Bank Holiday Events

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 2024 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. Visit local wildlife visitor attractions, including Longdown Activity FarmNew Forest Wildlife Park and Hockeys Farm. Enjoy watersports and other fun-filled outdoor activities

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. 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 is also known as the Whitsun bank holiday. In 2024 this 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 Paultons 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

In 2024, August bank holiday will take place on Monday 26 August.

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 hop on board a bumpy tractor and trailer ride, and take part in animal feeding and small animal handling sessions throughout the days across the weekend.

At Marwell Zoo, embrace your wild side. See hundreds of beautiful endangered and exotic animals at this wonderful 140 acre zoo located nearby to the New Forest! 

Check out our other activities and attractions and enjoy a fantastic time in the New Forest!

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 a Go New Forest Card 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.

If you are running an event that you would like to be featured on our website, please submit details of it here.

August Bank Holiday Events...

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