Top 45 Unique Things to Do in the New Forest for 2026
From cute villages, to lavender, castles and cars, here are the best things to do in the New Forest on your weekend or day away. I’ve visited many, many times and live less than an hour away – lucky!
I hadn’t heard of the New Forest National Park until I was in my late 20s, now, I’m a little bit obsessed with the New Forest attractions. I love it there, and lucky for me it’s less than an hour from my house.
I’ve still got quite a bit left to explore, it’s a work in progress but I thought I’d introduce you to a few of the best things to do in the New Forest, as discovered so far.
This article lists the most unique things to do in the New Forest to help you plan your day trip, weekend or holiday. Almost everything has been tried and tested by me.
– Read on to see the best places to visit in the New Forest!
Just a little bit of background before we begin though. The New Forest is in Hampshire, it’s the smallest of England’s national parks, it’s mostly owned by the Queen and it’s the perfect place for a weekend away.
Also, there are lots of New Forest attractions to enjoy.
Watch my video on what to do in the New Forest
What is there to do in the New Forest?
This quiet corner of south England is home to the New Forest National Park, which itself is 219 square miles of nature, beautiful coastline and quaint English charm. And there’s so much to do here, think everything from steam trains to watersports, otters to vintage cars.
So if you fancy a getaway but want to keep it closer to home, head here for an authentically British weekend. Start your journey working your way through this list of top things to do in the New Forest.
1. Visit Brockenhurst village
Brockenhurst is the cutest village, complete with Tudor style houses and a secret watersplash ford. It was once declared ‘Britain’s Most Beautiful Place to Live’ and given that wild ponies, donkeys and cows happily plod through the village you can see why – it’s one of the top places to visit in the New Forest.
There’s a really cute church there, St Nicholas Church and if you go in the priest will show you around and tell you all about the New Zealanders that were once in the area fighting for us.
Visiting Brockenhurst is one of the top New Forest days out.
2. Eat at the Huntsman
The Huntsman is so good.
I’ve been twice now, once for a weekend dinner with the ladies, and once for Sunday lunch with my boyfriend. Both, wonderful experiences.
It’s a lovely setting, in the aforementioned Brockenhurst, full of lovely furniture, beautiful pictures, and a cool vibe. There’s a lunch menu full of great takes on British classics, and I can definitely vouch for the red wine menu too.
Also, their beer garden is one of the best in the whole of the New Forest. I’d definitely recommend planning your New Forest visit around going to The Huntsman.
3. Go kayaking on the Beaulieu River
New Forest Activities are the only company allowed to use the Beaulieu River for fun. I took a kayak out for a self-guided tour and had a lovely time kayaking up to Beaulieu along the banks of the Beaulieu River.
It costs £27 for three hours and you can travel up and down the river as much as you please.
The Beaulieu River is the only river in England not owned by the Queen. It’s owned by Lord Montague, he owns the actual river bed. Something about Henry VIII giving it to his great ancestors back in the day.
My favourite part of the kayaking in the New Forest was getting to see the big, fancy houses that line the river bed.
Riiiiiich people live here.
Take some time to get an ice cream in Beaulieu afterwards – another one of the New Forest’s beautiful villages. Or if you’re really hungry, try the Pallett’s Tea Shop for a traditional New Forest cream tea, or a bit of cake.
4. Walk on Lepe beach
To the south of the New Forest is Lepe Beach. It’s lovely. I mean, when I visited it was a beautiful sunny day but still, I imagine on a grey day it’s still nice too. There’s a lovely cafe there, and you can take a nice walk along the seafront too.
It’s a great place to walk the dog, or to go in the water – especially if you’re looking for free things to do in the New Forest.
5. Visit the PIG BEER Brewery and Tap Room
PIG BEER Brewery and Tap Room is a real hidden gem of the New Forest. Tucked away in Brockenhurst, PIG BEER is an independently owned brewery located on a former pig farm. They brew all of their own beers on site using hops from their own hop plantation.
Couple this with a heated and covered beer garden, PIG BEER is a great spot to spend a few hours and enjoy a few beers – you can even get some bottles to take home with you from their shop!
If you’re a fan of craft beer and local produce, this is a great stop on your journey through the New Forest!
6. Have a go at archery
Again with New Forest Activities, have a go at the archery. Honestly, first go and I got the yellow bit right in the middle, and then just got progressively worse.
I ended up coming 5th out of 12.
– There are loads of outdoor activities to do in the New Forest, it’s why it’s loved so much! –
Thoroughly enjoyed myself though and that’s the main thing, right?
Top tip for you: keep your arm up, and back, and hold your fist close to your cheekbone. Retreat. Go for it. And hopefully you’ll at least get it on the board.
Two hours-ish of archery costs from £18 each, depending on the time of year. Check out New Forest Activities on this link. If you’re stuck for what to do in the New Forest, then they’re a great place to start.
7. Go wild for lavender
Did you know lavender farms are a thing, and that they exist right here in the UK?
