The New Forest in the autumn provides the perfect magical landscape for the young and the young at heart to explore. This October half term, whether you are looking for a fun craft activity, or a day out without breaking the bank, we’ve put together five completely free activities for kids right here in the New Forest.
So pack your wellies, and make sure you’ve got the waterproofs in the car (after all, this is the UK) and prepare for a family adventure that’s totally free of charge!
1. Wildlife Watching
There are so many wildlife who are free-roaming here in the New Forest National Park. Why not make spotting the many animals native to the area a form of treasure hunt for inquisitive children to help encourage an interest in the nature surrounding them? The Big Five include the famous New Forest Ponies along with deer, pigs, cows and donkeys. With Pannage in full swing at the moment (extended due to a Mast year until January 2026), it is the perfect opportunity to tick all of these wonderful animals off your list. Just remember to always keep your distance (perhaps bring binoculars so that children can feel like they are closer than they are), never touch free-roaming wildlife and always drive safely and slowly through the forest.
2. Nature Art
Add interest to your woodland walks and extend the fun by picking up autumn treasures. Choose from a huge variety of leaves, pine cones and chestnuts but make sure that you only pick up fallen leaves, never pick them and always be mindful of the forest being home to many kinds of wildlife, so also supervise young children to ensure they do not destroy habitats, or put themselves or any animals in danger. Areas like Rhinefield Ornamental Drive showcases the stunning autumnal colour palette of the forest with towering redwood trees to admire. Why not challenge your children to identify different tree species using free apps? Then once back home in the warm, enjoy crafting activities and making masterpieces to display around the house using your foraged bounty.
3. Explore the Seafront
With the beautiful Dorset beaches just a short drive away, our very own coastline here in the New Forest is sometimes overlooked. October is the perfect time to explore the seafront, without the crowds from the summer, providing a quieter more peaceful walk for little ones. Soak up the autumn sunshine, enjoy the fresh sea air filling your lungs, and point out sights like the Isle of Wight to the kids. There’s plenty of nature to discover down by the coast too, from wading birds to rock pools during low tide. Why not hunt for sea glass or unusual shells? Just make sure you keep your distance from wildlife and take care when by the sea, making sure to keep track of tide times and weather warnings that might be in place. Fresh sea air and open spaces are brilliant for burning off all that energy before heading back home or to your hotel!
4. Forest Trails and Building Dens
There are a huge number of free trails to enjoy across the New Forest, suitable for various abilities and groups including plenty for families! Some of our favourites include Blackwater and Shatterford, with many trails featuring gravel paths that pushchairs can navigate for those showing the beauty of the forest to the youngest of explorers this autumn. Encourage children to get creative, enjoying time away from screens and other distractions, and make dens using fallen branches or create fairy houses in this enchanting location – simply magical! You can find free trail maps on the New Forest National Park website or by downloading their free app, which also provides information about local wildlife and tips.
5. Visit Burley Village
Burley is one of our favourite villages in the New Forest and its not just because we have one of our hotels there, promise. The village of Burley is famous for its connections to white witches including Sybil Leek, who is credited as being Britain’s most famous witch. You can wander the village on foot and browse the quirky shops, heading up to the village green and further into the heathland for a full walk if you wish. There are plenty of wildlife here to discover from the neighbourhood deer park to free-roaming horses, donkeys and of course the pannage pigs at this time of year! If you do fancy spending a little on treats, there are sweet shops, the delicious Burley Fudge, plenty of ice cream (it isn’t just for the summer season) and of course you could opt for lunch or an afternoon tea at Burley Manor.
The New Forest doesn’t need to be expensive to explore, with so many options available for those looking to discover its beauty on a budget. This half term, why not embrace the freedom of the outdoors and discover the nature right here on our doorstep. Witness children’s creativity flourish with these free activities perfect for quality family time together. Just remember to always follow the New Forest code during your visits!
Written by Emma Longden, Digital Marketing Manager for New Forest Hotels
1. Wildlife Watching
There are so many wildlife who are free-roaming here in the New Forest National Park. Why not make spotting the many animals native to the area a form of treasure hunt for inquisitive children to help encourage an interest in the nature surrounding them? The Big Five include the famous New Forest Ponies along with deer, pigs, cows and donkeys. With Pannage in full swing at the moment (extended due to a Mast year until January 2026), it is the perfect opportunity to tick all of these wonderful animals off your list. Just remember to always keep your distance (perhaps bring binoculars so that children can feel like they are closer than they are), never touch free-roaming wildlife and always drive safely and slowly through the forest.
2. Nature Art
Add interest to your woodland walks and extend the fun by picking up autumn treasures. Choose from a huge variety of leaves, pine cones and chestnuts but make sure that you only pick up fallen leaves, never pick them and always be mindful of the forest being home to many kinds of wildlife, so also supervise young children to ensure they do not destroy habitats, or put themselves or any animals in danger. Areas like Rhinefield Ornamental Drive showcases the stunning autumnal colour palette of the forest with towering redwood trees to admire. Why not challenge your children to identify different tree species using free apps? Then once back home in the warm, enjoy crafting activities and making masterpieces to display around the house using your foraged bounty.
3. Explore the Seafront
With the beautiful Dorset beaches just a short drive away, our very own coastline here in the New Forest is sometimes overlooked. October is the perfect time to explore the seafront, without the crowds from the summer, providing a quieter more peaceful walk for little ones. Soak up the autumn sunshine, enjoy the fresh sea air filling your lungs, and point out sights like the Isle of Wight to the kids. There’s plenty of nature to discover down by the coast too, from wading birds to rock pools during low tide. Why not hunt for sea glass or unusual shells? Just make sure you keep your distance from wildlife and take care when by the sea, making sure to keep track of tide times and weather warnings that might be in place. Fresh sea air and open spaces are brilliant for burning off all that energy before heading back home or to your hotel!
4. Forest Trails and Building Dens
There are a huge number of free trails to enjoy across the New Forest, suitable for various abilities and groups including plenty for families! Some of our favourites include Blackwater and Shatterford, with many trails featuring gravel paths that pushchairs can navigate for those showing the beauty of the forest to the youngest of explorers this autumn. Encourage children to get creative, enjoying time away from screens and other distractions, and make dens using fallen branches or create fairy houses in this enchanting location – simply magical! You can find free trail maps on the New Forest National Park website or by downloading their free app, which also provides information about local wildlife and tips.
5. Visit Burley Village
Burley is one of our favourite villages in the New Forest and its not just because we have one of our hotels there, promise. The village of Burley is famous for its connections to white witches including Sybil Leek, who is credited as being Britain’s most famous witch. You can wander the village on foot and browse the quirky shops, heading up to the village green and further into the heathland for a full walk if you wish. There are plenty of wildlife here to discover from the neighbourhood deer park to free-roaming horses, donkeys and of course the pannage pigs at this time of year! If you do fancy spending a little on treats, there are sweet shops, the delicious Burley Fudge, plenty of ice cream (it isn’t just for the summer season) and of course you could opt for lunch or an afternoon tea at Burley Manor.
The New Forest doesn’t need to be expensive to explore, with so many options available for those looking to discover its beauty on a budget. This half term, why not embrace the freedom of the outdoors and discover the nature right here on our doorstep. Witness children’s creativity flourish with these free activities perfect for quality family time together. Just remember to always follow the New Forest code during your visits!
Written by Emma Longden, Digital Marketing Manager for New Forest Hotels
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