Local attractions
There are many local attractions, sights, experiences and some beautiful scenery to be appreciated and explored in the New Forest and surrounding areas.
The New Forest website has a wealth of ideas and information but here are a few below to whet your appetite!
Archery in Fordingbridge – Tel: 0333 2478006
Master a whole host of medieval target sports including axe throwing, archery and crossbow shooting.
ArtSway – Visual Arts – Tel: 01590 682260
Providing a changing exhibitions programme, gallery talks and events, whilst also offering Artist led workshops and many opportunities for young people.
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am until 5pm.
Beaulieu – National Motor Museum – Tel: 01590 612345
Beaulieu offers a classic day out for all the family. Visit Beaulieu Abbey, The Palace House and Gardens on the Beaulieu River, or Lord Montagu’s National Motor Museum.
Open every day throughout the year.
Breamore House – Tel: 01725 512233/512468
An Elizabethan manor house located close to Fordingbridge.
Visitors are taken back in time to a self-sufficient community.
Open Easter to September with varying opening times.
Bucklers Hard – Tel: 01590 616203
Set on the banks of the Beaulieu River, this historic village is where ships for Nelson’s fleet were built in the 18th Century, and visitors can see life at the time recreated in a museum.
Open daily til late.
Burley Wagon Rides – Tel: 07958 231336 or 01425672910
Horse drawn wagon rides, from the centre of Burley. Booking is recommended whether you’re an individual visitor or a group.
Exbury Gardens – Tel: 023 8089 1203
Extensive landscaped woodland gardens overlooking Beaulieu River. At their most impressive in the Spring and Autumn, the gardens are home to wonderful varieties of trees, and can be seen at close hand on one of the seasonal trails and walks.
Forest Leisure Cycling -Tel: 01425 403584
The New Forest’s ever popular Cycle Centre, based in the unspoilt village of Burley and situated close to the trails. Expert and friendly advice, detailed cycle route maps and a massive hire fleet catering for all ages and abilities. Fully stocked cycle store offering cycle accessories, spares and repairs. Free parking, open 7 days, online booking.
Forest Arts Centre – New Milton – Tel: 01425 619983
A thriving theatre and community arts centre bringing professional touring theatre, exhibitions, literature, music, dance and comedy to the New Forest. The centre also offers a range of arts related workshops suitable for all ages.
Highcliffe Castle – Tel: 01425 278807
The castle, which offers an season of changing exhibitions and events, also provides a visitors centre and a gift shop for visitors. Admission is £1, children free, with parking available.
Open from 29th April until 29th October.
Hurst Castle – Tel: 01590 642500/642344
A fortress since Tudor times, and once the prison of Charles I, the castle is now a beautiful tourist attraction. Tea Rooms are available inside and a ferry operates, between Keyhaven Quay and the castle, on the hour from 10.00am each day.
Open daily from Easter until October.
Hythe Ferry – Tel: 02380 840722
Take a cruise across Southampton Waterfront and enjoy the New Forest Waterside. Ride on the World’s Oldest Pier Train and take boat trips that allow you to see visiting Ocean Super Liners and Waterfront events.
Karting – Tel: 0333 2478006
Enjoy high speed thrills in this Bournemouth outdoor circuit designed to push even the most experienced drivers beyond their limits!
Liberty’s Raptor and Reptile Centre – Tel: 01425 476487
Liberty’s is home to a large collection of birds of prey and reptiles. The centre gives daily displays of raptors at 11.00am and 2.00pm, and reptiles at 12.30pm and 3.00pm.
Longdown Dairy Farm – 02380 292837 An opportunity for visitors to get close to farm animals, watch the afternoon milking from their viewing gallery, and learn about modern farming methods. Extensive facilities available.
Marwell Zoo – Tel: 01962 777407
One very BIG and very WILD adventure! The large zoological park is owned by a charity, the Marwell Preservaton Trust, and is home to over 200 rare and endangered species of animals.
Open daily from 10am.
Monkey World – Tel: 01929 462537
The Ape Rescue Centre assists foreign governments to stop the smuggling of primates from the wild. The Centre then rehabilitates them and any primates who have suffered abuse.
Open every day.
New Forest Activities – Tel: 01590 612377
Providing awesome adventures for their customers since 2003, they’re the biggest provider of outdoor activities in the New Forest National Park. Activities include canoeing, kayaking, archery, bush craft, rope courses and BattleZone.
New Forest Tour – Tel: 01202 338420
This hop on hop off bus tour is an extremely popular choice for visitors of the New Forest. With perfect views of our stunning landscapes, free-roaming animals and wonderful towns and villages, it’s a stress free way to see our beautiful National Park.
The New Forest Heritage Centre – Tel: 02380 283444
Explore exhibitions that bring the Forest’s history, traditions and fauna, to life. Visitors to the area can also drop in to the New Forest Embroidery and Gift Shop selling local crafts.
New Forest Water Park – Tel: 01425 656868
Fun for all the family! The Park offers watersking, jetskiing, wakeboarding, and inflatable banana and tyre rides. There is also a clubhouse overlooking the lake providing a bar, food, and shower facilities.
Open from Easter to November.
Paintball – Tel: 0333 2478006
Blast your opponents with markers that can fire six paintballs a second. One of the most epic shoot outs you could imagine!
Paultons Park – Tel: 023 8081 4442
The South’s Family Leisure Park, offering rides and museums, as well as gardens and exotic birds to see. Over 40 attractions included in the price of a ticket.
Open Mid-March to the end of October – from 10am – and weekends only in November and December.
Puffin Cruises – Tel: 07850 947618
Operates regular foot passenger services to Yarmouth, on the Isle of Wight, direct from Lymington Town quay. Short river cruises, and Solent cruises to the Needles, are also available.
Quad biking – Tel: 0333 2478006
A tailor-made activity specifically for kids to rip up the track in their first taste of off road action!
Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum – Tel: 01425 620777
Visit the Museum Courtyard where you’ll find craft shops, the Bashley Manor Tea Room, galleries, childrens swings, and a display of farm machinery and a gypsy caravan.
Southampton Hall of Aviation – Tel: 023 8063 5830
The official memorial to R.J. Mitchell, the Spitfire, and the Supermarine Company. There are 16 aircraft on display, including the great Sandringham Flying Boat, which visitors may enter and visit the flight deck.
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery – Tel: 01590 676969
A colourful museum, that offers so much to see and do, for visitors of all ages. Enjoy the Timeline Gallery, participate in interactive activities, and view high quality exhibitions in the art gallery.
Survival skills in Ringwood – Tel: 0333 2478006
Here in the New Forest this venue boasts 2000 acres of stunning countryside where you can choose from a fantastic selection of bushcraft courses that are guaranteed to cater for all experience levels. Try your hand at shelter building and woodland foraging, or perhaps you’d prefer to master the arts of fire making and knife work!
Local Markets Days:
Ringwood – Wednesday
New Milton – Wednesday
Lymington – Saturday
Christchurch – Monday
Salisbury – Tuesday and Saturday
Local authorities and community sites for surrounding areas:
Bournemouth Borough Council
Christchurch District Council
Hampshire County Council
Isle of Wight County Council
New Forest District Council
New Forest Tourism Department
Poole Borough Council
Salisbury City Council
Winchester City Council
