New Forest Family Walks

With vast areas of woodland and heath, the New Forest offers lots of walking opportunities perfect for families. We have miles and miles of footpaths and trails that take you away from traffic and into our gorgeous landscape. Whether you fancy walking along the seafront or through our luscious woodland, there is plenty to explore here by foot.

Become a member of New Forest Walks and explore the forest at your own pace. Choose from more than 35 tried-and-tested self-guided routes throughout the national park, with walks to suit a wide range of ages and abilities. Easy-to-follow instructions guide you along each route with information on points of interest so you can learn more about the fascinating history and nature of the New Forest.

On this page, we list four of our most family-friendly walks that are on offer in the New Forest. The walks start from just two miles and take in some of the most scenic parts of the New Forest including the villages of Beaulieu and Burley and the shingle spit leading to Hurst Castle.

Family walks that we recommend include:

1. Bolderwood: Deer Watch Trail

This walk is just 0.3 miles, but it's a great day out with the kids as on the walk you will end up at Bolderwood's viewing platform, which overlooks the open forest where herds of fallow deer are regularly seen.

From Easter - mid-September the herd is fed daily by one of the Forestry England Keepers, so if you're lucky enough you'll get there just in time to see this!

Bolderwood is also a great place to enjoy a picnic and some field games with your family.

2. Godshill and Castle Hill

Explore the northern parts of the New Forest with your family. Follow easy trails through quiet fields and woodland, where you'll pass the site of an Iron Age Hill Forest and head up Castle Hill, where you can see gorgeous views across the forest, especially the Avon Valley, which is buzzing with wildlife.

You can either make this route an easy 2.6-mile route, or a little longer route at 3.6 miles with a detour. All the details are on the map!

3. Ashlett Creek to Calshot Spit

An easy 2.8-mile walk, starting from Fawley town centre and then following a lovely country lane to the small and historic inlet of Ashlett Creek. Along the way, you'll get to see fabulous views over Southampton Water.

Once you're through Ashlett Creek you'll go past the Jolly Sailor pub, stop off here for a refreshing drink and a snack. You'll also walk by a 19th-century tidal mill!

4. Hockey's Farm Loop

Begin and end this wonderful walk at the fantastic Hockey's Farm, making this walk an even better experience with farmyard animals to meet (for free), a lovely tearoom and a brilliant farm shop. Head over miles of heathland and down cute country lanes. This is a wonderful walk for the whole family to enjoy.

Fancy planning your own walking routes with the family?

We’d recommend you pick up a local Ordnance Survey map for the New Forest and/or suggested walking route guides from one of our local visitor information points or the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst.

Keep an eye out for family-friendly guided walks in the New Forest as well. Our what’s on pages will detail any events like this that we know of. Locations such as Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve, Lepe Country Park and Moors Valley Country Park often run family-friendly guided walks in the school holidays where you can do a bit of nature spotting along the way.

It’s also worth taking a look at our accessible walks, as many of these are suitable for pushchairs or for little legs that aren’t able to walk quite as far!

The New Forest National Park is a wonderful place to visit and you can help it stay that way by being a Forest friendly visitor.

Your food and litter could harm the ponies and donkeys. Please take your litter home if bins are full.

To help ground-nesting birds rear their young safely, keep yourself, dogs and horses on the main tracks from the beginning of March to the end of July.

Knightwood Oak Stroll

0.4 Mile On this walk you will end up at the wonderful Knightwood Oak, this tree is believed to be the largest Oak tree in the New Forest. Knightwood Oak is protected by a traditional cleft oak fence. Enjoy the surroundings on this very easy walk. Knightwood Oak Car Park…

Reptile Centre Discovery Trail

1.1 Miles Starting point from the New Forest Reptile Centre Car Park what3words ///oldest.brambles.bared The New Forest Reptile Centre is open all summer until the end of September Opening times of the Reptile Centre are seasonal. Please see the Forestry England website for…

Blackwater: Heartwood Trail

Distance: 0.7 miles (1.1 km) Start: Blackwater car park, Grid ref. SU 268 047 what3words ///crawler.secure.respected An easy waymarked circular walk through the Arboretum to experience the woodland and take in the variety of tree species. There are regular seats with…

Keyhaven Walk

1.9 Miles Keyhaven is approached from Milford on Sea. It is a small village with a very pretty harbour. There are easy walks along the sea wall with views of Keyhaven harbour, the Isle of Wight and Hurst Spit. The area is a good spot for bird watching. Keyhaven Car Park…

Godshill and Castle Hill (Frankenbury Hill Fort)

Distance: 2.6 miles (4.2 km) Start: Godshill Cricket Pitch, Postcode SP6 2LL what3words ///steadier.tingled.thanks This walk takes you along quiet field and woodland paths to the site of an Iron Age hill fort. It then continues to a stream-side hamlet on the edge…

