Brockenhurst New Forest is the perfect place to find hidden gems in Hampshire
Finding things to go in Brockenhurst with the kids can be hard, especially if you don’t know the area very well.
Whether you’re looking for animal attractions in Brockenhurst, adventure near the New Forest or all weather sightseeing attractions, then this list of 19 things to do in Brockenhurst New Forest is for you.
Find more things to do in Hampshire near Brockenhurst here:
A Huge Guide to Things to do in New Forest – This gives you everything there is to do in Hampshire with kids. Make sure you explore these amazing woods and bring your bikes or a picnic on a warm day. There is so much to do for everyone of all ages!
Things to do in Lymington With Kids – This is our full list of things to do in Lymington. Walk along the river, bring and picnic or explore this old town with the whole family.
Free things to do in the New Forest – These are the best free things to do in the New Forest for kids. You don’t have to spend anything with our great ideas here.
Find things to do in Hampshire
Wondering what to do today? Then our guide for ALL things Hampshire is for you!
If you are looking for things to do in Hampshire with kids then this guide is for you. We have over 200+ ideas that you can use to keep your whole family amused while exploring everything Hampshire has to offer!
This is an up to date spreadsheet, in activity order, that you can use when you have no clue what to do. We’ve included everything from country parks, to splash pools, lakes, castles, days out, playgrounds and walks.
Grab our Things to do in Hampshire guide here.
Things to Do in Brockenhurst New Forest
All these are under nine miles away from Brockenhurst and are kid friendly places to visit.
Walks in Brockenhurst
Brockenhurst Village Walk
This is a great circular walk that takes you through the beautiful village of Brockenhurt. It starts and ends at the train station, and takes around 2-2.5 hours if you have toddlers with you. It’s an easy walk that takes you past some horses (if you are lucky) and the main Brockenhurt high street.
You can start the Brockenhurst Village Walk at Brockenhurst SO42 7TW.
Brockenhurst and the Tall Tree Circular
Starting in the village of Brockenhurst, this is a 3 mile walk that is great for older kids. It can get a big boggy at times so wear your wellies and enjoy the walk through the countryside.
You can find more about Brockenhurst and the Tall Tree Circular trail here.
Brockenhurst to Lymington Walk
This walk from Brockenhurst train station to Lymington train station is a great walk for older kids. It is around 7.5 miles long but we liked it as we could get the train back to Brockenhurst quite easily for the return trip back to the car.
You do need your wellies on, even if it hasn’t rained in a few days. We found it boggy so I wouldn’t recommend a pushchair as it is very cross country.
You can find Brockenhurst Train station at SO42 7TW.
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.
You can find Ober Water at Whitefield Moor, Rhinefield Road, Near Brockenhurst, SO42 7QD.
Brockenhurst to Blackwater
You can drive to Blackwater Arboretum but the walk from Brockenhurst village to Blackwater Arboretum is amazing. It’s reasonably flat and even though it is a long a couple of roads, they are within the New Forest.
This walk is about 10 miles or so, so long if you have small children, but for older kids, who like exploring or do not enjoy the hustle of Blackwater Arboretum, then this walk is for them.
This walk took us about 4.5 hours with a few stops along the way for drinks and a snack. We brought a picnic as outside of the village, you don’t find many shops or pubs on the way.
You do see loads of horses and donkeys though which was amazing.
Bring your wellies and it was very wet. I wouldn’t recommend this for pushchairs as we had to climb over a few fallen tree logs (which the kids loved) to get past and carry on the trail.
Start your walk at Brockenhurst Train station at SO42 7TW and finish at Blackwater Arboretum at Rhinefield Ornamental Dr, Brockenhurst SO42 7QB.
Blackwater Arboretum
A 1.4 mile route, Blackwater has it’s own car park and different trails depending on what kind of walk you desire. You can take the casual route and stroll on firm gravel or take the harder route that the kids will love with two short slops. Blackwater Arboretum can get very busy during the summer seasons so if you are driving directly I would recommend getting there early.
