Feel the warmth on your skin as you step into summertime in the New Forest. Take a walk through our beckoning woodlands, create fun times and memories together on our coast and make the most of what July has to offer.
It’s festival and shows season!
With the weather set to (hopefully!) play ball, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and about soaking up the atmosphere in the New Forest.
Arguably one of the biggest events in the New Forest’s calendar is the annual New Forest & Hampshire County Show. This year, the show is being held from 29-31 July. Expect arena displays, food and drink, local artisans and much more. Booking is now open offering early bird rates.
Anyone with a penchant for seafood should mark the 11-13 July in their diaries as the Lymington Seafood Festival is set to return. With delicious seafoods, craft ales, award-winning bubbles, chef demonstrations and live music to add into the mix.
You’ll also find some other festivals happening in July including the Martin Music Festival (4-5 July) and the New Forest Beer Festival (5 July).
Discover our beautiful nature
July is the perfect time to spot some of the amazing wildlife that the New Forest is lucky enough to call home. Learn all about the world of dragonflies during Dragonfly Week at Exbury Gardens (7-13 July), including some free-to-attend talks.
Discover the fascinating world of the New Forest’s reptiles at the New Forest Reptile Centre. Open during the summer holidays, plan a visit here to learn more about our native species and what’s being done to protect them.
Or, simply don your walking boots and embark on a nature walk and see what you will be fortunate enough to spot this summer.
If you are lucky, you may also catch the start of the heather bloom on our heathlands. A spectacular sight, usually starting at the end of July and peaking in August, with bright hues of purple and lilac – be sure to pack your camera on your visit!
Enjoy our waters
From high adrenalin watersports to river cruises, there are plenty of ways to get out on the water in and around the New Forest this July. Relax on a luxurious sailing out onto the Solent with Escape Yachting, paddle along the Beaulieu river in kayak or canoe with New Forest Activities or navigate your way across the giant inflatable obstacle course at the New Forest Water Park.
If you are looking for the more sedate, book onto a sunset river cruise from Buckler’s Hard (7 and 19 July) – you may even get to see some of the river’s resident seals.
Kick off the summer holidays in style
With Hampshire’s school holidays starting on 23 July, you can expect a jam-packed schedule of things to do and opportunities for children here in the New Forest this July.
Check out the fast and exhilarating rides at Paultons Park, including their latest ride, Ghostly Manor. For littler visitors, Peppa Pig’s new baby sister, baby Evie, will be making an appearance at Peppa Pig World on selected days across the summer holidays.
Jurassic Furzey will be continuing at Furzey Gardens - this thrilling trail will bring dinosaurs to life throughout the gardens, sparking imaginations and creating a prehistoric paradise for visitors of all ages.
Book onto a family fun walk with Wild New Forest to learn about some of the fascinating wildlife and history the New Forest has to offer. With activity sheets available, these walks run on 23 and 26 July.
For a lower cost idea for a day out, why not plan a picnic? Choose your perfect spot or check out our top places for a New Forest picnic for our suggestions.
Find out more about what’s going on over the school summer holidays.
Discover Beaulieu in a different light
Beaulieu will be holding a number of events throughout July including a history re-enactment weekend, A Royal Hunt, 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, plus a live drum jam featuring music from the Civil War.
Added to this, there will be some of the Simply car meets taking place during the month with the Swedish Takeover (5 July), Simply Land Rover (6 July), the ever-popular Simply Aston Martin (19 July) and Simply Japanese (20 July).
Plan your July escape
Whether you are here for a day trip or are planning a longer stay, delve into our website to find accommodation, suggestions for things to do, walking routes and much more.