With 2025 just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking ahead to 2025 adventures in the New Forest. Whether you’ve been several times before or don’t know the New Forest very well, we’ve plenty to inspire you for new or return visits next year.
New things happening in the New Forest in 2025
There are some exciting new things coming to the New Forest in 2025 including the launch of a new indoor ride at Paultons Park. Set to open in May 2025, this ride will add to the thrilling collection of rollercoasters and other family fun occurring at this ever-popular theme park.
Image - Paultons Park
Beaulieu has already released a packed 2025 event schedule. Familiar events to add to the mix include the ‘Simply’ car meet events – Aston Martin, Ford, Italian, you name it. And, new for 2025, will be ‘A Royal Hunt: History re-enactment weekend’ on 12-13 July. This two-day event will feature live re-enactments including military displays with firing muskets and cannon fire, officers dining and the feeding of the troops and civilians. Added to this, there’ll be a live drum jam featuring music from the Civil War.
Celebrating her 70th birthday, Steamship Shieldhall will be holding a number of celebratory events and cruises along the Solent and beyond. With most of their cruises departing from Southampton Water, take in the views of the New Forest’s coastline (depending on event, please check their website for details).
Image - Steamship Sheildhall
Award-winning camping, touring and glamping park, Back of Beyond, will be adding to its number of fully-serviced pitches for 2025. What’s more, any guests staying with dogs will love being able to test their dog’s skills out on their new dog adventure park (opening summer 2025).
Big events for 2025
2025 will see the return of some of the New Forest’s big events. Grab your diary and add the following dates to it:
Dogstival, 31 May-1 June 2025
Lymington Seafood Festival, 11-13 July 2025
New Forest & Hampshire County Show, 29-31 July 2025
New Forest Food Festival, 16-17 August 2025
Be sure to take a look at our events listings for more details of what’s on over the coming year. Events are added regularly.
Image - Dogstival
Experience something new in 2025
Why not make your New Year’s resolution to try some new things in 2025? We’ve got some great experiences here in the New Forest, perfect for adding to your skill set or simply for creating memories.
If you love animals, then be sure to book onto one of the keeper experiences at New Forest Wildlife Park in 2025. Participants can choose from two different types of animal for their experience; otters, deer and bison, hedgehogs, ferrets and polecats, wallabies and pine martins.
Image - New Forest Wildlife Park
Try some new outdoor pursuits such as archery with Insight Activities, kayaking along the Beaulieu River or high ropes with New Forest Activities or navigating inflatables at the New Forest Water Park.
Make 2025 the year to try a different New Forest walking route. Think you know the forest well? Take a look at our interactive walking routes to pick one that’s not so familiar to you. Alternatively, look out for regular guided walks being run by Wild New Forest or as part of the annual New Forest Walking Festival (late October-early November).
Image - Insight Activities
Sample some New Forest fare
Be tempted by some of the amazing New Forest fare on offer. Whether you book a meal at a traditional New Forest pub, go high-end at an award-winning restaurant or fancy a bite to eat at one of our cosy tea rooms. Look out for the New Forest Marque sign, which champions local producers and businesses that pride themselves on serving food and drink produced in the New Forest.
Think you know all that the New Forest offers?
Come along and find out all that there is to see and do. Discover Hurst Castle, which oozes in history from the days of King Henry VIII to WW2, search for hidden fairy doors at Furzey Gardens, explore the coastline at Lepe Country Park and step back in time in the maritime village of Buckler’s Hard.
Find places to visit across the New Forest whatever the weather and see if you can experience some new places for 2025.
Plan your 2025 stay
What better way of exploring all that the New Forest has to offer is there than by booking an overnight stay.
Whatever the season, you will find plenty of adventures to be had. From the beautiful scenes and newly born New Forest Pony foals in the spring to crisp, autumnal days later in the year.
Discover a variety of places to stay, including coastal retreats, woodland hideaways and hotels and apartments right in the heart of our towns and villages. Our accommodation ranges from low-cost places to stay, including New Forest campsites through to luxurious five-star spa hotels.
Image - New Park Manor
If you fancy restoring some inner peace in 2025, look out for the wellness retreats that will be run by Burley Manor in April and the wellness retreats and festival happening at Careys Manor Hotel (details to be announced in 2025). New Park Manor Hotel is also an ideal place to stay for a spa break.
Browse our places to stay pages for more inspiration.
Don’t forget to share your adventures with us, tag us at @thenewforestuk for our Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!