Destination Next: New Forest, England

An area of forest and health land, open coastline and winding country roads roamed by wild herds of ponies and deer, the New Forest is a natural wonderland! Add over 140 miles of cycling tracks, bustling country villages and a load of attractions, and you’ll realise that this is the place for a dream family holiday!

Stretching along the Southern coast England and reaching up into central Hampshire, this natural area has been a designated National Park since 2005. With the natural beauty and wildlife that have been there for just over 900 years, this really comes as no surprise! The combination of sandy stretches of beach and beautiful forest has made this spot into a popular holiday destination, and a particular favourite for families!

The thing that makes the New Forest such a fantastic destination for a family holiday is the variety on offer!  If you want a luxury country getaway, an outdoorsy camping trip or something in between, this place has got you covered. The only problem is fitting in everything that the New Forest has to offer! There are over 140,000 acres of woodland, heathland and enclosures for you and the little ones to discover, so maybe it’s best to start there!

In these areas of natural beauty, it’s all about throwing yourselves in! So, get on your bikes or get in your walking boots and get going! Your little explorers will love spotting the wildlife here, (partly because it’s so easy!) There are herds of cattle and deer, droves of donkeys and teams of pigs roaming everywhere. Not to mention thousands of wild New Forest Ponies, which are one of the only native horse breeds on the British Isles. If you or the kids have a keen eye, you will also be able to spot the array of birds in this area, including some rare falcons and hawks. Many of the natural beauties are so irresistible, that it’s common for people to stop their cars to get out and take pictures!

However, if you fancy a day away from the great outdoors, why not drop into one of the New Forest’s bustling villages or towns! Beaulieu, Lyndhurst and Lymington are some of the great choices on offer! Beaulieu is a quaint little village with a world-famous museum! It has a cracking collection of cars; from record breakers and vintage classics to James Bond and Top Gear models! Your little ones will love walking through this collection or taking the skyrail which runs over the grounds of the Grand House and straight through the roof of the museum itself!

Lyndhurst is the capital of the New Forest with a number of great independent shops, cafes and restaurants to try! It also has the centre of information for the whole National Park, so you can get your little ones clued up on the history of the area! Lymington is a colourful coastal town which leads down a hill to the historic harbour; you can dip in and out of the many independent and chain shops along the high street, grab some proper fish and chips down by the water, or even get in it by taking a boat trip down the river!

There is no better place for a family holiday than the New Forest!

Cheers mush! (Cheers mate!)