The New Forest is a National Park of open heath, ancient woodland and villages, where commoners' ponies and cattle roam freely.
The New Forest National Park Authority asks everyone who visits to follow the New Forest Code. The ponies, cattle and other animals that graze the open Forest play an important part in shaping its landscape, so keep your distance from them: the Authority says you could be fined or prosecuted for disturbing them. Drive slowly too, because accidents with free-roaming livestock on Forest roads are a danger to animals and drivers alike.
Fires and barbecues are not allowed, drone flying is not permitted across most of the National Park, and walkers and cyclists are asked to keep to the tracks so they do not disturb rare nesting birds. Dog walkers are asked to follow the Authority's Dog Walking Code. To leave the car at home, the Authority points visitors to trains, buses, bikes and walking, and to local food and goods carrying the New Forest Marque.
Photo: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0A free museum run by an independent charity in the middle of Lyndhurst, telling the story of the New Forest, its people, traditions and ancient laws, and how its wildlife is looked after today. A highlight is the 7.5-metre New Forest Embroidery, made by Lady Belinda Montagu and 60 volunteers to show 900 years of the Forest's history.
Photo: David Martin, CC BY-SA 2.0A small arboretum of trees from around the world on Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, cared for by Forestry England. A short sensory loop with tactile sculptures winds through the arboretum, and the Tall Trees Trail crosses the road to walk beneath Douglas firs and giant redwoods planted in Victorian times.
Image: Forestry EnglandA Forestry England arboretum on the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, where the 1.5-mile Tall Trees Trail runs beneath Douglas firs and giant redwoods planted in the reign of Queen Victoria. An easy arboretum trail and a sensory sculpture trail start from the same car park.
Photo: Stuart Logan, CC BY-SA 2.0A Forestry England site on an old coaching route west of Lyndhurst, with some of the oldest Douglas fir trees in the New Forest, the earliest dating to about 1860. Three waymarked circular trails lead from the car park through ancient and ornamental woodland, and the longest passes a deer viewing platform where fallow deer are often seen.
Image: Cyclexperience LtdA bike hire centre in the car park on the south side of Brockenhurst station, at the bottom of the ramp, with trails starting within about 500 metres. Bikes range from children's sizes and tagalongs to gravel bikes, tandems and e-bikes, so families can ride the New Forest's waymarked network together.
Photo: Chris Wimbush, CC BY-SA 2.0A 12-acre woodland garden in the village of Minstead, with rare shrubs first gathered from places such as India, China and Tibet by early 20th-century plant hunters. It is run as a charity, with the gardens, nursery and thatched tea rooms cared for by gardeners with learning disabilities supported by Minstead Trust.
Image: Longdown Activity FarmA family-run working farm on the edge of the New Forest where a daily timetable of hands-on activities includes bottle-feeding kid goats and calves, duck feeding and sessions in the Animal Encounter Barn. Donkeys, horses, alpacas, Kunekune pigs and cows live on the farm, with indoor and outdoor play areas alongside.
Photo: J W Parker, CC BY-SA 2.0A wildlife park in New Forest woodland near Ashurst with nearly 200 animals from 29 species, run with a strong focus on conservation. Residents include otters, lynx, a wolverine and wolves, which returned to the park in summer 2026, and visitors can walk among the wallabies.
Photo: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0The largest body of fresh water in the New Forest, a small, shallow lake on open heath between Beaulieu and Brockenhurst. It is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation for its rare wetland plants and freshwater wildlife, and has been through a major restoration in recent years.
Image: Eling Tide Mill ExperienceA Grade II* listed tide mill from about 1785 on a causeway across Eling Creek, on a site where millers have used the tides to grind wheat for over 900 years. Alongside the mill are a visitor centre with an interactive exhibition, a cafe and free waterside walks to Goatee Beach and Bartley Water.
Photo: Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada, CC BY 2.0A national collection of cars, motorcycles and motoring memorabilia on the Beaulieu estate, running from early motor carriages to Formula 1 cars and land speed record breakers. Entry is part of the single Beaulieu ticket, which also covers Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey, the gardens and the monorail.
Image: BeaulieuPalace House began as the gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey and has been the Montagu family home since 1538, remodelled in the 1800s as a Victorian country house overlooking the Beaulieu River millpond. Close by are the conserved ruins and cloister of the Cistercian abbey founded by King John in the 13th century, set in gardens laid out over the old abbey grounds.
Photo: Henry Burrows, CC BY-SA 2.0A family-run theme park opened in 1983, with more than 70 rides and attractions in 140 acres of parkland on the edge of the New Forest, aimed at families with children under 14. It is home to Peppa Pig World, with nine rides for children aged 1 to 6, alongside other themed lands such as Valgard, Tornado Springs and Lost Kingdom, plus an animal collection.
Image: New Forest and Hampshire County Show, BrockenhurstThe New Forest and Hampshire County Show takes place at New Park in Brockenhurst from 27 to 29 July 2027. It offers three days of livestock and equestrian competitions, a main ring, and local food and drink. It suits families and visitors of all ages.
