The Area

Beaches

Avon Beach, Highcliffe (Sandy and some pebbles)

Directions: Take the A35 towards Christchurch. At Sainsburys turn left at the main roundabout. Take a right turn at the next roundabout. Proceed about a mile and a half – on the sharp bend you will see the sign for Avon Beach – turn left into the car park.  The currents have produced a sandbank out to sea forming a safe lagoon for bathers at low tide. Restaurant and gift shop.

Highcliffe Castle Beach (Sandy and some pebbles)

Directions: Take A35 towards Christchurch. At Sainsburys, turn left at the main roundabout. Straight over the next roundabout. About ¾ mile you will see the signpost to Highcliffe Castle – take a right turn – car parking is behind the castle. You will need to walk through the woods to the beach. There is a tea shop at the Castle.

Milford on Sea and Keyhaven (Pebbles)

Directions: Through New Milton follow the road to Lymington and turn where indicated. Very peaceful and lovely views of the Isle of Wight. Plenty of boating and water sports.

Southbourne, Boscombe and Bournemouth Beaches (Sandy)

Directions: Take A35 to Christchurch. Follow the signs through the town to Southbourne & Boscombe. There is parking along the cliff top. Lovely sandy beaches along the coast Bournemouth, you can walk to Bournemouth if you are feeling energetic.

Local Towns

New Forest

Over 200 miles of beautiful, unspoilt tranquil forest and rugged moors can be found only 5 minutes form the Park. Explore on foot by bike or horse!

Visit the pretty village of Burley for New Forest Cider, cream teas, witches and amazing gift shops – take a spell home!

Christchurch

Lovely historic small town just 10 minutes from the park. A visit to the fascinating Priory is a must, lovely walks along the river – or hire a boat. Enjoy ferry trips to Hengistbury Head with lovely views of the Isle of Wight and the Purbeck Hills. A haven for nature lovers. Market day – Monday.

New Milton

The nearest town to the Park where the glorious Solent meets the timeless beauty of the New Forest National Park. Perfect for your essential shopping. The beaches of Barton on Sea have stunning views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight. There are lovely cliff top walks along the coast.

Lymington

Lovely Georgian market town, visit the marina and quays. Take the ferry to the Isle of Wight or take a dip in the historic seawater baths. Market day – Saturday.

Southampton

Historic town, perfect for retail therapy at West Quay. See the ocean liners close up on a ferry trip to Hythe with its record breaking historic pier train.

Mudeford Quay

Less than 10 minutes drive from the Park. A popular spot with locals where beautiful Christchurch harbour flows into the sea.

Lots of parking and a cafe, a great spot for crabbing. Popular for sailing & windsurfing.

Bournemouth

Large bustling town for shopping or a lively night out. Sweeping golden sandy beaches with the famous pier, (if you are brave – try the zipwire!) bustling promenade and seaside attractions only 20 minutes from the park.

Visit the award wining gardens, shows at the BIC, pavilion or pier.

Poole

We highly recommend taking a boat trip round Poole Harbour to the National Trusts Brownsea Island. A haven for nature lovers – look out for the red squirrels.

Poole has the second largest natural harbour in the world and is renowned for its water sports. Visit the beautiful merchant houses, cobbled streets and Poole Pottery at Poole Quay.

Swanage

Jump on to the steam railway for a scenic journey. A lovely beach to visit or head to the extraordinary ruins of Corfe Castle. Venture further along the Jurassic coast and you may find some fossils!
directions
park information

Places of Interest

Brownsea Island

Take the ferry from Poole Quay which drops you on the Island. Brownsea Island is owned by the National Trust. There are no vehicles allowed.

You will need a good pair of walking shoes as you can walk right round the island which will take you the best part of a day to complete. This is the home of the red squirrel and a sea bird sanctuary. You can view the many birds from the viewing platform. There is a country restaurant where the ducks and peacocks watch you eat.

On your return, the ferry will take you past Brownsea Island Castle and round the many islands in Poole Bay.

Highcliffe Castle

Grounds of Highcliffe Castle are open to the public free of charge all year round, the Castle is open 1st February – 23rd December daily 11am – 5pm.

Inside the Castle there are 5 partially restored staterooms housing a gift shop, visitor centre and galleries. Guided tours of the un-restored parts of the building run at 2pm every Sunday & Tuesday.

