With the school summer holidays in full swing, there’s plenty going on across the New Forest this month. Whether you are planning on visiting with children or not, make the most of the sunny days and take advantage of those balmy summer evenings.
Take a look at some of the highlights this month…
Taste the New Forest
Calling all foodies, be sure to try out the different flavours of the New Forest this month. Whether it’s in the form of a cheeky homemade sweet treat, a glass of sparkling New Forest fizz or some locally reared meats from one of our farm shops.
Image - New Forest Food Festival
You can sample all kinds of food and drink delights at the first ever New Forest Food Festival. Taking place on 5-6 August at Hinton Admiral Events Field, you can expect cookery demonstrations, food pop-ups, an artisan market, live music and much more. For children, there’s circus skill workshops, free family activities, face painting and more. Camping is also available across the weekend.
Plan a visit to Beaulieu
Take a trip to Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum to discover the new Motopia exhibition. This major exhibition looks at future visions of the motor car from the past, ideas that have become reality, and future visions still to be realised.
Image - National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
Love your classic VWs? Whether it’s campervans or Beetles you are into, the Simply VW car meet on Sunday 13 August will showcase some stunning vehicles. You are welcome to bring your own VW or just walk around admiring those that are on show.
Throughout August, in the grounds and gardens surrounding Beaulieu’s Palace House the Sculpture at Beaulieu exhibition will also be running. The return of this exhibition will see over 50 renowned sculptors, including Nicolas Moreton, Jill Berelowitz, Jonty Hurwitz, Gary Boulton and Michael Turner showcasing their works.
Image - Sculpture at Beaulieu
Fun for all the family
You’ll find plenty to do with children this month. You’ve got some great family days out including Paultons Park, Home of Peppa Pig World, taking to the high ropes or waters at our outdoor activity centres and opportunities to step back into some of our history on an explore of Hurst Castle.
Image - Hurst Castle
Take a trip to Sunnyfields Farm for their amazing Summer Time event! Jump onboard the tractor and trailer and enjoy a ride to the willow maze, where you can solve the riddles and find the hidden sunflowers! Taking place every day from 5-28 August.
Image - Sunnyfields Farm
A great option for those not-so-sunny days is a trip to the St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery in Lymington for their Pirates! Facts and Fiction exhibition. This exciting family-friendly exhibition takes you on a journey through pirate history, film and literature. A family ticket is £12 (two adults and up to four children) and includes entry into the interactive museum with salt making, boat building and smugglers.
See the New Forest by boat
Sailing from maritime village, Bucklers Hard, catch the Lazy Dayz for a 2.5-hour cruise along the Beaulieu River with Wild New Forest. This low-tide cruise will enable us to watch a great variety of birds and other wildlife from the unique viewpoint of the river, while operating at a safe and responsible distance to ensure there is no disturbance. The trip is suitable for children aged 5 and over.
Image - Wild New Forest
Departing from Southampton docks, the Steamship Sheildhall will be running a variety of special cruises around the August bank holiday weekend. Choose from a music cruise with RU40 (26 August) or a cruise to the Solent with the Southampton Salty Sea Dogs (27 August).
Join us for the Ellingham Show
If you love the New Forest Show then you’ll be sure to love the Ellingham Show too! On Saturday 12 August, Somerley Park, near Ringwood will be transformed for this agricultural show. Think animal shows, a heavy horse display, vintage cars and machinery, rural demonstrations and lots more.
Image - Ellingham Show
Explore the New Forest on a cycling and yoga combo
Fancy trying something a little different this month? On both 5 and 12 August, New Forest Cycling Tours and Reroot Yoga will be offering Cycle-Yin sessions.
Start your day off with a gentle ride from Bramshaw village taking you on quiet lanes in the National Park before finishing your morning off with a relaxing yin yoga session finished off with a cup of fresh herbal tea.
Make the most of the summer by booking a camping trip
Understandably, the summer makes one of the best times of year to go camping. We’ve plenty of places to choose from so whether you fancy staying right in the heart of the National Park with basic amenities or like having the comforts of added extras such as bars and fire pits. Explore our different camping options today.
Image - Camping New Forest
If you love all the fun of camping but like the comforts of home then why not consider a glamping break instead? Choose from luxurious safari tents, cute shepherds huts or cosy glamping pods.
We hope to see you soon
As always, this is just a taster of what you can see and do here in the New Forest. Take a look at our events listings to see what else is on during your planned visit. Find other family days out and take a look at our accommodation pages for options to suit all needs and budgets.