10 Outdoor Activities in the New Forest for Families

You’ll discover endless family adventures in the New Forest, from spotting wild ponies grazing freely across ancient heathland to steering treetop obstacle courses high above the woodland canopy. Take the gentle Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary trail for guaranteed wildlife sightings, or challenge older kids at Go Ape’s aerial adventures. Explore Lepe’s coastal treasures, steam through Exbury Gardens, and try woodland archery experiences that’ll create lasting memories for adventurous families seeking authentic outdoor thrills.

Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary Circular Trail and Wildlife Viewing

Looking for an easy wildlife adventure that’s perfect for the whole family? The Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary Circular Trail delivers exactly that. This gentle 0.3-mile walk from Bolderwood car park takes just 15 minutes and follows yellow waymarked posts to a viewing platform overlooking wild fallow deer herds.

You’ll find the graveled path suitable for pushchairs, with benches for resting along the way. The deer are fed daily by Forestry England keepers from Easter to mid-September, making sightings almost guaranteed. Visit during cooler temperatures or evenings for the best wildlife viewing.

The free car park includes toilets and picnic tables, though it fills quickly on busy days. You might also spot New Forest ponies and majestic stags crossing your path. The area showcases ongoing woodland regeneration efforts following the devastating Great Storms of 1987 and 1991.

Go Ape Treetop Adventures at Itchen Valley Country Park

Craving an adrenaline rush high above the forest floor? Go Ape at Itchen Valley Country Park delivers exactly that with three exciting treetop experiences. You’ll find the park just five miles northwest of Southampton, easily accessible from M27 junction 5.

Choose your adventure based on age and confidence. Treetop Challenge (£35) offers the ultimate 2-3 hour thrill with sky-high ziplines for ages 10+ (minimum 1.4m height). Treetop Adventure Plus (£20) provides intermediate challenges for ages 6+ (1.2m height), while Treetop Adventure suits younger children under 6 (1m height).

Safety’s paramount—experienced instructors provide thorough briefings and harness fitting. You’ll navigate wobbly bridges, rope crossings, and exhilarating Tarzan swings at your own pace. For added thrills, try the guided Axe Throwing sessions designed for adults and teens 16+.

The 440-acre country park setting offers additional trails and play areas for extended family fun.

New Forest Pony Spotting Across Open Moorland

Stepping onto New Forest’s ancient moorland, you’ll encounter one of Britain’s most enchanting wildlife experiences—spotting the iconic New Forest ponies in their natural habitat. With approximately 5,000 ponies roaming freely, you’ll likely spot them within minutes of arrival across the open heathland.

Head to prime locations like Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, or Lyndhurst where these hardy natives graze in small groups. Some ponies wear reflective silver collars for night visibility after health checks. Remember these aren’t wild animals—they’re owned and monitored by agisters.

Always admire from a respectful distance and never feed or touch them to avoid injury. These remarkable animals play a crucial role in maintaining the landscape through their natural grazing, helping to preserve rare species and the distinctive character of the heathland.

Drive carefully on unfenced roads with 40mph limits, giving ponies right of way. Carry the Animal Emergency Hotline card and report any incidents immediately.

Foxlease Activity Centre Multi-Adventure Experiences

When you’re seeking the ultimate multi-adventure experience in the New Forest, Foxlease Activity Centre delivers an unmatched 63-acre playground near Lyndhurst that’ll challenge everyone from age 5 upwards.

You’ll find water activities like kayaking and raft building, land-based adventures including archery and bushcraft, plus height challenges such as abseiling and climbing walls.

Groups split into manageable sizes of 10-12 participants with experienced instructors providing all equipment.

The centre operates year-round with five daily sessions, though water activities pause during winter months.

You’ll appreciate the DDA-compliant facilities, first aid trained staff, and on-site defibrillator ensuring safety throughout. The site features a large marquee available during inclement weather conditions.

Book instructed activities via their form system, while self-led options like orienteering require direct booking for maximum flexibility.

Tall Trees Trail Through Blackwater Arboretum

Where else can you walk among some of Britain’s tallest trees while enjoying an accessible family trail that takes just 40 minutes to complete? The Tall Trees Trail through Blackwater Arboretum offers this unique experience, featuring giant sequoias and Douglas firs planted in the 1850s during Queen Victoria’s reign.

You’ll start at Blackwater car park (SO42 7QB), following white-topped waymarkers on smooth gravelled paths with gentle slopes and frequent rest spots. The trail includes a 1.5m wide bridge with handrails and anti-slip covering for safe crossing.

The 1.5-mile circular route showcases nationally important trees from around the world, including the oldest Douglas firs in Britain.

Arrive early for parking, especially on weekends, and wear comfortable shoes for the uneven gravel surface.

The trail’s dog-friendly and features accessible facilities, making it perfect for families seeking a peaceful woodland adventure.

