Denny Wood

Ponies roam freely around the national park, so you’re likely to spot them sooner or later if you’re quiet enough. They’re wild animals, though, so remember not to get too close – if the kids want to get hands on with animals, there are plenty to meet at Longdown Activity Farm (10 minutes’ drive). Paultons Park, home of Peppa Pig World (20 minutes) is another place to see a collection of animals including penguins, meerkats and snakes (and cartoon pigs…) If you’re on a grownups’ holiday, days out might instead take you to Beaulieu, to visit the Palace House and National Motor Museum, or to Buckler’s Hard to see the village where Nelson’s ships were built and explore reconstructed 18th-century cottage interiors (both 15 minutes). The nearby village of Lyndhurst (five minutes) is worth a stop too, for the New Forest Heritage Centre and bike hire for the local cycle trails. Lymington (25 minutes) is another good town to have on your radar, for boat trips along the river and ferries to the Isle of Wight.