Things to do in and around Brockenhurst

[Scottishgirl85]

We've just arrived for a 4 day holiday in Brockenhurst with our 1 and 4 year old daughters. We don't know the area - any must sees and fun days out for kids? Peppa Pig World will take up one of the days!! Thanks!

The Forest isn’t too far from the seaside either . Bournemouth is worth a trip and if you don’t want to go by road you can go by train . There’s an Aquarium and various other indoor attractions . Peppa Pig world is amazing .

You can hire bikes - a trailer for your little ones — and cycle around the forest! There’s a bike hire place in brockenhurst

Whatever you do Don’t feed or pet the ponies .

Hire bikes and cycle round the Forest
Moors valley park has a great play trial
Crabbing at lymington harbour
New forest wildlife park

Is it raining there. If the sun comes out for your holiday you can hire bikes or drive thru the New Forest and see the Ponies. You're near Ringwood which is a nice little village with places to eat. Lyndhurst is also very pretty. The Moors Valley adventure park is good for kids. Bournemouth beach is about 30 mins drive where there is oenquin pool and a kiddies train along the beach front. There will be half term activities. Google days out in the New Forest. Have fun. It's a lovely part if the country. They forecast sunshine tomorrow.

There’s a nice country park at the bottom of the forest - can’t remember it’s name ... ummmm #nothelpful

New forest wildlife park is a great day out as is long down dairy farm. Travel into hythe get the pier train and then a boat around Southampton docks

New forest wildlife park is great. Moors valley country park is a nice day out too, loads to do there for your DC age group.

@Eve couldn't agree more!
Beaulieu Motor Museum isn't too far, good day out if it's rainy.

Thanks everyone, lots of ideas! It's to be sunny tomorrow so we're going to go cycling and take the tip about trailer for kids. Wildlife park also on the list, thanks! Moor valley park looks about 30mins away and we're keen to stay more local if we can.

What's the best village/town for gift shops?

Burley has lots of gift shops. It's not too far from Brockenhurst.

Lyndhurst for gift shops, both nice and tat.

If you get stuck in pouring rain the soft play at Frankies Fun Factory in Romsey is nice (or was last time we went). Also Poppies Crafts a couple of miles north of Romsey on the road to Stockbridge would be nice for your 4 year old.

New Forest Wildlife park (look online for child free vouchers)
Longdown Dairy Farm
Romsey Rapids swimming (will be v busy due to half term though)

Make sure you see the rest of Paultons Park. The PPW bit is just a small part and there are some great rides elsewhere too.

Enjoy.

For shops I’d go to Lymington and walk the high street and then at the bottom go down the cobbles which also has lovely little shops and ice cream shops! There’s a nice fish and chip shop near the bottom you could buy something there and walk along the cobbles to the sea and eat them there. There’s also a good children’s park down the cobbles.
Second long down and wildlife park but also if the weather cheers up do go to Moors Valley as it is fab and you only have to pay for parking. There’s a really, really good park there and a massive (I mean massive!) sand park too. There’s also a little train that mine used to love!! There’s a good cafe for food too.
There’s lots of fireworks around too, do a local search.

The forest itself is amazing. We spend hours in it.

I second Lymington for shopping. If the sun comes out head for Sandbanks beach, it’s fab.

We were in the NF a few weeks ago with a 2YO and on a wet day we did the Romsey Rapids. The LO was free and it's all family changing. I didn't swim but there is a Costa with a viewing point. It was perfect for a wet day and was £3.70 for my DH so a cheaper day out.
We also went to the IOW and again it was a wet day but did the steam train as our LO loves trains. Good cafe and a little museum there too at one of the stops.

Longdown Activity Farm is a short ride away and perfect for entertaining little ones even on a rainy day. We were there with our 3 year old in June.

We also went to Beaulieu which we enjoyed. They have a treasure map type thing for little ones to pick up in reception. You can buy tickets 24 hours in advance to save some money.

Enjoy!

Another tip - bring your own food to Peppa Pig World. There is a Sainsburys nearby. The food onsite is really horrible.

The Buttery in Brockenhurst is great for food and cakes xx

There is a pub near Paulton's called The Vine which is a Hungry Horse pub (relatively inexpensive, OK food, not gourmet) that has a Wacky Warehouse. Also a MacDonalds at the services off M27 Jn2 if that is of interest at all.

Longdown dairy farm is excellent for kids. Not sure children of that age would enjoy the Motor Museum very much.
Burley is famous for witches, has lots of witchy gift shops, so could be interesting at this time of year, but I don't know if it would be scary for little children.

Another vote for Moor Valley. Loads to do, great play areas, little train, play trail and gruffalo and friends sculptures in the picnic area.

Lepe Beach country park is nice. Has a playpark, sensory garden. Nice walks and views. Plus of course the beach itself and cafe there is good.

Exbury gardens - a lovely place to go. including an area with big rocks for kids to climb up (supervised by parents of course!!).. There is a lovely little train that goes around the area. Last time I went with my niece and nephew we were in the big rock garden and a pheasant came marching along as if he owned the place!