10 Best Things to Do in New Forest National Park

Rhinefield Ornamental Drive is a beautiful, narrow roadway that takes you on a scenic tour of New Forest National Park’s most beautiful wildflowers. Ideal for spring, the drive is known for its rhododendrons, azaleas and other ornamental flowers that grow along the way. You’ll also see many attractive landmarks, such as the Rhinefield House, a private country mansion with ornamental ponds and a garden. Plenty of trees are found along the drive, such as giant redwoods and Douglas firs. After taking a ride, stop in the Blackwater Arboretum to see trees from all over the world.

The Solent Way Walk footpath offers gorgeous views of the Isle of Wight, passing many notable landmarks as it connects Milford on Sea with Emsworth Harbour along the Hampshire coastline. Along the path, you'll see sites like Hurst Castle and the Royal Victoria Country Park. On the Portsmouth to Hilsea portion, you can stop in Old Portsmouth to see attractions like the War Memorial, the Blue Reef Aquarium and the South Parade Pier or enjoy nightlife at the harbour promenade.

The Lymington Sea Water Baths is an open-air lido for swimming and sunbathing in the warm months. The historic baths are among the oldest in the UK, but they feature many exciting upgrades. Along with swimming in the sea pools, kids can enjoy fun on inflatable obstacle courses or stand-up paddle boarding. The facility has amenities as well, such as first aid, lockers, restrooms and a confectionary kiosk that serves hot and cold drinks, ice cream and other snacks during your stay.

Wilverley Plain is a woodland area with well-marked trails as well as vast grassy lawns for sports and picnics. It's one of the best places in all of New Forest National Park for outdoor activities like hiking, nature walks or simply enjoying a day in the sun with the family. You’ll find numerous cycling trails here as well, which take you through the forest and heathland to see local wildlife and gorgeous natural scenery. Dogs are also welcome in Wilverley Plain, so you can make the outing a pet-friendly adventure.

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is an expansive parkland and woodland with a variety of adventure and scenic activities for the whole family. The kids can enjoy exciting adventures on wooden play structures like Crocodile Crossing and the Bewildernest climb. If you prefer more thrills, you can swing through trees and navigate aerial obstacles on the Go Ape Tree Top Challenge. For a more scenic experience, take the waymarked footpaths and cycle routes through the forest, meadows and lakes on your own or with your dog. The park also has a narrow-gauge steam train for a scenic ride along Moors Lake.

Hurst Castle is an imposing artillery fort from the 16th century that offers tours of the central keep and bastions. Created by Henry VIII for coastal protection against France and the Holy Roman Empire, the castle served as a defence fort through major conflicts like the English Civil War, the Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. You can tour the castle to see the remnants of the keep and bastions, as well as the historic lighthouses that were constructed on the grounds in the 18th century.

Lymington Yacht Haven is a spectacular marina with boating equipment and facilities, tour operators and upscale restaurants and bars for a night out. The marina provides boater amenities like berths, dry berthing, luxurious washrooms and laundry facilities, visitor space and more. Along with the boat services, you can also book charters and sailing lessons, hire bikes or have a night on the town at the Haven Bar & Restaurant. The marina is close to the Georgian market town of Lymington, which has period buildings, local pubs and restaurants, shops and boutiques, markets and other attractions.

The fascinating, 11th-century St Nicholas Church rests on the peaceful grounds of Brockenhurst Parish and sports beautiful architecture and unique touches like herringbone wall work and ornate windows. The church is one of the oldest in New Forest, and its surrounding grounds are home to lush plants and flowers, including hazels, pennywort and bluebells. Numerous World War I soldiers from New Zealand and other areas are buried onsite, as is a popular and beloved snake-catcher from the 19th century, folk-hero Brusher Mills.

Apple Court Garden and Nursery is a beautiful ornamental garden in New Forest with an abundance of rare and unusual global flower and plant species. Several paths take you on a tour of the garden, such as the Rose Walk with roses and clematis and the Daylily Collection. Exotic and colourful subtropical plants are also found in the garden. Another highlight is the White Garden, a garden of hornbeam with shrubs and perennials that have white blooms. You can also see an authentic Japanese garden with a koi pond and bamboo.

Liberty’s Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre is an intriguing destination for animal lovers with a collection of birds of prey and reptiles. Named for its Alaskan bald eagle, Liberty, the centre is home to hawks, falcons, owls, vultures and a wide variety of reptiles, including boa constrictors. When you visit, you can enjoy a falconry experience to learn more about the time-honoured sport, take pictures of the animals or get up-close encounters with some of the resident raptors at the facility.