One of the loveliest spots in England, the New Forest is packed with pretty villages, picturesque walks and most excitingly for younger kids, ponies which roam freely – not to mention a few donkeys.
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As well as countless chances to get outdoors and discover the history of the New Forest National Park – proclaimed a royal forest almost 1,000 years ago – there are also plenty of family attractions in the New Forest, from museums and rainy day fun to a theme park, animal attractions and more.
Best of all, this really is somewhere which has something for the whole family, whether it’s toddler-friendly walks and Peppa Pig World, or cars, steam trains, remote castles and a chance for older kids and teens to get their heart racing, with my 23 top things to do in the New Forest with kids.
Peppa Pig World & Paultons Park
If you’re a parent, chances are you’ll already know of Hampshire’s top theme park, as Paultons Park is the home of Peppa Pig World. But along with the gentle rides and chance to meet Peppa and George if you’re visiting Hampshire with a toddler, there’s plenty more adrenaline-fuelled fun.
There are more than 70 rides, acres of grounds and animals to meet, as well as several themed areas: Lost Kingdom is all about dinosaurs, while Critter Creek is great for younger ones, so there’s something for older and taller kids who want some adrenaline thrills as well as less scary options.
Add in playgrounds, a discovery trail and other events and shows, and it’s very easy to fill your day out.
Check out my tips for visiting Peppa Pig World and Paultons Park.
New Forest Wildlife Park
If you’d like to see some of Hampshire’s local animals, you’ll love the New Forest Wildlife Park which specialises in British wildlife – some, like the grey wolves, are past inhabitants while there are also deer, badgers, hedgehogs and more, still to be found on these shores today.
It’s also home to four species of otter and seven species of owl, plus some distinctly cute ferrets. Make a note of the talks and feeding times throughout the day, while you’ll also find extra events and activities taking place during holidays – plus there are adventure playgrounds to burn off some added energy too.
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary is a great spot to see wildlife in the New Forest for families with young children.
The sanctuary has a spacious platform overlooking a meadow where wild deer often roam – no guarantees though.
The platform is stroller-friendly and when the deer are around, there are some great photo opportunities, as well as information boards about the deer and plenty of space for kids to play. Toilet facilities are available in the car park.
You can also explore Bolderwood‘s scenic grounds on one of three signposted, buggy-friendly walks, where you may see even more deer in the area’s lush woodlands – visit in the autumn and you might even spot some of the pigs roaming the woodland like we did.
New Forest Reptile Centre
At the New Forest Reptile Centre, kids can get up close and personal with various species of reptiles, including snakes and lizards, while learning about their habitats and behaviours.
Home to a series of rare reptiles, the centre works to reintroduce them into the wild and protect their habitats – the chances of spotting them out in the countryside are tiny, so this is a great opportunity to see anything from adders and smooth snakes to sand lizards.
There’s also an easy walking route starting from the Reptile Centre car park, so it’s easy to combine some indoor and outdoor fun here.
The Centre doesn’t open every day, especially during winter, so it’s worth checking before you set off.
Longdown Activity Farm
This family-friendly farm is great if you’re visiting Hampshire with toddlers and younger kids – you can bottle-feed the kids (the baby goats, that is) as well as seeing other small farm animals, from ponies and pigs down to rabbits and guinea pigs.
Children can get properly hands on holding some of the smaller inhabitants of Longdown Farm in the animal encounters, plus there are places to play outside and indoors – which is good for a rainy day in Hampshire – and take tractor trailer rides.
Check out my review of Longdown Farm with a toddler.
Cycling in the New Forest
One of the best ways to explore the New Forest with kids is by bike, taking a cycle ride on one of the off-road trails.
There are over 100 miles of marked routes through the woods, across the heathland and by the coast, including some easy, short trails which are ideal if you have younger kids – the two-mile route from Beaulieu to Buckler’s Hard is a favourite, and the perfect way to combine the two places if both are on your list to visit.
