Days Out With Kids: The New Forest In Spring

It’s warming up, it’s lighter later and local New Forest attractions are reopening. It’s time for adventures, imagination and fun for all the family.

The New Forest National Park means space to roam, freedom to play and our family friendly Hampshire hotel will be the perfect base for your explorations. Family time is for playing, learning and reconnecting; try new activities like archery, kayaking, climbing or sailing. No matter what the weather, there are attractions and activities a short drive away.

For those with smaller children, surprise them with a visit to Paultons Park, the home of Peppa Pig World. Or plan some outdoor family fun with New Forest Activities; get out on the water for guided canoeing and kayaking tours in the Beaulieu River Nature Reserve, or try your hand at archery and bushcraft. Or perhaps you’d like to head to the shores of the Solent and visit Calshot Activities Centre where you and the whole family can discover ‘climbing, skiing, snowboarding, track cycling, bouldering and obstacle courses all in one place.’

If you’re keen to stay close to the hotel and explore the local area of Beaulieu, there are plenty of beautiful walks right on our doorstep. Spot our well-loved New Forest ponies roaming free throughout the National Park, and enjoy the colours of spring as the forest bursts back into life.

How about a relaxed breakfast and then a walk from our hotel to Buckler’s Hard Maritime Museum, where you can step back in time at this unique 18^th century shipbuilding village on the banks of the tranquil Beaulieu River. Head to the pub for a drink or buy tickets and explore the museum and reconstructed cottages, delving into the history of this fascinating place where boats for Nelson’s Navy were once built.

Book tickets to Beaulieu, an award-winning family visitor attraction in the heart of the New Forest National Park. It may sound like a cliché but there really is something for everyone, from the fun and interactive National Motor Museum with its wonderful collections of motoring memorabilia, combining history, entertainment and fine collections, including James Bond’s Jaguar XKR from Die Another Day and the Flying Ford Anglia featured in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Ride the monorail, explore Palace House and wander around the charming manicured grounds and gardens where you can stroll through the Victorian Kitchen Garden, past impressive tree carvings and enjoy the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland topiary display. Make it the perfect kids’ day out and let them burn off any residual energy with a visit to Little Beaulieu, a new play area complete with a magical wooden palace, climbing wall and a treetop boardwalk.

What about a springtime cycling adventure for the whole family? A fantastic way to get out in nature together and enjoy our ancient woodland in the spring. At New Forest Cycling in the village of Burley, they will take care of everything with hire, including helmets and a backpack with a pump, lock, toolkit and a mobile mechanic backup. And if you can’t get to them, they’ll deliver the bikes to you. From their base you and the kids can set out on compacted gravel waymarked forest trails, making it accessible for all abilities and ages. Pack a picnic or plan a stop at a New Forest pub on the way.

Does a perfect family break day out with the kids mean all things animals? Brockenhurst Donkey Walks offer gentle strolls or time spent brushing and getting to know the sweet donkeys; at the New Forest Reptile Centre you can support their work to protect rare snakes and lizards and enjoy an opportunity to see these incredible reptiles close up, or head to the New Forest Wildlife Park where conservation is at the centre of all they do. Discover animal encounters and adventure playgrounds and see a wonderful range of animals, from otters, owls, deer and bison to wolves, lynx, wallabies and wild boar.

This spring keep things simple, book ahead and plan a few fun days out with the kids during your stay at our family friendly New Forest hotel and discover, play and reconnect in the heart of our National Park and surround yourselves in nature.

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