10 Best Things to Do in the New Forest
Walk across vast heathland, say hi to the friendly ponies, dine in cosy countryside pubs, stroll through quaint colourful streets, marvel at the giant sequoias and sip on wine in beautiful vineyards. These are just a few of the best things to do in the New Forest, continue reading for more!
Disclaimer:This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting us! Click here to read our privacy policy.
Vast open heathland, ancient forest, free-roaming wildlife, quaint towns and villages, gorgeous wineries, beautiful beaches, cosy pubs and endless miles of walking and cycling trails, get ready to fall in love with the New Forest!
In the 12th century AD, the New Forest National Park was a royal hunting ground for King William I. It became a national park in 2005, making it one of Britain’s newest (and smallest) National Parks, spanning around 566 square kilometres.
There are many amazing things to do in the New Forest, whether you’re here for a day, a weekend or a week. And, a great thing about its compact size is that you can see a lot of it in a few days and not spend much time in the car.
I’ve visited the New Forest twice – once with Andy and once with a couple of girlfriends – it’s great for any kind of trip.
In this guide, you’ll read about the best things to do in the New Forest and everything you need to know, including how to get there, how to get around, the best time to visit, where to stay in the New Forest and more.
No time to read this guide to the best things to do in the New Forest? No worries, save it for later!
Contents
Best Things to Do in the New Forest
Go on a Countryside Walk
One of our main reasons to visit the New Forest was walking. Nothing beats enjoying the fresh countryside air and getting back to nature. It’s the perfect reminder for us to slow down from the often chaotic pace of life.
The New Forest National Park has over 220 kilometres of trails varying in length from short family-friendly strolls to challenging hikes. Walking is the best way to experience the stillness of the ancient woodland, the beauty of the lonely trees, the tranquillity of the streams and rivers and the grace of the ponies.
One of the best walks in the New Forest is the 13-kilometre Ober Water – Tall Trees Trail Loop.
Meandering its way around some of the oldest Douglas fir trees in the UK, across vast open heathland, over quaint wooden bridges and alongside serene streams, this walk takes in some of the forest’s best and most varied scenery.
See the New Forest Ponies
Another of the top things to do in the New Forest is to see the friendly ponies.
The New Forest National Park has been home to approximately 5000 ponies for around 200o years. They roam around the park freely and look wild; however, they’re actually owned by the New Forest Commoners, who have lived here longer than the Māori have inhabited New Zealand!
The ponies grazing is what helps to keep the New Forest’s landscape neat and tidy and supports rare plant species, which, in turn, helps the wider ecosystem and encourages other species to thrive.
Several times throughout the year, the ponies are rounded up so the commoners can check their health, and wean and handle the foals.
You’ll find the ponies scattered all over the forest; you don’t need to go searching for them. I can’t think of anywhere else in England where animals roam freely like they do in the New Forest, it’s so beautiful and really refreshing.
Our top tip: a couple of things to be mindful of with free-roaming animals. Firstly, driving – you’ll often come across animals crossing or walking along the road, so drive slowly and overtake when safe to do so. Secondly, the ponies can be quite hard to notice if they blend in with the colour of the countryside. So, if you have a dog, keep your eyes peeled as you may not see one until it’s a few metres from you.
Admire the Tall Trees; best walks in the New Forest
Some of the absolute best New Forest attractions are the impressive Douglas fir trees, redwoods and giant sequoias. They were planted in the late 1850s, making them some of the oldest conifers in Britain.
The two giant sequoias are the real highlight. These are the tallest trees in the New Forest, measuring 51m (left sequoia) and 47m (right sequoia)!
The Tall Trees Trail is one of the best walks in the New Forest. It’s a short two-and-a-half kilometre loop that meanders its way around Douglas firs and coast redwoods measuring between 45m and 50m. They’re seriously impressive, and one of the best things to do in the New Forest is sit on a bench nestled at the base of these spectacular trees and gaze up at them. You’ll feel incredibly small!!
