3 Days in the New Forest

The New Forest area in Hampshire is one of my favourite places to stay in the UK. Walking amongst the gorse, seeing the wildlife and spending time in some of the prettiest towns in the country are excellent ways to enjoy a bank holiday. My husband and I went to the University of Southampton and, even though we didn’t meet there, we both used to love visiting the forest when we could. I’ve planned this short itinerary for 3 days in the New Forest with all the main sights in mind.

Whilst there is a fairly decent amount of public transport here, you’ll need a car. The distances are not too long and the journeys are really pretty. I’ve also based you in Burley Manor, a hotel I’ve stayed at a lot. It has excellent food and accommodation and is just what you need.

Day 1: Morning

Arrive at Burley Manor in the morning of Day 1. Drop your bags off at the hotel and head into the village. You probably have done enough driving this morning, so I think that you would enjoy seeing all that the forest has to offer. In Burley you can hire bikes to take along cycling paths in the forest. These take you all over the area and allow you to get up close with the wildlife. If cycling isn’t your thing, then walk along the same trails. We did this a few years back and had an incredible time. We saw ponies, lots of birds and even heard a cuckoo!

After your outing into the wild, come back to Burley and explore the town. There is an obvious theme of witchcraft here; it is England’s answer to the more famous Salem in the USA. There are some nice cafes here serving fresh and local food. Enjoy some lunch before preparing to head out again.

Day 1 – Afternoon

From Burley, it is a short drive to the nearby town of Lyndhurst. Along the way, you could stop at the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary. I would really recommend this stop as you can see these beautiful animals up-close, and there are lots of them! During feeding time in particular, you will see plenty of deer in their meadow and it is perfect for photographing them in their natural habitat.

Lyndhurst is arguably one of the most famous places in the New Forest. It is very high-brow; if you don’t notice it the Ferrari dealership will point it out! Aside from the Heritage Centre in the main car park, there is not a lot to do here. However, I love walking around the town and visiting the boutiques and cafes. Plus, the surrounding countryside is stunning. Take your time exploring here or maybe going for another walk. You are spending 3 days in the New Forest after all.

When you are done, head back to the hotel. One option is to go via Brockenhurst to add another town to your list. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at Burley Manor.

Day 2 – Morning / Afternoon

Wake up to breakfast at your hotel and get ready for the day. Your first stop today is the small town of Beaulieu. The drive is about half an hour and, if you did not yesterday, you could go via Brockenhurst if you wanted to.

Whilst the town itself is quite unassuming, the main attraction is of course Beaulieu Manor. This historic estate has now transformed into a family park and there is loads to see and do. Perhaps most famously is the National Motor Museum, which is home to a very impressive collection of older cars. I’ve never been one for motorsport but I really enjoyed looking around it and seeing all of the different cars. Aside from the museum, there is also Top Gear World, featuring many vehicles from the show, and lots more.

On the estate is also the manor house itself. It is fully-open to the public and you can peruse this historic house at your leisure. It is still lived in by the family and it was nice to see how people use the building today. There are also historic items on display so you can really visualise the house back in the past.

Day 2 – Late Afternoon / Evening

In the evening, head over to the charming town of Hythe. Before you head over to Hythe though, make a stop at Lymington to have a look around. There are some lovely shops here and it has a really cool vibe.

When you get to Hythe, there is a great view of the Solent here and a short walk along the harbour is a must whilst you are there. However, the main attraction is a small Italian restaurant called Amalfi. We recently visited here and had possibly the best pizza I have ever had in the UK. Nothing quite ends your second day quite like pizza, wine and gelato.

Day 3 – Morning

On your final of the 3 days in the New Forest, wake up a bit later and tuck into a delicious breakfast. As an optional morning venture, go on a morning walk back along the trails you went on in Day 1. I do love a morning walk to start the day, especially on a crisp morning.

To start off today, you’ll be heading over to Ringwood. This is one of the best places in the New Forest to explore. Whilst the town itself has some good shops and cafes, including the Furlong shopping centre. Just outside of the town though you can immerse yourself back into the wild. You could head over to the Moors Valley Country Park and Forest and explore the authentic parts of the National Park. Or, if you want to stay near civilisation, go to Hockeys Farm and Farm Shop.

Whatever you choose, Ringwood has plenty to see and do. Make sure that you grab some lunch here, ready for the journey home.

Day 3 – Afternoon

After 3 days in the New Forest it is time to head back up North. Your final destination is the town of Romsey, which is just out of the National Park. The town is nice to wander around. On Sunday, there are often markets here and Broadland’s Park is not too far away. I really like this town and it is a perfect place to stretch your legs, and for doing a bit of exploring, before your journey home.