TRAVEL GUIDE
New Forest
Welcome to the New Forest
One of my personal favourite regions in the UK, I return to the New Forest time and time again to explore more of its hidden corners and reconnect with nature. Whether you’re looking for wildlife and gorgeous scenery, or action and adventure, the New Forest is the perfect travel destination for families, couples, groups, and solo travellers alike.
If you’re all about nature, the New Forest National Park shows you how diverse the land is and showcases the wonderful wildlife in the area. For the motor-mad, Beaulieu is the place to be, with the National Motor Museum displaying 285 vehicles for your viewing. For those who enjoy getting active, the New Forest offers various sports and activities both on and off the land.
Those who prefer to relax and indulge in the finer things in life (I’m with you!) will also find what they’re looking for in the New Forest. Discover a number of award-winning spas, luxury hotels and memorable restaurants in this pretty part of the UK.
Contents
Top things to do in the New Forest
Popular activities
🚲 Explore by bike
🚣♀️ Paddleboarding at Milford on Sea
🐴 Go horse-riding
🛶 Kayaking on Beaulieu River
🌲 Go Ape New Forest
Places to visit
🌺 Exbury Gardens
🚗 National Motor Museum
🌊 Hurst Castle
🦌 Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
🏰 Highcliffe Castle
Farms & parks
🪻 New Forest Lavender Farm
🧺 Lepe Country Park
🍓 Goodall’s Strawberry Farm
🌳 Moors Valley Country Park
🦉 New Forest Wildlife Park
Towns & villages
🛍️ Lyndhurst
🚗 Beaulieu
🐚 Lymington
🫖 Brockenhurst
🐴 Burley
Popular activities
🚲 Explore by bike
🚣♀️ Paddleboarding at Milford on Sea
🐴 Go horse-riding
🛶 Kayaking in Beaulieu
🌲 Go Ape New Forest
Places to visit
🌺 Exbury Gardens
🚗 National Motor Museum
🌊 Hurst Castle
🦌 Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
🏰 Highcliffe Castle
Farms & parks
🪻 New Forest Lavender
🧺 Lepe Country Park
🍓 Goodall’s Strawberry Farm
🌳 Moors Valley Park
🦉 New Forest Wildlife Park
Towns & villages
🛍️ Lyndhurst
🚗 Beaulieu
🐚 Lymington
🫖 Brockenhurst
🐴 Burley
Where to eat and drink in the New Forest
My top picks
⭐ Michelin star
🥦 Vegan friendly
🌾 Gluten free options
🐶 Dog-friendly
Restaurants
The Pig 🥦🌾
Hartnett Holder & Co 🥦🌾
Elderflower Restaurant 🌾
Pubs
The Royal Oak, Lyndhurst 🥦🌾🐶
The Three Tuns, Bransgore 🥦
The High Corner Inn 🥦🌾🐶
Cafés
The Potting Shed 🥦🌾🐶
New Forest Pantry 🥦🌾🐶
Beaulieu Bakehouse 🥦🌾🐶
My top picks
⭐ Michelin star
🥦 Vegan friendly
🌾 Gluten free options
🐶 Dog-friendly
Restaurants
The Pig 🥦🌾
Hartnett Holder & Co 🥦🌾
Elderflower Restaurant 🌾
Pubs
The Royal Oak, Lyndhurst 🥦🌾🐶
The Three Tuns, Bransgore 🥦
The High Corner Inn 🥦🌾🐶
Cafés
The Potting Shed 🥦🌾🐶
New Forest Pantry 🥦🌾🐶
Beaulieu Bakehouse 🥦🌾🐶
Where to stay in the New Forest
My top picks
💧 Swimming pool
🧖♀️ Spa facilities
£££
Lime Wood Hotel 💧🧖♀️
The Pig Hotel 🧖♀️
Chewton Glen 💧🧖♀️
££
Burley Manor 💧🧖♀️
Careys Manor 💧🧖♀️
Crown Manor Hotel
My top picks
💧 Swimming pool
🧖♀️ Spa facilities
£££
Lime Wood Hotel 💧🧖♀️
The Pig Hotel 🧖♀️
Chewton Glen 💧🧖♀️
££
Burley Manor 💧🧖♀️
Careys Manor 💧🧖♀️
Crown Manor Hotel
Best time to visit the New Forest
Spring: March – May
Spring is the perfect time to spend time in nature, watching the wildlife become more active and seeing the flowers start to bloom. With milder temperatures that won’t stifle you when you’re out and about, spring is an ideal time to explore the New Forest.
Summer: June – August
Make the most of the summer sun in England by exploring the New Forest National park and seeing the flora in full bloom. Enjoy England’s coastline in the New Forest by relaxing on the beach and taking a dip in the sea. Although being the UK, no rain is never a guarantee!
Autumn: September – November
Cooler days bring milder conditions for exploring all that the New Forest has to offer. With the leaves beginning to fall, you’ll get to see a different side to the New Forest. Cycle routes framed by red and orange leaves, and cosy pubs beckoning you in.
Winter: December – February
Winter walks in the New Forest are dreamy if you don’t mind wrapping up to enjoy everything that it has to offer. Treat yourself to a warming hot chocolate and a cake for energy in one of the New Forest’s many pubs and cafes – you’ll have earned it!
New Forest map
Know before you go
Get access to my 12 UK weekend itineraries
Sign up to receive my weekly email newsletter dedicated to UK travel inspiration and get access to my ultimate UK weekend trip guide, with 12 UK itineraries for each month of the year.
Frequently asked questions
How to get around the New Forest?
If you’re able to, I’d really recommend driving as this gives you the freedom to explore at your leisure.
If travelling by car is off the cards, you could make use of the train stations in the New Forest to get around, or use public transport like buses. While you can walk around specific attractions like the New Forest National Park, the New Forest District spans a large area so this isn’t practical to get from place to place.
Alternatively, you can get around many places by bike, which I think is a great way of soaking up the scenery.
Where is the best place to stay in the New Forest?
There are a number of gorgeous towns in the New Forest, all of which would make a wonderful base for exploring the area. Brockenhurst is a popular place to stay in the New Forest, with a number of luxury hotels to choose from. While Lyndhurst, Lyminton and Beaulieu also provide great bases in the New Forest.
Is the New Forest a dog-friendly place?
Yes, the New Forest is the perfect UK destination for you and your furry friend(s). With acres of countryside to explore, you’ll be spoilt for choice with dog walks. Just be wary of areas in which you may need to keep your dog on a lead, due to all the free roaming animals. The New Forest is also home to plenty of dog-friendly pubs, where you can both enjoy a well-deserved drink.
Is the New Forest a good destination for solo travellers?
The New Forest is a wonderful place for solo travellers to explore. Take the opportunity to move at a slower pace, soaking up nature without rushing through an itinerary. It would also make an ideal destination for a digital detox – just you, nature, and perhaps a good book.
How long does it take to get to the New Forest from London?
It takes around two hours to drive from central London to the New Forest. It could take less time, or it could take longer, depending on traffic and where in London you are travelling from. If travelling by train, it takes around 90 minutes from London Waterloo.
When is the lavender season in the New Forest?
The lavender season in the UK runs from mid-June to mid-August. The New Forest Lavender Farm tends to open from early July, but I’d advise checking before you visit.
Are there Christmas markets in the New Forest?
There are a handful of Christmas markets in and around the New Forest. Christmas markets within the New Forest include the Family Christmas Fair at Exbury Gardens and Victorian Christmas at Beaulieu. Nearby Christmas Markets also take place at Winchester, Southampton and Portsmouth.
