3 Days New Forest Itinerary : The Best of Hampshire & Isle of Wight.

Day 1 : Minstead, New Forest Walks & Furzey Gardens

We started our New Forest itinerary in the peaceful village of Minstead which is a wonderful base if you prefer somewhere quieter and less touristy. It’s only 2 miles from the village of Lyndhurst.

There is very little to do in Minsted itself and it doesn’t take long to stroll around. But it’s a great base to walk from and explore the area. Oh, and here’s an interesting fact…Minstead is the burial place of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes!

Walking is one of the best ways to experience the New Forest, especially if you enjoy a slower pace and taking in the scenery. As you explore, you’ll come across the famous wild ponies, along with donkeys and even pigs depending on the season. It’s a unique experience that makes this area feel truly special.

Spend some time simply wandering—there’s no need to rush. The beauty of the New Forest is in its simplicity.

New Forest Walking Trails

There are many official trails to follow. One we can recommend is in an area called Acres Down. Check out the walk on All Trails Acres Down.

This was a wonderful walk and the colours when we visited late autumn were fabulous.  It can be easy to lose your bearings although again with a phone, you can easily get back on track. It’s amazing how many of these tiny tracks actually show up on google maps!  

Walking around these country lanes is quite an experience.  Instead of the usual traffic signs, there are signs to warn of animals! Drive carefully.  If you stop to get out and see them closer, remember you are in their territory. Most of the time, however, they’re totally disinterested in you. 

Enjoy Tea at Fursey Gardens

Furzey Gardens, only a mile from Minsted, is definitely worth a visit. These gardens have been developed as a social enterprise providing training and work experience for people with learning disabilities  The grounds were simply beautiful when we visited.

Entrance costs are based on suggested donations – £8 for an adult.  As we wandered around, the rich colours of autumn were everywhere like a carpet of red, orange and golden yellows. Simply stunning – my photos don’t do it justice.  

And who doesn’t like a tea-shop?  There is a pretty one here with a good choice of homemade cakes and scones. Definitely needed and earned after a long walk in the forest!

What is also lovely about this place, is meeting the people growing and selling the plants. They are delighted to talk about their garden patches. 

Day 2 : Explore Lyndhurst & Lymington

Being only around 20 minutes apart (8 miles), these two places work well together to combine a great day out. We spent the morning in Lyndhurst, a smaller village and headed to the coastal town Lymington for the afternoon.

Lyndhurst

Lyndhurst is less than 3 miles from Minsted.  Although classed as a village, there’s lots going on along its High Street. Enjoy coffee in one of their local bakeries. We really liked The Lyndhurst Tea House’ and especially their pastries!

There are independent boutiques and gift shops and also several antique shops to potter around in. And if you are staying in self-catering accommodation, it’s a great excuse to buy delicious, fresh local produce too!

Just off the High Street, is the New Forest Visitor’s Centre. This is a great place to pop into for information about the area. There are exhibitions here too, a library, small museum, cafe and shop.

We love a bit of history and Lyndhurst has quite a bit of it. I didn’t know until this visit that Lyndhurst was where the English King, William the Conqueror had his private hunting ground. And if you head to St Michael & All Angels Church, the grave of the original Alice in Wonderland (Alice Liddell, later Hargreaves) can be found in the churchyard too. 

Hire a Bike

If you enjoy cycling, Lyndhurst is also a good place for bike hire. It’s a great way to explore the forest trails. Rent a bike through local bike shop Woodsy’s.

Lymington

The Georgian town of Lymington is much bigger than Lyndhurst and being on the coast has quite a different feel to it. Famous for its sailing history, it has two marinas filled with boats. The cobbled narrow streets leading down to the marinas host some lovely shops and pretty cottages.

The High Street is long and it’s fun just to take a wander up and enjoy the different shops, cafes and boutiques. We were lucky enough to be there at the weekend so enjoyed the Saturday Market there. You’ll find many stalls selling antiques, local food produce and various craft work. 

If you’re visiting in the summer months, perhaps try the Lymington Sea Water Baths. These are the oldest open air sea water baths in the UK. There’s a whole range of activities on offer from paddleboarding, swimming and inflatable obstacle courses! On a clear day, you’ll have views over to the Isle of Wight!

Being a sailing town, it can get busy if there are race days or festivals on. Every year, the largest annual sailing regatta in the world called Cowes Week takes place at nearby the Isle of Wight making Lymington very busy.

In 2026, it runs from 1st – 7th August. Whilst, it is a great atmosphere at this time, to secure accomodation you wlll need to book months in advance.

Boat excursions are on offer from Lymington. Puffin Cruises offer a 30 minute boat excursion through the salt marshes. For a more luxury sailing trip with lunch or dinner, book a small group tour.

🔍 Click Here to Book Small Group Sailing Tour with Lunch or Dinner

Day 3 : Trip to the Isle of Wight

Although we hadn’t planned to visit the Isle of Wight, we realised when visiting Lymington that it was very easy to get a ferry from the terminal there.

Upon checking the timetable, we also found out how quickly the crossing was so a day trip was easily doable.  Sailings are with Wightlink Ferries.

🔍 Click Here to Book Ferry Tickets to Isle of Wight

As we were only going for the day, we bought ‘foot passenger’ tickets only. Fares are seasonal but expect to pay £36 return for an adult day ticket in peak months. We parked the car parked in the large carpark at the terminal (£11.50 for up to 16 hours).  

