Fun family days out in the New Forest 
New Forest is a brilliant area to visit as a family, with tons of activities to keep the little ones busy and entertained. Here are some of our favourite family-friendly activities for you to try.
- Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
While New Forest National Park is famed for its freely roaming wildlife some of the animals can be more elusive than others, and spotting the local deer in their natural habitat isn’t always easy!At Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, a purpose built viewing platform has been erected where the herd regularly gather. Between April and September the animals are fed daily by the park rangers so they’re usually in the meadow and used to having humans close by.
Bolderwood is a lovely place to bring the family on a summer’s afternoon, with a large picnic area and three easy walks through the forest to choose from.
More Information: http://www.new-forest-national-park.com/bolderwood-deer-sanctuary.html
- Moors Valley Railway
Train fans will love a visit to Moors Valley Railway – it’s the longest narrow gauge steam railway in the south of England reaching an entire mile in length.The miniature railway was set-up by train enthusiast Jim Haylock and has grown to feature all sorts of real world elements including foot bridges, tunnels, a railway bridge, two stations, a waiting room and turntable.
As well as a trip on the miniature steam trains, you can shop for souvenirs at the site and buy ice-cream and refreshments from two kiosks. If you want more from your visit to the narrow gauge steam railway why not try the Footplate Experience Course, where you can learn to drive the trains for yourself! True enjoyment for all the family!
More Information: http://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/
- Beaulieu Motor Museum
Visit Beaulieu, home of the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, Palace House, and 13th century Beaulieu Abbey. Beautiful grounds and gardens, Rides & Drives for all the family and special tours for groups. Nearby is the picturesque 18th century village of Buckler’s Hard where warships for Nelson’s navy were built.More Information: https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/
- New Forest Wildlife Park
New Forest Wildlife Park is a nature reserve like no other! Visitors follow the park’s woodland trails to see animals in beautiful natural settings. The exciting selection of animals at New Forest Wildlife Park includes European bison, grey wolves, wild boar, lynx, giant otters, red deer, wallabies, Scottish wildcats and more. Children can let off steam in two amazing adventure playgrounds.More Information: http://www.newforestwildlifepark.co.uk/
- Burley Wagon Rides Burley Wagon Rides are the perfect way to take in New Forest’s picturesque scenery at a leisurely pace. The traditional horse and carriages pick up passengers in front of the village church and rides last for twenty minutes, thirty minutes or one hour.More Information: http://www.wagonrides.co.uk/
- Paultons Park
Take your little ones for an action packed day out at Paultons Family Theme Park. Paultons boasts a thrilling selection of rides, including big rides, small rides, play areas, entertainments and a collection of exotic birds and animals. Plus there’s the very special Peppa Pig World, where Peppa fans can enjoy 7 amazing Peppa-themed rides, discover Mr Potato’s Playground and even have the chance to meet Peppa and George!New to Paultons Family Theme Park is Lost Kingdom opening May 17th 2016, where dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes greet you at every turn. Take a Jurassic jeep expedition, ride the new Velociraptor family coaster and soar high into the sky on The Flight of the Pterosaur – a new suspended family coaster!
With plenty for young explorers to discover it will be a Jurassic Adventure for the whole family to enjoy.
More Information: https://paultonspark.co.uk/
- Longdown Farm
Teach your children all about life on a farm with a fun and educational day out at Longdown Activity Farm. The family-run farm offers a whole host of daily activities to join in with including bottle-feeding the kid goats and calves, meeting livestock like pigs, donkeys and alpaca and petting baby rabbits and chicks. There are also fantastic indoor and outdoor play areas plus farmyard buildings to explore.More Information: http://www.longdownfarm.co.uk/
- Murder Mystery Treasure Trail
Bring some extra excitement to a walk around the country village of Burley with the Murder Mystery Treasure Trail. The self-guided tour of the village is a fun day out for kids from ages 6 and up, with clues hidden on local buildings and landmarks that’ll help you solve the Burley Village of Witches Mystery. Visit Treasure Trails website for full details.More Information: https://www.treasuretrails.co.uk/things-to-do/hampshire/burley
- New Forest Reptile Centre
The New Forest Reptile Centre, at New Forest National Park, is an educational conservation centre where it is possible to see all of the UK’s indigenous reptiles in one place. The centre is home to snakes, lizards, frogs and toads including two of Britain’s rarest species: the smooth snake and the sand lizard.The animals are kept in open air netted enclosures which replicate their natural habitats, so for the best chance of seeing them all visit the centre on a warm, sunny day, when the animals will be basking in the sunshine!
More Information: http://www.new-forest-national-park.com/new-forest-reptile-centre.html
- Avon Tyrrell – Youth Outdoor Activity Centre
Avon Tyrrell Youth Outdoor Activity Centre is a leading outdoor learning venue offering an exciting selection of adventurous pursuits to everyone from schools and youth clubs to corporate companies and friends and family groups.Visitors can get active with activities like mountain biking, high ropes and a zip wire to try, plus there are brilliant educational and team-building options available, with sessions like problem solving, the trust walk and plane crash scenario.
More Information:
https://www.avontyrrell.org.uk/activities.html
