Just over two hours southwest of London and 40 minutes from Southampton, you should spend a weekend in the New Forest National Park area. It’s packed with attractions as well as walks in this nature-rich area.
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If you are travelling around the United Kingdom, the best way is by car. Not only do you get to see more but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.
Need a Car?
If you want to book a car, you can try using one of these car rental websites, EconomyBookings.com, DiscoverCars or RentalCars.
Need Accommodation?
Try using these accommodation websites to find a comfortable place to sleep after your day exploring, Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia.
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Bournemouth Oceanarium
A great place to visit for kids of all ages, the Oceanarium is on the Bournemouth waterfront opposite the Pier.
Otters, Sharks, Penguins and fish from all over the world call this place home.
You have plenty of viewing areas for most of the tanks, including looking into the tank of sharks, fish, stingrays and turtles. Downstairs you can go through the tunnel to see these animals close up.
Feeding time is the best time to visit as you not only get an education about all the creatures in the tank, but they are very active.
The Penguin enclosure is another place to get close to these cute little animals. You can view them swimming on top of the water and have a viewing area downstairs to watch them fly through the water. You can also enjoy a snack in the Cafe and have them come up to you separated only by glass.
You get all the usual fish and tidal pools, and it’s an excellent place for education as you see so many aspects of sea life, including The Abyss, the darkest part of the ocean.
Hours
We are open 364 days a year (closed on Christmas Day)
- Summer period: (From the beginning of February half term – October end of half term) 10 am – 6 pm (Last entry 5 pm)
- Winter period: (From the end of October half term – beginning of February half term) 10 am – 5 pm (Last entry 4 pm)
Prices
Click here to check out their prices and book online.
Book online to guarantee visiting on the day you want.
New Forest Wildlife Zoo
The New Forest Wildlife Zoo may be a small zoo in the area, but it makes up for it, in animal diversity and is a great place to spend the afternoon on your weekend.
With many types of Otter here, you always find these cute animals running about and swimming.
A new addition in 2019 is the Butterfly House, where not only butterflies flutter by, but all the stages of the butterfly’s life are represented.
You can walk through an area where Deer roam and see Bison, Grey Wolves, Red Foxes, Pine Martens and Scottish Wildcats, among others.
Once again, talks and feeding times are best for seeing the animals closer and more active.
There are plenty of playgrounds for the kids dotted around the park and places to eat or bring a picnic to enjoy.
Hours
Check out their website here to see the seasonal hours and changes in their opening.
Prices
Click here to view prices and book online.
Liberty Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre
Another great educational wildlife park, the Liberty Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre, is excellent for kids and adults alike.
In another small park, there are all different birds of prey and very informative talks. The shows and talks go for at least half an hour and are very educational. In Reptile talk, you see reptiles up close with handlers walking through the group, showing them off.
You can have a Falconry Experience where you really get up close with the birds taking food from your hand. This option is only open to those over 16, though.
The bird show is well worth the visit. Owls, falcons and Alaskan Bald Eagles literally fly over your head as they go from handler to post around the field.
From not hearing the Owl flying over to feeling the power of the Alaskan Bald Eagle, it truly is a great experience, especially as you are so close.
If you like birds, this is the place to be. You get to learn a lot about birds and reptiles in a short amount of time.
This is an outdoor centre so be prepared for the weather. The outdoor show times are 12 pm and 2 pm and are subject to change.
Hours
1st March – 31st October
- Open Daily
April – September
- Open Daily 10 am – 5 pm, with the last admission at 4 pm.
1st November – 28th February
- Weekends and February Half Term Only.
October – March
- 10 am – 4 pm, with the last admission at 3 pm
Closed for the last two weeks of December and the first two weeks of January.
Prices
- Adult £14.95
- Senior £14.95
- Child (3-15 years) £6.50
- Family (2 adults and 2 children) £39.95
No online booking is required, but if the car park is full, so is the centre.
All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
No dogs are permitted inside the centre – limited dog kennel facilities are available.
New Forest National Park
Driving through the New Forest National Park, you must keep to the speed limit of 40mph. Ponies and Deer are the big wildlife that calls this place home, and the roads are included in their roaming.
There are many car parks off the road to stop and walk through the woods and across the hills.
Cycling is also a big pastime in this area, with many cyclists taking to the roads, back roads and tracks.
Conclusion
With many attractions to do, this is a great place to enjoy a long (or short) weekend in the New Forest Area. Make sure that you book early as it is very popular, especially on long weekends.
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Links
If you’d like to read more of my blogs on Australia, you can find them on the following links; Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art, or if you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom or Photography, you can click on their links.
Travel Resources
- Flights, Accommodation & Car Hire – You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Skyscanner, Hopper and WayAway, which has 5% cashback.
- Car Hire – Take to the open road with great deals from EconomyBookings.com, RentalCars.com and DiscoverCars.
- Train & Bus Tickets UK & Europe – Use Trainline to plan and book your rail and train travel in the UK and Europe.
- Travel Insurance – is your number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master and Insubuy are what I use.
- Attractions – buy before you leave home with these great sites, Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
- House Sitting – is a great way to save on accommodation and Trusted Housesitters has house sits all around the world for you to try.
- Photo Editing – is a great way to bring your photos to life and you can try Luminar Neo, which I use.
- Visa Applications – apply online for your visa requirements with iVisa.
- Sim cards – Try Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).
- If you want more, try my Travel Links and Resource page.
Did You Like This Post? Then Pin It!
Love the penguin, all picture are so beautiful.
You have an amazing weekend x
Thanks, Jerserry, I’m glad that you enjoyed it.
what a beautiful area. Awesome pictures too!
Thanks, Brandi, I’m glad that you enjoyed it.
For such a small highly populated country I’m really amazed at the amount of wildlife the UK has (in and out of animal sanctuaries and zoos)!
Great post Kim!
I am too Gabby especially the smaller zoos which seem to have animals I’d expect to see in large zoos around the world and don’t.