Family-Friendly Things To Do in the New Forest

If you’re planning a family holiday in Hampshire, you’ve made a great choice. There's no end of things to do in the New Forest for families, from educational days out to historic buildings to explore, walks and cycle rides and plenty of live entertainment. Our guide to family-friendly New Forest activities takes in theme parks, nature reserves, castles, museums and country parks, with dinosaurs, steam trains and Peppa Pig thrown in for good measure.

Outdoor adventures and walks

There are lots of great places for family walks in the New Forest, and our suggestions include plenty of extra activities to keep even the most reluctant walkers interested.

Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary

The feeding station at Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary near Lyndhurst offers a great chance for children to see wild fallow deer in their natural habitat. A viewing platform moments from the (free) car park overlooks a meadow where keepers from Forestry England feed the animals every day from April until September. Feeding time is between noon and 3pm. 

Panels provide information about the animals' habits, three short and accessible walking trails (0.3 to 2 miles, signposted) explore the nearby woods and the impressive tall trees on the famous Ornamental Drive, and there’s a grassy area near the car park that’s ideal for picnics (barbecues are not allowed) and ball games.

Moors Valley Country Park

Just outside the New Forest near Ringwood, but well worth the short drive, the family-friendly Moors Valley Country Park has activities for all ages, including adventure play areas, nature trails and a mile-long trip on a miniature steam railway (open at weekends and during school holidays year-round, daily June to mid-September).

Younger children can spot Gruffalo-themed sculptures and complete an activity pack on the accessible Gruffalo Party Trail, drive mini electric Land Rovers and explore the forest on a safe Tree Top Adventure Trail. Older children can take on the high ropes and zip wires at Go Ape Moors Valley (advance booking is advised) or do battle in the outdoor Laser Tag arena.

There are also trails for walking and cycling (cycle hire is available on site), a mini-golf course and a Ranger Den where kids can enjoy educational activities like pond dipping and bushcraft skills. Adults can play a round on the 18-hole golf course or try their luck fishing in Moors Lake. If you fancy something a little more unusual, there’s even a guided Segway trail through the forest.

Lepe Country Park

If you fancy a day out at the beach, coastal Lepe Country Park (open year-round from 7am) has great views over the Solent to the Isle of Wight and plenty of activities to keep your family busy all day. You can paddle on the shingle beach (although strong currents mean that swimming is not advised), fly kites on the grassy clifftop and follow a five-mile circular walking trail (approx 2 hours) through the wildflower meadows and woods of Lepe Nature Reserve. Younger children can try the seashore scavenger hunt or complete activities on a shorter nature trail.

There’s also an educational trail (with an audio guide) that explores the role that the park played in the events of World War II, taking in memorials and historical D-Day remains. 

You can stop for a picnic at tables all over the park (including an area with barbecues to hire), or have lunch at the on-site café.

Wildlife and nature experiences

New Forest Wildlife Park

The lovely New Forest Wildlife Park near Ashurst is open daily from 10am and features both native and exotic animals in naturalistic enclosures, including otters, owls, wolves and deer. There’s a regular programme of educational talks and presentations on conservation and protecting endangered species, walking trails to explore and an adventure playground with a sand pit, climbing frames and slides.

Local tip: If you want to splash out, you can also book Keeper Experiences that take you behind the scenes to meet and feed some of the animals.

Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway

A great place for a family walk, Exbury Gardens features woodland trails where kids can look out for wildlife including dragonflies, woodpeckers and otters, as well as beautiful formal gardens with seasonal daffodils, magnolias, rhododendrons and azaleas (best in spring). A programme of seasonal events includes activities like lino printing, art exhibitions and educational nature talks. 

There’s also an adventure play area built from naturally fallen trees – and, perhaps best of all, a miniature steam railway that travels through the park on a 1.5-mile track. For an additional fee, you can even ride in the engine with the driver.

If you want to make a day of it, there are plenty of places to stop for a picnic, as well as a choice of on-site cafés. 

Liberty’s Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre

A fascinating attraction near Ringwood dedicated to birds of prey and reptiles, Liberty’s Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre is home to aviaries and a reptile house where you can meet creatures including owls, giant tortoises, spiders, pythons and boa constrictors.

Daily flying demonstrations (usually 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm) showcase the hunting skills of eagles, buzzards and falcons, and keepers are on hand to offer educational talks and information about all of the residents.

Local tip: To get up close to the birds, learn about their habits and even have a go at flying them, Flying Experience Days are available for an extra fee. 

