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One of many loveliest spots in England, the New Forest is filled with fairly villages, picturesque walks and most excitingly for youthful children, ponies which roam freely – to not point out a number of donkeys.
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In addition to numerous probabilities to get outside and uncover the historical past of the New Forest Nationwide Park – proclaimed a royal forest virtually 1,000 years in the past – there are additionally loads of household sights within the New Forest, from museums and wet day enjoyable to a theme park, animal sights and extra.
Better of all, this actually is someplace which has one thing for the entire household, whether or not it’s toddler-friendly walks and Peppa Pig World, or vehicles, steam trains, distant castles and an opportunity for older children and teenagers to get their coronary heart racing, with my 23 high issues to do within the New Forest with children.
Peppa Pig World & Paultons Park
In the event you’re a mother or father, chances are high you’ll already know of Hampshire’s high theme park, as Paultons Park is the house of Peppa Pig World. However together with the light rides and likelihood to fulfill Peppa and George should you’re visiting Hampshire with a toddler, there’s loads extra adrenaline-fuelled enjoyable.
There are greater than 70 rides, acres of grounds and animals to fulfill, in addition to a number of themed areas: Misplaced Kingdom is all about dinosaurs, whereas Critter Creek is nice for youthful ones, so there’s one thing for older and taller children who need some adrenaline thrills in addition to much less scary choices.
Add in playgrounds, a discovery path and different occasions and reveals, and it’s very simple to fill your day trip.
Take a look at my suggestions for visiting Peppa Pig World and Paultons Park.
New Forest Wildlife Park
In the event you’d prefer to see a few of Hampshire’s native animals, you’ll love the New Forest Wildlife Park which specialises in British wildlife – some, just like the gray wolves, are previous inhabitants whereas there are additionally deer, badgers, hedgehogs and extra, nonetheless to be discovered on these shores at this time.
It’s additionally residence to 4 species of otter and 7 species of owl, plus some distinctly cute ferrets. Make an observation of the talks and feeding occasions all through the day, whilst you’ll additionally discover additional occasions and actions happening throughout holidays – plus there are journey playgrounds to burn off some added power too.
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary is a good spot to see wildlife within the New Forest for households with younger kids.
The sanctuary has a spacious platform overlooking a meadow the place wild deer typically roam – no ensures although.
The platform is stroller-friendly and when the deer are round, there are some nice picture alternatives, in addition to info boards in regards to the deer and loads of house for youths to play. Bathroom services can be found within the automotive park.
You can even discover Bolderwood‘s scenic grounds on one among three signposted, buggy-friendly walks, the place you might even see much more deer within the space’s lush woodlands – go to within the autumn and also you would possibly even spot among the pigs roaming the woodland like we did.
New Forest Reptile Centre
On the New Forest Reptile Centre, children can stand up shut and private with numerous species of reptiles, together with snakes and lizards, whereas studying about their habitats and behaviours.
House to a sequence of uncommon reptiles, the centre works to reintroduce them into the wild and defend their habitats – the possibilities of recognizing them out within the countryside are tiny, so it is a nice alternative to see something from adders and easy snakes to sand lizards.
There’s additionally a simple strolling route ranging from the Reptile Centre automotive park, so it’s simple to mix some indoor and outside enjoyable right here.
The Centre doesn’t open every single day, particularly throughout winter, so it’s price checking earlier than you set off.
Longdown Exercise Farm
This family-friendly farm is nice should you’re visiting Hampshire with toddlers and youthful children – you’ll be able to bottle-feed the children (the newborn goats, that’s) in addition to seeing different small cattle, from ponies and pigs all the way down to rabbits and guinea pigs.
Youngsters can get correctly fingers on holding among the smaller inhabitants of Longdown Farm within the animal encounters, plus there are locations to play outdoors and indoors – which is sweet for a wet day in Hampshire – and take tractor trailer rides.
Take a look at my evaluate of Longdown Farm with a toddler.
Biking within the New Forest
The most effective methods to discover the New Forest with children is by bike, taking a cycle experience on one of many off-road trails.
There are over 100 miles of marked routes via the woods, throughout the heathland and by the coast, together with some simple, brief trails that are supreme when you’ve got youthful children – the two-mile route from Beaulieu to Buckler’s Arduous is a favorite, and the proper option to mix the 2 locations if each are in your record to go to.
In the event you don’t have your personal wheels, there are many locations to rent bikes within the New Forest, together with baby seats, tagalongs, trailers and extra for youthful children.
