For things to do in New Forest National Park on a day trip from Bournemouth, choose one area, pair it with a walk and leave time for a village or visitor-information stop. The New Forest has villages, woodland trails and coastal locations to consider.
- Places to explore: Brockenhurst, Burley, Lyndhurst, Lepe Country Park and Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary.
- Short walk: Blashford Lakes is 0.75 miles and takes 0.5 hours.
- Longer walk: the Lepe Loop is 4.5 miles and takes 2 hours.
- Visitor information: the New Forest Heritage Centre is one of the locations highlighted by the National Park Authority.
At a glance
5 places · swipe
01Choose a part of the New Forest to visitBrockenhurst, Burley, Lyndhurst, Lepe Country Park and Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary are among the National…
02Plan a walk and a visitor-centre stopThe New Forest has walks ranging from an accessible short route to longer loops, so choose a trail to suit…
03Driving, parking and public transportThere is no entry fee to the New Forest, though attractions and some car parks charge fees.- 04Check local guidance before setting outFollow Forestry England and Verderers’ byelaws and the New Forest Code when walking or horse-riding across…
- 05FAQsThere is no entry fee to the New Forest.
Choose a part of the New Forest to visit
Brockenhurst, Burley, Lyndhurst, Lepe Country Park and Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary are among the National Park Authority’s suggested places to explore. Pick one area as the focus of your day, then add a walk that starts there or nearby.
For a village visit, consider Brockenhurst, Burley or Lyndhurst. Lepe Country Park suits a coastal outing, while Bolderwood offers a deer-viewing platform reached by a short trail. The New Forest Heritage Centre is another option if you want to include a visitor-information stop.
How do you get from Bournemouth to the New Forest?
Trains serve villages including Brockenhurst, Sway and Ashurst, from where you can walk or cycle. Brockenhurst station is on the main line from London Waterloo and connects to Lymington Town station.
For a day out by public transport, choose a village and plan your walk from there. The New Forest Tour is a seasonal summer bus service with hop-on, hop-off travel; its buses welcome bikes and dogs. Check current service details with the New Forest National Park Authority before you go.
If you’re adding a coastal leg to your itinerary, the Bournemouth-to-Poole bus and train options can help with that part of the trip.
Plan a walk and a visitor-centre stop
The New Forest has walks ranging from an accessible short route to longer loops, so choose a trail to suit the time and terrain you want. The National Park Authority’s walking app contains 40 routes with GPS navigation and can work without mobile phone signal.
Blashford Lakes
The Blashford Lakes walk is 0.75 miles and takes 0.5 hours. The National Park Authority describes it as accessible, making it a short option to pair with another stop.
Lepe Loop
The Lepe Loop is 4.5 miles and takes 2 hours. It is described as easy, and gives you a longer walk to combine with a visit to Lepe Country Park.
Deer Watch Trail
From Bolderwood car park, Forestry England’s Deer Watch Trail is 0.5 miles and leads to a deer-viewing platform. The gravelled route has gentle slopes and benches.
Tall Trees Trail
The Tall Trees Trail is a 1.5-mile waymarked circular route from Blackwater or Brockhill car parks. Choose it if you want a circular woodland walk.
For a visitor-information stop, the New Forest Heritage Centre is highlighted by the National Park Authority. Information points are also listed in Brockenhurst, Burley, New Milton and Totton.
Driving, parking and public transport
There is no entry fee to the New Forest, though attractions and some car parks charge fees. More than 50 New Forest District Council car parks serve the area, including coastal, town and village-centre locations.
If you drive, park only in official car parks: verge and gateway parking is not permitted. Some car parks fill by mid-morning at peak times, and a small number close at certain times of year to protect ground-nesting birds or for maintenance. Parking charges and access arrangements can change, so check the official site before you go.
By train, villages including Brockenhurst, Sway and Ashurst can be starting points for a walk or cycle. If you choose the seasonal New Forest Tour, check its operating details with the National Park Authority before setting out.
Check local guidance before setting out
Follow Forestry England and Verderers’ byelaws and the New Forest Code when walking or horse-riding across Crown Lands. Keep your distance from free-roaming animals, and do not feed or pet them.
From February to August, signs may ask walkers to avoid particular areas to reduce disturbance to ground-nesting birds. Check local guidance for your chosen route, especially if your plans depend on a specific car park or path. To round out time in town, a walkable route through Bournemouth town centre offers a way to plan a separate day there.
FAQs
Is there an entry fee for the New Forest National Park?
There is no entry fee to the New Forest. Attractions and some car parks may charge fees.
Which New Forest walk is suitable for a short visit?
The Blashford Lakes walk is 0.75 miles and takes 0.5 hours. It is described as accessible by the National Park Authority.
Can you reach New Forest villages by train?
Yes. The National Park Authority advises that you can travel by train to villages including Brockenhurst, Sway and Ashurst, then walk or cycle.
Can you walk freely across the New Forest?
Visitors may walk and horse-ride freely across Crown Lands, provided they follow Forestry England and Verderers’ byelaws and the New Forest Code.