New Forest with a toddler

[Spud1130]

I'm looking for recommendations for the New Forest. Looking to visit mid September and after any recommendations for...

• Places to stay/visit. Have car and happy to travel.
• Self catering accommodation
• Things to do with a 3 year old!

Thank you

There’s lots! Ashley Heath has the Moors Park and Forest with lots of nature trails and a great playground. Very nice cafe too. That’s in Ringwood. Bournemouth beach is nice and not far. It has a little funfair too. You can get a ferry to Brownsea Island from Poole. Bealieu Motor Museum is a good day out. Fun & good for a runabout.

We always stayed in Ringwood and it was a good cheaper option than staying in the new forest itself.

We stayed in one of these cabins.

www.kareliaholidays.co.uk/m/

Reptile centre is always a good option, completely free aswell

www.forestryengland.uk/new-forest-reptile-centre

Longdown activity farm is good for a day out. Not too dear last time I went.

Another favourite is stream paddling, there is a spot next to Ober corner car park in Brockenhurst that is nicely shaded and doesn’t get too crowded. Only a few inches deep mainly so nice and safe.

Also bike hire with a trailer from Brock was great before ds had learnt to ride. Nice easy gravel riding.

Have a look at Sandy Balls park - lovely lodges and lots to do for toddlers.

We enjoyed Green Hill Farm holiday village. We chose it because of its proximity to Peppa Pig World, but really pleasantly surprised and would go back. We also went to Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary and Beaulieu.

We're staying at sandy Balls in May and really looking forward to it. We're only there 3 nights, and going to Paultons Park and Longleat

The reptile centre is only open during the summer months, not sure about September.
Bolderwood, you can normally see deer here.

Thank you for the suggestions, keep them coming!

I'm very proud to say that my child has no idea who Peppa Pig is (Mr Twatting Tumble however, is an entirely different matter!). We also have annual passes for Longleat

Near Sandy Balls there are donkeys outside a pub...

Beaulieu, Furzey Gardens, Exbury Gardens, Lepe.

Paultons is great, we had a pass when mine were toddlers.

Avon beach is also really nice, and Mudeford.

Yes Paultons is great, we really like it there. It won’t be that busy mid September.

Boulderwood and Rhinefield drive is really stunning if you haven’t seen it, love those huge redwood type trees. And has been mentioned you have the deer sanctuary at the top, there’s a gruffalo trail there too.

Just a warning there are major roadworks on the A31 at Ringwood going on now until November, the traffic is already horrendous just with locals travelling to and from work. With the road through the Forest always at a stand still during the summer I wouldn’t recommend visiting this year.

@Tara336

Just a warning there are major roadworks on the A31 at Ringwood going on now until November, the traffic is already horrendous just with locals travelling to and from work. With the road through the Forest always at a stand still during the summer I wouldn’t recommend visiting this year.

That's a good warning, thank you! My son is autistic and one thing thing he really struggles with is stop start traffic.

So...

Where else is good for a mid September holiday with a 3 year old

@Spud1130 no problem at all, that part of the A31 has to be passed to get to most places ie Bournemouth, Moors Valley (which is fabulous) etc and we haven’t even begun the holiday season yet. Locals are actively avoiding Ringwood and that part of the A31 where possible as it’s already causing traffic jams. I suspect it will be a miserable summer for locals and holidaymakers alike

The trafffic! That's all.

There’s lots to Paultons park that isn’t Peppa Pig world and it is lovely. Although prices have gone up.

Lepe has coast/play area/cafe/rock pools/paddling (wear beach shoes)/DDay relics/good views of ships…

New Park Manor hotel is very toddler friendly

@wedonttalkaboutbrunei

New Park Manor hotel is very toddler friendly

Whilst I dream of a luxurious hotel break, with my son being autistic, self catering is the only realistic way to go!