Our Top Tip: this is one of the most popular New Forest attractions, so arrive early. There’s a car park on Rhinefield Road, and by the time we’d finished the Oberwater and Tall Trees Loop at about 2pm, the car park was completely full.
Go Wine Tasting; top activities in the New Forest
Something that may not immediately spring to mind when thinking of things to do in the New Forest, but definitely should, is wine tasting. This was one of my favourite things to do in the New Forest!
There are a number of wine tasting experiences you can do in or around the New Forest, but the one I’d recommend is The Wharie Experience.
Guillaume started a small wine and cider production at his family’s home, where he’s planted a vineyard and orchard. He creates a small number of wines which you can taste, as well as have a tour of the beautiful vineyards and enjoy cheese from local cheesemakers.
You can really see how passionate Guillaume is about making wine, he’s super friendly and knowledgeable, and you know your money is going to a small, independent business. Wine tasting should definitely be on your list of activities to do in the New Forest National Park.
Visit Beaulieu; most beautiful places to visit in the New Forest
Beaulieu, meaning ‘beautiful place’ in French, is an idyllic village in the New Forest sitting at the head of the Beaulieu River.
It dates back to the 13th century and was built around the Abbey founded in 1204 by Cisterian monks sent from the abbey of Citeaux in France.
Following Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530s, Beaulieu was passed into the ownership of the present Montagu family ancestors, who have lived in the Palace House since 1538.
For those interested in Victorian history, one of the best activities in the New Forest is to explore the palace rooms in their original setting and hear tales from costumed guides about the workings of a Victorian household.
Beaulieu village has remained largely unspoiled, and you can easily spend a few hours visiting the charming independent boutiques and galleries that line the little cobbled high street.
Dine in a Quaint New Forest Pub
After a long day walking and exploring the beauty of the New Forest National Park, there’s no better way to end the day than some hearty food in a cosy countryside pub.
In Lyndhurst, make sure you check out the massive portions of locally sourced fresh food at The Mailman’s Arms or find a snug corner by the open fire in The Waterloo Arms, a true traditional country pub with real ales and home-cooked food.
You may also stumble upon some pubs out in the countryside as you’re adventuring, so why not stop for a drink or a bite to eat for lunch to fuel up?
Explore Picturesque Lymington
One of the more relaxing things to do in the New Forest is to explore Lymington. This colourful Georgian town overlooking the south coast of Hampshire is well worth a visit.
Stroll along the pretty high street and browse the independent shops and designer boutiques, or find a cute cafe in a quaint courtyard and enjoy the slow pace of life.
At the bottom of the high street is a cobbled road leading you to the Old Town Quay. From here, walk along the water’s edge and see the two large marinas home to fishing boats and yachts.
Walk back inland through the town’s narrow colourful streets with pretty period cottages and houses. Lymington is without a doubt one of the most charming places to visit in the New Forest.
Our Top Tip: craving delicious fish and chips? Head to Deep Blue – you can dine in or take away.
Stroll Through Lyndhurst
The capital and largest village in the New Forest, Lyndhurst, is a charming spot to spend a few hours. It’s also a great base and where I stayed both times I visited.
The high street is home to an array of pretty independent shops selling locally-made souvenirs and crafts, pubs, cafes and restaurants.
Surrounding the village are tons of walking and cycling trails where you’ll no doubt stumble upon friendly ponies.
Some of the best places to eat and drink in Lyndhurst are the cosy Waterloo Arms, which serves hearty pub classics and local drinks, Renoufs, an award-winning cheese and wine bar and Chiang Mai Thai, an authentic and delicious Thai restaurant.
Our Top Tip: book a table at Renoufs in advance as it’s very popular and quite small.
Visit the Knightwood Oak; best things to do in the New Forest
At over 500 years old, the Knightwood Oak is the ‘Queen of the Forest’ and one of the most popular New Forest attractions. It’s believed to be the largest oak tree in the New Forest and has a girth of just over seven metres!
The Knightwood Oak differs from other oaks in the national park as it’s a pollarded oak. This method of tree management cuts the tree a couple of metres above ground level, which promotes outward growth of fresh branches rather than the single main trunk continuing upwards. This forced growth of new branches greatly increases the yield of timber from the tree.