If you don’t have your own wheels, there are plenty of places to hire bikes in the New Forest, including child seats, tagalongs, trailers and more for younger kids.
Here’s what we thought of bike hire from New Forest Activities to cycle the route to Buckler’s Hard
Spotting the New Forest ponies
One thing the New Forest is most famous for – and one of the most memorable things to see in the New Forest with kids – is the wild ponies which roam around.
There are over 5,000 in the forest, so the chances are you’ll see some of the wild ponies (and donkeys) along the way as you explore, but a good place to spot them is near Brockenhurst, around Beachern Wood and the ford.
Beaulieu village is another good place to find them, especially around Hatchet Pond and Culverley Green, or along the route towards Lymington. But Burley, Fordingbridge and Lymington itself are other good places to try.
It’s worth remembering that the ponies are semi-wild, even if they’re reasonably used to people, they aren’t tame and can kick and bite – always keep a respectful distance. It’s also illegal to feed them.
Walking in the New Forest
I think it’s impossible to visit the New Forest and not feel tempted to pull on a pair of boots and set off under the trees. Whether you’re looking for a gentle amble with a cafe at the end of it, or to tackle something more challenging, there are some gorgeous walks in the New Forest for families.
It’s really easy to combine some of these walks with a visit to different attractions as well: the Reptile Centre Discovery Trail or the Bolderwood Deer Watch Trail, which is easy enough even for little ones, and gives you a chance to spot deer too.
One of my favourites is the Tall Trees Trail, just off Ornamental Drive: there’s a one-mile stretch which takes you past the Giant Sequoias as you walk through part of Blackwater Arboretum, or another slightly longer Tall Trees Walk with views of two enormous redwoods, and a chance to marvel at some of the oldest Douglas fir trees in Britain.
You could easily join both together if you want a longer walk with older kids – or simply stroll to your heart’s content.
Needless to say, there are countless walking trails in the New Forest, too many to mention here, so wherever you stay and whatever level of difficulty you fancy, there’ll be a great option to find. It’s worth downloading the New Forest walking routes app which gives ideas near your location too.
Canoeing/Kayaking on the river
While walking and cycling are definitely two of the best ways to see the New Forest with kids, they’re not the only way to get around – you can take a canoe or kayak out on the Beaulieu river or SUP and Kayak on the Keyhaven River.
Beaulieu is one of the few privately owned rivers in the world, and an easy one to explore from Buckler’s Hard – if you’re lucky you can even spot seals while you’re out on the water.
It is a tidal river, so it’s worth getting advice from the experts on the best time to go out – we tried New Forest Activities, which was suitable even for a preschooler (if you had two adults in the canoe).
Kids aged 12 and over can take out a single kayak (accompanied by an adult) or there are double kayaks, as well as family canoes and guided canoe trips.
New Forest Water Park
If you’re looking for a fun family day out in the New Forest with older children and teens, don’t miss the New Forest Water Park in Fordingbridge.
The Water Park has a whole string of exciting water sports for children aged 10+, including wakeboarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and open-water swimming.
There are also two floating inflatable aqua parks for kids of all ages. However, the park recommends that kids under 11 be accompanied by an adult. All children must also be able to swim 50m with a buoyancy aid.
New Forest Bus tour
If you’re visiting Hampshire with young kids, or simply fancy an alternative to walking (and don’t want to drive), the open-top New Forest Tour bus is a great way to discover the National Park.
There are three different routes and if you are exploring without a car, details on bus connections to Southampton, as well as Bournemouth and Salisbury if you’re staying across the border in Dorset or Wiltshire.
The hop-on hop-off routes mean you can explore along the way, and each shows a different side of the forest, from the wilder north-west to the coast in the south and a third linking pretty Brockenhurst and Beaulieu. There are multiple day tickets if you want to use the buses over your whole stay to explore throughout the New Forest with kids.
The buses are seasonal so they don’t run during winter (understandably, as it’s a lot less fun sitting on an open-top bus tour in the cold and rain!)
