Itineraries

Do you need some more inspiration on how to spend your time in The New Forest?

Well, you’re in luck! We’ve come up with some great itineraries for you to follow and enjoy. Read through the itineraries below and decide which ones you like the sound of… there’s a great range of things to do on sunny days, rainy days, family fun days and more!

1 day itinerary suggestions
 

Brockenhurst – Keyhaven – Lymington

Start the day with a delicious, hearty breakfast from The Buttery in Brockenhurst, to keep you going on a busy day’s adventures.

Head to Hurst Castle. Explore the wonderful sites in and around the castle and discover the castle’s use as a former prison before heading along Hurst Spit to chill out at the seaside.

(A quick tip to make your day even better: purchase a Go New Forest Card –  which you can use at Hurst Castle to receive a great discount!)

Or, if you're more of an active person or want to try something new, you could book on to The New Forest Paddle Sport Company's 'Castle Experience' which includes a fun-filled two hours of instructor-led stand up paddle boarding or kayaking, entry to Hurst Castle and lunch or afternoon tea at the Castle Cafe.

Hop back in the car and take the quick trip to Lymington High Street, where you can pick up new additions for the home or your wardrobe from the town’s many independent shops.

Lyndhurst – Ower – (Bramshaw)

First things first, pack a picnic! Why don’t you go into Lyndhurst High Street and get some tasty local food from the lovely shops and bakeries?

Head to Bolton’s Bench at Lyndhurst for a peaceful morning wander through the Forest and some spectacular views across the landscape.

Make your way back to the car and guess where is next… the amazing Paulton’s Park, home of Peppa Pig World, a firm family favourite!  You’re guaranteed to have a fantastic day, whisking around on the rides, meeting Peppa Pig & Friends, and make sure you try out the cool 4D cinema too!

Lepe – Exbury – Beaulieu/Brockenhurst

Wake up, wrap up warm and get some fresh air on a beach walk at Lepe Country Park before making your way up the road to Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway. The world-famous rhododendrons and azaleas, the wonderful riverside walk, the steam railway and much more are on offer here, you can even bring your pet dog along too! Grab a quick snack and drink at on-site Mr Eddy’s Tea Rooms during your visit.

Book an afternoon activity at New Forest Activities, the ‘Paddle to the Pub’ is always a great one, but they have loads of activities to choose from, for all ages and abilities. Or, if you’re feeling slightly tired after a morning of walking, why don’t you try Cyclexperience’s E-Bike Hire in Brockenhurst!

Burley – Fordingbridge

Fancy a bike ride? Hire a bike from Forest Leisure Cycling in Burley and go out and explore the New Forest on two wheels.

When you’re ready for a tasty lunch, head to Burley Manor and enjoy a wonderful menu of Mediterranean-inspired tapas, or try out the Cider Pantry.

Now for a some more outdoor adventures and fun you will want to make your way to New Forest Water Park for loads of fun, splashing and laughter as you negotiate your way around the inflatable obstacle course or try your hand at wakeboarding. If you fancy something a bit more sedate then why not hire a kayak and take a paddle around one of the lakes?

Lyndhurst – Emery Down

Fill yourselves up with a delicious breakfast from one of the many cafes or tearooms that can be found in Lyndhurst.

Once you’re finished work it off and shop ‘til you drop at all the local, independent, wonderful shops along Lyndhurst’s High Street. There is a shop that everyone will enjoy selling everything from hats, scarfs and welly boots to thousands of sweets and goodies. Plus remember to take a browse at the fantastic super cars at the bottom of the High Street!

Now for some more entertainment, and a bit of learning head just around the corner to the New Forest Heritage Centre, where there is all sorts of fun to be had in their amazing indoor, interactive museum.

From here you can either walk, cycle (hire a bike from The Woods Cyclery) or drive to Millyford Bridge in Emery Down for a wonderful walk amongst the tall trees of the New Forest.

Gardens galore - Minstead and Exbury

If you love to visit gardens then be sure to embark on this one-day itinerary. Start your day off at the informal Furzey Gardens, a ten-acre woodland garden near to the village of Minstead. Grab a warming drink or a spot of cake in The Galley Gift and Coffee Shop and see how many of the little fairy doors you can find around the gardens!

