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Why we love the New Forest

Snuffle the hedgerows? Or the mix of wild Hampshire coastline and rolling countryside, criss-crossed with bike trails and hiking paths? Because this isn’t just a landscape for admiring, you know: it’s for paddling, pedalling, foraging and swimming; for action-packed days and star-gazing nights.

The New Forest is one of Britain’s smallest national parks, at just 219 square miles (566 square km), but its diversity is staggering: from wildlife-rich woodlands and deer-dotted heath, to historic villages and long golden beaches. Roman ruins, Tudor castles, smugglers’ hideouts – you’ll find them all here.

But don’t just take our word for it: here’s how to plan a New Forest adventure, and see this wild wonderland for yourself.

Things to do in the New Forest

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With its free-roaming ponies, welcoming B&Bs and beautiful countryside, you won’t want to leave the village of Brockenhurst.

Plan your Brockenhurst trip

Go New Forest

Horses in the New Forest
Brockenhurst

A glorious spot for walks and picnics, with a huge range of events too – such as outdoor concerts and wild cooking workshops.

Enjoy the blooms at Exbury Gardens

Visit The New Forest

A woman carrying a child on her shoulders, looking at colourful plants in Exbury Gardens
Exbury Gardens

Get up-close with Bond cars, vintage classics and F1 machines: this museum has one of the world’s greatest motoring collections.

Rev your engines for Beaulieu Motor Museum

Samantha Cook Photography

The National Motor Museum Beaulieu.
Beaulieu Motor Museum

Delve into the history and heritage of the New Forest at this fascinating local museum, art gallery and tea room.

Discover the New Forest Heritage Centre

New Forest Heritage Centre

New Forest

A child looking at a figure of a horse in the New Forest Heritage Centre
New Forest Heritage Centre

With its red deer, pine martens, otters and more, the New Forest is a wildlife haven – as these expert-led tours reveal.

Find your Wild New Forest Tour

Wild New Forest Tours

New Forest

A group of people looking out over the landscape on a tour of the New Forest
Wild New Forest Tours

Maybe you’ll kayak the Beaulieu River, or swing through the trees on a high ropes course?

Explore New Forest Activities
5Beaulieu River_New Forest Activities
New Forest Activities

With its wild woodlands, coastline and hill-free terrain, the New Forest is ideal for a cycling break.

Book New Forest cycling trails

Tony West

Two people cycling past a tree on a trail in the New Forest.
New Forest cycling trails

Tuck into seasonal dishes and locally-made wines, or sharpen your skills in the cookery school.

Get to know Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa

newforestpaddlesportco

New Forest

SUP at sunset
Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa

See where 18th-century ships were built, take a tranquil river cruise, and discover a historic village.

Discover Bucklers Hard Maritime Museum
4 Bucklers Hard_BH
Bucklers Hard Maritime Museum

Explore a coastal fortress built by Henry VIII, with amazing wildlife and views of the Isle of Wight.

Plan your trip to Hurst Castle
4 Hurst Castle_HC
Hurst Castle

Will you climb up the tower for panoramic sea views, or try kayaking, windsurfing and climbing?

Step inside Calshot Castle

helpfulhistory

Get hands-on with history
Calshot Castle

How will you explore? Take your pick from kayaking, paddleboarding, beach-hopping, cruises and more.

Discover the New Forest coastline

newforestpaddlesportco

SUP at sunset
New Forest coastline

This town’s high street brands have a cool surfing edge: think Fat Face, White Stuff and Joules.

Plan your trip to Lymington

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Two children playing in open space by a lighthouse
Lymington

For the best chance of seeing New Forest deer in their natural habitat, head to this woodland reserve.

See for yourself at Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary

Tony West

A woman and two children walking through a forest area in the New Forest
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary

With its free-roaming ponies, welcoming B&Bs and beautiful countryside, you won’t want to leave the village of Brockenhurst.

Plan your Brockenhurst trip

Go New Forest

Horses in the New Forest
Brockenhurst

A glorious spot for walks and picnics, with a huge range of events too – such as outdoor concerts and wild cooking workshops.

Enjoy the blooms at Exbury Gardens

Visit The New Forest

A woman carrying a child on her shoulders, looking at colourful plants in Exbury Gardens
Exbury Gardens

Get up-close with Bond cars, vintage classics and F1 machines: this museum has one of the world’s greatest motoring collections.