Right here’s what we considered bike rent from New Forest Actions to cycle the path to Buckler’s Arduous
Recognizing the New Forest ponies
One factor the New Forest is most well-known for – and one of the crucial memorable issues to see within the New Forest with children – is the wild ponies which roam round.
There are over 5,000 within the forest, so the probabilities are you’ll see among the wild ponies (and donkeys) alongside the best way as you discover, however a very good place to identify them is close to Brockenhurst, round Beachern Wooden and the ford.
Beaulieu village is one other good place to seek out them, particularly round Hatchet Pond and Culverley Inexperienced, or alongside the route in the direction of Lymington. However Burley, Fordingbridge and Lymington itself are different good locations to attempt.
It’s price remembering that the ponies are semi-wild, even when they’re moderately used to folks, they aren’t tame and may kick and chew – at all times maintain a respectful distance. It’s additionally unlawful to feed them.
Strolling within the New Forest
I believe it’s not possible to go to the New Forest and never really feel tempted to drag on a pair of shoes and set off underneath the bushes. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for a delicate amble with a restaurant on the finish of it, or to deal with one thing tougher, there are some attractive walks within the New Forest for households.
It’s very easy to mix a few of these walks with a go to to completely different sights as nicely: the Reptile Centre Discovery Path or the Bolderwood Deer Watch Path, which is straightforward sufficient even for little ones, and provides you an opportunity to identify deer too.
One among my favourites is the Tall Bushes Path, simply off Decorative Drive: there’s a one-mile stretch which takes you previous the Large Sequoias as you stroll via a part of Blackwater Arboretum, or one other barely longer Tall Bushes Stroll with views of two monumental redwoods, and an opportunity to marvel at among the oldest Douglas fir bushes in Britain.
You possibly can simply be a part of each collectively if you’d like an extended stroll with older children – or just stroll to your coronary heart’s content material.
Evidently, there are numerous strolling trails within the New Forest, too many to say right here, so wherever you keep and no matter stage of problem you fancy, there’ll be an important possibility to seek out. It’s price downloading the New Forest strolling routes app which supplies concepts close to your location too.
Canoeing/Kayaking on the river
Whereas strolling and biking are positively two of the perfect methods to see the New Forest with children, they’re not the one option to get round – you’ll be able to take a canoe or kayak out on the Beaulieu river or SUP and Kayak on the Keyhaven River.
Beaulieu is among the few privately owned rivers on the planet, and a straightforward one to discover from Buckler’s Arduous – should you’re fortunate you’ll be able to even spot seals whilst you’re out on the water.
It’s a tidal river, so it’s price getting recommendation from the consultants on the perfect time to exit – we tried New Forest Actions, which was appropriate even for a preschooler (should you had two adults within the canoe).
Children aged 12 and over can take out a single kayak (accompanied by an grownup) or there are double kayaks, in addition to household canoes and guided canoe journeys.
New Forest Water Park
In the event you’re on the lookout for a enjoyable household day trip within the New Forest with older kids and teenagers, don’t miss the New Forest Water Park in Fordingbridge.
The Water Park has an entire string of thrilling water sports activities for kids aged 10+, together with wakeboarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and open-water swimming.
There are additionally two floating inflatable aqua parks for youths of all ages. Nonetheless, the park recommends that children underneath 11 be accompanied by an grownup. All kids should additionally have the ability to swim 50m with a buoyancy assist.
New Forest Bus tour
In the event you’re visiting Hampshire with younger children, or just fancy an alternative choice to strolling (and don’t wish to drive), the open-top New Forest Tour bus is an effective way to find the Nationwide Park.
There are three completely different routes and in case you are exploring with no automotive, particulars on bus connections to Southampton, in addition to Bournemouth and Salisbury should you’re staying throughout the border in Dorset or Wiltshire.
The hop-on hop-off routes imply you’ll be able to discover alongside the best way, and every reveals a unique facet of the forest, from the wilder north-west to the coast within the south and a 3rd linking fairly Brockenhurst and Beaulieu. There are a number of day tickets if you wish to use the buses over your complete keep to discover all through the New Forest with children.
The buses are seasonal so that they don’t run throughout winter (understandably, because it’s so much much less enjoyable sitting on an open-top bus tour within the chilly and rain!)
