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Inspiring Holidays in The New Forest Discover the best walks and towns in the New Forest

What to Discover in the New Forest

Unique and very special

The New Forest's scenic landscapes are unrivalled and you can spend days visiting all the villages and stunning locations around the area.

Voted No.1 National Park in Europe in the 2022 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for Destinations! As well as top National Park in Europe, the New Forest also came 10th in the world, ahead of global big hitters including Banff National Park in Canada and the Grand Canyon National Park in the United States

The New Forest is rich with colours and can be enjoyed all year round, whether you're cycling through the trees on a summer's evening or crunching in the autumn leaves on a scenic stroll. The rare blend of open heathlands and ancient woodlands makes the New Forest a unique and very special place indeed.

The underlying features of these stunning landscapes have changed very little over the centuries. In fact, King William I would probably still recognise much of the forest as the same place he hunted wild deer and boar in days gone by.

Keep an eye out for the ponies, deer, cattle and other beautiful animals that love to roam this area. In September we even have pigs in the New Forest! Known here as Pannage, a tradition where pigs freely roam to eat the fallen acorns.

Between June and September, the New Forest Tour even stops at both Lytton Lawn Touring Park and Shorefield Country Park, giving you an open top tour through our stunning forest landscapes.

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  • Picturesque towns and villages
  • 40 miles of coast and 140 miles of track
  • Free-roaming animals
  • Home to some of the best attractions in the UK
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Discover the New Forest

New Forest Attractions

New Forest Attractions

The New Forest is home to some of the best attractions in the UK, offering fantastic days out for the whole family to enjoy.

From theme parks to relaxing walks along stunning coastlines, there's plenty to keep you busy when you experience a New Forest holiday.

  • Beaulieu Motor Museum
  • Paultons Park & Peppa Pig World
  • Hurst Castle
  • Exbury Gardens
  • The New Forest Wildlife Park
  • The New Forest Water Park
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1 Paultons Park Dinosaur Kingdom

Paultons Park

2 Cyril And Cybil At Exbury Gardens

Our cheeky mascots at Exbury Gardens

3 Beaulieu Palace House New Forest

Beaulieu Palace

5 Beaulieu National Motor Museum Car Display

National Motor Museum

Hurst Castle

Hurst Castle

New Forest Activities

New Forest Activities

The New Forest's diverse landscapes make it the perfect location for all.

Whether you seek a heart-racing horse ride or a leisurely stroll, there is something for everyone. On land, the forest offers a vast range of paths and scenic landscapes for walking, running, cycling, horse riding and even peaceful vistas to take a rest from it all.

With access to both inland and coastal waters, the New Forest also offers a wealth of water sports, including sailing, windsurfing and kayaking.

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  • Horse riding
  • Paddle boarding and water sports
  • Off-road cycle ways
  • Local produce and markets
  • Unrivalled walking routes
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Horse Riding

Horse riding in the New Forest

Padde Boarding At Sunset

Paddle boarding

New Forest Towns & Villages

New Forest Towns & Villages

When visiting the New Forest, the many picturesque towns and villages are not to be missed. From vibrant seaside towns to quaint villages nestled in the heart of the forest, you'll be amazed.

These little towns have rich histories, such as Lyndhurst, where William the Conqueror established his hunting grounds; Burley, where dragons and witches were fought; and Brockenhurst, home of the New Forest show and famous for its excellent transport links into the forest.

Shorefield Country Park and Lytton Lawn Touring Park are both near to the seaside towns of Lymington and Milford on Sea, where you can enjoy some of the finest food and most spectacular views in in the New Forest.

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  • Quaint villages
  • Boutiques and independent shops
  • Market and market towns
Kings Head Inn Pub In Lymington

Lymington

Church In Lyndhurst

Lyndhurst

New Forest Walking & Cycling

New Forest Walking & Cycling

Our parks offer the perfect base to relax before and after your adventure.

With over 40 miles of coast and 140 miles of tracks, there are plenty of fantastic walks and cycling routes to be enjoyed. Not only this, but there are plenty of walking and cycling events that take place annually, meaning you can enjoy the forest all year round.

Breathe a breath of fresh air and enjoy walking or cycling in safety along the off-road tracks and throughout the rolling countryside landscapes. Take your time and enjoy the views, or meet our free-roaming animals at your own leisure.

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  • Ancient woodland
  • Beautiful heathland
  • Easy-to-follow walking routes
  • Free-roaming ponies
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Couple Cycle Past A Pony In The New Forest

Meeting the locals

Couple Walking Through New Forest Heathland

An afternoon walk

Couple Cycle Through A Leafy Forest Canopyt

Cycling in the New Forest

Cyclists-riding-bikes-along-the-Solent-Way

Discover the 'hidden coast' of the New Forest

Father-and-daughter-walking-through-woodland

Stunning woodland landscapes

The Shorefield Edit

Hurst Castle

Discover this artillery fortress built by Henry VIII at the seaward end of a spit. Commanding the entrance to the Solent it offers one of the best views in England.
Children Cannon Hurst Castle Attraction

Beaulieu

Beaulieu National Motor Museum has over 250 vehicles on display and depicts the history of motoring through the years.
5 Beaulieu National Motor Museum Car Display
More local attractions

Upcoming Local Events

Christmas at Paultons

Christmas at Paultons 2024

Join in the Celebration of Christmas at the friendliest, most magical Christmas theme park in the UK.
Swanage Christmas Market

Swanage Christmas Market

One of Purbeck’s top winter attractions is the Swanage Christmas Market, with festive entertainment for the whole family, various food stalls including hot dogs, donuts and locally-produced festive bakes.
Beaulieu Festive

Christmas at Beaulieu

Celebrate the festive season in style as Beaulieu comes to life with Christmas joy and spirit. Ignite your Christmas spark in Palace House, spruced in seasonal decorations, welcoming log fires, and a pianist and carols.
More local events

ParkLife Blog

Keep up to date with our latest news and stories below, a great read to help with some of the reasons why you should choose to enjoy the park life with us.

Halloween in Hampshire & Dorset

Looking for spooktacular things to do this Halloween? Here's our top picks of activities, from days out in Hampshire & Dorset to trick or treating at our parks.

The New Forest Tour Returns

Go car-free and care-free! The ever-popular New Forest Tour bus is calling at Shorefield Country Park throughout summer to take passengers on a magical journey through New Forest landscapes.

Why Holiday With Shorefield?