What to do and see in New Forest National Park Hampshire, England: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day

September 1, 2021 Roseanne Arnett

If you need a word to perfectly describe New Forest, “welcoming” would be it. The lowland (i.e. no mountains) park is filled with scenic views and wide trails that beg to be explored as they wind through centuries-old woodlands. Visit Bolderwood, a protected forest and deer sanctuary that was once the hunting grounds of the Norman kings. Fish at Moors Valley before heading skyward for a treetops walk. Prefer the country-house life? Head to Beaulieu, where you can get lost in the Victorian-era at the Palace House before following in the footsteps of medieval monks at the property’s abbey.
Restaurants in New Forest National Park Hampshire

1. Ringwood Brewery

138 Christchurch Road, New Forest National Park Hampshire, Ringwood BH24 3AP England +44 1425 470303 [email protected] http://www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk/
Excellent
93%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 679 reviews

Ringwood Brewery

Reviewed By 173louiset - Wisbech, United Kingdom

We went on a 6.30pm tour with Vincent and John and we were made very welcome. John was very informative about the history of Ringwood and instantly gave everyone a half pint of their excellent beer and then Vincent took us on a tour of the building, talking us through the brewing process. As my husband is a keen beer drinker we have been on several of these tours, but this was the best. It was explained step by step and we learnt a lot. We especially enjoyed tasting the barley in various stages and looking at the barrel process. After our tour we went back to John in the pub who talked through the different beers and generously handed out more to taste. I also had a go at pulling a pint. We are a varied group from 17 to 73 and we all thoroughly enjoyed our visit. At the end we were given our Ringwood glasses and a bottle of their tasty beer. After the tour we were given time to buy anything from the shop. John and Vincent were both knowledgeable and friendly and we didn't feel rushed at all, it felt like a nice evening at the local pub!!

2. St Mary, Breamore

62 Church Street, New Forest National Park Hampshire, Fordingbridge SP6 1BE England +44 1425 653163 [email protected] http://www.achurchnearyou.com/breamore/
Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 23 reviews

St Mary, Breamore

3. Church of St John the Baptist

Church Lane, Boldre, New Forest National Park Hampshire SO41 5PG England +44 1590 673484 [email protected] http://www.bsbb.org.uk/st-johns/
Excellent
78%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 9 reviews

Church of St John the Baptist

Reviewed By bluenose43 - Frome, United Kingdom

A delightful church steeped in history believed to be 100 years old and fascinating connection with HMS Hood. We stopped whilst on a circular New Forest walk.

4. Page’s of Lyndhurst

44 High Street, Lyndhurst, New Forest National Park Hampshire SO43 7BG England +44 23 8028 3111 [email protected] http://www.pagesoflyndhurst.com
Excellent
81%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 47 reviews

Page’s of Lyndhurst

Reviewed By 7karleens

Lovely shop, always worth a visit if you’re going through Lyndhurst. Lovely coffees which they can grind for you (the vanilla is my favourite) and lots of specialist gins which they know all about and you can try. Always very welcoming!

5. Graham Turner Wood Turner

Brighton Road, Sway, New Forest National Park Hampshire, Lymington SO41 6EA England +44 1590 682503 http://www.grahamturner.co/tuition.html
Excellent
97%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 33 reviews

Graham Turner Wood Turner

Woodturning Tuition, maximum class size of two. Offer 1/2 day, 1 day and two day courses.

Reviewed By Moulands1 - London, United Kingdom

My second visit and this time I brought a friend - an excellent day again where I graduated from a bowl to a candlestick in Cherry. Graham is patient and very supportive throughout - especially in turning a mistake into a triumph !! We shall both be back.....

6. Woodgreen Community Shop

Hale Road, Woodgreen, New Forest National Park Hampshire SP6 2AJ England +44 1725 512467 [email protected] http://www.woodgreenshop.org/wcs2015/
Excellent
90%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 31 reviews

Woodgreen Community Shop

The shop has an excellent choice of everyday groceries and local crafts. We are committed to local produce and local products and of course to you, our customer. - Post Office - Local produce - Bread freshly baked on the premises - Newspapers - Homemade cakes daily - Tea & coffee facilities, indoor and outdoor seating areas - Ice cream - Local crafts & gifts - Greetings cards - New Forest Local Information Point

Reviewed By vickys817 - Bristol, United Kingdom

Great little find in the Forest, lots of fabulous local produce and a lovely welcome. The meat is superb. Originally only popped in to grab a drink, didnt realise how many items were available in the shop. Highly recommend. Staff are extremely attentitive also.

