Make the most of your August Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday 23 August - Monday 25 August 2025 ) in New Forest with a mix of music, heritage, guided walks, gardens, and family fun. Whether you're after live concerts, forest exploration, or quiet time in a garden, there's something to elevate your summer long weekend.
Exbury Festival of Music
Dates: Thursday 21 – Saturday 23 August 2025
Held amid the gorgeous setting of Exbury Gardens, the outdoor Festival of Music brings three nights of unforgettable live tribute performances:
- 21 Aug: 80s Anthems by Moonlight
- 22 Aug: Motown by Moonlight
- 23 Aug: 21st Century Queen
Pack a picnic blanket or low-back chair and settle beneath the trees from 6:30pm, as the music begins at 7:30pm. Enjoy pop classics, soul grooves, and rock anthems - with tickets priced from around £68 for adults and discount options available.
Introduction to the New Forest Walk
Date: Sunday 24 August 2025
Join Wild New Forest at Bartley Lodge for a relaxing morning of discovery. Start with a short presentation over coffee and breakfast bites, then head out on a guided walk through the surrounding woodland to learn more about the wildlife, habitats and stories that shape the New Forest. A great way to connect with nature and learn something new.
Furzey Gardens Fairy Trails
All weekend, 23–25 August
Explore Furzey Gardens under a canopy of blooms and follow a delightful Fairy Trail. Ideal for families - children can listen and watch as nature and folklore come to life. Occasionally, garden staff host mini talks or themed sessions, especially on Bank Holiday Monday.
Longdown Activity Farm days out
All weekend
Located near Ashurst, Longdown Activity Farm invites visitors behind the scenes of a family-run holding. Pick up a hayride, get hands-on with the animals, and enjoy tractor-and-trailer rides - all great fun for children and families.
Wildlife encounters at Marwell Zoo
All weekend
Just a short drive away, Marwell Zoo is a chance to meet meerkats, lions, rhinos, and other wildlife. The spacious 140-acre reserve provides a full day of animal discovery - perfect for families seeking adventure beyond the forest.
Cycle hire and guided cycling
- The Woods Cyclery Stylish bike shop in Lyndhurst offering expert advice, quality gear, repairs, and gravel, road and adventure bike hire.
- Cyclexperience Bike Hire offers a free-roam cycle hire in Brockenhurst - perfect for family rides around heath, forest, and villages.
- New Forest Cycling Hire bikes for all ages and abilities in Burley, with easy access to scenic New Forest trails and family-friendly routes.
- Jaunt-e Bikes Explore the New Forest in style with guided e-bike tours and self-hire, including wine safaris and picnic experiences.
Bank Holiday weekend tips
- Plan ahead: Book tickets before visiting.
- Food & drink: Bring picnic blankets, or enjoy New Forest’s pubs, cafés and food stalls throughout the weekend.
- Getting around: A car is helpful for hopping between events - public transport covers Lyndhurst, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Ashurst, New Milton, Sway and Lymington. Or hop on the New Forest Tour, with three routes around the forest.
- Be forest-friendly: Keep dogs on leads, take your litter home, and follow the New Forest Code.
This August bank holiday, let New Forest show you its best, from enchanting gardens and live music under the trees, to family adventures and the magic of nature.
Discover more events and plan your weekend!
