What to do in the new forest with kids

What to do in the New Forest with kids

“Mum, I’m bored…” Oh no. The very words you dread have made an appearance on your holiday. Cue a nightmarish flick through a pile of leaflets advertising costly days out in an attempt to find something that will keep the kids entertained.

This dreaded scenario can be avoided with some easy planning and a carefully chosen holiday location, such as the New Forest! This national park in the south of England is a popular choice for families on holiday because if offers a huge range of activities on your campsite doorstep. Here are our suggestions of what to do in the New Forest with kids.

Exploring the New Forest

The acres of woodland and heathland in the New Forest National Park are perfect for getting out and exploring. There is a wide range of ways to see the park while also making it a fun family activity! One of the best ways to get up close and personal with the landscape is to walk and there is 143 miles worth of tracks you can take. Of course, it’s all free! There are many stunning areas of woodland to explore. You can join one of the many guided walking events taking place throughout the year.

If woodland doesn’t take your fancy, you might prefer a walk through one of the many villages, such as Burley. Indulge in a cake at one of the tea rooms, or simply stop for an ice cream! The New Forest even has its very own ice cream company, so you’re sure of a tasty treat.

Another popular way to explore the New Forest is by cycling. There are sheltered country roads, miles of approved cycle routes and interesting trails, such as along the old railway line, to choose from! Many of the campsites in the New Forest are happy for you to bring bicycles, or if you prefer you can hire bicycles from several companies. Go online for a list of hire companies in the New Forest area.

Avid horse riders will already know that the area is hugely famous for its free-roaming ponies! The ponies are wild and not suitable for riding. However, they are lovely to see, and are often friendly. If you fancy seeing the New Forest from atop a horse, you should check out one of the local riding schools and stables.

Days Out

If your kids like high-octane fun, then treat them to a day at Paulton’s Park. Based near Romsey, it’s convenient if you’re camping in the New Forest area. There are lots of rides suitable for the kids, including ‘Peppa Pig World.’ There are rides and attractions for your little Peppa Pig fan to enjoy and children under 1 metre tall enter the park for free. For the big kids in the family (I’m looking at you, Mums and Dads,) there are scary thrill rides like Magma and Edge, and the whole family can expect pirate-themed fun in the 4D cinema. Check the website for opening times if you’re visiting off-peak.

For a slightly more tranquil day out, you can take the family to Furzey Gardens in Minstead. You can take a stroll through the picturesque and fragrant gardens, before heading to the tree house play area for a run around! Kids will love the wooden tree houses, which include a crawl tunnel. Another cute detail of the gardens are the 30 fairy doors, small wooden doors in the bases of trees. See if your kids can find them all! Entrance to the gardens is quite reasonable at £7 for adults and £4 for kids. It may also be worth taking a picnic.

There’s plenty to see at Beaulieu National Motor Museum including a range of cars and vehicles from motoring and film history, a large country house, fascinating gardens, a 13th-century Abbey, a veteran bus ride and a monorail! It’s a more costly attraction at £21 for an adult ticket, but you really do get your money’s worth, and you can visit again within 6 days for free if you ask at reception before you leave.

With a large range of attractions along with the variety of ways you can explore the naturally stunning countryside, you needn’t fear your children being bored in the New Forest. The only problem you’ll have is fitting everything all into one holiday!