessons where you can learn how to play before taking on the course.
With all the ponies roaming around the area you might be tempted to embark on a day horse riding. There are plenty of stables and equestrian centres around the New Forest where you can go on guided hacks to discover the beauty of the forest. There are many routes for horse riders to enjoy that take you across a variety of terrains – from coastal routes to woodland routes. If you are a beginner to horse riding then you can even take up some horse riding lessons before enjoying a hack.
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