Educational attractions

New Forest Heritage Centre

In Lyndhurst, right in the heart of the national park, the free museum and visitor centre at New Forest Heritage Centre introduce you to the history and culture of the New Forest. Interactive displays explore local wildlife, customs and social history, and exhibitions showcase the talents of local artists and photographers. There are activities and colouring sheets for children, and during school holidays a programme of educational talks and events. There’s a café on site, as well as a shop selling local produce and gifts.

Local tip: As all of the activities here are indoors, this is a good option for a rainy day.

Beaulieu

The pretty riverside village of Beaulieu and its grand estate have several attractions that appeal to families, all of which are included in a single ‘full attraction’ ticket (2 adults and 3 children, or 1 adult and 4 children). They include:

• Beaulieu Abbey, a peaceful, well-preserved Cistercian ruin founded in the 13th century, with cloisters, a herb garden and exhibitions on monastic life and falconry. 
• Beaulieu Palace House, a Gothic country manor that has been home to the Montagu family since the 16th century. Once the gatehouse of the abbey, it was one of the first UK stately homes to open to the public, and today a tour of the interior reveals period furnishings, artworks and historic family artefacts, while guides in Victorian costume explain their history and significance. You can also explore the landscaped grounds, where there are Victorian, wilderness and rose gardens, plus topiary, sculptures and ornamental plants. 
• The National Motor Museum, which displays around 300 historic, vintage and classic cars and motorcycles, including four that held the world land speed record. There are exhibitions on the history of Formula One racing and the evolution of the motor car, recreations of a 1960s street and a 1930s garage, as well as a wealth of motoring memorabilia.

Local tip: From March to October, at weekends and during school holidays, you can also book a ride around the grounds in an authentic recreation of the original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It’s understandably popular, so it's a good idea to book early at the information desk when you arrive on the day of your visit.

Hurst Castle

Set right on the end of a coastal spit near Milford on Sea, historic Hurst Castle (a former prison) was built in the 16th century by Henry VIII. On a stroll (or a guided tour) around the site you can take in an exhibition on the building’s history, see cannons and gun emplacements, visit a World War II bunker and enjoy panoramic views over The Solent. The castle grounds are home to an adventure playground and, of course, lots of places where you can enjoy a family picnic.

Local tip: In summer you can hop aboard a ferry from nearby Keyhaven and view the castle from the water before you arrive.

Fun-filled events and activities

The New Forest is packed with fun things to do throughout the year, but here are our suggestions for a few energetic family days out in the New Forest.

New Forest Show

The popular annual New Forest Show in Brockenhurst (held over three days at the end of July) celebrates local agricultural practices, crafts and traditions and is one of the biggest of its kind in the UK. It features livestock and equestrian events, live music and children’s entertainment, as well as arena shows including showjumping, motorcycle stunt teams, parades and the ever-popular Tug of War competition.

Family-friendly activities include circus skills and art workshops, thrilling lumberjack demonstrations, face painting, Punch and Judy shows and ferret racing. A local produce market and more than 40 food stalls mean that even the pickiest children should find something to eat, and parents can grab some time out in the beer tent.  

Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World

The colourful Paultons Park is a family theme park set in 140 acres of parkland – it's got thrilling flumes, rollercoasters and fairground attractions for older children, plus a dedicated Peppa Pig World featuring costumed characters, live shows and gentle rides that’s perfect for younger kids. There’s also an animal area that’s home to penguins, flamingos and meerkats, among others, with regular talks from the animals’ keepers. Throw in animatronic dinosaurs, adventure playgrounds and several themed gardens, and you’re all pretty much guaranteed a good night’s sleep after your day out.

Local tip: Book tickets online in advance to save money and avoid long queues.

New Forest Water Park

If you love water activities, New Forest Water Park near Fordingbridge is another great bet for an exciting family day out. Take your pick from watersports including wakeboarding and kneeboarding, paddleboarding and kayaking, two inflatable water obstacle courses with slides, trampolines and swings, and a huge swimming lake. 

Local tip: Children must be able to swim 50 metres with a buoyancy aid, and wetsuits are available to hire on site.

 

There are few better places than the New Forest if you’re planning a family holiday. Whether you prefer a gentle walk or a zip wire, a steam train or a rollercoaster, a castle or a theme park, there’s something out there for you. 

If you’re looking for somewhere to pitch your tent, or fancy trying out a yurt or bell tent holiday, check out Pitchup’s range of family-friendly campsites in the New Forest.