Bringing with it swathes of spring flowers and some super gorgeous new arrivals – mainly in the form of New Forest Pony foals, April is a beautiful time of year to visit the New Forest.
Catch the end of the Easter weekend with 1st April falling on Easter Monday this year. There’s plenty going on across the Easter weekend, take a look at our Easter blog for more details.
The early part of April sees the school Easter holidays continue and as such, you’ll find plenty to do for younger visitors. Follow some Easter trails at local attractions or try your hand at something a little different such as Easter-themed archery, canoeing or axe-throwing.
Image - Marwell Zoo
Plan a visit to our gardens
With spring flowers in full bloom, April is a perfect time to visit our gardens. Take a trip to Exbury Gardens, Beaulieu and Furzey Gardens for some amazing displays of daffodils, camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias and perhaps even, the first emergences of bluebells later in the month.
Image - Exbury Gardens
Join in with some fantastic New Forest activities
Make the most of the longer days by exploring our great outdoors!
Whether you fancy going on a New Forest walk or trying something a little different, there are lots of outdoor activities to get involved with from local activity centres, including New Forest Activities, Insight Activities and Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Centre.
Image - New Forest Activities
Several of our outdoor activity companies will be running guided tours of the New Forest during April…
Fancy giving cycling a go? Join New Forest Cycling Tours for the Old Railway Line Tour on 6th April.
If you are interested in learning more about some of the birdlife here in the New Forest, then book onto a spring Bird Song walk with Wild New Forest on 7th April or one of their other New Forest Discover Tours (various dates throughout the month), see their webpage for all events.
Don’t let any April showers stop you
So, we all know that April showers may be on the cards. But don’t let that stop you visiting. There’s still plenty to do in the New Forest when it rains.
Why not pop into the St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery in Lymington and check out their fascinating displays about the local history of Lymington? Also running during April is their annual St Barbe Open, a celebration of the incredible array of artistic talent found in Hampshire, Dorset and beyond. This exhibition runs daily until 11th May.
Other rainy day ideas include trips to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, exploring the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst or trying some of the indoor activities on offer at Calshot Activities Centre.
Image - National Motor Museum Beaulieu
There are also several concerts taking place in April including Young Elton – The Tribute Show at Hanger Farm Arts Centre (6th April). See our what’s on listings for other concerts and events.
Or, for something different on a Sunday afternoon, enjoy being serenaded over Sunday Lunch at Balmer Lawn Hotel. They have special guests playing music during their Sunday dinner service throughout April, including Liam White, Graeme Budd and Mark Busell.
Image - Balmer Lawn Hotel
Enjoy some live music on camping break
Back of Beyond Touring and Glamping Park, near Ringwood, will see the return of two popular local bands on two dates in April. The Blue Tides will be performing on Saturday 13th April and Otis Jay Blues Band on Saturday 27th April. Both performances will be for guests staying at this exclusively-for-adults campsite. Both nights still have a limited amount pitches and glamping units available.
Plan your visit this April
Enjoy an extended break to the New Forest this spring by choosing from our wide-range of places to stay. Whether you prefer the luxuries of a five-star hotel or the cosiness of some glamping, you will find plenty to choose from on our website.
Look out for any last-minute offers on late availability or spring breaks.
Plus, don’t forget to keep an eye on our events listings for more information on what’s on this April.