Beaulieu Motor Museum
While your ticket includes several attractions, including Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House with its costumed guides, it’s the motor attractions which tempt most visitors at Beaulieu: the National Motor Museum and the World of Top Gear.
From some of the earliest motor vehicles through to F1 cars and land speed record breakers, the museum truly is a journey through car history.
There are some chances to get hands on too, as well as being able to meet the Beaulieu crash test dummy, explore a 1930s garage before heading over to see some of the weird and wonderful creations from the complete Top Gear series, including the challenge cars.
Bucklers Hard maritime museum & boat trip
Sitting on the banks of the Beaulieu River, Buckler’s Hard is an 18th-century shipbuilding village where many of the ships for Nelson’s Navy were built.
The picturesque village has several great attractions for families, including a historic shipwright’s cottage and a fascinating maritime museum exploring local shipbuilding history. There’s a model village, model ships, hands-on exhibitions, and an educational quiz trail for younger visitors.
If you’re visiting between Easter and October, the highlight of Buckler’s Hard is a river cruise along the Beaulieu river. Departing from the village pier, the 30-minute boat trip takes you to explore the area’s beautiful scenery and wildlife, complete with an onboard commentary.
Hurst Castle
One of Henry VIII’s forts protecting the south coast, Hurst Castle sits at the edge of a spit of land by the entrance to the Solent – back then an essential defence, but these days a chance to see some fantastic views and feel like you’re far from real life.
The castle has been used as a prison for Charles I, has been a hideaway for smugglers, before being strengthened for war with Napoleon (although it saw most action as a military hospital) and modernised again as a Second World War defence.
Getting to the castle is almost as much adventure as looking around – it’s either a two-mile walk along the shingle spit or a ferry runs from Keyhaven.
St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery
St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery is a unique little museum in Lymington, featuring a diverse collection of art and exhibits related to the history and culture of the New Forest region.
The museum is very family-friendly, with information boards for kids, a trail led by knitted farm animals, themed children’s costumes to dress up in, and an interactive replica pilot boat.
Another great option for a rainy day in the New Forest for families.
New Forest Heritage Centre
Located in Lyndhurst, The New Forest Heritage Centre is a fantastic starting point for families looking to explore the history and diversity of the area. The museum covers everything from wartime tales to the famous ponies and links to Alice in Wonderland.
The central “Family Tree” is filled with interactive displays and activities, while little ones can also enjoy themed costumes, building blocks, a puppet theatre, museum trails, and activity and colouring sheets. During school holidays, they also host craft events and children’s workshops.
The centre is free to enter (though donations are welcomed), so it’s also a great place to visit in the New Forest with kids on a budget.
Exbury Gardens and Steam railway
If your family loves the chance to hop on board a steam train on holiday, there’s a lovely option in the New Forest for kids.
The little steam railway at Exbury Gardens follows a 1.5 mile route through the gardens themselves – known as the Rhododendron Line!
The grounds stretch for 200 acres in total, famous for their rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, as well as the woodland scenery, and you can hop off the train part-way around if you want to explore the northernmost part of the gardens or simply enjoy the journey back to the start.
Foxlease Activity centre
For more adventurous families, the Foxlease Activity Centre in Lyndhurst has a huge variety of exciting outdoor activities for children aged 4 years and older.
Owned by Girl Guiding UK, the activity centre is open to the public and offers activities including kayaking, rafting, climbing, zip wire, abseiling, archery, and more. There are set activity days over the school holidays or to book a private visit, you’ll need to contact them directly.
There’s so much to do at Foxlease that you could easily spend a few days here – fortunately, the estate also has multiple campsites you can book, if you’re determined to pack it all in!
Calshot Activities Centre
Sitting on the shores of the Solent close to Southampton, Calshot Activities Centre is one of the largest adventure centres in Britain, with a fantastic variety of thrilling land and water-based activities for all abilities and ages.
Outside, you can enjoy a range of paddlesports, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and sailing in the large lagoon.
Or indoors, you’ll find a historic velodrome, dry slope skiing, high ropes, zip lining, and the tallest climbing wall in the south of England. Which means you’re sorted rain or shine.