Image: New Forest National Park Authority, LyndhurstA Halloween wildlife explorer walk run with Wild New Forest on 30 October 2026, starting from the New Forest National Park Authority in Lyndhurst. It suits families looking for an outdoor seasonal activity, and booking is recommended. Times, price and age guidance are on the event page.
Photo: Chris Wimbush, CC BY-SA 2.0Furzey Gardens in Minstead is offering timed entrance slots for the autumn period, running from 19 October to 1 November 2026. Tickets start from £5 and visitors need to book a slot in advance, so the listing suits families, couples and friends wanting a walk in the gardens this autumn.
Photo: Chris Wimbush, CC BY-SA 2.0An inclusive photography exhibition at Furzey Gardens in Minstead, showing nature as seen by the photographers themselves. It runs from 19 October to 2 November 2026, and booking is recommended, with availability shown on the event page. It suits families and visitors of all kinds.
Photo: Chris Wimbush, CC BY-SA 2.0A plant nursery sale runs daily at Furzey Gardens in Minstead from 19 October to 1 November 2026, starting at 10:00. Plants are grown by neurodivergent people at the nursery, and visitors can browse and buy them during their visit. It suits garden lovers, families and anyone looking for plants to take home.
Photo: Chris Wimbush, CC BY-SA 2.0Larry the Leaf's Great Autumn Hunt is a family autumn trail at Furzey Gardens in Minstead, running from 24 October to 1 November 2026. Booking is required, and times and prices are listed on the event page. It suits families looking for an outdoor activity during the October half term.
Photo: Chris Wimbush, CC BY-SA 2.0Furzey Toddle is a family event for young children at Furzey Gardens in Minstead, on 17 November 2026. Tickets are from £5 and booking is required, with times given on the event page. It suits families with toddlers visiting the Hampshire gardens.
Photo: Chris Wimbush, CC BY-SA 2.0A Christmas family event at Furzey Gardens in Minstead, running from 21 November to 23 December 2026. Booking is recommended, and the organiser's page lists the event as sold out, so check availability before travelling. It suits families looking for a festive day out in the New Forest.
Image: Filly InnThe Filly Halloween Hoedown takes place on 31 October 2026 at the Filly Inn in Brockenhurst. It is a Halloween party with line dancing, costumes and treats, suited to families, couples and friends. Booking is required through the event's Eventbrite page, where times and prices are listed.
Photo: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0A free museum run by an independent charity in the middle of Lyndhurst, telling the story of the New Forest, its people, traditions and ancient laws, and how its wildlife is looked after today. A highlight is the 7.5-metre New Forest Embroidery, made by Lady Belinda Montagu and 60 volunteers to show 900 years of the Forest's history.
Image: Longdown Activity FarmA family-run working farm on the edge of the New Forest where a daily timetable of hands-on activities includes bottle-feeding kid goats and calves, duck feeding and sessions in the Animal Encounter Barn. Donkeys, horses, alpacas, Kunekune pigs and cows live on the farm, with indoor and outdoor play areas alongside.
Image: Eling Tide Mill ExperienceA Grade II* listed tide mill from about 1785 on a causeway across Eling Creek, on a site where millers have used the tides to grind wheat for over 900 years. Alongside the mill are a visitor centre with an interactive exhibition, a cafe and free waterside walks to Goatee Beach and Bartley Water.
Photo: Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada, CC BY 2.0A national collection of cars, motorcycles and motoring memorabilia on the Beaulieu estate, running from early motor carriages to Formula 1 cars and land speed record breakers. Entry is part of the single Beaulieu ticket, which also covers Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey, the gardens and the monorail.
Image: BeaulieuPalace House began as the gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey and has been the Montagu family home since 1538, remodelled in the 1800s as a Victorian country house overlooking the Beaulieu River millpond. Close by are the conserved ruins and cloister of the Cistercian abbey founded by King John in the 13th century, set in gardens laid out over the old abbey grounds.
Photo: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0A free museum run by an independent charity in the middle of Lyndhurst, telling the story of the New Forest, its people, traditions and ancient laws, and how its wildlife is looked after today. A highlight is the 7.5-metre New Forest Embroidery, made by Lady Belinda Montagu and 60 volunteers to show 900 years of the Forest's history.
Photo: David Martin, CC BY-SA 2.0A small arboretum of trees from around the world on Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, cared for by Forestry England. A short sensory loop with tactile sculptures winds through the arboretum, and the Tall Trees Trail crosses the road to walk beneath Douglas firs and giant redwoods planted in Victorian times.
Image: Forestry EnglandA Forestry England arboretum on the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, where the 1.5-mile Tall Trees Trail runs beneath Douglas firs and giant redwoods planted in the reign of Queen Victoria. An easy arboretum trail and a sensory sculpture trail start from the same car park.
Photo: Stuart Logan, CC BY-SA 2.0A Forestry England site on an old coaching route west of Lyndhurst, with some of the oldest Douglas fir trees in the New Forest, the earliest dating to about 1860. Three waymarked circular trails lead from the car park through ancient and ornamental woodland, and the longest passes a deer viewing platform where fallow deer are often seen.
Photo: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0The largest body of fresh water in the New Forest, a small, shallow lake on open heath between Beaulieu and Brockenhurst. It is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation for its rare wetland plants and freshwater wildlife, and has been through a major restoration in recent years.
