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If you’re planning a day trip from London to the New Forest, then then these are the top places to visit for an amazing day out!
Living in London, the only time I ever get out of the city is to some far-flung destination around the world or back to Essex to see my family (two very contrasting trips there!) One thing I was really keen on doing this year though was exploring some places closer to home. I really love travelling around the UK and I don’t do it as often as I should. In fact, I think travelling around the UK is something we could all do a lot more.
That’s why when I had a free weekend spare I decided to swap pints with my dad for bubbles with my girlfriend. After all, it was nearly Valentines day so I thought a romantic weekend in the countryside would go down very well. That’s why I thought a little day trip to the New Forest would be perfect. It’s somewhere I hadn’t been in ages and it definitely ticked all the romantic boxes too. Win win.
Looking for another weekend break in the UK? Then check out my guides to the South of England, East Sussex, Hampshire, Ribble Valley and Shropshire.
A New Forest day trip from London
Then last time I went on a road trip I spent the day pretending to bump into the Queen at Windsor – you can check out what I got up to in my post ‘here‘. For this road trip though I really wanted to explore the countryside, so I headed from London to New Forest for the day.
The New Forest was the setting for one of my first dates with Chloe so I thought it’d be nice to go back and relive some of those memories – and of course create some new ones too.
I’d heard so many lovely things about places like Beaulieu, Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst that I really wanted to check them out for myself. So, if you’re heading on a day trip to New Forest from London, this is what I’d really recommend doing while you’re there. And yes, you really can squeeze all of this in in a day!
Getting from London to the New Forest
This is all about how to get from London to the New Forest. I always thought the New Forest was hours and hours away from London so I was surprised when it only took me about 1h:40m to drive.
Coming from Central London, if you head west to the Hammersmith flyover, then it’s almost a straight line south-west to the New Forest along the M3.
Once you get into the New Forest itself a lot of the roads become one-lane dual carriages so it becomes a bit slower. Saying that, the whole point of my road trip was to drive around the New Forest and take it slowly, so I was happy to take in the beauty around me!
How to get around the New Forest without a car
One thing to know before you go is that the New Forest isn’t a place you “tick off” in a single loop – and that’s part of the magic. While the direct train from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst only takes 90 minutes, it means you’re on your own two feet.
The best way to explore once you arrive is a mix of walking, cycling and the occasional bus. Brockenhurst is your best base if you’re relying on public transport, as you can literally step off the train and be on forest trails within minutes. From here, you can hop between villages like Lymington or Ashurst, or simply follow the walking routes straight into the woods.
If you’re travelling by train, you can check times and compare ticket prices on Omio, which brings together routes from different rail operators so you can book everything in one place.
London to the New Forest at a glance
Quick Facts: A New Forest Day Trip from London
| Distance from London | Around 90 miles |
| Driving time | Roughly 1 hour 40 minutes via the M3 |
| By train | Direct services from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst, around 90 minutes |
| Best for | Couples, walkers, and anyone after a slower-paced countryside day out |
| Key villages to visit | Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst |
| Wild ponies | Roaming freely across the National Park, drive carefully! |
| Good to know | Roads inside the New Forest narrow to one-lane in places, so allow extra time once you’re off the motorway |
Things to do in the New Forest
Wander around Beaulieu
The first place we stopped off at was the tiny village of Beaulieu. This place is picture postcard perfect. If you think of a quaint English village from the centuries ago then this would be it.
One of the major attractions to Beaulieu is Palace House. This is an ornate manor house that dates back to the 13th century. Palace House was originally the gatehouse to Beaulieu Abbey, a historic church also well worth seeing while you’re here.
You can go on guided tours of Palace House (and make sure you keep an eye out for the secret passage behind the bookcase in the library!)
Palace House also houses the British National Motor Museum. This is award-winning collection has over 250 cars and motorbikes, so if you’re a bit of a petrolhead then you’ll love this museum. Beaulieu is also home to a number of wild ponies so be careful when driving around here – the speed limit is there for a reason!
Visit Brockenhurst
The next place on my New Forest road trip was Brockenhurst. It’s only 6 miles from Beaulieu to Brockenhurst but this was probably my favourite road to drive on in the New Forest.
Firstly it takes you through the moorlands which is this almost desert-like landscape before winding your way through the forest itself. I noticed a lot cars parked around here so obviously there were a number of walking trails in the area (more on this later!)
Brockenhurst is another really cute village but much larger than Beaulieu with more things to do. It’s another one of those places that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time though. Brockenhurst is really famous for its manors and spas which leads me nicely onto my next activity.
Cycling in the New Forest
Cycling has to be one of the top things to do in the New Forest, and honestly, it might be the best way to actually experience the place. There’s something about winding through the forest on two wheels, ponies wandering past, dappled light coming through the trees, that you just don’t get from a car window.
One thing I always mention is that it does come with a caveat. You can only cycle on designated bridleways and tracks, not every walking path, so it’s worth checking routes before you set off. The good news is you don’t need to plan this all yourself, bike hire shops like Cyclex in Brockenhurst are ten a penny, and most will hand you a map marked up with all the approved trails when you pick up your bike, plus help you plan a loop depending on how far you want to go.