There are a couple of short walks from the Knightwood Oak Car Park, and on a dry day, it’s one of the best places to visit in the New Forest for a picnic.
Stay in a Country Hotel
To wrap up our list of the best things to do in the New Forest, staying in a country hotel.
Surrounded by gorgeous countryside, you’ll find all kinds of accommodation. From rustic shepherd huts and cosy cottages to boutique hotels and luxury lodges, there’s something for every taste and budget.
Choose a secluded spot completely immersed in the sounds of nature, or stay in or close to a town so you can walk out in the evenings.
Most hotels in the New Forest have at least a swimming pool, and some have saunas and other spa facilities; perfect to wind down after a day out walking and before you have dinner.
Generally, hotels are dog-friendly, just make sure to let the hotel know when you book, as there may be specific dog-friendly rooms.
That wraps up our list of the best things to do in the New Forest. Continue on for everything else you need to know.
Everything You Need to Know to Visit the New Forest
Where is the New Forest?
The New Forest is in Southern England and covers southwest Hampshire and southeast Wiltshire. To the west is Bournemouth, and to the east are Southampton and Portsmouth.
Getting to the New Forest
Getting to the New Forest is relatively easy. By car, leave the M27 onto the A31, where several roads will lead you into the forest, including Stoney Cross and Picket Post.
If you’re coming from the east, Cadnam is the biggest gateway, and from the west, Ringwood.
By train, there are several stations you can arrive at directly from London Waterloo in around an hour and a half. Ashurst (New Forest), Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst and Sway. At Brockenhurst, you can jump on a train to Lymington.
Getting around the New Forest
The easiest way to get around the New Forest is by car, as this gives you the most freedom and flexibility. Car parks are located at the majority of the New Forest attractions and most of the trailheads.
If driving isn’t an option, during the summer you can use the New Forest Tour Bus. This open-top hop-on-hop-off bus has 3 routes, and you can come and go as you please. There’s also a commentary on stories about the people and places of the New Forest.
Another popular way to get around the New Forest is on a bike. Either bring your own or rent from one of the numerous hire shops and explore the forest’s beauty on one of the cycling trails.
Where to stay in the New Forest
Deciding where to stay in the New Forest depends on what experience you’re looking for and if you want to get out and about without having to drive.
In terms of overall location, as the forest isn’t huge like other national parks such as the Peak District or Lake District, anywhere is a good base without needing to ever drive far.
If you want to walk out in the evenings, we’d recommend Lyndhurst. It’s centrally located in the park and has a good choice of pubs, restaurants, cafes and bars.
The Forest Lodge Hotel is a charming, historical and cosy base for a few days to see the top things to do in the New Forest. It’s a 5-minute walk to the centre of Lyndhurst, overlooks a field of ponies and is surrounded by countryside and walks in every direction.
The included breakfast is delicious and really sets you up for the day, and the indoor pool is perfect after a day of exploring.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to stay on the coast and be within easy reach of shops, bars and restaurants, Lymington is a great choice.
The best time of year to visit the New Forest
The New Forest can be visited all year round, and each season will offer a completely different experience.
Visit during spring and watch the forest come back to life with bluebells, snowdrops, daffodils and newlyborn pony foals (just be mindful of the protective mothers, so keep your distance).
The warmest time to visit the New Forest is during the summer, and you’re more likely to have dry weather (although this is the UK, so it’s always unpredictable). You will, however, have the crowds to compete with for the popular spots such as the Tall Trees.
Autumn will bring with it a wealth of golden leaves, purple heather and intriguing fungi, all adding to the already incredibly varied landscapes.
In Winter, you’ll have the trails largely to yourself with a smattering of other visitors, and you won’t struggle to find good photo opportunities at the most popular New Forest attractions.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to the best things to do in the New Forest. If you have any questions, feel free to drop us a message or leave a comment.
Oh and make sure you’re following us on Instagram to stay up to date with us in real time 🙂