New Forest Adventure Golf
Always one of my daughter’s favourites, mini-golf is a great way to keep kids entertained for an hour or two. And Lymington’s New Forest Adventure Golf is the best in the region. The course sits on Goodall’s Farmland if you’re planning some pick-your-own-fun (scroll down for more details), so you can easily combine the two for a fun family day out.
The family-friendly 18-hole course was built to mirror the New Forest, with the likes of Bucklers Hard and Exbury Gardens depicted in miniature. You’ll also need to navigate the Lymington and Beaulieu Rivers and ride the moving Isle of Wight ferry over the Solent – tricky!
Lepe Country Park & Beach
Lepe Country Park sits at the most south-easterly point of the New Forest National Park, with a long stretch of pebble beach and stunning views across the Solent.
The popular country park makes for a peaceful family day out, with scenic walks through the protected nature reserve and along the coast, as well as historic remains from the D-Day landings, a tranquil sensory garden with a bug hotel, and several adventure playgrounds for children.
The park is free to visit but you will need to pay for parking. There’s a restaurant and cafe, a BBQ site, a small shop, and toilet facilities within the park.
New Forest beaches
The New Forest has several beautiful beaches along its coastline, but Milford on Sea has to be our favourite.
The pretty village has a long shingle beach backed by rows of colourful beach huts, with lots of space for kids to run around and explore, paddle in the ocean, and build sandcastles at low tide. There are also some great independent restaurants, cafes, and shops in town just a short walk away, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing family day at the seaside.
For something more active, take a coastal walk eastwards from Milford-on-Sea towards Hurst Spit, home to 16th-century Hurst Castle. The walk takes around 40 minutes each way.
Other family-friendly beaches in the New Forest include nearby Barton on Sea with its many fossil beds, and the more peaceful Calshot Beach.
Pick your own fruit and veggies
Time your visit right and there’s another lovely option for a family friendly day out – visiting a pick-your-own farm in the New Forest with kids.
Goodall’s Strawberry Farm in Lymington is a great spot to let children explore and pick their own fresh fruit and vegetables. The farm is best known for its strawberries, but you can also pick raspberries and cherries between May and August. There’s a lovely little cafe on site serving cream teas and tasty cakes too.
Or if you’re visiting in October, Goodall’s also has pick-your-own pumpkins. Other pumpkin patches in the region include the New Forest Pumpkins in Lymington and Fordingbridge’s Picking Patch.
Days out near the New Forest with kids
If you’re basing yourself in the New Forest with kids, it makes a great location for some days out exploring Hampshire and Dorset.
Portsmouth
Home to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the Mary Rose, as well as the Spinnaker Tower, it’s easy to fill a day in the city if you’re looking for a change of pace from the New Forest with kids.
In fact, it’s easy to fill a day at the Historic Dockyard alone, discovering some of the area’s naval history from the famous Tudor wreck to The HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, HMS Warrior, the world’s first iron-hulled warship, as well as others from the First and Second World Wars, not least a submarine.
But there’s also Portchester Castle on the outskirts, the best-preserved of the Roman forts along what’s known as the Saxon Shore, plus a string of other fun things to do for families.
For more ideas of the best things to do in Portsmouth with kids, check out my top picks
Southampton
The UK’s biggest cruise port isn’t just somewhere to hop on a ship and sail off into the sunset, with lots of things to do in Southampton with kids.
And the city is just half an hour away from Brockenhust, so it makes an easy day trip from the New Forest with kids. There’s fantastic history to discover, from the Mayflower to the Titanic, plus wartime aircraft and medieval walls.
Not to mention plenty more chances to get outdoors and lots of attractions for families, including snowsports and an indoor adventure park.
For more ideas of the best things to do in Southampton with kids, check out my top picks
Winchester
The city of Winchester was England’s first capital but there’s more to discover here beyond history, including the recently revamped Winchester Science Centre, which is fantastic for kids.