Whether you fancy a gentle hour pottering through the woods or a proper half-day ride, this is genuinely one of the best ways to spend a few hours in the New Forest.
Afternoon tea at Careys Manor
As my trip to the New Forest was a bit of a romantic one, Chloe and I decided to go for a spot of afternoon tea. So very British. We had heard that the afternoon tea at Careys Manor was one of the best around so we booked in there.
The afternoon tea at Careys Manor costs £28 per person and is an absolutely feast. Included in the price is your tea (they had everything from Earl Grey to mango tea), a few savoury finger sandwiches and a variety of different cakes such as a an apple-filled beignet and a rich, decadent opera cake. Also, scones. Obviously freshly baked scones. You can upgrade to a 90-minute bottomless Prosecco for £10 per person, or add a glass of Taittinger Champagne for £17, for those who want proper bubbles.
See the New Forest ponies
One of the major attractions to the New Forest are all the wild ponies roaming around everywhere. There are about 3,000 of these handsome creatures living in the New Forest National Park so you’re almost guaranteed to see them driving around here.
As I’ve already mentioned though, please drive safely! The ponies rule the roost (so to speak) so keep your eyes on the road. There are a few riding schools in the area too and this is such a fantastic way of getting to see the New Forest all from horseback.
There are a number of different tours, some last just a couple of hours trotting and some lasting the whole day.
Hiking in the New Forest
One of the things I was most keen on doing in the New Forest was to go “hiking” (loose sense of the word here people). If you’re after some fresh air, muddy boots and somewhere to lose yourself then this is the place to do it.
As mentioned above, there are some really fantastic trails between Beaulieu and Brockenhurst. You can pretty much park up anywhere along this stretch and head into the forest. There are some marked trails too so keep an eye out for these.
It’s amazing how as soon as you walk five minutes away from the road you’re completely surrounded by the forest. London certainly feels like a million miles away here. For me, hiking is one of the best things to do in the New Forest, so make sure you pack your hiking boots.
Eat at the New Forest Inn
After going on a brisk 1-hour hike (let’s be honest, it was long walk), we were freezing. All I wanted was a proper pub fire to warm up at, so we hopped in the car and headed to Lyndhurst. Of all the places we visited in the New Forest, Lyndhurst is by far the biggest with the most amenities.
There were a few pubs to choose from but we ended up at the New Forest Inn – partly because they had the pub fire I was after! The New Forest Inn had one of the largest pie menus I’ve ever come across so it almost seemed rude not to go for one.
I had their venison pie which was stuffed full of mushrooms and a rich, decadent gravy. All a bit naughty but oh so delicious.
What’s new in the New Forest for 2026?
The New Forest has always been about slowing down, but 2026 has brought a proper wave of new reasons to visit too. A major new hotel has landed on the water in Lymington, the seafood festival is celebrating a big milestone, and the wildlife park has added a whole summer of extra activities. Here’s what’s genuinely new this year.
- The Nici New Forest has opened in Lymington. This 118-room hotel has taken over the former Elmers Court, right on the bank of the Lymington River, and it’s a proper statement addition to the area. Expect an indoor pool, extensive spa facilities, a heated outdoor pool and tennis courts, so it’s as much a destination in its own right as somewhere to sleep.
- Martha’s has opened as The Nici’s signature restaurant. Focused on seafood and locally sourced ingredients, it’s a solid new dinner option if you’re staying nearby or just fancy a proper meal on the water. Given the setting right on the Lymington River, it’s shaping up to be a strong addition to the area’s dining scene.
- The Lymington Seafood Festival turns 10 this year. A decade in, this local food festival is putting on something bigger to mark the milestone. If you’re planning a trip around food and drink, this is genuinely a good year to time it around the festival.
- New Forest Wildlife Park has extended its summer programme. From 23 July to 31 August 2026, there’s a season of extra family activities running alongside the park’s usual 200-plus animals. A good one to know about if you’re travelling with kids and want more than just a standard visit.
Where to stay in the New Forest
If you fancy staying over, here are a few New Forest hotels that I’d recommend.
Burley Manor – I’ve stayed at Burley Manor before and it’s a really charming hotel. Located just on the outskirts of Brockenhurst in the village of Burley, this hotel blends the traditional with contemporary design. Each individually designed bedroom has antique furniture and eccentric artwork. There are also some lovely walks around the manor in the deer sanctuary.
The Montagu Arms – If you want to stay in Beaulieu, then The Montagu Arms is for you. This outstanding country house in the New Forest is home to the award-winning The Terrace Restaurant. The building dates back to 1742, and it has a cosy, homely character and picturesque gardens. There’s also a spa on site too – what more could you want!?
The Crown Manor House Hotel – The Crown Manor House Hotel is perfectly located in the heart of Lyndhurst Village, the capital of the New Forest National Park. Situated in a 15th-century Grade 1 listed building, there is a lovely mixture of contemporary furniture with original fittings. Lyndhurst village’s independent shops, restaurants, and cafés are just 100 yards away.
Are you planning a trip to the New Forest? What are some of the things you’re doing there? Let me know in the comments below!
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