The New Forest boasts all kinds of adventures, many of which don’t cost a thing to enjoy, ideal if you’re seeking low-cost day trips or just need a break away from it all.
Here are some of our favourite things to enjoy as a family that don’t require admission costs, just a willingness to get out there and explore!
Explore the Forest
First and foremost on your list of activities should be to explore the abundant forest trails and enchanting woodland tracks. There are some wonderful accessible and family-friendly routes throughout the New Forest, ideal for encouraging curious minds to engage in the natural world and get some fresh air in those lungs without being too strenuous.
Popular family trails include the Blackwater Tall Trees Trail, Rufus Stone Trail, Hockey’s Farm Loop, Knightwood Oak Stroll, Rhinefield Ornamental Drive and the Reptile Centre Discovery Trail. The Reptile Centre is also a free seasonal attraction where you can see a range of native snakes, lizards and frogs.
The New Forest trails provide ample opportunities to get creative in the outdoors, with all sorts of things to see and learn about. Jump streams, collect interesting fallen leaves and think up stories about all the mysterious creatures that call the forest home! If you’re visiting in spring, be sure to check out our guide on where to see bluebells in the New Forest.
Go For a Bike Ride
If you’ve brought bikes along on your New Forest break or are keen to hire them for a day, there are plenty of fabulous cycle trails to explore too. Many of the cycle routes are primarily off-road and way-marked, providing safe, stress-free trails where you and the kids can enjoy the serenity of the New Forest while staying active.
Great family routes include the Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst Loop, Beaulieu to Buckler’s Hard Cycle Trail and the Old Railway Cycle Route along Castleman’s Corkscrew, to name just a few.
Seek Out Rope Swings
With all those tall trees, the New Forest is no stranger to a rope swing. Hidden away among woodland trails, it’s always exciting when you come across a secret swing just waiting to be launched.
For a walk with a chance to soar along the way, check out our New Forest rope swing guide. Although remember, rope swings have a habit of disappearing and reappearing all over the place, so don’t be too disappointed if your chosen walk no longer has a swing stop – just keep an eye out; searching for one is all part of the fun!
Look Out For Wildlife
Another one of the New Forest’s major draws is the sheer abundance of wildlife that calls the forest its home, including the free-roaming animals you’ll see throughout the towns and countryside.
Embark on wildlife trails and stay on the lookout for everything from bugs and birds to pigs, deer and ponies. It’s always exciting when you come across the forest’s most famous residents, the ponies, and there are plenty of places where they’re especially fond of roaming. To learn more about them and some of the best places to spot them, please see our guide to New Forest ponies.
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary offers a lovely family day out, combining tranquil woodland walks, a chance to see free-roaming deer at the viewing platform and a recreation area for outdoor games like rounders or football.
The trails around Bolderwood are wheelchair and pushchair-friendly, providing a lovely, relaxed adventure the whole family can enjoy. Dogs are also welcome on the trails.
Enjoy a Picnic
While you might have to buy some tasty supplies and local New Forest delicacies, a picnic is another wonderful low-cost adventure. With almost endless places to set up, you have your pick of picturesque picnic backdrops – whether you fancy lazing below a canopy of trees or settling in by the seaside.
Pack a hamper or backpack of your favourite sandwiches, fruit and cakes for the ultimate al-fresco dining experience. See our recommendations for the best picnic spots in the New Forest to make the most of your day out.
Visit the New Forest Beaches
The New Forest isn’t all forest; in fact, with a 40-mile coastline and various beaches, it’s great for seaside adventures as well. Grab your swimming costumes, body boards and sandcastle-making essentials before heading to the nearest coastal spot. The New Forest’s beaches are quite diverse, offering plenty to do and see on a day trip.
The best beaches to visit include Calshot Beach, Lepe Beach, Hurst Spit, Milford-on-Sea Beach and Barton-on-Sea Beach. Strolling along the beaches here offers panoramic views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight, not to mention giving you the chance to enjoy a range of watersports.
Fossil Hunting at Barton-on-Sea
For a unique seaside activity, why not try your hand at fossil hunting? Barton-on-Sea is renowned for its exposed cliff environment and Barton Clay Formation, providing a great opportunity for a prehistoric treasure hunt.
Keep your eyes peeled for gastropod shells and shark teeth along this stretch of coast. Head to the foreshore for the best chance of finding shark teeth.
Walk to Hurst Castle
Hurst Castle is a Tudor artillery fortress located at the end of Hurst Spit off from Milford-on-Sea. To access it, you must either get the ferry or walk the 1.5 miles to the end of the spit.
This easy but rewarding walk offers some great views across the Solent, towards the Needles and Keyhaven Marshes on the other side. The grounds surrounding the castle are great for a picnic, allowing you to admire the historic structure and its unbeatable views. There is a small ticket fee to gain entrance to the castle itself.
Lepe Country Park
Aside from a parking charge, Lepe Country Park is free to enter, and there’s plenty here to keep you busy for the day. Head to the beach for a stroll along the sand and shingle shore, or take things slow and watch the boats coming and going.
The Lepe Loop walk is ideal for families – just follow the 2-3 hour circular route to enjoy a leisurely afternoon out in nature. The Sensory Cottage Garden is also loads of fun, with a riot of colours, sounds and smells to explore. And if that’s not quite enough, there are several play areas so the kids can burn off even more steam!
New Forest Heritage Centre
The museum here has free entry and provides an intriguing, educational day out, perfectly setting the scene for your New Forest visit. The Heritage Centre is great for learning all about local history. With a museum packed full of interactive displays and local stories and an ever-changing roster of events and exhibitions, there’s always something interesting to see.
There are so many exciting ways to make the most of your trip to the New Forest, with all the best family days out having the added bonus of being free!
If you’ve yet to book your next family break, see our handpicked selection of holiday homes in the New Forest, including plenty of options for larger groups to accommodate the whole family and then some.
Need even more activities to keep the kids busy? Check out our ultimate guide to New Forest attractions.
