Easter in the New Forest

There’s no better place to be at Easter than in the New Forest. In 2023, Easter Sunday is occurring on Sunday 9 April, meaning that we’ll be into the full swing of spring here in the New Forest.

Top reasons to visit the New Forest this Easter

April is a great time to see the beautiful flowers blossoming amongst our gladed woodlands and open heathland. The gardens at ExburyFurzey and Beaulieu will be in bloom and look out for the early arrival of bluebells in shaded areas and keep your eyes peeled for wildflowers such as wood anemone and primrose on the forest floor. The vivid yellow of the gorse flower on the heathland will be another sight worth seeing and look out for bees dancing in and out of the flowers in search of nectar - you could even pick up some tasty New Forest honey from one of our farm shops.

Our New Forest Ponies can be found roaming around the National Park with their newly-born foals, making for picturesque photo opportunities. You may also spot some of the newly-born calves and fawns. (Please keep your distance from all free roaming animals, do not touch or feed them).

As the weather starts to get better, outdoor activities are the perfect way to keep everyone entertained.

How about a walk beneath the trees this Easter and make the most of the (hopefully) warmer weather? We have plenty of walking routes for you to discover, from short ambles to long-distance footpaths. Or, why not book onto a guided walk of the New Forest, take away the stresses of map reading and learn lots about our wonderful National Park along the way? Some of our local companies are on-hand to help you explore the New Forest and show you some nature and wildlife that you may not have seen before.

Hire a bike (or bring your own along) and discover the forest on two wheels. Whether you are looking for a short, family-friendly off-road cycling route or perhaps a longer endurance route, there are lots of cycling options available to you, plus it’s a great way to discover our countryside and reduce your carbon footprint.  

Take to the water and enjoy a spot of canoeing, kayaking or fishing. Our coastline lends itself well to water sports such as sailing or stand-up paddle boarding and the Beaulieu River makes a picturesque location for a water-based day out.

Discover all of our amazing attractions across the New Forest for the whole family to enjoy, including the award-winning Paulton’s Park and the fantastic National Motor Museum at Beaulieu! If you love the great outdoors then plan to visit Exbury Gardens or Furzey Gardens, meet cute animals at Longdown Activity FarmHockeys Farm or New Forest Wildlife Park and discover the rich history of Hurst Castle along with the nature reserve that sits beside it.  

Soak up the atmosphere and meet some of our friendly locals on a visit to some of our towns and villagesLymington is ideal for its maritime connections, boat trips, markets and wildlife watching where as smaller villages such as Brockenhurst and Fordingbridge provide great stops for a refreshing cuppa or a spot of lunch.

Take a look at all of the egg-cellent Easter events taking place across the forest, from craft workshops to fun-filled Easter Eggs Hunts, there is something for everyone to enjoy and get involved with.

Need some inspiration on where to indulge in some delicious food and drink during your visit? Take a look at all of our wonderful pubsrestaurants and cafes & tearooms. Don’t forget to book your Easter Lunch now, with an eggs-traordinary choice of places to enjoy, you will be sure to be leaving satisfied and smiling!

With all the new wildlife to discover, amazing days out and beautiful landscapes to see, you won’t want to be anywhere else, so why not book your trip to the New Forest today?!

Places to stay over Easter

Whether you are planning to stay for a couple of weeks or just a few nights there is so much to do whilst you’re here, as you can see. So, to make the most of your time here we’d recommend staying over.

If you are looking for a place to rest your head and relax after all of the forest fun then take a look at our Easter Breaks page for a choice of some amazing places to stay, from beautiful hotels to the perfect self catering holiday cottage for you.

How about a lovely Bed & Breakfast, or a fun-packed holiday park with lots of family-friendly facilities? Many of our campsites and glamping will also be open over Easter, ideal for anyone who wants to truly immerse themselves in the New Forest and soak up the great outdoors.

Keep an eye on our special offers as well for last-minute deals and fantastic add-ons to your stay here. As you can imagine, this is a particularly popular time of year to visit the New Forest so make sure you book now so you don’t miss out!

However you are spending your Easter this year, make sure it’s spent in the New Forest…

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