Rev your engines for Beaulieu Motor Museum

Samantha Cook Photography

The National Motor Museum Beaulieu.
Beaulieu Motor Museum

Delve into the history and heritage of the New Forest at this fascinating local museum, art gallery and tea room.

Discover the New Forest Heritage Centre

New Forest Heritage Centre

New Forest

A child looking at a figure of a horse in the New Forest Heritage Centre
New Forest Heritage Centre

With its red deer, pine martens, otters and more, the New Forest is a wildlife haven – as these expert-led tours reveal.

Find your Wild New Forest Tour

Wild New Forest Tours

New Forest

A group of people looking out over the landscape on a tour of the New Forest
Wild New Forest Tours

Maybe you’ll kayak the Beaulieu River, or swing through the trees on a high ropes course?

Explore New Forest Activities
5Beaulieu River_New Forest Activities
New Forest Activities

With its wild woodlands, coastline and hill-free terrain, the New Forest is ideal for a cycling break.

Book New Forest cycling trails

Tony West

Two people cycling past a tree on a trail in the New Forest.
New Forest cycling trails

Tuck into seasonal dishes and locally-made wines, or sharpen your skills in the cookery school.

Get to know Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa

newforestpaddlesportco

New Forest

SUP at sunset
Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa

See where 18th-century ships were built, take a tranquil river cruise, and discover a historic village.

Discover Bucklers Hard Maritime Museum
4 Bucklers Hard_BH
Bucklers Hard Maritime Museum

Explore a coastal fortress built by Henry VIII, with amazing wildlife and views of the Isle of Wight.

Plan your trip to Hurst Castle
4 Hurst Castle_HC
Hurst Castle

Will you climb up the tower for panoramic sea views, or try kayaking, windsurfing and climbing?

Step inside Calshot Castle

helpfulhistory

Get hands-on with history
Calshot Castle

How will you explore? Take your pick from kayaking, paddleboarding, beach-hopping, cruises and more.

Discover the New Forest coastline

newforestpaddlesportco

SUP at sunset
New Forest coastline

This town’s high street brands have a cool surfing edge: think Fat Face, White Stuff and Joules.

Plan your trip to Lymington

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Two children playing in open space by a lighthouse
Lymington

For the best chance of seeing New Forest deer in their natural habitat, head to this woodland reserve.

See for yourself at Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary

Tony West

A woman and two children walking through a forest area in the New Forest
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary

Places to stay in the New Forest

Woodland lodges

For a wild escape with a few creature comforts, glamping lodges have tranquil scenery on their doorstep – and maybe even a hot tub too.

Homely B&Bs

Love local tips? Bed-and-breakfast guesthouses are usually run by local families, who happily share their insider knowledge.

Country hotels

Some of the New Forest’s grandest mansions have been transformed into lavish hotels – offering spas, swimming pools and more.

Explore nearby

Discover epic trails, rivers to kayak, castles to conquer and wild woods to explore.

VisitBritain/Nadir Khan

Two men on mountain bikes cycling at Devil's Dyke. Sunrise

A quirky seaside city filled with diverse cuisine, vintage shopping and adrenaline fuelled adventure.

British Airways i360

Brighton

Female yoga class taking place on the viewing platform of British Airways i360 Viewing Tower

Hugging the south-west, Devon is a playground for adventurers, explorers and foodie lovers.

Shutterstock / Hugh O'Connor

Devon, England

Idyllic Scene On Surfers Beach With Beautiful Beach Huts Reflecting In The Water

Welcome to dinosaur territory, with beaches and rocks strewn with ancient fossils and footprints.

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

People kayaking along the shores of coastline

Getting to the New Forest

Trains run from London Waterloo to various stations in the New Forest, such as Brockenhurst and Ashurst, with a journey time of around 90 minutes. Heathrow and Gatwick airports can be reached in around two hours by train, or 60–90 minutes by road. The airports at Bournemouth and Southampton are closer, around a 20-minute drive away.

Getting around

You don’t need a car to explore the New Forest: take your pick from trains, buses and ferries too. Public transport services are plentiful and well-connected, while there are over 100 miles (160km) of way-marked cycle tracks throughout the park – with bike hire available from various locations.

By bus

With the breeze in your hair and beautiful scenery in every direction, the open-top bus service is always a joy.

By car

While there’s no need to hire a car, it does give you more freedom and flexibility – though watch out for roaming New Forest ponies, which have right of way.

By train

There are several train stations in the New Forest, which link up with local bus services too.

Want to know more?

For all the latest news, travel tips and things to do, visit the New Forest’s official website.