Steeped in history, a short break in the New Forest has so much to offer for all ages. Learn a new skill, get active, enjoy world class food or simply enjoy the fabulous scenery and wildlife.

From babes in arms to wise retirees and every age in-between, the New Forest is the perfect destination for a short break. For foodies, there is a vast selection of wonderful restaurants, traditional inns and thatched pubs to dine in with cosy logs fires for chilly nights and huge beer gardens with play areas for families. The New Forest is also one of the most dog friendly destinations on the UK. This is a region steeped in history, heritage and culture, plus of course the famous 9000 ponies, donkeys, cattle and pigs who freely wander through pretty forest villages and 193,000 acres of woods and ancient heathlands. There are plenty of adventures and activities on hand to help you create memories of a great holiday. 

New learning experiences and skills for 2018…

Local providers offer an eclectic and fun-tastic array of activities and courses for all ages in the New Forest and surrounding areas. These include: foraging for mushrooms and truffles, learning to sail, windsurf, paddle boarding, canoe and sea kayaking. Entertaining forest adventures to inspire and educate all ages are plentiful – think bat walks at dusk, discovery snake walks, high and low ropes courses, archery and bushcraft as well as wildlife tracking and identification. 

Two feet are great for exploring, but how about…

Hiring bikes to discover over 100 miles of designated cycle routes, or go to the stables for an hour-long hack through the forest or full day adventure on horseback. You can watch kingfishers skimming the water and stunning riverbank wildlife by booking an escorted Canadian canoe or Kayak tour of the Beaulieu River. Reminisce childhood memories outdoors and create your own adventures climbing trees, spotting deer and birds, maybe bring your paint box and sketch pads to capture the vivid wildlife, sights and scenes? There are fetes, carnivals, country fayres and festivals for everyone from fairy lovers to foodies, fans of live music and steam trains and auto jumbles - even pedal car grand prix!  

Explore some more …

The coast and countryside in and around the New Forest is diverse and fantastic. You'll find soft sandy beaches at Mudeford Spit (Christchurch) adorned with rows of pastel beach huts (which sell for over £200K!) along the coast to Highcliffe Castle – former home of Mr Selfridge, which was featured in the TV show of the same name. There's great fun to be had fossil hunting on the beaches of Barton on Sea, and a walk along the pebble spit at Milford on Sea, past Keyhaven Nature Reserve to King Henry VIII's coastal fortress, Hurst Castle. Visit the D-Day launch sites at Lepe Country Park with views across to the rock formation of 'The Needles' on the Isle of Wight – just a mile off shore (day trips available from Lymington) to Old Harry's Rocks on the Isle of Purbecks in the east.  Easy day trips and local attractions include Paultons Park – home of Peppa Pig World, Beaulieu and the motor museum, Exbury gardens, Marwell Zoo, Monkey World, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Stonehenge, Corfe Castle, Poole sandbanks, historic houses and many more. 

Where to stay

www.newforestcottages.co.uk have more than 130 properties sleeping 2 – 15+ to suit all tastes and budgets in the New Forest: luxury great houses with swimming pools or a private beach, romantic bolt holes for 2, apartments perfect for friends and well-equipped family homes with toys, games rooms and tree houses for youngsters. Many with direct access to open forest with ponies grazing outside your window.

Romantic bolthole for valentines

Little Blue sleeps 2, is an enchantingly eclectic and very romantic abode on the coast of the New Forest just off the high street in Lymington, with its bevvy of boutique and independent shops. Inside Little Blue is bijoux and elegant, where unique items mingle with gorgeously pretty and enormously comfortable furniture. Mod cons, underfloor heating, good storage and wi-fi ensure your stay is dreamily restful and fun to boot! Within a few minutes' walk are the superb award winning restaurants The Elderflower and Lanes of Lymington as well as the harbour - a perfect spot for people watching, or take the ferry over to the Isle of Wight for the day. Short breaks cost from £344.25 from www.newforestcottages.co.uk 

New Properties for 2018

Thatchby Oak sleeps 12 with a private fenced swimming pool and direct forest access in the New Forest village of Brockenhurst. You'll see ponies outside your window and wandering up the high street which is plentiful in restaurants, pubs, inn's and café's. This large, spacious house is stunningly beautiful, recently refurbished and offers everything you could need for a great holiday - including a fully equipped games room and huge fenced garden. Short Breaks cost from £1800 from www.newforestcottages.co.uk 

Walnut Tree Cottage sleeps 6. Blissfully secluded in the cutely named village of Tip Toe in the New Forest, yet only 2 miles to the market town of New Milton. A little further is Milford on Sea and the award winning, outstanding restaurants, Verveine and La Perle. This 500-year-old cottage is stylish, filled with light and has oodles of character and comfort. An enclosed pretty bloom-filled garden flanks the cottage, providing an idyllically private spot for a tipple in the sunshine with forest birdsong providing a musical backdrop. A short break at Walnut Tree Cottage costs from £410.25 from www.newforestcottages.co.uk