New Forest questions

[BaconAndAvocado]

I’ve booked a cottage near Godshill in the New Forest for the October half term.

Feeling very excited. DH and the kids have never been to the New Forest so will be lovely to see their faces when they see the horses etc.

I haven’t been in many, many years so I’m looking for recommendations for days out, good areas for walks, nice (dog-friendly) places to eat.

Tia.

New forest wildlife park is well worth a visit.

I don’t know that end of the forest well as tend to stay near brockenhurst but I got the ciccerone guide book for walks in the new forest and the ones we did were good.

The Pig restaurant is amazing.

The George in Fordingbridge is excellent, right on the river and only down the road from Godshill - walkable, The Potting Shed in Hyde is run by some friends and do fab food and nice access to forest walks, Paultons Park 20 mins or so away, Bournemouth beaches about half an hour, Brockenhurst and Lymington also lovely - fab area I'm very lucky to live here!

Highcliffe beach
Beaulieu motor museum
Furze Gardens
Exbury Gardens
Wildlife park
Reptile centre- lyndhurst
Calshot
Lepe beach
Boltons bench
Rhinefield walk
Burley

Moors Valley Country Park is a fantastic day out with loads to do there. Definitely worth a visit.

Wow, thank you. I’ll take a look at all of those recommendations.

DCs will be 13 and 15 in October. Any ideas for fun things for them to do?
Like the look of family kayaking.

Go ape at moors valley would be perfect for them.
I expect Paultons would be a bit young, although I’ve never been. Further afield Marwell Zoo is excellent.

For that age I recommend New Forest water park www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/

I would say they are a bit old for Paultons really, it's quite a tame theme park- although the bigger rollercoasters have shortish queues normally. Beaulieu motor museum is great. All sorts of water sports go from Calshot activity centre

We like snowtrax near Bournemouth airport and the Sammy Miller motorbike museum. Also enjoy Hurst Castle which is a world war museum.

Calshot activities centre will be great for that age, and the waterpark.

Southampton is nearby if it’s cold / wet. The Fighting Cocks is at godshill - food is average, but the location will be good for you. If you’re happy with the drive, we like The Huntsman at Brockenhurst, and fish and chips on the marina at Lymington is always lovely, especially if you potter round the shops too.

Le Frog in Nomansland is excellent for food and wine (french, of course).

There’s a New Forest Walks app which is free to download, and has some decent routes, of varying lengths.

If you have any animal lovers, Monkey World in Dorset, or Longleat are both not too far away.

Any recommendations for pubs/cafes around Brockenhurst?

I second Moors Valley country park

Moors Valley has segways and bikes to hire, go ape, and generally “teenage fun and dog friendly” all over it. Calshot has a velodrome, climbing, indoor ski slope and lots of water activities, so definitely worth a day out - and easy to take your dog and walk along the shoreline whilst they’re having fun.

You’re definitely past the Paultons age.

Lepe is a country park where coast meets the forest - not much to do for that age range, but a good dog walk and D day relics still there, which might put history lessons into context. Similarly on a WWII theme, you’re just on the edge of the Ashley Walk bombing range and you can still see signs of that on a dog walk from (for example) the Ashley Walk car park.

Lots of chances for off road biking.

The pub at Fritham does beer ans good ploughman’s types lunches (but is not a foody place. I’ve been to the High Corner Inn a few times abs it was very dog friendly - but then, most pubs in the forest are.

We live near here and went to the wildlife park. Absolute rubbish.

I take DD horseriding sometimes near Godshill - might they like that? My DS also liked the Tank Museum (which is not that close actually but could be a day out).

Unfortunately, kids not keen on horse riding!

Moors Valley car park fills up quickly, especially during covid times when they are restricting numbers, so if its a weekend or particularly good weather either go early or check their Facebook before you go as they usually post something if they've had to close their car park.
It is good though so don't let you put you off.

Paultons is too young for your ages I agree.

Take the ferry to the isle of Wight & then catch the truck to The Hut at Colwell Bay

So many nice walks in the area, have fun!

Hire electric mountain bikes from Brockenhurst and do the seaside ride (24 mile circuit) down to Lymington. Never mind the teens, it was the most fun I have had for years and the e-bikes make such a difference. You can go further and faster but still feel like you have had some good exercise.

Definitely The Potting Shed in Hyde for lunch

Thank you all!
Although it’s not until October, it’s just lovely to have a holiday to look forward to!

Keep the ideas coming please ☺️