New Forest - best area for 2 night stay with an 8 year old?

[AnnieSaxophone]

I want to take my 8 year old away for a couple of nights to the New Forest and get an airbnb or something - but I know nothing about the area so would love any recommendations of where to look! He can’t ride a bike (special needs) and hates heights (so no Go Ape).

Thank you so much!

We use the hilariously-named Sandy Balls as a base & drive everywhere from there. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is also worth going to. https://www.awayresorts.co.uk/parks/hampshire/sandy-balls/

I stayed at an air bnb in brockenhurst. Walking distance into the town and also close to the station.

Seemed a good spot.

Haven't got any overall recommendations as it's all nice, expect avoid Lyndhurst at all costs. Last time we were in New Forest (in October) all main roads into Lyndhurst were chocablock and it took ages to drive through (about 45mins from moment we hit traffic) . Town has plenty of shops, places to eat, but the traffic going through made it feel very busy and wasn't easy to cross road.

Not sure what your DC's special needs are, but there are lots of flat, open safe walks in the countryside that are nice to do, possibly alongside a picnic.

We've literally just come back from 6 nights in the new forest with dc (13 months). Longdown farm is brilliant, you can bottle feed the calves and kids and hold chicks and guinea pigs. Beaulieu is also a great day out, we actually went back on a second day to finish off the museum. We also enjoyed Furzey Gardens and Bucklers Hard. If only going for 2 nights I would look at a pub with rooms rather than an Air BnB as most these days request you strip beds, take bins out etc and it's a bit of a hassle for a short break with DC. Although a bit further, Hengistbury Head is lovely. Beach, mountain goats (!), cafe and toilets etc. We really enjoyed it.

I’m reading all your messages - thank you!
@OdeToBarney good call on bins and beds etc - the trouble is that I don’t want to have to spend the evening in our bedroom while he’s sleeping. He goes to bed around 8 and won’t go to sleep if I’m in it too.

I would recommend Brockenhurst too. You can get the train to other areas from there. If you want to stay in a hotel instead, Balmer Lawn and Careys Manor have spas so you could go for a swim/sauna once DS is in bed. There are loads of places to eat there too, Foresters Arms is a proper pub and reasonably priced. Loads of walks from Brock too. Lymington also a good one. Great market on a Saturday and the open sea water baths, lots of cafes, pubs and a crazy golf course for kids. Also recommend the New Forest open bus tour if you are going later in the season. Lots of different pick up places including Brockenhurst and Lymington. I live here and love it - you can probably tell!

Ah yes, that's tricky. Might be somewhere that does interconnecting rooms?

Burley is lovely.

Another Brockenhurst vote. Nice and central and not quite as much traffic in the centre as Lyndhurst, perhaps a slightly nicer part of the forest too. Few minutes easy drive to Lymington, pretty quick to Milford, the Beach at Barton is good too and Mudeford if you want sandy beaches.