With ample green spaces, serene coastal views and delightful countryside jaunts, the New Forest is positively brimming with great places for a picnic.
Whether you’re just packing some quick sandwiches for lunch or are putting together a full basket of treats, these top picnicking spots will set the scene perfectly!
A good picnic isn’t just about the food (although that certainly helps), it’s about location. You want somewhere you can set up with a picnic blanket and immerse yourself in nature, relaxing with a bite to eat and a spectacular view.
Much like our collection of holiday cottages in the New Forest, our favourite picnic spots are dotted all over. So, no matter where you’re visiting, there are plenty of options to serve as a stunning backdrop for your picnic adventures.
Discover woodland glades, coastal lookouts, quaint villages and more.
The little beach at the end of Tanners Lane combines sandy and pebbly shores with salt marshes and gentle waters for a serene spot. Get comfy and enjoy views out to the Isle of Wight while the kids run free and explore all the wonders of the area.
If you turn right upon arriving at the beach and keep walking for 1/4 mile, you’ll find a great, quiet spot for a picnic. If you continue walking for another 1/4 mile, you’ll likely have the place to yourself.
The famous New Forest ponies have been known to visit the area, so keep a lookout and you might see them going for a paddle!
Nearest parking: On-street parking on Tanners Lane, SO41 5SP. Please be considerate when parking here as the lane is tight and residents need access.
A visit to Blackwater Arboretum provides a chance to walk among stunning forests and get back in touch with nature. There are several trails around Blackwater, including the Tall Tree Trail which takes you under giant redwoods, Douglas firs and sequoias.
The picnic spots here are pretty endless – just have a wander and see where the trail takes you! A peaceful afternoon amongst the trees also offers a great opportunity for a bit of forest bathing to help you reset.
Nearest car park: Blackwater car park, SO42 7QB.
The village of Buckler’s Hard allows you to step back in time, offering a glimpse into the area’s 18th-century shipbuilding past. Set along the Beaulieu River, you’re free to enjoy truly picture-perfect scenes as you set down on the lush, lawn-like river bank.
Once you’ve finished your picnic, the historic village and museum are always good for a leisurely potter around. If you want somewhere to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life, this is certainly the spot.
Nearest car park: Bucklers Hard, SO42 7XB. Charges apply.
The Roydon Woods Nature Reserve covers almost 100 acres of woodland, heath and meadows and has a great walk that takes you through the highlights of this historical natural wonderland.
It is particularly famous for its blooms of bluebells, which blanket the forest floor in stunning shades of purple and are a real sight to behold. It’s well worth exploring the woods in May or June as this is when the bluebells come alive.
You’ll also have the chance to spot lots of local wildlife, including deer, woodpeckers, dragonflies and much more. To find out more about the area, check out insider’s guide to Brockenhurst.
Nearest car park: St John the Baptist church, SO41 5PG. (look for the footpath sign at the back of the car park).
To feel that sea breeze on your face, head to Hurst Spit, the 1.5-mile-long shingle bank curving into the Solent, towards the Isle of White. On a good day, you can see for miles, with watery views on either side.
Hurst Castle, one of Henry VIII’s coastal fortresses, sits at the end of the spit and makes for a great day out. You can either get the boat out to the castle or walk the length of the spit to work up an appetite. There is plenty of open space around the castle where you are welcome to enjoy a picnic.
Nearest parking: On-street parking – Saltgrass Lane, SO41 0TQ.
Read our insiders guide to Keyhaven or our guide to a day out at Hurst Castle.
Or a bit more… ! Learn about the chap who looks after the lighthouse and castle.
Wilverley Inclosure offers another opportunity to appreciate our amazing local forest areas and enjoy a picnic completely surrounded by nature. Explore trails that take you through conifers, broadleaves and all sorts of diverse plant life before stopping at one of the many picnic spots.
Nestled among the trees in a shaded glade you’ll find a dedicated picnic area with benches, where you can sit and take in the sights, sounds and smells of the surrounding forest.
If you’re visiting in the summer, you’ll also come across an ice cream van at the end of the trail.
Nearest car park: Wilverley Inclosure Car Park, BH25 5TZ.
If you can’t quite decide on your ideal picnic setting, Lepe Country Park is the place for you. With a shingle beach, wildflower meadows, woods, historic D-Day remains and views out across the Solent, there’s something for everyone.
There are various walks and activities at the park, ensuring the whole family can have a fun-filled day out in the New Forest countryside, before picking your ideal spot, setting up a picnic and watching the world go by.
Nearest car park: Lepe Country Park, Exbury, SO45 1AD. Charges apply.
Exbury Gardens is home to an impressive array of flowers, offering a feast for the senses at every turn. The blend of formal, wildflower, and herbaceous gardens, along with the landscaped woodland ensure you can get lost amidst an unbeatable display of natural beauty.
The gardens are particularly renowned for their collection of rhododendrons and azaleas. We’re also big fans of the magnolias and daffodil lake in spring! As well as the gardens themselves, families will love the steam railway, which takes a meandering route through the Summer Lane Garden and around the Rock Garden and Dragonfly Pond.
There are two dedicated picnic sites, overlooking the Jubilee Pond and the Sakura Cherry Orchard respectively. This allows for a rather magical picnic spot where you can rest up before continuing to explore the gardens.
Nearest car park: Exbury Gardens, Summer Lane, SO45 1AZ. Charges apply.
The oak and beech forests in this area are ancient and magnificent. The tree for which the trail is named is also known as ‘Queen of the Forest’ and is thought to be over 500 years old – it is the largest and most famous oak tree in the New Forest.
There are benches at various points along the trail here. Have a relaxing stroll and marvel at the ancient trees along your journey before sitting amongst them for a tranquil picnic.
Nearest car park: Knightwood Oak car park, SO43 7QB.
Picket Post is a great place to stop on your way into the New Forest, allowing you to get that holiday feeling before you reach your destination. The pit stop here makes for a fantastic car picnic as you can look out across the vast countryside vistas and spectacular sunset views to get a taste of all the natural beauty to come!
Nearest car park: Picket Post, A31, Burley, BH24 3HN.
As always, please remain respectful of the environment and don’t leave any rubbish lying around after your picnic – many of these picnic sites will have nearby bins and other facilities. If you’re lucky enough to encounter the New Forest’s roaming ponies or other animals, don’t try to feed them, just enjoy them from a distance!
Still not booked your trip away? Explore our full collection of New Forest holiday homes to find your perfect escape.