7. Artisan Bread Making New Forest

1 Sylvan Close, New Forest National Park Hampshire, Lymington SO41 0HJ England +44 7796 213774 [email protected] http://www.BreadMakingNewForest.co.uk
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 208 reviews

Artisan Bread Making New Forest

We offer a number of half day courses including Sourdough, Baguette, Croissant, Brioche & Gluten Free Breads. We will guide you through our hands-on courses which are dedicated to learning every stage of the artisan baking process, the easy way. No prior baking experience is necessary; just enthusiasm and a desire to make real bread. I will cut through all the theory and just show you an easy and fun way to make some classic breads for you to take home. All our courses give you the opportunity to blend your own flour selecting Wheat, Rye or Spelt organic grains using our beautiful 'Ko Mo' stone ground mill. See our website for more details.

Reviewed By Chrisby531 - London, United Kingdom

My mother and I had an absolutely wonderful day out at Alan and Carol's lovely B&B, spending a half day learning the ins and outs of Artisan French Bread making etiquette. As a baking beginner myself, and also for my Mum who has a lot more experience, the course was pitched at a great level - Alan has time for all your questions and the techniques and recipes are accessible and fun. We made delicious croissants, french baguette and our own sourdough pizza bases (which we happily demolished for lunch :)) - all in a relaxed and instructive atmosphere. Would highly recommend to all!

8. ClueCrypted Escape Room

Wick Drive Unit 7 Milton Business Centre, New Forest National Park Hampshire, New Milton BH25 6RH England +44 1425 820819 [email protected] http://www.cluecrypted.co.uk/
Excellent
99%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 279 reviews

ClueCrypted Escape Room

ClueCrypted is an exciting real life escape game designed for small groups of 2 to 6 players. Based in New Milton in Hampshire ClueCrypted offers a personal escape room experience designed to test your mind and wits.

Reviewed By Lolobennito - Manchester, United Kingdom

Myself and a couple of friends played this one Friday evening. I’ve played a couple of escape room before but didn’t know what to expect from a virtual one. Emma was behind the camera with just her hands visible, a great host showing us around the clues and guiding the camera to where we wanted to look. After a few minutes you are completely immersed in the puzzles and barely notice that it is Emma doing the handiwork rather than yourself! One tip for future guests is to print off the documents you are sent before the game (don’t spoil it for yourself by looking!) as it would be handy to have them in front of you as your looking at the screen. I had to resize the screens so I could look both on my small laptop screen which worked, but slowed us down! Thank you Emma, we really enjoyed!

9. Beaulieu National Motor Museum

John Montagu Building, Beaulieu, New Forest National Park Hampshire, Brockenhurst SO42 7ZN England +44 1590 612345 [email protected] http://www.beaulieu.co.uk
Excellent
64%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,786 reviews

Beaulieu National Motor Museum

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.

Reviewed By faceandphilo - London, United Kingdom

A really good day out, with something for everyone from 6 to 66! Different family members enjoyed different parts of the site. The kids especially loved the playground and elevated train, Dad loved Top Gear & Cars from films, Mum loved the Palace, Grandad loved all the cars and motorbikes and Nanny loved the Abbey and gardens!

10. Chewton Glen Spa

New Forest National Park Hampshire, New Milton England +44 1425 277674 [email protected] http://www.chewtonglen.com/spa/
Excellent
67%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
8%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 171 reviews

Chewton Glen Spa

Reviewed By beachlover-8899 - Ipswich, United Kingdom

Spent a very happy afternoon in the spa here whilst we were staying at the hotel recently. Everything was spotlessly clean, the changing rooms were well equipped with plenty of towels everywhere etc. Swimming pool was just the right temperature and lovely for a swim, followed by the outdoor hot-tub then the huge hydrotherapy pool. We didn't want to leave! Highly recommended.

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