Day trips recommendations - New Forest/Hampshire coast

[ifonly4]

We've got a few days booked next week on the east side of the New Forest. We're thinking forest walks, cycle hire, potter around New Forest or coastal village and lunch. Just two adults. Does anyone have any recommendations on where to go for any of the above and also anything to do less obvious?

If you don’t mind driving a bit further afield the Abbotsbury swannery and tropical gardens are very pleasant .

Go to Beaulieu which is the most gorgeous village and hire one of the little two seater sports cars from the car place there and just drive around the beautiful new forest!

Then lunch at The Pig which is amazing.

Beaulieu is lovely and you could combine that with buckers hard (I’ve not been there but heard it’s good). If you have a nice day Lepe county park has a little beach Or you could go to Mudeford / Avon beach and get fish and chips. If you like gardens there’s Exbury Gardens or Furzey Gardens Which is more fun for kids with a fairy door trail.

Just realised it’s Adults! New Forest activity centre to hire canoes?

If you do Bucklers Hard, you can do lunch/ afternoon tea/ drink at the cafe or hotel ( Master Builders)... and a boat trip on the river.
For bike hire head for brockenhurst railway station to Cyclexperience. Various trails through the forest and of course decent pubs for half way! As above Mudeford Quay/ Avon beach is good . Also Highcliffe castle / cafe plus beach walk. Afternoon tea at Chewton Glen..Obviously Double check all these places are open , accepting visitors etc in these Covid times.

ps.....other cycle hire is in pretty village of Burley........forestleisurecycling.co.uk. both good.

www.jamesmartinchef.co.uk/james-martin-restaurants/chewton-glen/

Walk along the spit to Hurst Castle and blow the cobwebs away. Book in for lunch at The Christchurch Harbour Hotel at Mudeford, then walk along the beach which is stunning.