Beaulieu Motor Museum
Whereas your ticket contains a number of sights, together with Beaulieu Abbey and Palace Home with its costumed guides, it’s the motor sights which tempt most guests at Beaulieu: the Nationwide Motor Museum and the World of Prime Gear.
From among the earliest motor automobiles via to F1 vehicles and land pace file breakers, the museum really is a journey via automotive historical past.
There are some probabilities to get fingers on too, in addition to having the ability to meet the Beaulieu crash take a look at dummy, discover a Nineteen Thirties storage earlier than heading over to see among the strange creations from the whole Prime Gear sequence, together with the problem vehicles.
Bucklers Arduous maritime museum & boat journey
Sitting on the banks of the Beaulieu River, Buckler’s Arduous is an 18th-century shipbuilding village the place lots of the ships for Nelson’s Navy have been constructed.
The picturesque village has a number of nice sights for households, together with a historic shipwright’s cottage and an enchanting maritime museum exploring native shipbuilding historical past. There’s a mannequin village, mannequin ships, hands-on exhibitions, and an academic quiz path for youthful guests.
In the event you’re visiting between Easter and October, the spotlight of Buckler’s Arduous is a river cruise alongside the Beaulieu river. Departing from the village pier, the 30-minute boat journey takes you to discover the realm’s stunning surroundings and wildlife, full with an onboard commentary.
Hurst Fort
One among Henry VIII’s forts defending the south coast, Hurst Fort sits on the fringe of a spit of land by the doorway to the Solent – again then a vital defence, however lately an opportunity to see some unbelievable views and really feel such as you’re removed from actual life.
The fortress has been used as a jail for Charles I, has been a hideaway for smugglers, earlier than being strengthened for conflict with Napoleon (though it noticed most motion as a army hospital) and modernised once more as a Second World Struggle defence.
Attending to the fortress is sort of as a lot journey as wanting round – it’s both a two-mile stroll alongside the shingle spit or a ferry runs from Keyhaven.
St Barbe Museum and Artwork Gallery
St Barbe Museum and Artwork Gallery is a singular little museum in Lymington, that includes a various assortment of artwork and displays associated to the historical past and tradition of the New Forest area.
The museum may be very family-friendly, with info boards for youths, a path led by knitted cattle, themed kids’s costumes to decorate up in, and an interactive duplicate pilot boat.
One other nice possibility for a wet day within the New Forest for households.
New Forest Heritage Centre
Situated in Lyndhurst, The New Forest Heritage Centre is a unbelievable place to begin for households seeking to discover the historical past and variety of the realm. The museum covers every thing from wartime tales to the well-known ponies and hyperlinks to Alice in Wonderland.
The central “Household Tree” is crammed with interactive shows and actions, whereas little ones may also get pleasure from themed costumes, constructing blocks, a puppet theatre, museum trails, and exercise and colouring sheets. Throughout faculty holidays, in addition they host craft occasions and kids’s workshops.
The centre is free to enter (although donations are welcomed), so it’s additionally an important place to go to within the New Forest with children on a funds.
Exbury Gardens and Steam railway
If your loved ones loves the possibility to hop on board a steam prepare on vacation, there’s a stunning possibility within the New Forest for youths.
The little steam railway at Exbury Gardens follows a 1.5 mile route via the gardens themselves – referred to as the Rhododendron Line!
The grounds stretch for 200 acres in complete, well-known for his or her rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, in addition to the woodland surroundings, and you may hop off the prepare part-way round if you wish to discover the northernmost a part of the gardens or just benefit from the journey again to the beginning.
Foxlease Exercise centre
For extra adventurous households, the Foxlease Exercise Centre in Lyndhurst has an enormous number of thrilling outside actions for kids aged 4 years and older.
Owned by Woman Guiding UK, the exercise centre is open to the general public and presents actions together with kayaking, rafting, climbing, zip wire, abseiling, archery, and extra. There are set exercise days over the college holidays or to e-book a personal go to, you’ll have to contact them instantly.
There’s a lot to do at Foxlease that you could possibly simply spend a number of days right here – thankfully, the property additionally has a number of campsites you’ll be able to e-book, should you’re decided to pack all of it in!
Calshot Actions Centre
Sitting on the shores of the Solent near Southampton, Calshot Actions Centre is among the largest journey centres in Britain, with a unbelievable number of thrilling land and water-based actions for all talents and ages.
Outdoors, you’ll be able to get pleasure from a variety of paddlesports, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and crusing within the giant lagoon.
