A weekend in New Forest

Ancient woodland and heath with free-roaming ponies

Independent UK guide
Free to use
Affiliate links clearly labelled
Updated October 2026

The New Forest is a national park in Hampshire where wild ponies, cattle and deer roam freely across heath and ancient woodland. It is flat enough for easy cycling and walking, with pretty villages and good pubs.

It is a favourite for family and dog-friendly weekends.

Best forWalkers, Families, Dog owners, Wildlife lovers

Best time to goSpring to autumn for walking and cycling. Autumn is lovely, with colours and fungi.

Typical budget (2 people, 2 nights)£420–£730, excluding travel

Getting thereLondon: About 1.5 hours by train from Waterloo to Brockenhurst.

Check prices for a weekend in New Forest

Plan your weekend in New Forest

Top attractions in New Forest

Wild ponies and cycling

Cycle hire is available in Brockenhurst for gentle forest trails.

Beaulieu

A stately home, abbey ruins and the National Motor Museum.

Lyndhurst

The 'capital' of the New Forest, with shops and the visitor centre.

Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary

A walk where fallow deer can sometimes be seen.

Lymington and Buckler's Hard

A pretty harbour town and a historic shipbuilding village.

Best things to do in New Forest

Guides to the activities most people plan a weekend around.

New Forest ponies walk

The New Forest is one of the few places in England where ponies, cattle, pigs and deer roam freely on open heath and ancient woodland, under a system of rights known as commoning. Allow 2 to 4 hours.

Stonehenge visit

Stonehenge is a prehistoric stone circle on Salisbury Plain, completed around 4,500 years ago, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Allow 2 to 3 hours.

Seven Sisters cliff walk

The Seven Sisters are a row of white chalk cliffs on the Sussex coast, between Seaford and Eastbourne. Allow 3 to 5 hours.

Best areas to stay in New Forest

Brockenhurst

A village with a railway station and cycle hire.

Lyndhurst

A bigger village with shops and restaurants.

Lymington

A harbour town with a coastal feel.

Best hotels in New Forest

These are well-established hotels often recommended for the area, listed in no particular order. They are not paid placements. Check current ratings, prices and availability before you book.

Lime Wood

The Pig in the New Forest

Compare places to stay in New Forest

Prices change daily, so check a few sites. For dog-friendly or quiet stays, use the pet and review filters. These are affiliate links.

Best time to visit New Forest

Spring to autumn for walking and cycling. Autumn is lovely, with colours and fungi.

Seasons that suit New Forest well: spring, summer, autumn.

Estimated budget for a weekend in New Forest

Hotel or B&B, per night for two	£130–£220
Food and drink, per day for two	£65–£100
Activities and extras for the weekend	£30–£90
Estimated total, 2 people, 2 nights, excluding travel	£420–£730

Higher-priced destination. These are rough 2026 estimates and vary by season and room type. Add the cost of getting there. For a personalised figure, use the BritBreaks finder.

Getting to New Forest

From London: About 1.5 hours by train from Waterloo to Brockenhurst.
From Winchester: About 45 minutes by car.
From Bath: About 2 hours by car.

Journey times are rough guides. Check live train and road times before you travel.

A sample weekend in New Forest

Friday evening: Arrive, settle in and have dinner in Brockenhurst.
Saturday: Start with Wild ponies and cycling, then Beaulieu. In the afternoon, head to Lyndhurst.
Sunday: Visit Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary or Lymington and Buckler's Hard, then head home.