How to Spend a Weekend in the New Forest

This 48-hour New Forest itinerary is ideal for those who are looking for an active weekend in the national park. We’ll be walking, cycling and kayaking — if this sounds ideal for you, then keep on reading.

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The New Forest National Park makes a fantastic weekend getaway for Londoners, as it’s just a 90-minute drive from the capital. You’d think you had travelled much further than this, though, as this scenic national park is characterised by ancient woodland, open heathland and rustic villages. It’s also home to some famous four-legged locals who roam the forest at large: the New Forest Ponies.

I grew up in the suburbs of London and so the New Forest is somewhere I frequented on family holidays as a child. I have many fond memories of watching free-roaming ponies graze on open heathland, of cycling beneath the canopies of the forest’s tall trees, and of strolling through the quaint villages.

I’ve returned many times as an adult — particularly in recent years — to escape the stress of London life and to revel in the childhood nostalgia that the New Forest brings me. I’d like to think I now know this national park quite well. The following 48-hour itinerary is how I would showcase the New Forest to someone who has never been before.

Day 1 in the New Forest: Brockenhurst

Your first day in the New Forest will be spent exploring from the pretty village of Brockenhurst. I actually recommend you stay in Brockenhurst during your time in the New Forest, as it’s right in the heart of the national park, making it a great base from which to explore.

Morning: Brockenhurst Village Walk

Begin your weekend in the New Forest by heading out on a walk through the heathland and forest. The 5-mile Brockenhurst Village Walk is flat and easy, offering lovely views and a very high chance of seeing lots of New Forest Ponies. It really gives a quintessential overview of the national park: semi-wild ponies grazing on open heathland and trails through ancient woodland. You can see the map here.

If this walk isn’t quite right for you, why not check out the following? The start of these trails can all be reached within a 15-minute drive from Brockenhurst:

• Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary Circular (1.7 miles)
• Tall Trees Trail (2.3 miles)
• Wilverley Inclosure (3.4 miles)
• Burley Village and Long Pond (4.9 miles)

Lunch: The Foresters Arms

As you return back from your walk around Brockenhurst, head to the Foresters Arms to grab some lunch. I visit the Foresters Arms nearly every time I’m in the New Forest — the pretty outdoor garden is great to relax in when the weather is nice. The menu is also quite expansive, including lots of choices for veggies.

Afternoon: Ornamental Woods bike ride

I personally feel that the New Forest is best explored on two wheels. There are tons of excellent bike trails to choose from, but I recommend spending the afternoon cycling the Ornamental Woods route. This is a gorgeous, circular trail that will take you through some of the most impressive parts of the New Forest, including the Blackwater Arboretum. Here, you’ll see some of the oldest and tallest trees in Britain, including majestic Douglas firs and redwoods.

You can hire a bicycle from Cyclexperience, which is located right by the railway station in Brockenhurst. Hire costs £22 per day for a standard mountain bike. They even have an app with a few trails to choose from — including Ornamental Woods — which you can follow using GPS. The trail is 14 miles and should take 2-3 hours, although I’d allow a full half day.

Day 2 in the New Forest: Beaulieu

Beaulieu, meaning “beautiful place” in French, really does live up to its name. This charming village is home to a characterful high street, a 13th-century abbey, the Exbury Gardens, the National Motor Museum, and the languid Beaulieu River. The second day of your weekend in the New Forest will be spent exploring Beaulieu and its surroundings.

Morning: Kayaking on the Beaulieu river

The Beaulieu River is one of the very few privately-owned rivers in the world and has been owned by the Montagu family for over 400 years. It’s largely unspoiled, and with so many hidden creeks and opportunities to spot wildlife, there’s no better way to explore the river than by kayak. You can rent a kayak from New Forest Activities, which offers both self-guided kayaking sessions and guided tours.

If kayaking isn’t your thing, I recommend that you instead spend the morning exploring Beaulieu’s high street. You’ll find red brick houses, cute shops, a chocolaterie, and plenty of good cafes. You may also want to pay a visit to the 13th-century abbey or the Exbury Gardens.

Lunch: The Beaulieu Bakehouse

After a morning of kayaking on the Beaulieu River, you’ve no doubt worked up an appetite. I recommend heading to The Beaulieu Bakehouse for a delicious lunch. If you fancy a real “tea room” experience, the bakehouse also offers a fabulous afternoon tea of fruit scones, sandwiches, cake and tea or coffee.

Afternoon: Walk to Buckler’s Hard

The 2-mile footpath between Beaulieu and Buckler’s Hard forms part of the Solent Way and runs along the border of the North Solent Nature Reserve. The trail is really quite scenic; a pretty riverside stroll that takes you along the banks of the Beaulieu River and through forest tracks before ending at Buckler’s Hard.

Buckler’s Hard is a historic village that was established in the early 18th century as a shipbuilding centre, where it played a big role in the construction of ships for the British Navy. Today, the village features several restored buildings, including a shipbuilder’s house and a village inn, as well as a maritime museum that showcases the area’s naval history.

If naval history isn’t your thing, don’t worry! Feel free to skip the musuem and instead relax by the banks of the river with an ice-cream or coffee, or enjoy a refreshing drink at the Captain’s Table. There are also Beaulieu River cruises that embark from Buckler’s Hard — this is a great alternative if you chose not to go kayaking this morning.

And there we have it — a 2-day New Forest itinerary! Are you planning to spend a weekend in this charming national park?

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Thank you for reading! If you found this post useful, I’d be grateful if you would consider using the affiliate links below when planning your travels. I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This will help me to keep this blog running. Thanks for your support – Lauren.

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