The 40 minute crossing to the town of Yarmouth was fun albeit windy! 

Things to do on a Day Trip to The Isle of Wight

Visit ‘The Needles’

Knowing we only had a short time on the island,  we had been recommended to go and see ’The Needles’. To get there we caught a bus (Number 7) from outside the ferry terminal which would take us on a 30 minute journey’.  

The Needles are in fact a row of three stacks of chalk that rise about 30m out of the sea. To view them, you can either walk down the steep pathway to the beach or take a cable car. The latter sounded fun so with little queue for this, that’s what we did. 

The 5 minute ride is quite a thrill especially when the land below you disappears and you find yourself suspended over the edge of the cliff. The views of the Needles however are great and we were lucky to have such a sunny day to enjoy  them.

You can make further trips closer to these points and visit the lighthouse there. With people getting on and off at the bottom, your chair stops frequently and starts swaying in the breeze!  

On dry land, we took time for a little walk along the beach before getting back on the chair lift – yes we had bought a return ticket!  You can buy single tickets so that is an option if you are happy to walk, of course.

By the cable car boarding point, there is also an amusement park.  If you have children with you, they would probably like this but for me this seemed unfitting to be next to the natural beauty of the cliff and the sea.  We took the bus back to Yarmouth instead.  

Enjoy Lunch in Yarmouth

The harbour town of Yarmouth is small and perfect for a gentle stroll around.

Yarmouth  itself is pretty with a delightful pier which I would recommend for views across the river Solent. It is also known locally for being a great spot for fishing.  There is a castle to wander around if you have time.

It’s also a great place to catch lunch, dinner or afternoon tea before catching the ferry back. We liked The Terrace which is a popular harbour side restaurant. It offers both lunch, dinner and between 11-12 every day, coffee and pastries!

Getting to The New Forest

The New Forest National Park is located in Hampshire on England’s south coast. It’s easily accessible from London (around 2 hours by car or train), making it perfect for a weekend escape.

For a relaxed trip, driving really is the best option, as it gives you the flexibility to explore villages and once there, walking routes at your own pace.

🔍 Click Here to Book Car Hire

• By car: Around 2 hours from London
• By train: Choose direct trains to Brockenhurst or Southampton

Heathrow Airport is  70 miles away and by train it’s a 90 minute journey from central London.  However, the closest airport is Southampton which is only 5 miles from the National Park. It’s easy to pick up a hire car from either airport.

Where to Stay in The New Forest

Choosing the right base can make a big difference, especially if you prefer a quieter, more relaxed pace of travel. If you are on a budget, try staying just a few miles out of the centre of a town – it is often cheaper and widens your choice.  

Choose from these popular locations :
Minstead: Peaceful and ideal for countryside walks
Lyndhurst: Central and convenient
Lymington : If you want a more coastal feel
Brockenhurst: Popular with good transport links

📍$ – The Trusty Servant– Traditional Village Inn offering comfortable accommodation in the heart of the New Forest. In Minsted but very close to Lyndhurst. WE STAYED HERE – read more below. Free parking.

📍$$ – Thatched Cottage Hotel – In Brockenhurst and central position to train station, village pubs and shops. Free parking.

📍$$$ – Stanwell House Lymington – Central and privately owned hotel with restaurants on site. Close to shops and the quay. Breakfast served in their popular orangery. Free Parking

->> Click here for more great accommodation choices.

We chose Minsted as our base. Accommodation was in a traditional, country inn called The Trusty Servant which was a great find.

One of the joys of staying here is you can step straight out into the forest.

Looking out our window in Minsted were ponies happily wandering around the green; donkeys too, just getting on with their daily routine of doing very little. 

The pub had several rooms attached to it and a village shop selling homemade produce.   The owners were most hospitable and certainly keen to set you up for the day with an extremely hearty breakfast.

We also ate evening meals here as it was popular with the locals and the food was excellent and incredibly good value. The open fires certainly made this place feel so homely after a day out walking.

Typical Costs for a New Forest Trip

To help you plan your budget, here are some general costings of main categories.

• Accommodation: £120–£250 per night
• Main Meals: £15–£30 per person
• Isle of Wight ferry: £20–£40 return
• Parking: Often free or small charges

FAQ’s

How many days to you need in the New Forest?

2 -3 days is ideal to relax and explore a couple of the villages and take in some of the forest trails. Spend longer if you want to include The Isle of Wight or want to take time out for cycling or sailing.

When is the best time to visit the New Forest?

This is a year round destination but each season brings something different. Spring is great for flowers and wildlife, Summer for the best weather, Autumn for spectacular colours and Winter for cosy pubs and quieter feel.

Is the New Forest worth visiting?

Yes, most definitely for its unique woodlands, open heathland and wild animals. If you love nature and peaceful villages, seeing animals roam freely and want an escape from city life, it’s perfect.

Wrap Up – New Forest and Hampshire

All in all, Hampshire is a great area to visit.  With forests, beaches, towns and villages to explore, there really is something for everyone.

If you are spending time in London, consider combining the English capital and time in Hampshire to get a deeper appreciation for rural England. 

And if you particularly like coastal areas, check out our Charming Coastal Towns to Visit in Suffolk post. It’s another beautiful part of England.