New Forest - where's best to go for a couple of hours?

[berberana]

We're driving down to Portsmouth (from Wigan) in May to get the ferry over to France, and my Dad who's doing the driving, has suggested we make a full day of the journey and go to the New Forest en route in the hope of seeing some of the horses and possibly even foals.

Just wanted some advice from people who holiday there or live closeby - where would be the best spot to head for to have a picnic and hopefully see some of the wildlife? Thanks!