Who doesn’t love to get away for a bank holiday weekend? That extra day off is perfect for adding extra time onto your weekend and being able to enjoy a relaxing break away from work or with the family.
Early May bank holiday
Also known as the May Day bank holiday, for 2019 this will take place on Monday 6 May.
The bank holiday weekend will bring with it a wealth of things to do for all the family. A popular event on the calendar is the Downton Cuckoo Fair, just on the edge of the New Forest National Park. This free event sees large marquees fill the wide Borough of Downton with crafts, music, food and drink and dance. There is also both traditional maypole and morris dancing.
Take a walk over the long weekend on some of the miles of off road trails and pathways that lead you through the forest or along our coastline. May is an ideal time to spot bluebells in our ancient woodland. Why not combine a walk to a stop at one of our traditional tea rooms for the ultimate quintessentially English experience?
Spring bank holiday
This bank holiday (which is also known as the Whitsun bank holiday) comes along at the end of May. In 2019 it will fall on Monday 27 May. Lookout for events for all the family at Beaulieu and some great fun to be had at Peppa Pig World at Paulton’s Park.
The warmer weather should mean that there’s plenty of things to spot in the reptile pods at the New Forest Reptile Centre.
Take part in some of the fantastic outdoor activities with Insight Activities or see if you can negotiate your way around the inflatable obstacle course at the New Forest Water Park.
Over the spring bank holiday we’d recommend that you head to Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway to take in the spectacular colours of the rhododendrons and azaleas. Look out for seasonal guided walks.
August bank holiday
As the flowers have bloomed and the sun is shining, Furzey Gardens makes for a great day out on August Bank Holiday! They sometimes also hold special events and tours taking place throughout the school summer holidays and including the bank holiday weekend.
At Longdown Activity Farm, near Ashurst watch Sweep the Sheepdog as he demonstrates this traditional skill on Saturday 25 August or take part in animal feeding and small animal handling sessions throughout the days across the weekend.
At Marwell Zoo, CBeebies’ Mr Bloom will be on hand to entertain the little ones with tales of his vegetables and lots of garden games.
Join New Forest Activities on a Paddle to the Pub on a canoe trip along the Beaulieu River - a sedate way to explore the local area. Plus, be sure to head into Burley to taste the fudge of the month at Burley Fudge Shop or some of the ciders on offer at the New Forest Cider company.
Other bank holidays
Other UK bank holidays include Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day plus Good Friday and Easter Monday. Details of what’s going on those dates can all be found on the relevant pages.
Want to know more?
Check back on this page nearer to one of the bank holiday weekends as we will update it with more information about what there is to see and do. The bank holidays are a very popular time to visit the New Forest so we would highly recommend that if you are planning to stay here overnight that you book your accommodation in advance.
To save money off some of the activities on offer, as well as at places to eat, shop and stay why not purchase on of our Go New Forest cards for lots of discounts.
Take a look at our blog as well as we highlight some of the top things you can see, do and experience here in the New Forest whether you are here for a day or longer.
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