New Forest
Step into nature with tufty-haired ponies, wild countryside and a labyrinth of bike trails.
Why we love the New Forest
Welcome to the New Forest – where the wild Hampshire coastline meets rolling countryside, criss-crossed with bike trails and hiking paths. But 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.
Discover a smugglers’ hideout
Pretty Lymington wasn’t always so peaceful: for centuries, this seaside town was a haven for smugglers, who hid their swag in a maze of underground tunnels. Trace its swashbuckling history on a walking tour, and explore its shops, yacht-filled harbour and quirky pubs too. In summer, tuck into the Lymington Seafood Festival.
Meet the furry locals
What’s got four legs, fabulous hair, and has lived in the New Forest for over 2,000 years? The famous New Forest ponies, of course. These beauties are free to graze in the park, and there are around 5,000 in total. You’ll spy them everywhere, but for near-guaranteed sightings head to Beaulieu or Brockenhurst’s ‘Watersplash’ (ford).
Go off-road on two wheels
Hit the trail! The New Forest has cycling routes for all abilities, from smooth asphalt to cross-country loops. With no high peaks to contend with, you’ll see more and travel further (and your thighs will thank you, too). Fancy a challenge? Try the Northern Forest Circular trail for 17.8 miles (28.6km) of untamed woodlands and heath.
Get hands-on with history
Built by Henry VIII, one of Britain’s most notorious monarchs, 500-year-old Hurst Castle looms large on the coast. It’s one of the park’s many treasures: other historic hotspots include the 13th-century Beaulieu Abbey, the shipbuilding hamlet of Buckler’s Hard, and Rockbourne’s Roman villa.
Try a new challenge
Get stuck into the great outdoors! Discover the New Forest’s outdoorsy adventures – from kayaking the Beaulieu River and paddleboarding on the coast, to abseiling, geocaching and ziplining in its many activity centres. Or maybe you’ll learn a new skill, such as foraging, archery or axe throwing?
Walk on the wild side
There’s a walk for everyone in the New Forest – whether you’re spotting deer and ponies on Bolderwood’s forest trails, or soaking up sea views from the Solent Way. There are also 10 fully accessible routes in the New Forest, suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, in some of the park’s loveliest nature reserves.
Things to do in the New Forest
Choosing an option from the dropdown will automatically update the map listing results to filter by your selection.
Press Escape while tabbing through the list to skip to the next section
Beaulieu Motor Museum
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
Hurst Castle
New Forest Heritage Centre
Buckler's Hard Maritime Museum
Brockenhurst
Exbury Gardens
Wild New Forest Tours
New Forest Activities
New Forest cycling trails
Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa
Lymington Seafood Festival
Calshot Castle
New Forest coastline
New Forest Water Park
Burley Manor
Lymington
Beaulieu Motor Museum
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
Hurst Castle
New Forest Heritage Centre
Buckler's Hard Maritime Museum
Brockenhurst
Exbury Gardens
Wild New Forest Tours
New Forest Activities
New Forest cycling trails
Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa
Lymington Seafood Festival
Calshot Castle
New Forest coastline
New Forest Water Park
Burley Manor
Lymington
Featured things to do
Glorious bluebells
Spring has sprung – and so have the bluebells. In April and May, stroll and cycle through the cerulean blooms at Pondhead Inclosure and Roydon Woods.
Learn more about the New Forest bluebells
SUP at sunset
On summer evenings, slip away for a twilight SUP adventure, with a peaceful paddle along the coast and a private beach picnic for two.
Try out SUP with New Forest Activities
Peaceful trails
The hiking trails are quieter in autumn, and October brings the New Forest Walking Festival, for wildlife watching and expert-led rambles.
Learn more about the New Forest’s autumn adventures
Beaulieu Motor Museum
Get up-close with Bond cars, vintage classics and F1 superstars: Beaulieu has one of the world’s greatest motor collections. As well as perusing 300 vehicles, you’ll see how crash-testing works, trace the history of motorcycling, and explore the future of car design.
Start your engine to Beaulieu Motor MuseumPlaces 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 bed and breakfasts
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
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. Bournemouth Airport and Southampton Airport 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 in the New Forest are plentiful and well-connected. Plus, there are over 100 miles (160km) of way-marked cycle tracks throughout the New Forest – with New Forest bike hire available from various locations.
By bus
With the breeze in your hair and beautiful scenery in every direction, the New Forest Tour open-top bus service (from July to September) is always a joy.
By car
Planning on driving in the New Forest? 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 New Forest 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.