Top 5 things to do this summer in the new forest
the new forest has so many things to see and do during the summer its hard to choose. I have picked my top 5 and hope you enjoy your days out as I do with my family.
Stream walks
Whitefield moor is a beautiful walk among the dappled shade of the forest follow the stream along the signposted walk which is a 1 mile short loop or you can opt for the 1.6 mile longer loop please visit www.newforest.co.uk for the walk map. When you get back to the carpark sit down by the stream with a picnic and splash in the cool water of the stream you can also visit blackwater carpark just round the corner for an ice cream and have a look at the tall trees trail and arboretum.
Beach days
We are lucky enough to have 26 miles of coastline in the New Forest from Calshot to hurst castle and Keyhaven. Not to far from hurst castle is also the Milford on sea with its award-winning beach huts and Highcliff not too much further along with award winning restaurants and views across the Solent. By far our favourite beach is Mudeford spit and Hengistbury head not technically in the New Forest but it has pristine sand beaches you could forget where you are and think your in the Mediterranean. There is a restaurant on the spit and a kiosk selling drinks and ice creams. We park on the Mudeford Quay and get the passenger ferry across please check running times as these change throughout the year. Mudeford Quay is also great for crabbing and don’t forget to visit the fishmonger for the freshest fish around.
New Forest bus tour.
We had the pleasure of going on the New Forest bus tour last year and will be booking to go again this year. There are three routes you can take which you can hop on and off at any stop. I recommend getting on in Lyndhurst ( if you’re staying with us there is a stop 25 mins walk) traveling to Burley getting off to visit the shops and pick up some fudge from Burley fudge. Hop back on and travel across the forest to Milford on sea and stop for lunch at the cliffhanger café and admire the sea views. Get back on at Milford on sea and your next stop will be Lymington walk down to the cobbles at the bottom of the high street and grab an ice cream from one of the independent cafes and ice cream shops sit on the quay and watch the boats come in and out. At the end of the day jump back on the bus and return back to Lyndhurst.
Paultons park
Paultons park s one of the New forests biggest attractions. Its a great day out for all the family. I had the pleasure of being invited to look round and take my daughter on some rides in June and we had a great day. The Newly opened Tornado Springs is an amazing addition with some big rides and even a great water ride buffalo falls. My daughter fern is two and she loved Trekking Tractors so much we went on twice. as well as tornado springs they also have the lost kingdom, critter creek, little Africa and lets not forget the star of the show Peppa pig world.
Hurst castle
hurst castle is dates back to 1541. The heart of Hurst Castle is the Tudor fort. Hurst Castle was built between 1541 and 1544 by Henry VIII as one of a chain of artillery defenses protecting key ports and landing places around southern England from continental attack.
It was sited to guard the Needles Passage, the narrow western entrance to the Solent and gateway to the trading port of Southampton and the new naval base at Portsmouth.
King Charles I in the winter of 1648 arrived by boat at Hurst Castle under Parliamentary guard from the Isle of Wight. He was held in the keep, probably on the first floor, from 1 to 19 December.
now hurst castle is accessible via the shingle spit or the passenger ferry and gives you views across to the isle of wight.
this is just a selection of what the New Forest has to offer this summer check out www.thenewforest.co.uk for more ideas and events
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