Bikes, canoes and horses: Getting active in the New Forest
Every time I visit the New Forest, I wonder why I don’t holiday there more often. It’s only about 90 minutes from my home, it’s beautiful and you get animals wandering the streets.
review/press trip*
I grew up and lived my life in cities, so I don’t think I will ever get over the excitement of seeing ponies/donkeys/cows trotting along unconcerned. As it turns out, Minnie feels pretty much the same way.
We spent a long weekend staying just outside the lovely village of Brockenhurst in a great cottage arranged through New Forest Cottages, exploring by bike, canoe and horse and carriage.
It’s not quite the first time Minnie’s been – we did go to Shorefield Country Park almost two years ago – but it’s the first time she’s really been able to join in properly with some of the activities.
For more things to do in the New Forest with kids, check out my top picks
New Forest bike hire with kids
One of the best ways to get round is by bike, so we headed over to Beaulieu to New Forest Activities to hire some. Minnie had her eye on one of the ‘small’ bikes but was approximately four years and one skill too young for those, so it was a choice between a seat on the back or a trailer.
After much discussion, we settled on the trailer, not least because Minnie herself seemed to like the idea of being towed around and watching the world at her leisure from a seat. In fairness, she did offer to swap with her Dad part-way through… after it turned out he fitted in the trailer too. Just.
Again, it’s not the first time she’s been in a bike trailer as we hired one at Bluestone around two years ago as well but this was such a different experience.
A couple of years seems to go past in the blink of an eye for me, for her it’s a transformation from baby to little girl (even if I’m still thinking of her as a toddler).
With Minnie in the back and my own bike riding skills coming back in wobbly fashion, we took some advice on the best (mostly) off-road route from the lovely staff at New Forest Activities, who recommended a ride down to Bucklers Hard on the water.
Cycling through the woods, it was perfect, and as we seemed to stop ever five minutes to give Minnie another snack, readjust something, or me to take photos, it was also just the right length for our afternoon hire session.
Even better the sun had come out unexpectedly, so the pub and its beer garden was also the perfect spot to have a breather – me with a glass of rose, Minnie with an ice cream. Then a quick wander along the waterfront to see the boats and it was time to cycle back.
Canoe the Beaulieu river in the New Forest
The fickle May sunshine had well and truly gone behind a cloud the following day, when the two of us headed back for our canoe trip on the Beaulieu river (my husband having headed back to work), but I’d been looking forward to the chance to get out on the water.
When you’re going out with younger kids, there has to be two adults in the boat – a wise precaution, I thought – so Andy from New Forest Activities, which also does canoe hire, came along with us.
Even if there are two of you, they still send someone trained out to accompany you as it’s a tidal river.
Apart from child-wrangling, it meant we also had a mini tour guide as we paddled along the river – who knew the history behind Beaulieu’s French name stems from a dream King John had about menacing monks. Or that oystercatchers are cheekier than seagulls. Or that you get seals in the Beaulieu river (if you’re lucky)?
Heading towards Bucklers Hard again, it was incredible peaceful out on the water with no-one else in sight on a cloudy Monday but Andy assured me it was never particularly busy even in midsummer as it’s a private river.
Two hours was just about the right amount of time before Minnie, who had her own mini paddle, got slightly bored of trying to spot seals and counting buoys, as well. And despite visions of her attempting to leap over the side, neither Andy nor I had to make any emergency dives to grab her.
Horse and carriage in the New Forest
While we didn’t manage to spot any seals, I knew a couple of horses would go down very well – Minnie was already incredibly excited at seeing ponies up close (fairly close). And she’s still talking about Max and Diesel weeks on.
The pair were drawing our carriage on a mini taster tour through the New Forest itself, with the Brunswick Carriage Company. We headed out to a section of the forest near Brockenhurst, just beyond the Balmer Lawn Hotel, where the horses were tacked up and trotted off through the woods.
With Minnie firmly on my knee (after she nearly slithered off the leather seats on the first trot), we headed along quiet wooded paths pausing only at gates or to try to convince my daugher that pretty much every tree in the forest was older than her. I’m still not sure I succeeded.
It’s pretty romantic if you’ve escaped on a couples weekend too, but it’s also a lot of fun with kids if bumpy – a short route is probably ideal for younger ones too.
For more things to do in the New Forest with kids, check out my tips for visiting Peppa Pig World nearby and my review of Longdown Farm
Need to know: New Forest activities with kids
Bike hire costs from £14 for a half day for adults and children aged over 12, from £8 for younger kids. Tag-alongs, trailers, kids seats and kids bikes are all available but should be requested in advance.
You’ll also get a rucksack with puncture repair kit as well as maps if you need them, although signposting is very good.
Canoe trips cost from £20 for two hours for adults, £12 for children depending on the option you choose – it’s also cheaper in winter.
Trips are timed depending on the tides – in our case, we were limited to the afternoon, so it’s worth checking. You’re advised to bring waterproofs and a towel, and there are toilets to change in – I did, but barely got a splash on me despite a paddle-wielding two-year-old.
