Perry & Ingrid's things to do
Places to visit
You cannot come to the New Forest and not walk in it! It’s open access, you can walk anywhere, If you come to a gate, just go through, it’s to keep the ponies out, if you come to a gate with a high fence, just go through, it’s to keep the deer out.
If you’ve never visited before, simply walk down the high street, keep going straight until you see Bolton’s Bench to your right, walk up to it then just keep walking.
15 locals recommend
Bolton's Bench
B3056You cannot come to the New Forest and not walk in it! It’s open access, you can walk anywhere, If you come to a gate, just go through, it’s to keep the ponies out, if you come to a gate with a high fence, just go through, it’s to keep the deer out.
If you’ve never visited before, simply walk down the high street, keep going straight until you see Bolton’s Bench to your right, walk up to it then just keep walking.
OK this is still walking, but it’s different to anywhere else in the forest, it’s an Enclosure (keeps the deer out. Walk the rest of the forest and you will see a browse line, there is nothing growing from most trees below 5ft as the ponies and deer have eaten it all) – but not in an Enclosure. But, more importantly it is the largest actively coppiced area of crown land in the country as well as the only place you can witness charcoal being made
https://pondheadconservation.org/
Pondhead Conservation Trust
Beaulieu RoadOK this is still walking, but it’s different to anywhere else in the forest, it’s an Enclosure (keeps the deer out. Walk the rest of the forest and you will see a browse line, there is nothing growing from most trees below 5ft as the ponies and deer have eaten it all) – but not in an Enclosure. But, more importantly it is the largest actively coppiced area of crown land in the country as well as the only place you can witness charcoal being made
https://pondheadconservation.org/
They have otters! they have other animals as well, but they have otters!
https://newforestwildlifepark.co.uk/
98 locals recommend
New Forest Wildlife Park
Deerleap LaneThey have otters! they have other animals as well, but they have otters!
https://newforestwildlifepark.co.uk/
Great for kids, lots of hands-on experiences
https://longdownfarm.co.uk/
77 locals recommend
Longdown Activity Farm
Deerleap LaneGreat for kids, lots of hands-on experiences
https://longdownfarm.co.uk/
Sorry, more walking, but this time between saltwater marches and the sea, great for bird watching
7 locals recommend
Lymington Nature Reserve
Sorry, more walking, but this time between saltwater marches and the sea, great for bird watching
Check for the timings of demonstrations
https://libertysfalconry.com/
19 locals recommend
Liberty's Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre
Crow LaneCheck for the timings of demonstrations
https://libertysfalconry.com/
Not cheap, but a great place to visit if the weather's not so good
https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/
197 locals recommend
National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
Not cheap, but a great place to visit if the weather's not so good
https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/
Theme park, great for kids. It also features Peppa Pig World which is great for smalls (in the hols. there can be quite a queue to get in first thing in the morning)
https://paultonspark.co.uk/
360 locals recommend
Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World
Theme park, great for kids. It also features Peppa Pig World which is great for smalls (in the hols. there can be quite a queue to get in first thing in the morning)
https://paultonspark.co.uk/
Now this is just native reptiles, so although nice don’t expect too much, best to visit as part of a walk or cycling trail; if you make a special visit you may be under-whelmed.
https://www.forestryengland.uk/new-forest-reptile-centre
20 locals recommend
New Forest Reptile Centre
A35 Bournemouth RdNow this is just native reptiles, so although nice don’t expect too much, best to visit as part of a walk or cycling trail; if you make a special visit you may be under-whelmed.
https://www.forestryengland.uk/new-forest-reptile-centre
With a steam railway, beautiful gardens with plenty to do for kids
https://www.exbury.co.uk/
87 locals recommend
Exbury Gardens
With a steam railway, beautiful gardens with plenty to do for kids
https://www.exbury.co.uk/
Get up with the sun head down past Boltons’ Bench and you can often see deer grazing, made easier to spot as there are a couple of albinos in the heard – but you’re on holiday so if you don’t want to get up that early head to the deer sanctuary to see them any time of day.
https://www.new-forest-national-park.com/bolderwood-deer-sanctuary/
44 locals recommend
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental DriveGet up with the sun head down past Boltons’ Bench and you can often see deer grazing, made easier to spot as there are a couple of albinos in the heard – but you’re on holiday so if you don’t want to get up that early head to the deer sanctuary to see them any time of day.
https://www.new-forest-national-park.com/bolderwood-deer-sanctuary/
A unique 18th century village where warships for Nelson’s Navy were built. Free to visit but expensive to park, you can park in Beaulieu then walk down the river. If you’re renting canoes at Beaulieu, this is the place to stop for a visit and a pint.
https://www.bucklershard.co.uk/
79 locals recommend
Bucklers Hard
A unique 18th century village where warships for Nelson’s Navy were built. Free to visit but expensive to park, you can park in Beaulieu then walk down the river. If you’re renting canoes at Beaulieu, this is the place to stop for a visit and a pint.
https://www.bucklershard.co.uk/
Canoeing,Kayaking, Archery and BattleZone
https://www.newforestactivities.co.uk/
47 locals recommend
New Forest Activities
Canoeing,Kayaking, Archery and BattleZone
https://www.newforestactivities.co.uk/
Beaches - East to West
Pebble beach with views of the ships going into Southampton port. There is sand and a sand-bar at low tide (ask us for tide times)
19 locals recommend
Calshot Activities Centre
Calshot RoadPebble beach with views of the ships going into Southampton port. There is sand and a sand-bar at low tide (ask us for tide times)
Country park behind with a modern cafe. Stoney beech with historic remains from the D-Day landings.
34 locals recommend
Lepe Country Park
Country park behind with a modern cafe. Stoney beech with historic remains from the D-Day landings.
Milford-on-Sea pebble beach and spit with Hurst castle at the end https://www.hurstcastle.co.uk/
113 locals recommend
Hurst Castle
Milford-on-Sea pebble beach and spit with Hurst castle at the end https://www.hurstcastle.co.uk/
still pebbles, with eroding cliffs behind; a precursor to the Jurassic coastline.
17 locals recommend
Barton on Sea
still pebbles, with eroding cliffs behind; a precursor to the Jurassic coastline.
Highcliffe Beach
transitioning from pebbles to sand. Cliffs behind
Avon Beach
sand,sand, sand