New Forest Suggestions?

[bananamonkey]

We would like to take our Toddler to Poulton's Park but as it's quite a distance for us, we were thinking of making it into a week away in the New Forest with a trip to PP world one day and maybe Monkey World in the other direction sometime in June.

I'm really unfamiliar with this area as all my UK holidays have been in the South West, can anyone recommend any accommodation in/around the New Forest for 2 adults and a toddler for a week? Any other ideas of things to do around the area?

Sandy Balls (don't laugh - it's named after a geological feature) is the general Mumsnet go-to in the New Forest - it's under new ownership so prices have gone up but it has had some much needed refurbishment. We stay in nearby cottages now our DC are older but did several years at SB when they were preschool age. They have loads of activities, pool, soft play, children's entertainment etc.

Monkey World is a bit of a trek away but Paultons Park is fab. Other great places to go:

Moors Valley Country Park
Kingston Lacy and Mottisfont National Trust places
Bolderwood deer sanctuary
New Forest reptile centre
Beaulieu if your toddler likes cars!
Exbury Gardens
Lepe country park
New Forest museum in Lyndhurst

Can you tell we've been going a few years

This is fabulous, thank you!

We had an amazing stay at Midgham Farm. We stayed in a lodge rather than one of the safari tents. It’s perfect for toddlers. Cots and high chairs can be provided. Children can help out with the animals and my youngest dc adopted one of the rabbits for the duration of our stay. Bottle feeding the lambs also went down a treat! There’s also a large sandpit so take a bucket and spade. www.featherdown.co.uk/location/midgham-farm/
Agree about a visit to the Bolderwood Fallow Deer Viewing Platform, where wild deer are fed most afternoons. The viewing platform is just a short distance from the main Bolderwood car park, so easy to reach even with little legs or pushchairs.
I also agree about Exbury Gardens! Young children love Exbury’s miniature steam railway and may even be persuaded to attempt some of the 32km of exotically landscaped garden pathways (look out for the Burmese temple bell taken from Rangoon).
The New Forest Wildlife Park is a good trip. Keepers are friendly and throughout the day give you further information during feeding time and talks. little kids love the sand pits, diggers, slides, climbing frames and swings in the ‘Mini Go Wild’ adventure playground.
Longdown Activity Farm has barnloads of cute baby animals to feed and cuddle. There are five indoor and outdoor play areas!
For eating, the Hare and Hounds at Sway is very family-friendly, with a play area, garden and children’s menu, while The Mayflower in Lymington is modern, with a play area and amazing views over the river, marinas and sea.

Look at Hoburne Holidays - they have 3 sites in that area - one in the new forest at Bashley and 2 on the coast - they are all family friendly

We do Monkey World from the New Forest. It’s an hour or so from where we are but love it. I was surprised by how much the DCs liked Beaulieu given none of us are that into cars but I think it was the monorail they liked most.