Holidays in New Forest

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Holidays in the New Forest aren’t just about the greenery. As well as long trails through ancient woodland, you’ll find elegant historic houses, fascinating museums and beautiful beaches lapped by the Atlantic Ocean.

This National Park spreads out across over 550 square kilometres, sitting just south of Salisbury and stretching all the way down to the Hampshire coastline with views over to the Isle of Wight. Within its boundaries, you’ll find forests, heathland, quaint little villages and a fair few fascinating historic sights, from stone circles to Roman ruins.

New Forest holidays offer an opportunity to get back to nature, be it along the shingly coastline or within the woodland where ponies, pigs, deer and rabbits roam the landscape. Active types especially will love cycling, walking or even horseback riding along its seemingly endless network of footpaths and bridleways.

There are plenty of things to do in the vast and varied landscapes of the New Forest, whether you’re planning a family holiday or just a last-minute weekend break.

Best things to do on a weekend break

With a fantastic networking of footpaths and byways, the New Forest is prime walking territory and one of the simple pleasures here is a long walk and a pub lunch. There are plenty of historic inns and pubs, so take your pick and set out on foot to find a hearty meal and warming pint of ale.

The region also has some gorgeous gardens to explore. Exbury is particularly impressive in spring and summer, when rhododendrons and azaleas come out in force to create a riot of colour, and Furzey Gardens has gorgeous woodland, lakes and a fabulous tearoom for sweet treats at the end of the day.

For a different perspective on this beautiful, bucolic region, strike out onto the Beaulieu River by boat and soak up the serene scenery.

Best things to do for families

New Forest family holidays promise fun for all ages. Kids will love exploring nature and getting to know the region’s intriguing wildlife – particularly the free-roaming ponies that graze on the national park’s pasture all year long. A day at the beach is sure to be a winner, so head down to Barton on Sea where you might find fossils amid the pebbles, or go swimming at Milford on Sea and try kayaking or paddleboarding in its calmer waters.

Of course, there’s nothing like a bit of outdoor education – kids will love learning how to create fire from sticks or build a shelter made from branches on a wilderness survival course while adults can learn to forage and cook up a feast for the family.

Best walks in the New Forest

The most famous walk through the New Forest is the Solent Way, which stretches for 96km (60 miles), between Milford on Sea and Emsworth Harbour. One of its finest sections passes right through the New Forest and hugs the coastline between Milford on Sea and Lymington, affording fabulous views of the Isle of Wight across the water.

There are plenty of shorter walks to tackle in the New Forest too, such as the Tall Trees Trail. A perfect jaunt for families, it’s just 2.4km and passes through woodland with towering sequoias and some of the oldest Douglas firs in Britain. Follow the heathland trail from Lyndhurst for a different landscape, or visit the nearby Bolderwood for easy family-friendly walks and a deer sanctuary.

Best attractions in the New Forest

By far the most popular and impressive attraction in the New Forest is Beaulieu – an estate with a Victorian palace home, a crumbling ruined abbey, beautiful grounds and gardens, and a fantastic Motor Museum. With over 280 vehicles ranging from historic models to Formula One cars, it’s bound to excite any petrolhead in your party.

Elsewhere, the Buckler's Hard Story museum charts the history of shipbuilding in the region and has some beautifully preserved 18th-century cottages, and the St Barbe Museum in Lymington also tells tales of the boat building, smuggling and salt making that went on here throughout history.

With otters, wolves, owls, deer and foxes, the New Forest Wildlife Park is a fantastic place to take the kids.

For families

Family holidays in the New Forest are easy to plan. There are plenty of brilliant places to stay for families, whether you’ve got young children or grown-up teenagers.

Lyndhurst has the best facilities for families, with plenty of restaurants, shops and supermarkets for those who want the most flexibility. The town also has some great attractions of its own, so you won’t have to go far for a bit of fun. Staying in Lyndhurst also puts you in a great position for days out at the wildlife park or the Peppa Pig World.

For couples

Once named Britain’s most beautiful location to live in, Brockenhurst is a gorgeous little village for a romantic escape with your partner. Thatch cottages and wood-beam houses give it a quaint appeal, and it has excellent access to some of the brilliant trails in the centre of the New Forest.

Rent bikes from the train station for rides along the cycleways, and enjoy nights out at the many cosy pubs. The nearby Setley Ridge Vineyard makes for a lovely day out.

For a weekend break

The lovely village of Beaulieu, where the National Motor Museum and palace are located, is the perfect base for weekend breaks in the New Forest. From here, you can enjoy easy day trips to the coast and the North Solent Nature Reserve, or pop into Lyndhurst for some shopping and mooching about the museums. Alternatively, you can keep it relaxed and simply stay local to enjoy the attractions within the Beaulieu estate.

For travellers on a budget

The top half of the New Forest National Park, north of the A31 and M27, offers some of the cheaper accommodation due to its distance from the coast and main attractions. The unofficial capital of the region, Lyndhurst, also offers some of the best-value hotels and B&Bs.

For those really travelling on a shoestring, campsites abound in the southern part of the park, particularly on the outskirts of Brockenhurst and near Lepe, on the coast.

For glamping

If you want to sleep among nature but with a few extra luxuries, try glamping in the New Forest. There are a number of excellent glampsites in the western side of the park, around Forest Corner and Thorney Hill. Just outside the bounds of the park, Fordingbridge has some great options, too.

For cottage holidays

There are gorgeous holiday cottages all over the New Forest, so you won’t have trouble finding self-catering accommodation here. For the best cottage holidays, avoid built-up areas like Lyndhurst and choose smaller villages like Brockenhurst, Burley and Beaulieu.