As late spring paints the New Forest with fresh greens and blooms, the Spring bank holiday weekend (Saturday 24 – Monday 26 May 2025) invites you to step outside, explore, and make memories. Whether you’re chasing folklore adventures, live music, colourful markets, or peaceful walks, there's something for everyone.
Here’s your guide to the best ways to spend the long weekend in the New Forest…
Simply VW – Beaulieu
Sunday 25 May 2025
Volkswagen fans unite! Head to Beaulieu’s Simply VW rally, where VW classics and modern marvels alike take centre stage. Expect rows of Beetles, campers and Golfs gleaming in the spring sunshine. Enjoy exploring the museum and gardens, then vote for your favourite in the People’s Choice Awards.
Image - National Motor Museum Beaulieu
Lymington Charter Market
Saturday 24 May 2025
Spend a morning exploring one of the south coast’s best-loved markets. Running down the High Street, Lymington Charter Market is packed with local produce, handmade crafts, gifts, clothing and treats. Pick up goodies for a picnic, or simply browse and soak up the lively atmosphere.
Bultaco Owners Club Meet – Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum
Saturday 24 May 2025
Admire classic Spanish motorcycles at the Bultaco Owners Club Meet. Hosted at the famous Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum, this gathering celebrates these iconic bikes, offering a wonderful chance to meet enthusiasts and explore the museum’s impressive collections.
Honda Goldwing Gathering – Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum
Sunday 25 May 2025
The iconic Honda Goldwings roll into Sammy Miller’s on Sunday. With their gleaming chrome and touring pedigree, these bikes are a sight to behold. It’s a relaxed meet-up for riders and admirers alike, with reduced museum entry for participants.
New Forest Folklore: Fairies, Witches & Dragons Trail – Beaulieu
Step into a world of myths and magic at Beaulieu’s New Forest Folklore Trail. Wander along the Mill Pond Walk and meet enchanting sculptures of fairies, dragons and witches. With interactive displays, a family trail and storytelling, this experience captures the ancient spirit of the Forest. Don’t miss falconry demonstrations on Palace House lawns and the fascinating new exhibition, Icons of Formula 1, inside the National Motor Museum.
Four Seasons Exhibition – Exbury Gardens
Celebrate the beauty of the Forest’s changing seasons through the eyes of talented local artists. This beautiful exhibition at the Exbury Gardens captures the textures, colours and spirit of the landscape across spring, summer, autumn and winter. Entry is free, donations are welcomed.
Family Fun and Farmyard Friends
Get up close to friendly animals this weekend with a visit to Longdown Activity Farm or the New Forest Wildlife Park. Bottle-feed calves, meet mischievous goats or stroll through natural woodland to spot deer and otters. Both sites offer accessible paths, hands-on activities, and plenty of open space for children to run, play, and discover.
And if you just want to soak up the Forest…
The New Forest's ancient woodlands, open heaths and hidden beaches are bursting with life at this time of year. From bluebell woods to foals taking their first steps, it's a season of beauty and new beginnings.
Explore by:
- Walking one of our accessible forest trails
- Hiring bikes for a peaceful cycle ride
- Packing a local farm shop picnic and finding a sun-dappled clearin
Plan Your Stay
Bank Holiday weekends are busy in the Forest, and places to stay can fill up fast. From country house hotels to cosy cottages and glamping pods tucked away in the woods, book ahead to find your perfect Forest base.
Ready to start planning? Find more events and book your stay at thenewforest.co.uk.