Before lunch journey over across the forest to Exbury Gardens. Make your first trip one to the onsite café for some food before taking a walk around the extensive gardens. Spring is a fantastic time to come with the vibrant colours of the rhododendrons and azaleas but the rest of the year won’t disappoint either! Be sure to hop aboard the miniature steam train too for a chance to rest your feed and take in the views.

Before heading off from the New Forest for the day pop into the Master Builder’s House Hotel or the Montagu Arms Hotel for an evening meal with impressive views.

48 hours in the New Forest itinerary suggestions
 

Lyndhurst - Burley - Ringwood

Day 1

Morning - start your day off at the New Forest Heritage Centre in the heart of Lyndhurst, the ‘capital’ of the New Forest where you’ll learn lots about the traditions and cultures of our landscape. Follow this up with a wander to one of the nearby coffees shops or cafes for a spot of morning tea.

For the next stop on your itinerary, stop by at the New Forest Reptile Centre and see how many of the UK’s native reptile species you can find. For lunch, why not take a picnic and head up to Bolderwood passing through the Ornamental Drive along the way? 

After a quick pit stop, take one of the Bolderwood walking routes where if you time it right, you may be in with the chance of seeing one of the Rangers feeding the deer.

In the afternoon or early evening make your way to Burley. This village holds a mysterious past, with talks of white witches and ghosts. Be sure to pop into the Burley Fudge Shop to try out their flavour of the month. Yummy!

There are several places you can rest up for the night in or nearby to Burley including Burley Manor and Moorhill House Hotel.

Day 2

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at your accommodation before hiring a bike from Forest Leisure Cycling (found in the village centre). Cycle along some of the disused railway line and make a visit to the Old Station Tea Rooms for a spot of cake or lunch.

Soak up some of our seaside - Milford on Sea - Lymington - Hythe

Day 1

Start your morning with a bracing walk along the Hurst Spit from Milford on Sea towards Hurst Castle. Not only will you get fantastic views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight but you will also overlook some of the amazing wildlife that is found in Keyhaven Harbour.

At Hurst Castle, step back in time and discover the history dating from the Tudor period right through to World War 2. Don’t fancy the full walk back? Then why not buy a ticket for the Hurst ferry and take the short and scenic journey to Keyhaven where you can also stop for a bite to eat.

In the afternoon, travel further east to the maritime town of Lymington. Spend the afternoon browsing the town’s many independent stores and boutiques along the High Street or embark on a section of the Solent Way coastal path as it passes the salt marshes.

In the evening, why not take a sunset cruise with Escape Yachting from Lymington out into the Solent? Or if you’d prefer to stay on dry land then there are several restaurant choices in and around the town including The Mayflower and the Walhampton Arms.

Overnight at one of Lymington’s hotels or B&Bs, there are over twenty different places you can choose to stay in.

Day 2

First up for the day is an explore of historic Buckler’s Hard. This maritime village is steeped in history, learn about it on a visit to the maritime museum before booking onto one of the river cruises that takes you along the Beaulieu River.

Soak up the views across the river over some lunch at The Master Builder’s House Hotel in the village - an ideal place to refresh!

Ideal for families - Paulton’s - Beaulieu

Day 1

Make a full day of it at Paulton’s Park, home of Peppa Pig World. Loose yourselves in all the fun of the rollercoasters, meet some of the park’s resident animals and of course, take a trip to see Peppa and her family. Visitors of all ages will have great fun joining in with the activities.

In the evening, you’ll probably all be pretty tired out from all that fun so we’d recommend staying nearby at The Mortimer Arms, Bartley Lodge Hotel or The Woodlands Lodge Hotel, all of which offer evening meals too.

Day 2

Beaulieu is another fantastic family attraction. Take an explore of the large motoring exhibitions and see classic cars through to iconic cars from the movies and history. Children can let off steam at the mini motor play area or take part in one of the family fun trails. Throughout the school holidays look out for a wide array of events and activities to join in with.

Have a spot at lunch at Beaulieu before making the short trip to New Forest Activities, just down the road. Here you can try out kayaking, the high ropes course, archery or Battlefield live, all fun-filled ways to end your final day in the New Forest.

Or, if you dont fancy taking part in anything too active, head just up the road to Longdown Activity Farm, where you can see and handle loads of farm animals from baby chicks to piglets. If you have time you can also make your way just next door to New Forest Wildlife Park, where you can find even more animals, including otters, wallabies, lynx & loads more!