9 Top New Forest Family Holidays 2020 For Adventurous Types

The New Forest is a beautiful and historic national park in Hampshire with tons of family friendly activities and, with lockdown easing further on the 4 July, now is the perfect time to plan your adventures.

There really is something for everyone here, from cycling, paddle sports, and hiking, to the Peppa Pig theme park at Paulston’s Park, the National Motor Museum, and dozens of fascinating historical sites like Hurst Castle, many of which are doing exciting reopening offers. We’ve searched high and low to find the best family friendly places to stay in the New Forest national park, so you can focus on planning the fun!

Image © Burgate Manor Farm Facebook.

Burgate Manor Farm is a self-catering cottage in the New Forest national park, perfect for a big family. It sleeps up to 18 and has a games barn, stables, private land, and is only a short walk away from the forest, the beach, and local restaurants. It’s a beautiful place to stay, with plenty of room for big meals, family games, and lots of space for kids to play. They are reopening bookings from the 4 July so you've got plenty of time to get everyone together for an unforgettable holiday.

Image © New Forest Cottages Facebook.

Holiday cottages are perfect for families with young children or a baby and if you're looking for cottages in the New Forest or a house nearby you can be assured of quality when you book through New Forest Cottages, they have 150 beautiful properties run by friendly people with exceptional local knowledge.  Their family friendly properties come with play equipment, swing sets, adventure playgrounds, and plenty of space for children to run around. All of the cottages are self-catering, close to forest walks and local attractions, and they have plenty of options for all budgets and family sizes, you can find out more on their website.

Image © Arniss Bell Tents Facebook.

If you or your children love camping but want a few more creature comforts, glamping could be perfect for you.  Arniss Bell Tents is a boutique camping site open from the 5 August to the 1 September, and offers close access to the New Forest national park, as well as nearby attractions like Hockeys Farm and Rochbourne Roman Villa. The tents come with beds, fire pits, picnic tables, and nearby toilets and hot showers. It is a small site, so I'd book your stay quickly if you've fallen in love!

Image © Long Meadow Campsite.

If you're looking for a more traditional camping experience you can find it at Long Meadow Campsite.  You can book for motorhomes, caravans, or tents, and, with electricity hook ups, hot showers, and toilets, you don't have to compromise on comfort! It's perfectly situated inside the New Forest National Park, so you don't have to search far for countless trails to walk and cycle. It is also conveniently close to Lyndhurst and its lovely independent shops and restaurants, as well as the ferry to the Isle of Wight. Kids of all ages are welcome, as are pets by arrangement, and there is an outdoor play area on site for easy fun during your stay. This campsite is especially popular with pony trekkers and there are many stables within walking distance.

Image © Hoburne Bashley Facebook.

Hoburne Holiday Parks are a family run business that have been operating for over a hundred years, they have fun down to a fine art. Their New Milton location is set in the New Forest national park and has something for all of the family, amusement arcades, close access to the beach,  a golf course, and much more. The bushcraft courses in the forest are a wonderful way for kids to pick up skills that will last a lifetime.  You also have the option of self-catering or eating in their many cafes and restaurants. Due to COVID considerations, some of their facilities are running at a lower capacity, and their swimming pools, spa facilities, and soft play areas are closed, but they may reopen later in the summer.

Image © The White Buck, Burley Facebook.

If you're looking for family hotels in New Forest The White Buck is a gorgeous, historic choice. It's very highly rated for stays with children, and offers breakfast free with your stay. It's dog friendly and its great location inside the New Forest national park means that it has countless trails easily accessible for horse riders, cyclists, and walkers. They have a restaurant on site so you don't have to search far for tasty, local food, but if you want to go further afield the village of Burley is only a short walk away and has many child friendly gastro pubs and restaurants.  

Image © Macdonald Elmers Court Resort Facebook.

Another option for family hotels in New Forest is the beautiful Macdonald Elmers Court Resort. It's an old country house, set in 23 acres of gorgeous grounds with croquet facilities, swimming pools, and amazing views of the marina and surrounding countryside. The resort is a short walk from the historic town of  Lymington, and the Isle of Wight is close enough for a day trip. There are endless exciting activities in the New Forest national park but if you want a day of relaxation and pampering they also have spa facilities which they are reopening with the rest of the hotel on the 6 July, their procedures for this can be found on their website.

Image © Spot in the Woods Facebook.

This boutique bed and breakfast is set in gorgeous gardens and is perfect for family holidays, especially with little children, as you can add child-sized beds and cots to your room when booking. It's highly rated for stays with kids and is close to many great locations for family days out, such as Beaulieu and Exbury Gardens. They also have an offer (10% off) on bike hire when you book your stay direct with them and with so many trails nearby this is the perfect way to get active and tire out the kids! They serve locally sourced food as room service and in their Kitchen Café, which is currently only open to those staying in the hotel. Many of the rooms have a private terrace, and they all have an espresso machine, perfect for family breakfasts in the sunshine.

Image © The Crown Manor House Facebook.

A historic, luxury experience located in the heart of Lyndhurst, The Crown Manor Hotel is just a short walk away from the New Forest national park. It's highly rated for family holidays and has some beautiful family suites with period features. Breakfast is included and is a firm favourite of previous customers, cooked with seasonal produce by the award-winning chefs. Obviously holidays are a time for relaxing but if you really can't escape the emails there are working spaces provided in all rooms. The Crown has many seasonal and year-round offers but currently, they are offering all NHS heroes one free night in their first week of reopening (week commencing the 14 July), so if you qualify book in quickly for some well deserved free family relaxation!