Or indoors, you’ll discover a historic velodrome, dry slope snowboarding, excessive ropes, zip lining, and the tallest climbing wall within the south of England. Which suggests you’re sorted rain or shine.
New Forest Journey Golf
All the time one among my daughter’s favourites, mini-golf is an effective way to maintain children entertained for an hour or two. And Lymington’s New Forest Journey Golf is the perfect within the area. The course sits on Goodall’s Farmland should you’re planning some pick-your-own-fun (scroll down for extra particulars), so you’ll be able to simply mix the 2 for a enjoyable household day trip.
The family-friendly 18-hole course was constructed to reflect the New Forest, with the likes of Bucklers Arduous and Exbury Gardens depicted in miniature. You’ll additionally have to navigate the Lymington and Beaulieu Rivers and experience the transferring Isle of Wight ferry over the Solent – difficult!
Lepe Nation Park & Seashore
Lepe Nation Park sits on the most south-easterly level of the New Forest Nationwide Park, with a protracted stretch of pebble seaside and gorgeous views throughout the Solent.
The favored nation park makes for a peaceable household day trip, with scenic walks via the protected nature reserve and alongside the coast, in addition to historic stays from the D-Day landings, a tranquil sensory backyard with a bug resort, and several other journey playgrounds for kids.
The park is free to go to however you have to to pay for parking. There’s a restaurant and cafe, a BBQ website, a small store, and bathroom services inside the park.
New Forest seashores
The New Forest has a number of stunning seashores alongside its shoreline, however Milford on Sea needs to be our favorite.
The gorgeous village has a protracted shingle seaside backed by rows of vibrant seaside huts, with numerous house for youths to run round and discover, paddle within the ocean, and construct sandcastles at low tide. There are additionally some nice unbiased eating places, cafes, and retailers on the town only a brief stroll away, making it the proper spot for a soothing household day on the seaside.
For one thing extra energetic, take a coastal stroll eastwards from Milford-on-Sea in the direction of Hurst Spit, residence to Sixteenth-century Hurst Fort. The stroll takes round 40 minutes every method.
Different family-friendly seashores within the New Forest embody close by Barton on Sea with its many fossil beds, and the extra peaceable Calshot Seashore.
Decide your personal fruit and veggies
Time your go to proper and there’s one other pretty possibility for a household pleasant day trip – visiting a pick-your-own farm within the New Forest with children.
Goodall’s Strawberry Farm in Lymington is a good spot to let kids discover and decide their very own recent fruit and greens. The farm is greatest identified for its strawberries, however you may as well decide raspberries and cherries between Could and August. There’s a stunning little cafe on website serving cream teas and engaging desserts too.
Or should you’re visiting in October, Goodall’s additionally has pick-your-own pumpkins. Different pumpkin patches within the area embody the New Forest Pumpkins in Lymington and Fordingbridge’s Choosing Patch.
Days out close to the New Forest with children
In the event you’re basing your self within the New Forest with children, it makes an important location for some days out exploring Hampshire and Dorset.
Portsmouth
House to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the Mary Rose, in addition to the Spinnaker Tower, it’s simple to fill a day within the metropolis should you’re on the lookout for a change of tempo from the New Forest with children.
In actual fact, it’s simple to fill a day on the Historic Dockyard alone, discovering among the space’s naval historical past from the well-known Tudor wreck to The HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship on the Battle of Trafalgar, HMS Warrior, the world’s first iron-hulled warship, in addition to others from the First and Second World Wars, not least a submarine.
However there’s additionally Portchester Fort on the outskirts, the best-preserved of the Roman forts alongside what’s referred to as the Saxon Shore, plus a string of different enjoyable issues to do for households.
For extra concepts of the perfect issues to do in Portsmouth with children, try my high picks
Southampton
The UK’s largest cruise port isn’t simply someplace to hop on a ship and sail off into the sundown, with numerous issues to do in Southampton with children.
And town is simply half an hour away from Brockenhust, so it makes a simple day journey from the New Forest with children. There’s unbelievable historical past to find, from the Mayflower to the Titanic, plus wartime plane and medieval partitions.
To not point out loads extra probabilities to get outside and plenty of sights for households, together with snowsports and an indoor journey park.
For extra concepts of the perfect issues to do in Southampton with children, try my high picks
Winchester
Town of Winchester was England’s first capital however there’s extra to find right here past historical past, together with the just lately revamped Winchester Science Centre, which is unbelievable for youths.
