We are just a few weeks away from Easter now! It’s time to start planning your time away for the long weekend. Whether you are travelling as a couple, on your own, or perhaps with a family group, there are lots of ideas to entertain all ages.

Across the Easter weekend, you will find plenty to see and do here. Here are some of the highlights you can enjoy…


Image - New Forest Activities

Outdoor adventures – capture those New Forest memories

We are all about the great outdoors here, whether it’s walking, cycling or even a high-adrenalin adventure.

Families will love the Easter fun being run by New Forest Activities, including the popular Canoe Easter Egg Hunt on the Beaulieu river, or, if you prefer to be land-based, then there’s the Easter Archery Tournament, for your chance to win a new kind of bullseye – an Easter Egg!


Image - Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Centre

Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Centre is teeming with ideas for entertaining the family over the Easter weekend and burning off some of that energy. On Easter Sunday, join in with the Avon Tyrrell Easter Activity Trail. Activities will include pioneering, archery, climbing, face painting and much more. The trail is suitable for ages 5+ and costs £8 per child, with parents going free. The Centre will also be running ‘Be Outdoors Days’ for 8-12 year olds, ‘Go Adventure Activities’ and a Tree Top Trail on various days and times across the Easter holidays, visit the Centre’s website for full details.

Fancy seeing the New Forest from the water? Why not book a stand-up paddleboard session with The New Forest Paddle Sport Company? A taster session is just £25 -perfect for families. Or, for more seasoned paddleboarders, there’s the Kayak & SUP Hurst Castle Experiences (£60pp) and private lessons. Pre-booking for all sessions is essential.


Image - Heather Buckley

This time of the year is perfect for outdoor activities why not embark on one of our walking routes to see some of the new arrivals in the forest? If you are lucky, you may get to spot New Forest Pony foals and other newly born animals, although please keep your distance from them. Find out more about other spring wildlife you can see this time of year.

Days out across the Easter weekend

Looking for some inspiration on some days out? Why not plan a visit to Hurst Castle? Take a leisurely ferry ride from Keyhaven to discover this artillery fortress built by Henry VIII.  With the ‘Step Challenge’ plus Easter arts and crafts, there’s plenty for children to do and explore – it makes a great day out for the whole family.


Image - National Motor Museum

Families will also love the ever-popular Paultons Park, Home of Peppa Pig World and the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu and all of their eggs-cellent Easter celebrations. Close by to the New Forest, you’ll find family favourites including Moors Valley Country Park and Marwell Zoo. Marwell will also be running BRICKOSAURS! Evolution showcasing over 20 dinosaur species made using more than 2 million toy bricks. Also happening across the Easter weekend, is Easter Fun at the Farm at Longdown Activity Farm, featuring the Longdown Golden Egg Hunt.

For something a bit more sedate, head to Exbury Gardens, for tranquil walks through the spring flowers or Furzey Gardens, which is celebrating its centenary year this year.

Find lots more cracking Easter events taking place in the New Forest over the long weekend on our website.


Image - New Forest Shortbread

Sample our glorious food

Sample some of our local fare this Easter weekend. For something sweet, pop along to Burley Fudge Shop for some seasonal flavours of fudge or order some New Forest Shortbread (there’s even a special offer: two boxes of 8 pieces Chocolate New Forest Shortbread for £12 using discount code 'EASTER' from 1-30 April 2022).

Many of our pubs and restaurants will be opening their doors for special menus for Easter Sunday, take a look and book up early to avoid disappointment. Plus, of course, you can enjoy lunchtime meals or evenings out across the weekend at them too.

Another New Forest highlight is a visit to one of our tea rooms. Feast on homemade scones and relax with a brew after a busy morning’s exploring. You can even hire a bike and cycle to some of our tea rooms – a great way to counter the indulgence of all that cake!

Book your last-minute Easter escape

If you haven’t booked your accommodation yet, now’s the time to get planning as this is a very popular time of year.

If you fancy a Bed & Breakfast break, then family-run The Shimmerings has some last-minute availability, as does Rudder's of Lymington. Or, if a hotel’s more your thing then look out for Cottage Lodge Hotel in Brockenhurst.

Take a look at all of our places to stay or check our availability calendar for any last-minute breaks.

Wishing you all a wonderful Easter weekend here in the New Forest!