Beaulieu to Buckler's Hard Walk

Distance: 2 Miles Start: Starting point : Beaulieu Village Centre what3words ///cheetahs.swerving.mammoth One of the most popular routes for families is from beautiful Beaulieu to the historic Buckler’s Hard as the route follows a two mile footpath along fields and…

Chapel Stores Walk

Distance: 3.6 miles (6 km) Start: Chapel Lane, East Boldre, Brockenhurst SO42 7WP what3words ///voltages.during.games A level, 3.6 mile loop starting at Chapel Stores – a non-profit community shop selling drinks, snacks and ice cream. Alternatively join this…

Lymington Town Trail

Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) Start/End: Lymington Town Railway Station, SO41 9AU what3words ///lives.notion.calendars A shorter walk packed full of local history. Visit St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, the modern day…

Rockford Common Walk

Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km) Start: Rockford Common Car Park, Grid reference – SU164083, BH24 3NF what3words ///spillage.spacing.legal Rockford Common is an area of open heathland and woodland, grazed by livestock belonging to local commoners. The area is…

Blackwater: Tall Trees Arboretum

PLEASE NOTE, there is currently no walking access through the back of the Blackwater Arboretum until mid August. Distance: 1.1 miles (1.8 km) Start: Blackwater car park, Grid ref. SU 268 047 what3words ///crawler.secure.respected This is an easy walk through…

Janesmoor Pond

300 Metres This is a New Forest Access For All route. This is an easy walk around the Pond, enjoying the views of the water. Janesmoor Pond is located just south of Fritham on the road to Stoney Cross. what3words ///bachelor.tilting.gong Click for PDF of route and more…

Hatchet Pond

1.9 Miles This is a New Forest Access For All route. Hatchet Pond is the largest area of fresh water in the New Forest, which is located just outside the quaint village of Beaulieu. It is very beautiful and can be enjoyed on this easy trail. There are benches along the way…

Bolderwood: Deer Watch Trail

Distance: 0.3 miles (0.5 km) Start: Bolderwood car park, grid ref SU 243 086, no postcode. what3words ///shell.frog.reserving This very short stroll from Bolderwood car park leads you to a deer viewing platform overlooking fields where wild herds of fallow deer are…

Bolderwood: Jubilee Grove Trail

Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) Start: Bolderwood car park, grid ref SU 243 086, no postcode. what3words ///shell.frog.reserving Starting from Bolderwood car park this meandering route leads you past the deer fields and some majestic trees, the oldest of which date…

Copythorne and Cadnam Common

Distance: 4 miles (6.5 km) Start: Pollards Moor Road bus stop, Copythorne Grid ref. SU 303145, Post code SO40 2NZ what3words ///pink.confronts.songbook This walk starts by passing St Mary's Church before winding through Copythorne Common and its interesting mix of…

Bolderwood: Radnor Trail

Distance: 1.9 mile (3.1 km) Start: Bolderwood car park, grid ref SU 243 086, no postcode. what3words ///shell.frog.reserving Once past the Radnor Stone, this trail passes through sweet chestnut, oak and beech dating from the 1860s. It then skirts the fenced boundary of…

Cadmans Pool

500 Metres Cadman's Pool : what3words ///resurgent.bitter.flamenco This is a New Forest Access for All route. Great for picnics during your gentle walk, or just to sit and enjoy the view of the Pool. Take a short stroll around Cadmans Pool and enjoy the…

Rufus Stone Trail

0.2 Miles Starting point : Rufus Stone Car Park what3words ///kite.visits.cuddled This is a New Forest Access For All route. The Rufus Stone is a very short walk from the car park on a good gravel path and the legend on the stone is worth the effort. The Rufus Stone marks the…

Ringwood Town Trail

This Town Trail around Ringwood’s old town centre, designated a Conservation area, has been compiled by The Ringwood Society. We hope that this walk has encouraged you to take a closer look at Ringwood and to discover for yourself the attractions of our historic…

Whitefield Moor : Short Loop

Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) Start: Whitefield Moor car park, grid ref SU 274 026, no postcode. what3words ///ideas.dinner.ascendant Starting from Whitefield Moor car park, this walk passes along gravel tracks through a variety of habitats around Ober Water…

Sturt Pond Walk

1.9 Miles Start : Hurst Road East Car Park what3words ///encroach.adhesive.bigger This is an Access for All Easy-Going Walk. Milford-on-Sea is on the New Forest boundary 4 miles south west of Lymington on the B3058. It has a shingle beach and great views of the Solent and the…

Ashlett Creek to Calshot Spit

Distance: 2.8 miles (4.5 km) Start: Fawley town square bus stop Grid SZ 458 032 Postcode SO45 1EA. what3words ///mountains.poppy.perfected This walk is great for families with young children, starting from Fawley town centre and following a…

Blackwater: Tall Trees Trail

Distance: 1.4 miles (2.3 km) Start: Blackwater car park, Grid ref. SU 268 047. what3words ///crawler.secure.respected Stimulate your senses on this short but wonderful trail around the Tall Trees Walks. This walk takes you past majestic conifers planted in the…

