Top 10 Nature & Parks in New Forest National Park Hampshire, England

The New Forest National Park is truly unique. It’s a ‘world capital’ for wildlife with a huge diversity of rare plants and animals– one of the reasons why it was made a National Park in 2005. A place of outstanding natural beauty, the unique landscape is shaped by the grazing of ponies, cattle and pigs that roam freely. These animals may appear wild, but they are owned by people called commoners. One of the last places in southern England to offer a sense of wildness and tranquillity, it’s a wonderful area to explore on foot, horseback, or by bike. Indeed William the Conqueror, who set aside the ‘New Forest’ for hunting more than 900 years ago, would probably recognise much of it today.

In the heart of the glorious New Forest, Beaulieu is one of the South's top visitor attractions. Here you will find the National Motor Museum, home to over 250 vehicles telling the history of motoring. You can also visit Palace House and Gardens, home of the Montagu family since 1538, the remains of Beaulieu Abbey and World of Top Gear where you can see some of the vehicles from Jeremy, James and Richard's most ambitious challenges. Ride on the high level Monorail or climb aboard the replica 1912 open top London bus for a fun way to see Beaulieu's sights.

We are a large Country Park & Forest offering approximately 1000 acres of managed woodland and Country Park to explore. We have miles of mapped walking and cycle routes, two large adventure play areas, over a mile and a half walking route with numerous large woodland play stations to stop at, cycle and mobility scooter hire, model steam railway, golf and pitch & put, restaurant, staffed information point & Visitor Centre, disabled and baby change facilities at two large toilet blocks, Go-Ape and Segway hire, Ice-cream sales and visitor gift shop. If that is not enough to keep you busy, we have an array of activities throughout the year including, pond dipping, Ranger Den, Nordic walking. Admission is per car, and you need to know your number plate to pay at the paystations - at the end of your visit. See you soon.

Located in Minstead, Hampshire, in the heart of New Forest yet just off the end of the M27, this informal 10 acre woodland garden contains an extensive collection of rare and beautiful plants from around the world. In the spring, banks of Azaleas and Rhododendrons dazzle with colour, secret paths lead through drifts of primulas and bulbs to quiet glades, while viewing areas provide outlooks over the New Forest. Flowering shrubs and trees continue the interest through the summer with a blaze of autumn colour at the end of the year.In the water garden flowering and foliage plants thrive both in and out of the lake, enhanced by a collection of conifers.Our award winning Chelsea Garden has been wonderfully recreated overlooking the lake after winning GOLD at RHS Chelsea in 2012.The waterfall leads into our reinstated water meadow.The gardens are wonderful for children. The shady play area has play houses, swing and even a "dry docked" play boat. There are plenty of places to picnic and play hide and seek. The gardens also hold a secret, there are over 30 tiny fairy doors hidden throughout the garden. Our wildflower meadow and cottage garden are great for spotting wildlife and you can take a step back in time when you enter our historic Furzey cottage. Delicious locally made cakes and sandwiches are available in the Gallery Gift and Coffee Shop, which has plenty of seating inside, comfortable sofas upstairs and a pretty outside terrace overlooking the gardens. Browse the Gallery Gift and Coffee Shop which showcases and sells a variety of local art, crafts and gifts including work undertaken by the students from the Minstead Training Trust. Those visitors who like to go home with a souvenir of the leafy variety will enjoy looking around our plant sales area where plants are very competitively priced. The Gardens are open all year round, and the Gallery Gift and Coffee Shop is open from the beginning of March to the end of October 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm (last orders at 4.15pm). The Gallery Gift and Coffee Shop is free to enter and browse and enjoy a coffee, cake or light refreshment. Entry to the Gardens is by a set minimum donation, please pay in the Gallery Gift and Coffee Shop. When the Gallery Gift and Coffee shop is closed please place donations in the box provided. The entry donation goes towards the upkeep of the gardens and to the work of the Charity in providing opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.

There's farmyard fun for the whole family at Longdown Activity Farm. Join in with a daily schedule of hands-on activities such as bottle-feeding kid goats and calves, duck feeding, and the Animal Encounter Barn where visitors can hold chicks and meet a variety of small animals - sometimes even Kunekune piglets. There are lots of larger, friendly animals to meet too. Whatever the weather, there is lots of playtime adventures to be had in the indoor and outdoor play areas which include the Straw Den and Trampoline Barn and the soft play area (these areas are currently closed following goverment guidance) When ground conditions allow, don't miss the fabulous bumpy tractor and trailer ride. No hidden extra costs for our daily schedule of activities. Make sure you visit the Longdown Farm Shop for delicious locally sourced food - a taste of the New Forest.

Liberty's Centre is located near Ringwood on the edge of the New Forest. It is home to a large collection of birds of prey, including eagles, owls and Vultures. We also house a number of reptiles and other creepy crawlies, such as snakes, lizards and spiders in our indoor reptile house. Enjoy a visit that will prove to be fun, exciting and educational for all ages. Observe the birds flying free and the reptiles up close and personal, during various spectacular displays held throughout the day. Facilities include: -> Flying field -> Indoor flying theatre -> Reptile House -> Cafe -> Large outdoor sandpit -> Gift shop -> Party room -> Education room -> Baby changing facilities -> Wild bird rehabilitation facilities

Now celebrating more than 100 years, Exbury Gardens is a spectacular collection of woodland, herbaceous, contemporary, formal and wildflower gardens. At over 200 acres, these impressive gardens (created and managed by the Rothschild family) border the Beaulieu River and boast a narrow-gauge steam railway, plus a newly refurbished restaurant and an outdoor cafe. For garden lovers: Capture Exbury’s hidden beauty and escape the cares of the world as you explore a myriad of pathways lined with rare trees and shrubs at your own pace. Seasonal highlights include rhododendrons and azaleas in spring, herbaceous borders and hydrangeas in summer and acers and nyssa in autumn. For families: Feed giant koi carp and golden orfe fish at Top Pond, complete a range of free activity sheets for children aged 3-11 and let off steam in the adventure play area. Visiting during the school holidays? Check out our brilliant events tailored to children and families.