What we love about Blackwater is that the trees are massive, and are a trail all in themselves. You can spend ages walking around the tall trees and exploring the deer that love to hide behind them.
You can find Blackwater Arboretum at Rhinefield Ornamental Dr, Brockenhurst SO42 7QB.
Hollands Wood walk
This is a 1.5 mile walk that is great to do with toddlers and kids in a pushchair. It’s an easy walk, with not many hills that takes you through Brockenhurst village and then in a circular walk through Hollands Wood. This is a campsite in the summer months so do be aware of that. We tend to do this walk in the winter months in our wellies when the campsite is shut.
You can find Hollands Wood Walk at Lyndhurst Rd, Brockenhurst SO42 7QH.
Adventure close to Brockenhurst
New Forest Bus Tour
If you are looking for a way to enjoy the New Forest without your car then the New Forest tour by bus is the way to do it.
It is completely family-friendly and a great way to explore the New Forest National Park. The New Forest is the perfect place to find hidden gems in Hampshire. Finding things to do in Brockenhurst and Lymington with the kids can be hard, especially if you don’t know the area very well. The bus tour is the best way to find things to do! Take a picnic with you and hop on and off as much as you like. Make sure you sit on the top deck and get the wonderful open views of the New Forest.
Read more about New Forest Bus Tour here.
You can also catch the Hythe Ferry and train, which is a great way to start your journey. You can get the Hythe Ferry from The Pier, Prospect Pl, Hythe, Southampton SO45 6AU. You can turn up and pay to get on. The journey takes about 20 minutes across the water and the World’s Oldest Pier Train will take you to the center of Hythe.
Read more about the Hythe Ferry here.
You can start the New Forest Bus Tour at The Pier, Prospect Pl, Hythe, Southampton SO45 6AU.
Brockenhurst Spy Mission Treasure Trail
Brockenhurst may look like a typical Hampshire town but there are mysteries afoot that need solving fast!
Get to the bottom of what’s going on in this New Forest town by walking around and unravelling clues.
The Brockenhurst Spy Mission Treasure Trail is self guided, buggy and wheelchair friendly and fun for all ages.
The pack can be downloaded from the Brockenhurst Spy Mission Treasure Trail website.
Lymington Sea Water Baths
If your family loves the water, then Lymington Sea Water Baths is for you!
This fully staffed 110m seawater pool has a 12m inflatable obstacle course plus stand up paddleboards as well as kayaks and aqua jousting.
Parking is close. Great for school kids and up!
You can find Lymington Sea Water Baths at Bath Rd, Lymington SO41 3SE.
Lymington Treasure Hunt Trail
Great for all ages, come and crack the Lymington Treasure Hunt Trail.
Before you start your mission, download your printable PDF which will give you directions and clues to help you on your mission.
It takes around 2 hours to complete and is self-guided.
Forest Leisure Cycling
Based in Burley, you can take a ride through the New Forest and experience it like you never have before.
With over 300 bikes to hire, they are sure to have whatever you have in mind.
There are over 100 miles of winding gravel track across the forest and you’ll be able to benefit from the teams experience and route options.
Enjoy an ice cream or cream tea while you’re out as many routes take you past local refreshments. Forest Leisure Cycling is open all week 9am to 530pm.
You can find Forest Leisure Cycling at Village Centre, The Cross, Ringwood Rd, Burley, Ringwood BH24 4AB.
Burley Manor Riding Stables
Located in Burley near Brockenhurst, Barley Manor Riding Stables helps kids over 4 learn to ride in a peaceful environment.
All riding levels are welcome but you do need to book in advance to secure your place. The staff are very friendly and supportive so it’s an excellent starting point for absolute beginners.
You can find Burley Manor Riding Stables at Warren Farm, Balmer Lawn road, Brockenhurst SO42 7TT.