Hordle Cliffs

2 Miles Milford on Sea is on the New Forest boundary 4 miles south west of Lymington on the B3058. An excellent walk starting on a sealed surface of fine gravel embedded in tarmac, with wonderful views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight. Then following the more rural…

Whitefield Moor : Long Loop

Distance: 1.6 mile (2.6 km) Start: Whitefield Moor car park, grid ref SU 274 026, no postcode. what3words ///ideas.dinner.ascendant Starting from Whitefield Moor car park, this walk takes you further along the Ober Water than the yellow route, giving more time to…

Minstead village green looking at The Trusty Servant Inn in the New Forest

Minstead Village Walk

Distance: 2 miles (3.3 km) Start: Minstead Village Green, SO43 7FY what3words///directors.piglet.commenced Explore the quaint village of Minstead on this lovely, short walk. Start at the Village Green, visit Furzey Gardens and pass All Saints Church, which is were…

Setthorns Loop

Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) Start: Setthorns Car Park, Brighton Road, Sway, SO41 6EB what3words ///sideboard.tripods.entitle Enjoy a relaxed walk through this wonderful inclosure. Follow winding pathways through woodlands, and head through the local campsite!

Hawkhill Loop

Distance: 1.7 miles (2.8 km) Start: Hawkhill Car Park, Beaulieu, B3055 what3words///holds.width.aliens This is a wonderful short walk around a beautiful New Forest inclosure. Enjoy walking along winding paths through tall trees - make sure you keep an eye out…

Pathway amongst heather at Horseshoe Bottom

Horseshoe Bottom Loop

Distance: 1.8 mile (3 km) Start: Horseshoe Bottom Car Park, Burley Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7UP what3words///archduke.nursery.homelands This excellent walk features grassland, heathland and woodland and is great for a quick forest adventure! Being a shorter walk…

Burbush Walk

Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) Start: Burbush Car Park, Burley, Ringwood, BH24 4EF what3words ///cinemas.craziest.pranced This is a walk is great for a short stroll or family walk, while taking in beautiful views and coming across wildlife, including our free-roaming…

Beaulieu Road Loop

Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) Start: Beaulieu Road Station Inclosure Car Park, Beaulieu Road, SO42 7YQ what3words ///branched.joggers.refilled Park up, or enjoy this walk straight from the train getting off at Beaulieu Road Station, and head out on the pathway…

Boats moored up at Hythe Marina in the New Forest

Hythe Town Walk

Distance: 1.8 miles (2.9 km) Start: Hythe Ferry, Prospect Place, Hythe, SO45 6AU what3words///drill.hugs.dinner Explore the brilliant town of Hythe! Stroll along the high street, enjoy view across the water, visit local parks and grasslands and walk…

Lyndhurst Parish Walk

8.5 Miles Discover the beauty of the parish, start from the thriving village centre, out to Bolton’s Bench and on into the tranquillity beyond. This walk roughly follows the whole outside parish boundary, using the forest as a natural tour guide. On this route you can…

Keyhaven Marshes

Distance: 3.5 miles (5.6 km) Start: Keyhaven green bus stop, SO41 0TG, Grid Ref: SZ 304 916. what3words ///glitter.courier.emotional Along the route there are views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and the Needles and opportunities to watch the…

Walhampton Monument Trail

Distance: 3.2 miles (5.1 km) Start/End: Lymington Town Railway Station, SO41 9AU what3words ///lives.notion.calendars Visit the monument to Admiral Sir Harry Burrard-Neale (1765-1835), a prominent Naval officer and former MP for…

Man walking along path past free roaming cows at Bolton's Bench in Lyndhurst in the New Forest

Bolton's Bench Loop

Distance: 3.1 miles (5km) Start: Bolton's Bench, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst SO43 7DA what3words ///shipwreck.gratitude.afford Bolton's Bench is known as 'the New Forest's gateway' and has lots of excellent path ways, with varied natural terrain. On…

Hockey's Farm Loop

Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km) Start: Hockey's Farm, South Gorley, Fordingbridge, SP6 2PW what3words ///thickens.elevates.glare Base your New Forest adventure around the wonderful Hockey's Farm! This walk starts and ends at Hockey's Farm, giving you the…

Lepe Country Park - Summer Days Out Blog July 2023

The Lepe Loop

Distance: 5.9 miles (9.3 km) circular section Start: Lepe Country Park, SO45 1AD what3words //////graph.tasks.splat Start at Lepe Country Park and follow the oak signposts around the route. Situated on the southern edge of the New Forest and a mile from the Solent…

Anderwood Walk

Distance: 3.1 miles (5km) Start: Anderwood car park, Lyndhurst Road, Burley, grid ref SU 24894 05782, no postcode what3words///dressings.acrobat.limitless This lovely New Forest walk will take you along gravel tracks, passing by heathlands and into woodlands. Plus…