After years of exploration, local adventurer Sara gives us the low down on her favourite things to do in the New Forest, often with the kiddos and pup in tow.
I’ve lived in Southampton in Hampshire near the New Forest for the past 8 years. We regularly visit the national park for days out as a family, as there are many fun things to do there.
It’s an incredible area packed with outdoor activities to try within the forest, such as biking and hiking. There are also water sports to dive into on any one of the three rivers – Lymington River, Beaulieu River and Avon Water – as well as multiple beaches to explore.
We’ve tried most of the activities and attractions that the New Forest has to offer. So using our experience, we’ve put together our guide to the ten best free things to do in the New Forest!
Are you ready for a budget-friendly adventure?
- Go for a Bike Ride
- Visit Brockenhurst Village
- Walk on Lepe Beach
- Admire the New Forest Ponies
- Go Wild Swimming in a River
- Explore Rhinefield Ornamental Drive
- Walk the Solent Way
- Hang Out at the Beach at Milford on Sea
- Visit Lymington and Enjoy the Local Market
- Take in the History of Bucklers Hard
- Final Thoughts On Free Things To Do In The New Forest
Go for a Bike Ride
Cycling around the New Forest is definitely my favourite of all the New Forest activities, and it’s by far one of the best ways to explore the area.
There are literally miles and miles of cycle trails in the New Forest, and this is one of our best recommendations of cool free things to do in Hampshire.
For more adventurous cyclists, there are purpose-built mountain bike circuits at the edge of the New Forest at the Moors Valley Country Park.
If you have your own bikes then you can take them with you, or, there are lots of bike rental shops in the New Forest too.
We’ve previously rented from Cyclexperience in Brockenhurst, which offer a great selection of bikes (including e-bikes). Plus there are lots of great bike trails conveniently begin close to the shop.
Visit Brockenhurst Village
Brockenhurst is in my opinion the prettiest village in the New Forest, and it’s the perfect place to start your visit and a launching pad for your adventures.
But I am not alone in my views – Brockenhurst was even once declared ‘Britain’s Most Beautiful Place to Live’ by a UK estate agent, and you can see why!
Wild ponies, donkeys and cows happily plod through the village, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
You’ll need to find a local to ask about their secret places; the Watersplash Ford at the western end of the main shopping street, and Brockenhurst Beach, a fantastic wild swimming spot on the Lymington River.
Walk on Lepe Beach
Lepe Beach is a part of Lepe Country Park next to the entrance of Beaulieu River. This beautiful shingle and sand beach is very popular with water sports and nature enthusiasts.
You can take some great beach walks along the quiet parts of the beach, and kids can also take part in a scavenger hunt. Or just relax and enjoy stunning views of the Solent, the strait between the Isle of Wight and mainland Great Britain.
We love that you can bring your dogs along, however they are restricted from the main part of the beach between April and September. There’s also a cool cafe there for after your walk.
Admire the New Forest Ponies
The New Forest is probably most famous for its wild ponies that roam freely within the forest and along the roads.
And did you know that the New Forest ponies have the right of way? So whether you’re driving, hiking or cycling – watch out!
Just bear in mind that they are wild animals and should be observed from a distance. You can find them pretty much everywhere, however, you’ll usually easily spot them in Beaulieu and Brockenhurst.
If you can’t find any wild ponies, then head over to the Balmer Lawn Hotel as they’re usually drinking in the river next to the hotel.
Go Wild Swimming in a River
The River Lymington at Balmer Lawn near to Brockenhurst in the New Forest is a very popular spot for picnics and paddling. You’ll find it near the Balmer Lawn Hotel and is affectionately called the Brock Beach by locals. It’s very easy to access Brock Beach from the road as there is parking nearby.
It has a nice grassy beach area to chill out on. The river leads from the small beach down into deeper pools near the bridge, making it ideal for families.
You’ll want to pack some good water shoes though as the riverbed is covered in large pebbles which are easy to slip on and can hurt your feet. You can also bring your four-legged friends along as they’re very welcome.
Explore Rhinefield Ornamental Drive
If you’re looking for a free thing to do in the New Forest that you can do from the comfort of your car, then you should check out the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive. It’s absolutely stunning!