New Forest Activities Family Canoe Tours on Beaulieu River

As gentle tides carry you through hidden waterways of the Beaulieu River Nature Reserve, you’ll discover one of the New Forest’s most peaceful adventures on these expertly guided family canoe tours.

Expert instructors provide thorough equipment introduction and safety guidance before your 90-minute paddle begins.

You’ll explore secret creeks while spotting wildlife including ospreys, kingfishers, and seals.

Stable Canadian canoes accommodate families with children as young as 18 months, and buoyancy aids come in all sizes.

Your qualified coaches adjust routes based on weather and tides, ensuring safe conditions for groups of 12 or fewer.

At £32 for adults and £24 for children, these tours run April through October with winter options available. Children under 5 enjoy free admission to this memorable waterway adventure.

Wheelchair accessibility requires advance notice.

Lepe Country Park Beach and Sensory Garden Exploration

Why settle for ordinary beach visits when Lepe Country Park delivers over a mile of diverse coastline where history meets natural beauty? You’ll discover fascinating D-Day Mulberry Harbour remains embedded in the shingle beach while your kids explore sandy stretches perfect for family activities. The pine-fringed cliffs provide shelter and panoramic Solent views toward the Isle of Wight.

Don’t miss the specially designed sensory garden featuring lavender, hydrangeas, and interactive elements like bug hotels and water features. Choose between dog-welcome and dog-free beach sections based on your family’s needs. Two dedicated children’s play areas cater to different age groups, while the licensed restaurant offers convenient refreshments.

With accessible facilities, extensive parking, and year-round wildlife watching opportunities including Brent Geese and Kingfishers, Lepe provides educational outdoor experiences your family won’t forget. As one of Hampshire’s most popular destinations, the park attracts over 300,000 visitors each year who come to enjoy its diverse natural habitats and scenic beauty.

Moors Valley Country Park Tree Top Trail and Nature Discovery

How does a five-metre high wooden walkway transform your family’s forest adventure into an unforgettable treetop experience? Moors Valley’s Tree Top Trail offers exactly that—a 200-metre elevated journey through the canopy with gentle crossings and family-friendly exploration points.

You’ll find the trailhead near the totem pole area, though pushchairs aren’t permitted on the walkway itself.

For more adventurous families, the Treetop Adventure Course welcomes ages 4-10 with continuous safety systems and qualified instructor briefings. Expect 60-90 minutes traversing zip wires up to 76 metres long. The course features a continuous belay safety system with secure harnesses to ensure responsible participation throughout your adventure.

Don’t miss the pushchair-friendly Play Trail featuring Gruffalo sculptures and two large adventure areas.

The Lake and Riverside Walk provides another excellent option for discovering this award-winning Forestry England site’s natural beauty.

Exbury Gardens Steam Railway and Dragonfly Pond Adventures

While many garden railways feel like novelties, Exbury’s narrow-gauge steam train delivers a genuine adventure through 200 acres of spectacular woodland.

You’ll enjoy a twenty-minute circular journey aboard steam locomotives specially built for this 12¼-inch gauge railway. The route winds through tunnels, past Dragonfly Pond, and into diverse garden areas including the Rock Garden and American Garden.

The railway’s designed with accessibility in mind—there’s a mid-way halt, making it perfect for elderly visitors and families with young children.

You must purchase garden admission to ride the train, but it’s worth it for the elevated views of rhododendrons, azaleas, and exotic plants. The railway is also known as The Rhododendron Line and stretches 1¼ miles through the gardens.

Don’t miss Top Pond’s giant koi carp, and grab free activity sheets for kids aged 3-11.

Insight Activities Woodland Archery and Axe-Throwing

For those craving more adrenaline-pumping adventures, Insight Activities offers an exceptional woodland archery and axe-throwing experience in Fordingbridge that’ll awaken your inner medieval warrior. You’ll find yourself in a rustic New Forest setting where Archery GB coaches guide you through professional-quality equipment and ancient skills.

The Medieval Trio package combines archery, crossbow shooting, and axe throwing in immersive 2-hour sessions. Your family can participate together, with woodland archery available from age 6, while axe throwing and rifle crossbows require participants to be 12 or older.

Professional instruction guarantees safety while maximizing your freedom to learn. Whether you’re complete beginners or experienced adventurers, the expert coaching adapts to all skill levels. The experience takes place in ancient oak trees surrounded by bluebelle and Foxglove meadows for an authentic forest atmosphere.

You’ll also discover additional options like Combat Tag and Archery Clay Shooting for varied woodland experiences.

The Sum Up

You’ll find endless family adventures waiting in the New Forest, from spotting wild ponies to exploring treetop trails. Always check weather conditions before heading out, and don’t forget to pack water and snacks for the kids. Remember to follow the Countryside Code—keep dogs on leads near livestock and wildlife. Book activities like Go Ape and archery in advance, especially during school holidays. Most importantly, supervise children closely around water features and woodland areas for everyone’s safety.