Animal attractions by Brockenhurst
New Forest Reptile Centre
Close to Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst, the New Forest Reptile Centre is great for young and older kids.
There’s nothing fluffy, so if you like your animals to be slithery then the New Forest Reptile Centre is for you.
It has a great selection of snakes, frogs and lizards and holds two of Britain’s most rarest species.
They are only during select times though so please do check their website before turning up.
Find out more about New Forest Reptile Centre here.
You can find New Forest Reptile Centre at A35 Bournemouth Rd, Lyndhurst SO43 7GR.
Longdown Activity Farm
7 miles away from Brockenhurst, Longdown Activity Farm is a great place to get down and dirty with the animals.
You can feed, pet and met most the animals throughout the day while letting the kids loose on the trampolines and soft play area.
They have an onsite restaurant, plenty of toilets and benches to eat a picnic.
It’s mostly buggy and wheelchair friendly, but there is a steep hill by the park. You can walk around and use the path by the donkeys if needed.
You can find Longdown Activity Farm at Deerleap Lane, Ashurst, Southampton SO40 7EH.
Bolderwood Deer Sancturay
Deer viewing at Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary isn’t always guaranteed. Visiting between April and September, when the deer are fed by the local New Forest keeper and you’ll be in for a treat.
It’s completely free and an easy walk for little ones. There’s a wooden viewing area just a short walk from the car park.
You can find Bolderwood Arboretum at Ornamental Drive, Lyndhurst SO43 7GE.
New Forest Wildlife Park
New Forest Wildlife park is set in 25 acres of the New Forest. The range of animals are enchanting, from fun spirted Asian short-clawed otters to the royal Red Deer.
For big kids, there are sandpits, diggers, slides, climbing frames and swings in the ‘Go Wild’ and ‘Mini Go Wild’ adventure playgrounds.
New Forest Wildlife park is open all year round and has onsite parking, restaurant and picnic benches.
You can find New Forest Wildlife Park at Deerleap Lane, Southampton SO40 4UH.
Museums near Brockenhurst
St Barbe Museum and Gallery
Stepped in local history, St Barbe Museum and Gallery is a great place to learn about our coastal region through interactive displays.
Experts help guide you around with speakers, headphones and all sorts of technology making this a great place for all ages.
This free day out is a great way for the whole family to learn about our history. The kids can dress up while learning about being a shepard or what it was like being a Victorian sailor.
Open Monday to Sunday 10am-4pm, St Barbe Museum and Gallery has a onsite restaurant, parking and is pushchair and wheelchair friendly.
You can find St Barbe Museum and Gallery at St Barbe, New St, Lymington SO41 9BH.
Beaulieu Motor Museum
Based near the New Forest, Beaulieu is packed full of cars that are steeped in history.
With over 250 vehicles, a high-level monorail and The Palace House and gardens, this is a full day out for the whole family.
The ticket covers all the attractions including the Mini Motor play area and Mill Pond Walk.
They have onsite restaurant, parking and picnic benches. Great for all ages.
You can find Beaulieu Motor Museum at John Montagu Building, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst SO42 7ZN.
Related Posts:
- 51 Free Days Out in Hampshire For Families
- The Best Zoos and Wildlife Parks in Hampshire
- The Full List of Country Parks in Hampshire
Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum
There are many great machines on display at the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum . See the V8 Moto Guzzi, Velocette, AJS Excelsiors, and 100s more in the Racing Hall, which has one of the most exotic collection of racing bikes in the world!
Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum also has a tearoom, and children’s play area with sturdy outdoor equipment best suited to 3 through 10 years.
The kids can also meet a variety of friendly animals, such as alpacas, sheep, rabbits, donkeys, goats, chickens, and countless other birds, including 2 American turkeys charmingly called Salt and Pepper!
You can find Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum at Bashley Cross Rd, Roads BH25 5SZ
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.
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