The Rhinefield Ornamental Drive starts at Whitefield Moor in Brockenhurst and finishes in Bolderwood. It’s a scenic route where you can drive for a few minutes through the moorland to enjoy views of huge redwood trees and ancient forests.
Or, if you have time and are able, then we’d really recommend getting out and walking among them. It’s one of my favourite walks in the New Forest. You can always combine this section with some other trails to make for a full day’s walking in the New Forest.
There are plenty of car parks close, so if you just want a little walk in the New Forest, this is the perfect spot to do it.
Walk the Solent Way
If you’re feeling active, then one of the most popular free things to do in the New Forest is to walk either all, or part of The Solent Way.
It’s a 60-mile long-distance coastal footpath along the Solent strait, linking Milford on Sea in the New Forest with Emsworth Harbour on the Hampshire / West Sussex border, near Chichester.
The walk is broken into 8 sections, so you could always just walk a section or two. Or if you wanted to walk the whole Solent Way, then it’s possible to do it over three days. It’s very easy to follow the path along the coast, as it’s well signposted.
The views from the walk make it all the more special, with amazing sweeping vistas over to the Isle of Wight.
Hang Out at the Beach at Milford on Sea
Found on the south coast of the New Forest, Milford on Sea is a really beautiful part of the coastline.
Milford on Sea has one of the few beaches in the New Forest that is fully dog-friendly. This means that you can visit with your four-legged friend at any time of the year. We love this as we have a gorgeous dog that we like to take everywhere with us.
As well as this, Milford on Sea is the cutest village with a range of local boutique shops and eateries, and the beach has beautiful coloured beach huts lining it.
You can hang out in the village, or alternatively you can walk down towards the English Heritage managed Hurst Castle. It’s a 40-minute walk along the spit and at the end you’ll reach the impressive Henry VIII castle that has even more impressive views at the end.
Visit Lymington and Enjoy the Local Market
The beautiful historic town of Lymington has plenty for you to see and do on a budget trip to the New Forest.
This colourful coastal town on the west bank of the Lymington River, on the edge of the Solent, is an ancient seaport with rich maritime history.
Lymington is also a major yachting hub and has three very popular marinas. There’s lots to see on a walk through Lymington, specifically the central marina called The Quay.
If you head down to Lymington on a Saturday, you’ll get to enjoy the hustle and bustle of a traditional street market along the High Street. This popular market has around 100 stalls and offers everything from local fine foods to craftwork and antiques. You can wander around and soak up the history of this market, which has had a charter from 1250!
If you enjoy walking, then it’s worth taking a bracing walk along the 10 miles of nearby Lymington to the 738-hectare Keyhaven nature reserve. You should look out for wetland birds, take in views of The Needles over on the Isle of Wight and breathe in the fresh, salty air.
Take in the History of Bucklers Hard
Buckler’s Hard is a beautiful village on the Beaulieu River that boasts a rich maritime history.
Whilst you’re there, you can explore this quaint shipbuilding village while pretending to be a swashbuckling pirate or a dashing sailor. There’s a fantastic green grassy area perfect for a picnic too.
You should keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as you wander around the village, you might see charming waterfowl or cheeky river otters.
So, whether you’re after a dose of nature or a touch of history, it’s a wonderful place to spend a few hours.
Final Thoughts On Free Things To Do In The New Forest
The New Forest is England’s eighth largest National Park with 61 ancient monuments, 18 conservation areas and 634 listed buildings. That means the New Forest is simply an amazing place to visit, as there are lots of fantastic activities and attractions to try outside, and an abundance of free-roaming animals and scenery to admire.
If you love the outdoors then the New Forest is definitely worth a visit. There are some great places to swim, some fantastic bike rides and energetic hikes to try.
We hope that we’ve given you some inspiration for cool free things to do and see in the New Forest!
Author: Sara Young
Sara is the author of Big Adventures With Little Feet, a family travel blog inspiring parents to travel with their kids. She loves exploring the world with her sons and giving them big adventures, whether that’s hiking or skiing, sailing or surfing. She and her family spend winters in Antigua where her boyfriend works as a yacht captain, and summers travelling the world seeking adventures.