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Free Things to do in New Forest

Horses grazing in the New Forest

Including New Forest walks

The New Forest National Park is based in West Hampshire and offers a range of dog-friendly and child-friendly walks that offer loads to do for the whole family.

The New Forest has loads of attractions that don’t just include walking. You could go cycling, enjoy one of the many parks or trails.

If you are looking for more outdoor activities then have a look at:

A Huge Guide to Things to do in New Forest

Things to do in Lymington With Kids

The Full List of Country Parks in Hampshire

Free 20+ things to do in Hampshire

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Free Things to do in New forest

Deer Leep

This hidden part of the New Forest is sat right across from the New Forest Wildlife Center. The car park is down a stony trek that looks like someone’s drive and there is loads of free parking. This is great for bike riding as it’s pretty flat over the grassy areas.

The path itself is stony is about a 2-hour walk to Lymington. This is a great place to bring the garden games on a nice day or the wellies on a rainy one. It’s completely dog-friendly too.

The Cricket Ground

This is a huge area that can get busy in the summer but is great for kids to ride their bikes as the grass is kept low. There is a small river nearby which is great for a paddle in the summer months. The car park does get busy on a dry day.

Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary

Bolderwood is another great place with parking and toilets. If you are really lucky then you may spot some deer wandering in the woods. The path is steep down but it’s still fine for pushchairs. It does get busy during the summer but is great for a walk in the winter.

Ober Water

Ober Water is about a mile circular trail that takes you under tress by the river. It has a good gravel path so perfect for buggy’s.

Hatchet Pond

Ok, so this in in Beaulieu but it’s a quick drive from Brockenhurst and the New Forest.

It’s a great place to sit and enjoy the local countryside. The pond attracts a load of different animals from birds and ponies to donkeys.

Buckler’s Hard

Voted number 4 on Trip Advisors list of things to do in Brockenhurst, Buckler’s Hard is an extremely scenic location. They have an onsite car park, a historic village and a pub with a view.

Beaulieu River (Beaulieu)

This river over 12 miles long and contains great walks for the whole family. Put on your wellies and enjoy a walk through the marshes and see what wildlife you can spot.

Lymington Marshes (Lymington)

This is a great walk that takes you through the marshes. Make sure you look out for all the natural wildlife that call the marshes their home. Dogs aren’t allowed in this part of the marshes as the wildlife can be scared easily.

Make sure you pack your wellies on a rainy day as the ground can be quite soft. You can find Lymington Marshes at Lower Pennington Lane, Lymington, SO41 8AJ.

Cadmans Pool (Cadmans)

Found in the New Forest, Cadmans Pool is great for picnics and walks with the whole family. There are loads of walking routes around the pond that are okay for pushchairs but can be a bit bumpy. You can find Cadmans Pool using what3words ///resurgent.bitter.flamenco.

Skatepark in the New Forest

If you are looking for skate parks then have a look at 25 All Level Skate Parks in Hampshire.

Borden skatepark (Borden)
Bransgore skatepark (Bransgore)
Lymington skatepark (Lymington)
New Milton skatepark (New Milton)
Ringwood skatepark (Ringwood)

Trails in the New Forest

Looking for fun family-friendly trails that take you through the wonders of this amazing place? Some of these New Forest tours are self-guided and some are ticket-based. Enjoy a different walking route and find some new places to visit right on your doorstep.

Sea Air Trail (Lymington)
Brockenhurst Spy Mission Treasure Trail (Brockenhurst)
Lymington Treasure Hunt Trail (Lymington)
Walhampton Monument Trail (Lymington)
Blackwater Heartwood Trail (Brockenhurst)
Lymington Town Trail (Lymington)
Ober Water Trail (Brockenhurst)
South Taste Trail (Brockenhurst)
Woodland Explorer Food Trail (Lyndhurst)
Beaulieu to Bucklers Hard (Beaulieu)
Beaulieu to rockenhurst (Beaulieu)
Tall Trees Trail Walk (Blackwater)
New Forest Bishop’s Dyke Walk (Beaulieu)
Meon Valley Trail (West Meon)

Related Posts: 

Playgrounds in the New Forest

Find a list of all the playgrounds near you here with our post 79 Playgrounds Near Me in Hampshire.
Burley Road Play Area (Brockenhurst)
Coles Mead Recreation Ground (Brockenhurst)
Brockenhurst Play Park (Brockenhurst)
Woodside Gardens Park (Lymington)
Quayside Park (Lymington)
Central Park (Lymington)
Lower Buckland Road Play Park (Lymington)
Coles Mead Recreation Ground (Lyndhurst)
New Milton Central Park (New Milton)
Normans Way Play Park (New Milton)
Jubilee Fields Play Area (New Milton)
Copythorne Play Park (New Milton)
Thorney Hill Park (New Milton)
Ash Grove Play Area (Ringwood)

Laura x

If you enjoyed this post and would like some more ideas on things to do in Hampshire then head over to the Things To Do section here on Things To Do In Hampshire With Kids where you’ll find over 50 day out ideas in Hampshire that the whole family will enjoy. You could also pop over and follow our Facebook page here or our Hampshire days out Pinterest boards for lots more ideas on what you can do as a family in Hampshire; Days Out For The Kids in Hampshire and Cheap and Free Days Out in Hampshire.

This is a huge list of free things to do in the New Forest. We've included everything from museums and family walks by Laura at Things To Do In Hampshire With Kids

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