This summer, why not explore the New Forest in a different way? Whether you fancy zipping through the skyline on a high ropes course or taking to the water for a different perspective of our coastline, there are lots of adventures and opportunities to be had here.

Make the most of the longer days by planning your summer adventures and if you are not sure where to start, let us highlight just some of the fantastic activities and adventures you can enjoy here…

New Forest Activity Centres

Take the pressure of organising your days out by booking onto some sessions at one of our activity centres.

At Calshot Activity Centre, try out a variety of water activities including windsurfing, kiteboarding and powerboating or on those summer shower days you can try your hand at ‘The Wall’ – the centre’s indoor climbing wall or practice your snow sports on the indoor slope. Keen cyclists among you will also love the velodrome. Test your skills on the track with adult or junior lessons.

CalshotImage - Calshot Activity Centre

Across the summer holidays, look out for Go Adventure days out at the Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Centre. These 90-minute sessions give both adults and children the opportunity to try out a variety of different activities including kayaking, bushcraft and high ropes. The centre also has its own camping and lodges so you can make a short break of it.

New Forest Activities runs various activities in different locations across our National Park. Book onto a guided paddle along the Beaulieu River, test your aim on the archery range or play a game of Battlezone laser tag with friends and family, a bruise and mess-free alternative to paintballing!

New Forest ActivitiesImage - New Forest Activities

Give axe throwing, archery and crossbow shooting a try on the New Forest Medieval Trio sessions or bushcraft workshops run by Insight Activities. With archery suitable for ages 6+ and other activities for children over 12, see how good your aim is. Activities can also be run for hen and stag dos and corporate events.

With activities for children as young as 4, Foxlease Activity Centre puts on different activities including tunnelling, raft building, circus skills and geocaching. For school age children, there are also the ‘Schoolz Out Holiday Camps’ run through the main school holidays.

Foxlease Activity CentreImage  - Foxlease Activity Centre

Take to the water

A great way to see the New Forest from a different angle is via the water. Book onto a beginner’s SUP session with The New Forest Paddle Sport Company and you’ll get the chance to paddle around Keyhaven, where you’ll be overlooked by the imposing Hurst Castle and the surrounding harbour.

Test your abilities to walk on water as you navigate your way on the inflatable obstacle course at New Forest Water Park, near Ringwood. Here, you can also book wakeboarding sessions or practice stand up paddleboarding.

Summer adventure blogImage - New Forest Water Park

Get right out onto the Solent with Escape Yachting. Charter the yacht for yourselves or opt for a shared sail with lunch or dinner for some extraordinary times out on the water.

Cycling adventures

Use two wheels to while your time here in the New Forest. Bring your own bikes and plan your cycling routes from one of our selection or hire bikes from one of our cycle hire shops in Brockenhurst, Burley or Lyndhurst.

CyclingIf you’d rather take the pressure off from navigating, then why not book a place on one of the guided cycle tours on offer? Choose from quirky e-bike tours with Jaunt-e Bikes which include a vineyards tour or pick from a range of guided cycle rides for different abilities with New Forest Cycling Tours.

Walking in the New Forest

Of course, one of the best activities you can do here in the New Forest is walking! We have an abundance of paths and walking routes ready to be explored. Take your pick from short buggy-friendly strolls to long-distance walking routes. Take a wander through the woods, pack a picnic for a walk across the heathland or follow some of the Solent Way as it meanders along our coastline.

walkingThere are also options to join guided walking tours. Wild New Forest run a variety of guided nature walks featuring different areas of the National Park for a great chance to spot some of the New Forest’s wildlife. Or, for something a little different, why not sign up for a Brockenhurst Donkey Walks and take some of the centre’s friendly donkeys out for a New Forest ramble?

Make the most of your adventures

For a great motoring-themed adventure, don’t miss the Beaulieu Supercar Weekend on 5th and 6th August, with the chance to see hundreds of awesome supercars up close. With exciting demonstration runs, the sound-offs, amazing displays and even The Stig from BBC’s Top Gear joining the show, it’s an event you won’t want to miss.

If you have several activities that you would like to do, then you may wish to consider staying in the New Forest for a short break. Take a look at our accommodation options and plan your break today.

Don’t forget as well that a Go New Forest Card offers discounts across a range of businesses. Buy your card today to save on your activities and other add ons.