There is a tea room on the clifftop with wonderful views around Christchurch Bay.

Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, BH23 4LE

01425 278807 – www.highcliffecastle.co.uk

Open Top Bus Rides

Grandstand views as the bus takes you through the heart of this magnificent heath and forest landscape.

www.thenewforesttour.info

Cycling

Forest Leisure Cycling

Traffic free New Forest Cycle Hire from the unspoilt village of Burley. Rides for all ages and abilities on stunning New Forest cycle routes. Open All Year, Online Booking, Free Parking.

01425 403584 – www.forestleisurecycling.co.uk

Cars, Transport & Motorcycles

Beaulieu Motor Museum

Home to 250 motor vehicles from the first motor cars to the present day. See the park by monorail. Visit Beaulieu Palace House and Abbey. Gift shop, children’s playground and restaurant. You will need a whole day to see all of the attractions at this park!

John Montague Building, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, SO42 7ZN

www.beaulieu.co.uk

Bucklers Hard

Fascinating place to visit featuring exhibition of life in a labourers cottage in the 1800s. This is where many famous warships for Nelson fleet were build. Now home to a large marina. Boat trips are offered on the Beaulieu River regularly all day during the summer.

Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, SO42 7ZX

01590 616203 – www.bucklershard.co.uk

Swanage Railway

Opened in 1885, the Swanage Railway now operates steam trains on 6 miles of track between the seaside town of Swanage and the beautiful Dorset countryside at Corfe Castle and Norden.

www.swanagerailway.co.uk

Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum & Farm Trust

Includes: Tea rooms, craft shop, farm machinery, farm animals.
Open daily! 10am – 4.30pm

Bashley Manor, Bashley Cross Rd, New Milton, BH25 5SZ

01425 620777

Riding

Burley-Villa School of Riding

Enjoy trail riding through the beautiful New Forest in full Western outfit. English riding, New Forest hacking, holiday groups, beginner lessons, private lessons, jumping lessons, kindergarten lessons.

Bashley Common Road, New Milton, BH25 5SH

01425 610278

Garden Centres

MacPennys of Bransgore Garden Centre

open Mon – Sat 9am – 5pm Sun and Bank hols 10am – 5pm

Burley Road, Bransgore, Nr Christchurch.

01425 672348 – www.highcliffecastle.co.uk

Stewarts Garden Centre

A variety of garden plants and equipment. Also pond equipment. Restaurant. Country clothes shop in the complex.

Somerfield, Christchurch (Nr Sainsburys on the A35).

01425 272244 – www.stewarts.co.uk

Redcliffe Garden Centre, Bashley Village

Variety of plants and garden equipment. Tea room with home made cakes.

Bashley Rd, Bashley, New Milton BH25 5RY

01425 619691 – www.redcliffegardencentre.co.uk

Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway, Nr Beaulieu

Open daily from 28th February to 31st October. Santa specials in December

Set in 200 acres of tranquil woodlands, created in the 1920s by Lionel de Rothschild. Part of the gardens can be seen with rides on the miniature steam railway train. Plant centre, gift shop and restaurant.

0238 089 1203 – www.exbury.co.uk

 

 

Fishing

Sea fishing trips from Keyhaven

Summertime specials, June, July and August – 3 hour mackerel trips and 6 hour deep sea fishing trips

01425 612896

Hordle Lakes

An attractive established fishery, which offers superb facilities all year round. Set in 11 acres, with 7 individual spring fed lakes. Easy parking and walking is minimal. Larger lakes have double figure Carp and other species such as Bream, Tench, Perch, Rudd and Roach.

Golden Hill, Ashley Lane, Hordle, New Milton

01590 672300 – 077798 954799

Orchard Lakes,

Cafe available.

New Lane, New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 5TD

Boat Trips

Puffin Cruises

Daily ferry service to Yarmouth IOW 2 hour cruises to needles Rocks & Lighthouse Cruise Lunchtime and evening specials with 2 hour ashore in Yarmouth 1 hour Hurst Castle and Yarmouth cruises 25 River & Marina trips.

Lymington Town Quay

07850 947618 (Daytime) – 01590 644004 (Evenings)

Christchurch Quay

Boat trips to Hengistbury Head beach. A lovely peaceful trip across the sheltered bay following the reed beds. See many swans and sea birds. When you land you catch the land train to Hengistbury Head and walk right up the hill if you feel energetic.