Snuggled on England’s spectacular South shore, with its attractive wild ponies, sweeping expanses of purple heathland as well as an extraordinary range of wildlife, the New Forest National Forest is a treat to visit. With a range of walking as well as cycling paths to check out, forest activities to take pleasure in and quaint towns to go to, you’ll be spoilt for selection on what to do next. To help you select, we have actually rounded up our much-loved 13 things to do in the New Woodland.
1. Cycle between Beaulieu and also Buckler’s Hard.
This two-mile-long cycle path between the beautiful villages of Beaulieu and also Buckler’s Hard is popular with families. You can employ your bikes in Beaulieu if you do not have your very own, before setting off along the riverside course towards the attractive shipbuilding hamlet of Buckler’s Hard. Once you have actually discovered the district, you can retrace your footprints, visiting at the National Electric Motor Museum at Beaulieu when you get back.
2. Take to the countryside on the Ashhurst Stroll.
What much better way to see the New Woodland than by setting out to explore on foot? Just 2.8 miles long, the beautiful Ashurst Stroll takes you with a variety of areas which actually qualify this beautiful national park. From wild horses grazing on open forest grass to enchanting old timberland as well as the historic remains of a saltpetre home, this simple walking route takes in a lot of the wonders of the New Woodland and also is ideal for every ages as well as capacities.
3. Go steed riding in the forest.
The New Woodland has been residence to its wonderful wild horses for 2,000 years now. With around 5,000 of them straying around the park, it’s not difficult to behold them grazing in the meadows or snoozing in the sun. If you wish to go one step better and do some horse riding while you remain in the park, then there’s an array of riding institutions populated throughout the area, where you can schedule a forest flight or riding lesson..
4. Head to the coastline at Lepe Country Park.
Although very few individuals consider the New Forest as coastal, it does, in fact, have its own beach. Lepe Country Park is a lovely stretch of coastline with fantastic sights throughout the Solent. You can have a look at historical D-Day remains, explore the wildflower meadows and also let the children cut loose in the many backyard. It’s pet-friendly and also they also allow BBQ’s in particular locations of the beach, so it’s really perfect for a family members day out.
5. Discover New Woodland Wildlife Park.
Residence to an array of types which would have as soon as been indigenous to the New Woodland park and also bordering locations, you can obtain an actual taste of what the neighborhood landscape would once have resembled at the New Woodland Wildlife Park. Flaunting red deer, large otters, owls, grey wolves, swine, European bison as well as much more varieties, the park is passionate concerning both wildlife and also preservation..
6. Have a magnificent day at Exbury Gardens & Heavy Steam Railway.
Exbury Gardens are home to 200 acres of sensational grounds, a cafeteria as well as play area and also a vapor train which runs along a track via the yards. Jump aboard and down your method past the rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias as well as rare trees which characterise these gardens. Once you’re done exploring, tuck into an ice cream at Mr Swirl’s Restaurant as well as Coffee shop. It’s the best end to an ideal day..
7. See the kids have a good time at Paulton’s Household Theme Park.
Are the youngsters a little bit Peppa Pig-mad? If so, after that you’re in good luck due to the fact that New Forest’s Paultons Family Members Amusement Park is residence to the one and only Peppa Pig World! What’s even more, the older ones will certainly love the Lost Kingdom of dinosaurs and also the array of thrilling rollercoasters and also water rides. As well as for those who favor a little less excitement, there are gardens to stray around, a lake to sit by and also animals as well as predators to observe.
8. Find out something new at Bucklar’s Hard Museum.
There’s no location better place to learn something brand-new in the New Forest than at the Buckler’s Hard Gallery. Exactly on the banks of the Beaulieu River, it will certainly offer you a peek at the background of this 18th-century shipbuilding village and the vessels it created!.
9. Walk in the footsteps of royalty at Hurst Castle.
Developed by Henry VIII, this remote seaside castle is a striking view to witness. Located right on the edge of a coastal spit, Hurst Castle supplies amazing breathtaking views of the Solent and also was just one of one of the most advanced artillery citadels at the time of structure. What’s more, Hurst Point Lighthouse neighbors the castle as well as the wonderful community of Milford-on-sea is just a 45-minute stroll away, along the coastline..
10. Admire the magnificent Knightwood Oak.
Although the New Woodland has lots of trees, this one is especially unique. Also referred to as ‘Queen of the Woodland’, the Knightwood Oak is the biggest and oldest tree in the whole forest. Over 500 years old, this old oak has a 7.4-metre girth and towers above site visitors. Just sit back in the majestic tree’s shade and also contemplate all the important things it have to have seen..
11. Watch deer at Bolderwood Deer Haven.
Head to Bolderwood Deer Haven for the opportunity to see wild fallow deer up close. You can calm down on the purpose-built platform here, which is established over a meadow and the nearby woodland, watching out for the herd which are fed daily by the local New Forest keeper. The feedings happen between the months of April as well as September, in between twelve noon and also 3 pm, so make sure you time your go to right and also you’ll be in with a likelihood of seeing the deer in the wild..
12. Smell the flowers at New Woodland Lavender Ranch.
With terrific swathes of lavender-filled countryside, an incredible array of premium plants for sale at the nursery as well as a splitting café on site, you’ll have a wonderful time spending the mid-day at New Forest Lavender Farm. Stray along by the lovely lilac lavender fields, admiring the appealing purple views and also breathing in the great smelling air, prior to heading to the tearooms and also putting right into a piece of tasty lavender shortbread. Pure happiness!
13. Surf the stalls at Lymington’s Charter Market.
Every Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm, an array of market stalls selling arts as well as crafts, regional food produce as well as bric-a-brac take over the community of Lymington’s High Road. The biggest street market in the New Forest area, the market has actually been occurring given that Middle ages times and is as much a part of the community as the High Street itself. Head to the market in the morning as well as fill up an obstruct with delicious regional fare, before heading out right into the countryside to find the perfect barbecue place to spend the mid-day.