If you drive to the centre, you need to go down a gravel track so allow time to take it slow. You can also hire kayaks unaccompanied on one of the lakes.
The Brunswick Carriage Company runs a horse and carriage route between Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst, from £25 for adults and £20 for children or you can create bespoke days out. They are also planning shorter trips during the summer, so check the website for the latest details.
For more things to do in Hampshire with kids, check out my top days out
Disclosure: My bike hire, canoe trip and horse and carriage ride were all provided free for the purposes of review. All opinions, inability to use gears on a bike properly and aching muscles are my own.
Images copyright MummyTravels
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What a lovely way to enjoy the New forest. I must say we have spent many a family trip here on the Camel Trail with tag alongs and trailers when the children were younger, it is so much more fun than travelling by car. Looks like it just stayed dry for your canoe ride and good advice for going with a toddler too. Thank you for sharing your action packed weekend on Country Kids.
My pleasure – and definitely, cycling in London is just too terrifying so I love making the most of it when we’re somewhere out in the country.
What a lovely experience! We live so close to the New Forest but don’t really make the most of it. The carriage ride looks amazing.
#CountryKids
I think it’s easy to do when something’s on the doorstep – the carriage ride was something really different to try which I loved.
This brings back some memories, of a childhood holiday to the New Forest, and visiting Bucklers Hard. We didn’t do any canoeing though, but something I’d love to do again.
It’s such a great place for families I think – I can imagine us going back. And definitely fun to see it from the water too.
Love this! What a stunning place and so many things to do for the whole family! #countrykids
Thanks! It is just so gorgeous there – and perfect with kids.
I love the New Forest. You’re right – I’m not sure why we don’t go more often either, it’s not far away and feels like a different world. It looks like you had a really fun-filled time. We love hiring bikes, too. You can definitely cover more mileage! The carriage ride looks like so much fun!
I wonder if it’s the fact it’s on the doorstep – it’s easy to go any time, so somehow the plan never gets made. We had such a fun weekend though and I’ve already had a request for a bike trip… which bodes well for Amsterdam!
This looks amazing! Shame to say I have yet to learn to ride a bike. Unfortunately it can be limiting for us a family some outdoor resort destinations, don’t have adult trikes :0) Looks like you all had fun.
I’m stopping by from Country Kids of Coombe Mill blog hop.
Thanks! Was a lot of fun – I probably ride a bike about once a year but glad I did learn (eventually) as a kid as it seems you really don’t forget.
Oh the boys would have loved this, all of it, it looks so lovely and the Horse and Carriage ride must have been fab. My youngest is obsessed with horses would have loved this. It all looks so scenic just lovely x
Absolutely – my daughter still talks about Max and Diesel, the horses, and the pony in the street which flicker her with its tail! Such a gorgeous part of the country to explore too.
What great family time, we love the New Forest. Mich x
Such a great place with kids isn’t it.
I used to love the New Forest as a child. Happy memories of the ponies and our mini adventures! We really must visit soon, perhaps for a weekend away. Lovely photos. #TriedTested
It is the perfect place for a mini adventure, I think. And thank you!
The horse and carriage ride sounds perfect. I love canoeing and can’t wait til we can go and enjoy things like this again. Great post, thanks for sharing #countrykids
Thanks! It’s fun getting to do more things like this with my daughter now she’s a bit bigger 🙂
We love the New Forest too, there is always something new to do. Looks like you packed plenty in! Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested
We did! It’s all so laidback there that we never felt rushed though.
the New Forest is one of my favourite places. We’ve been to Shorefields holiday park at least four times now and it makes a great base for exploring the area. I don’t think you ever get tired of it, as there always seems to be something you have done or seen each time you go.
I think you’re right – there’s just such a lovely atmosphere and so much to do/discover.
We have only driven through the New Forest on our way to Peppa Pig World. It looks like a wonderful place to visit! x
It really is lovely – I always think I should make an effort to visit more often too.
This all sounds wonderful! Love the idea of the canoe ride and the horse and carriage, what a fab way to see the area 🙂 #countrykids
Thanks, it was a lovely way to explore such a gorgeous stretch of countryside.
The Mother says – What a lovely time. I love the New Forest and spent many childhood holidays there. Such amazing activities for all the family. PS Loved your disclaimer!!
It is such a lovely place for a family holiday, I think, although I didn’t discover it properly until I was all grown up. (And thanks – I like to add a bit of variety!)
We’re always visiting the Forest. Bucklers Hard is a favourite spot (great ice creams) and Brockenhurst is packed with lovely pubs and restaurants. It looks like you had a great time – shame the weather was a bit off #MondayEscapes
We had such a lovely time – and perfect sunshine for the ice cream on our bike ride, at least.
Sounds like a great weekend, and love the idea of taking monkey out in a boat. We are also not that far from the New Forest but never visit – will be adding to the bucket list for this Summer. Thank you 😀 #MondayEscapes
Definitely worth a quick visit, I think. Such a lovely area, and great with kids – hope you have fun.
I’d love that horse and carriage ride -what a way to travel! So much to do in the New Forest – you packed a lot in!
We did! The horse and carriage was really fun as well, so unusual