If you do fancy travelling back to the past, you can discover more than one thousand years of history from the Romans onwards in the Winchester City museum, spot the legendary Round Table in the city’s Great Hall (not actually King Arthur’s but it does date back to the 13th century), follow the family trail through the cathedral and see the ruins of a 12th century castle.
For more ideas of things to do in Winchester with kids, check out my top picks
Marwell Zoo
The 140-acre Marwell Zoo just outside Winchester has over 1,200 animals to discover, as well as a stamp trail for kids to follow along the way.
There are often extra family attractions and exhibitions if you need an added reason to visit (or return) – such as Brickosaurs at Marwell Zoo, Lego dinosaurs dotted amongst the real-life inhabitants during one of our visits.
The zoo is also home to four adventure playgrounds, little road and rail trains, as well as the animals themselves – from amur tigers to zebras, not to mention cheetah, red pandas, penguins and more.
Itchen Valley Country Park
With 440 acres of fields, water meadows and woodland to explore at Itchen Valley Country Park, you can find some great walks for families as well as getting the chance to head right up into the trees.
At the Go Ape course, the Treetop adventure is suitable for all ages, while the Treetop challenge is for ages 10+ (and a minimum of 1.4m tall).
Or if you don’t fancy the high ropes, there are also off-road bike tracks, trails to follow and several play areas, including an indoor play zone, The Holt, for kids aged six and under, as well as two outdoor playgrounds for different ages.
There’s also the Play Trail including a giant squirrel, climbing frame and snail slide – this and the Forest Trail are both pushchair friendly if you’re visiting Hampshire with a baby.
Moors Valley Country Park, Dorset
On the border of Hampshire and Dorset, Moors Valley Country Park makes another great place to get outdoors with kids – and while you aren’t short of walks in the New Forest, there’s an added draw for families.
Because lurking in the country park is a fearsome monster, with a poisonous wart on the end of his nose and purple prickles all over his back.
One of the locations for the string of Forestry England Julia Donaldson trails, it’s still home to both a Gruffalo and the Gruffalo’s Child, along the children’s Play Trail, as well as other family trails.
Plus, of course, plenty of places to walk, cycle or watch the scenery from a narrow gauge steam train – along with a more adrenaline-fuelled option on the Go Ape Junior High ropes course, for anyone who fancies themselves the scariest creature in the wood.
Bournemouth
If you’re staying on the western side of the New Forest, you’re actually much closer to Bournemouth than you are to Portsmouth and Southampton, so it’s well worth taking the opportunity of a day out in this seaside town.
As well as the long golden sandy beach, you can even fly over the waves (and make believe you’re going to keep going under) with the RockReef Pierzip Line, or tackle 28 themed indoor climbing walls, a vertical drop slide, a high ropes aerial obstacle course, and an indoor caving experience at the adventure centre.
That’s not the only family attraction to tempt if you’re looking for ideas of things to do in Dorset in the rain with kids.
Right on the seafront is The Oceanarium, with 12 themed environments where you can discover penguins and sea turtles, along with dwarf crocodiles and otters (plus huge numbers of fish, of course).
The town is also home to the Bournemouth Aviation Museum as well as Adventure Wonderland, a family amusement park themed around Alice in Wonderland.
Where to stay in the New Forest with kids
If you’re looking for self-catering accommodation, New Forest Cottages has some lovely family-friendly properties, including ideas if you’re looking for dog friendly breaks and even cottages with pools, as well as locations around the New Forest so you’ll always be close to a string of family days out.
Or Sykes Cottages also has a string of family-friendly places to stay in the New Forest.
If you prefer the idea of a New Forest hotel with kids, there’s everything from luxury stays like Chewton Glen, which has a fantastic kids’ club, and New Park Manor, which is great for families with young children and babies, to options such as Sandy Balls Holiday Village.
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Images: Beaulieu, vintage car, Bucklers Hard, Hurst Castle, Exbury Gardens, Lepe Country Park, Milford on Sea, Bournemouth courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