In the event you do fancy travelling again to the previous, you’ll be able to uncover multiple thousand years of historical past from the Romans onwards within the Winchester Metropolis museum, spot the legendary Spherical Desk within the metropolis’s Nice Corridor (not really King Arthur’s but it surely does date again to the thirteenth century), comply with the household path via the cathedral and see the ruins of a twelfth century fortress.
For extra concepts of issues to do in Winchester with children, try my high picks
Marwell Zoo
The 140-acre Marwell Zoo simply outdoors Winchester has over 1,200 animals to find, in addition to a stamp path for youths to comply with alongside the best way.
There are sometimes additional household sights and exhibitions should you want an added purpose to go to (or return) – reminiscent of Brickosaurs at Marwell Zoo, Lego dinosaurs dotted amongst the real-life inhabitants throughout one among our visits.
The zoo can be residence to 4 journey playgrounds, little street and rail trains, in addition to the animals themselves – from amur tigers to zebras, to not point out cheetah, crimson pandas, penguins and extra.
Itchen Valley Nation Park
With 440 acres of fields, water meadows and woodland to discover at Itchen Valley Nation Park, you will discover some nice walks for households in addition to getting the possibility to move proper up into the bushes.
On the Go Ape course, the Treetop journey is appropriate for all ages, whereas the Treetop problem is for ages 10+ (and a minimal of 1.4m tall).
Or should you don’t fancy the excessive ropes, there are additionally off-road bike tracks, trails to comply with and several other play areas, together with an indoor play zone, The Holt, for youths aged six and underneath, in addition to two outside playgrounds for various ages.
There’s additionally the Play Path together with a large squirrel, climbing body and snail slide – this and the Forest Path are each pushchair pleasant should you’re visiting Hampshire with a child.
Moors Valley Nation Park, Dorset
On the border of Hampshire and Dorset, Moors Valley Nation Park makes one other great spot to get outside with children – and whilst you aren’t wanting walks within the New Forest, there’s an added draw for households.
As a result of lurking within the nation park is a fearsome monster, with a toxic wart on the top of his nostril and purple prickles throughout his again.
One of many places for the string of Forestry England Julia Donaldson trails, it’s nonetheless residence to each a Gruffalo and the Gruffalo’s Youngster, alongside the youngsters’s Play Path, in addition to different household trails.
Plus, after all, loads of locations to stroll, cycle or watch the surroundings from a slender gauge steam prepare – together with a extra adrenaline-fuelled possibility on the Go Ape Junior Excessive ropes course, for anybody who fancies themselves the scariest creature within the wooden.
Bournemouth
In the event you’re staying on the western facet of the New Forest, you’re really a lot nearer to Bournemouth than you’re to Portsmouth and Southampton, so it’s nicely price taking the chance of a day trip on this seaside city.
In addition to the lengthy golden sandy seaside, you’ll be able to even fly over the waves (and make consider you’re going to maintain going underneath) with the RockReef Pierzip Line, or deal with 28 themed indoor climbing partitions, a vertical drop slide, a excessive ropes aerial impediment course, and an indoor caving expertise on the journey centre.
That’s not the one household attraction to tempt should you’re on the lookout for concepts of issues to do in Dorset within the rain with children.
Proper on the seafront is The Oceanarium, with 12 themed environments the place you’ll be able to uncover penguins and sea turtles, together with dwarf crocodiles and otters (plus enormous numbers of fish, after all).
The city can be residence to the Bournemouth Aviation Museum in addition to Journey Wonderland, a household amusement park themed round Alice in Wonderland.
The place to remain within the New Forest with children
In the event you’re on the lookout for self-catering lodging, New Forest Cottages has some pretty family-friendly properties, together with concepts should you’re on the lookout for canine pleasant breaks and even cottages with swimming pools, in addition to places across the New Forest so that you’ll at all times be near a string of household days out.
Or Sykes Cottages additionally has a string of family-friendly locations to remain within the New Forest.
In the event you choose the thought of a New Forest resort with children, there’s every thing from luxurious stays like Chewton Glen, which has a unbelievable children’ membership, and New Park Manor, which is nice for households with younger kids and infants, to choices reminiscent of Sandy Balls Vacation Village.
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Photos: Beaulieu, classic automotive, Bucklers Arduous, Hurst Fort, Exbury Gardens, Lepe Nation Park, Milford on Sea, Bournemouth courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
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