The Instagrammers love them.
– Pic from the New Forest Lavender Farm
The New Forest Lavender Farm has all the sweet smelling stuff you can imagine plus an array of other plants in its nursery. Spend an afternoon exploring and working out which plants you won’t kill once you get back home.
And if you’re into your flowers, check out the bluebells in season at Roydon Woods near Brockenhurst too.
If you’re with your Grandma and Grandpa and wondering what to do in the New Forest, then a flower trail is a great idea.
8. Visit Hurst Castle
As one of Henry VIII’s old joints, it’s exactly as you’d expect; all dungeons, high walls and spooky feels. You can tour Hurst Castle to learn all about its time as an active fortress and then a 17th century prison, before finishing up on the turrets and enjoying the lovely views of Milford on Sea.
Hurst Castle is a lot bigger inside than it looks from the picture above. I was genuinely amazed!
Entrance is £8.50, and there’s a little cafe on site too. This is one of the top New Forest places of interest to explore.
You can definitely spend a day here as there’s a beautiful lighthouse too. I loved it here, but make sure you go on a summer’s day as the 40-minute walk up the spit can be very windy!
9. Stay at one of the lush spa hotels
There are some amazing hotels in the New Forest. Really, really, lovely hotels with spas, golf courses, amazing New Forest restaurants and incredible bedrooms.
I recently stayed at the Balmer Lawn Hotel. It was LUSH, and I’d totally go back again. It’s definitely one of the best luxury hotels in the New Forest.
There was a lovely spa, an amazing restaurant (with the best steak I’ve had in years) and was set in a beautiful part of the New Forest (again, Brockenhurst). We enjoyed an evening in the on site bar, and the next morning (after a buffet breakfast) the Jacuzzi, again.
– Check out the latest prices at the Balmer Lawn Hotel, and the rest of the facilities!
10. Take to the water
It can be easy to forget this forest is on the water but it does stretch across 43 miles of coastline. And where there’s water, there’s watersports, and plenty of them in New Forest.
As well as the kayaking in the New Forest at point number 3, you can keep it chilled with some fishing or boating, or opt to amp up the energy with some paddleboarding or canoeing.
You could even go all out with a trip to the New Forest waterpark, which spans two lakes and looks absolutely AMAZING. If you’re wondering what to do in the New Forest with kids, then get over here!
One of the top New Forest places to visit for sure.
10. Visit the New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Park
Have yourself a hoot at the New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Park where you can see these two breeds up close. They’re not alone though. If you’re lucky you’ll also see some bison, deer and lynx as well as lots of cool plants.
There’s also a tropical butterfly house and a whole load of things to learn about caring for animals too. This is one of the best places to visit in the New Forest for kids – they’ll love it.
11. Visit the National Motor Museum
Rev up the action with a visit to the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu. Tickets are £15 and get you in to see 250 cars from multiple eras. Once you tyre yourself out (lols), head up to Palace House, the secret army exhibition or the World of Top Gear where that same ticket will see you right in — bargain!
This is usually cited as the number one thing to do in the New Forest. Get yourself down there!
12. Visit Exbury Gardens to let off some steam
As if your trip could get any more kitsch, take the traditional steam train through Exbury Gardens. It’s the most relaxing way to explore the the 200 acre gardens and see the multitude of flowers and plants its home to.
Tickets cost around £18 but that does include your 20-minute train ride. Mark that as a top place to visit in the New Forest on your map!
13. Visit the Rufus Stone
This is a great stop for curious minds and walkers in the New Forest. The Rufus Stone marks the alleged site where King William II (William Rufus) was killed by an arrow in 1100. Visit today and you’ll see an iron-clad stone marking the spot.
14. Take your bikes
Cycling round the New Forest is one of the best ways to explore what it has to offer. There are miles and miles of cycle trails in the New Forest and it’s a lovely pace to see it from.
You can either take your own bikes and park up, to see what’s what. Or, there are plenty of bike rentals shops in the New Forest too. Check out the Woods Cyclery in Lymington for a great place to hire from.
Cycling around is definitely my favourite of all the New Forest activities. It’s just a great pace to see the forest at.
15. Enjoy the quaint New Forest pubs
You’ll find some amazing pubs in the New Forest, ones that are absolutely full of character. From The Oak Inn near Lyndhurst, above, to the excellent beer garden at the Royal Oak near Beaulieu, traditional pub grub is available in abundance.
After a long bike ride on a summer’s day, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than one of the top pubs in the New Forest.
16. Visit The Pig Manor House
Once you’ve finished wandering around all the rural charm of the villages, fill up with some traditional pub grub at The Pig. It’s a beautiful old manor house where you can stay over if you have the cash, or just visit in the day for lunch or dinner.
You need to book early if you want to get in the restaurant but you can turn up to the garden. Those piggy flatbreads in the courtyard are YUM!
17. Hang out at the beach at Milford on Sea
Milford on Sea is