Our top 10 New Forest attractions

The New Forest National Park is a hugely popular place to holiday due to its gorgeous green landscapes, woodlands and pretty villages. It also has a lot of attractions for you to enjoy! Here we have picked 10 of the best New Forest attractions to get your holiday started.

1 Paulton’s Park

Let’s kick off this list with one of the most exciting days out! Paultons Park is a theme park with a ton of rides for the older members of the family to enjoy – with names such as Magma and the Edge, you’ll have to dig deep for the courage to ride. But if that’s all too much, Paulton’s is also home to Peppa Pig World – where you’ll find 7 themed rides perfectly suited for the little children in the family.

2 Cycling through the forest

Cycling is an excellent and very popular way to explore this fantastic national park, thanks to it’s relatively flat terrain and very well marked cycle paths. Bikes are easy to hire in any village or town, so you don’t need to bring your own.

3 Exbury Gardens

The picturesque gardens at Exbury are a 200 acre oasis of calm. There is also a steam train which you can ride through the garden and see the beautiful collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. The gardens open March – November.

4 Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary

The viewing platform at Bolderwood overlooks a large meadow where a herd of deer regularly gather to feed. Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary is a lovely place to get close to these beautiful animals. You can also take a stroll through the surrounding countryside and there is a large picnic area and convenient car park. It’s also completely free, so simply grab your camera and wait for the deer to arrive.

5 Hurst Castle

Hurst Castle was built by King Henry VIII in 1544 as part of a chain of coastal fortresses – and it certainly is coastal! Hurst is situated on the seaward end of a shingle spit which extends from Milford-on-sea. You can reach it by boat (there’s a regular ferry service from Keyhaven between April and October), or by walking from Milford-On-Sea, where you’ll find adequate car parking.

6 Furzey Gardens

Furzey Gardens are absolutely stunning and the perfect place for a gentle stroll. The fragrant flowers provide a lovely setting for a picnic, or you can have a nice lunch in the garden’s café. Kids will also be kept amused playing on the wooden tree houses, or hunting for the 30 fairy doors hidden amongst the trees.

7 New Forest Water Park

For some water-based thrills head to Fordingbridge, where you’ll find the New Forest Water Park and the opportunity to try your hand at Water-skiing, paddleboarding or kayaking. And you can enjoy rides on the inflatable banana boat or donut tyre ring. This is a good venue for a family day out.

8 Horse riding in the national park

The New Forest ponies are a real attraction for holidaymakers – and although often friendly they are not suitable for riding. However, there are many stables and schools which offer horse-riding lessons and hacking for people of all levels. This is one of the best ways to explore this beautiful national park.

9 Beaulieu National Motor Museum

See a huge range of cars and vehicles from motoring history at Beaulieu National Motor Museum, plus the cars from some of your favourite films! You can also take a walk through stunning gardens, explore history in the 13th-century abbey and the large country house, or take in the sights from the monorail or the veteran bus! Plus, get your ticket stamped at reception and you can visit again within 6 days free of charge.

10 Breamore House& Countryside Museum

Breamore House was competed in 1538, and is a very fine example of an Elizabethan manor. You can get an excellent guided tour as part of the entry fee and the outdoors Countryside Museum also provides an informative insight into the village’s self-sufficient past.

There’s so much to do in the New Forest and this is the perfect destination for a top-notch holiday. From exploring the beautiful natural landscapes and discovering local history to watersports and theme parks, there is plenty to keep people of all ages and interests entertained on their holidays.

Where to stay in the New Forest:

• Campsites in the New Forest
• Glamping sites in the New Forest
• Family friendly campsites in the New Forest
• Touring caravan parks in the New Forest