The Best Picnic Spots in the New Forest

Posted on 20/08/2026 by Adrian Lee

There is something special about eating outdoors in the New Forest. Ancient oaks, open heath, wild ponies wandering past, and quiet corners where the only sound is the breeze in the trees. Whether you want a shady woodland glade, a sunny lawn for garden games or a waterside bench at golden hour, there is a perfect picnic spot waiting for you.

We own and look after holiday homes right across the New Forest, so we spend a lot of time exploring these lanes and clearings ourselves. We have pulled together our favourite New Forest picnic spots, with a few honest, local tips on parking, dogs and a couple of forest rules worth knowing before you spread the blanket.

A quick word before you go

The New Forest is a working landscape as well as a beautiful one, so a little care keeps it that way:

No BBQs or fires. Barbecues and outdoor cooking of any kind are banned across the open forest because of the fire risk. Pack a cold picnic and you are good to go.

Please do not feed the ponies, cattle or donkeys. Human food makes them ill, and animals that learn to expect it can nip or kick. Enjoy them from a respectful distance.

Take your litter home. Bins can be scarce, and food waste is harmful to the animals.

Parking is mostly pay and display. Most forest car parks are run by Forestry England, so bring a little change or the parking app.

Dogs are welcome, and the forest is a joy for them. Just keep them close around livestock and ground-nesting birds, especially in spring and summer.

Our favourite New Forest picnic areas

Bolderwood: for families and forest games

Set along the Bolderwood Ornamental Drive, this is one of the best picnic places in the New Forest for families. A big, gentle lawn ringed by tall conifers gives you room for rounders, a kickabout or an afternoon snooze in the sun. There is a proper car park, and a short stroll takes you to the deer viewing platform, where you can often spot the resident fallow deer grazing in the meadow.

Good for: families, garden games, deer spotting.

Hatchet Pond: for waterside views

Just outside Beaulieu, Hatchet Pond is the picnic spot for a lazy, low-key afternoon by the water. It is one of the largest ponds in the forest, with big open skies, gliding swans and some of the finest sunsets you will find anywhere in Hampshire. There is a car park on either side, and an ice cream van often parks up in summer for the perfect pudding.

Good for: waterside picnics, sunsets, an easy flat wander.

Blackwater Arboretum: for shade on a hot day

If the sun is fierce, head for Blackwater, near the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive. The Tall Tree Trail leads you beneath towering redwoods, Douglas firs and giant sequoias, so you can lay out lunch in cool, cathedral-like shade. The arboretum itself is enclosed and easy underfoot. The nearest car park is Blackwater (SO42 7QB), a short walk away.

Good for: hot days, big trees, an accessible surfaced trail.

Bratley View: for that classic forest panorama

Near Minstead and a short hop from Lyndhurst, Bratley View serves up the postcard New Forest: rolling heather, scattered woodland and ponies grazing in the distance. It is a lovely, breezy spot to park up and take in the view with a flask and a sandwich, especially when the heather turns purple in late summer.

Good for: heathland views, photographs, a quick and easy stop.

Wilverley Inclosure: for the most facilities

If you would rather not sit on the ground, Wilverley is your friend. It has actual picnic tables, toilets and a marked walk that is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, which makes it one of the easiest New Forest picnic areas to enjoy with little ones or less mobile guests. Ponies often graze the open fields nearby.

Good for: picnic tables, toilets, accessibility, families.

The Knightwood Oak: for a shady, pony-free glade

A few minutes from Bolderwood, the Knightwood Oak is the grandest tree in the forest, thought to be more than 500 years old. The area around it is fenced, so it stays pony-free, and a firm gravel track makes it friendly for wheelchairs and pushchairs. It is a peaceful, shaded spot with a real sense of history under its branches.

Good for: shade, accessibility, a pony-free space, a spot of history.

Lepe Beach: for a picnic by the sea

For a change of scene, the forest meets the Solent at Lepe, on the southern edge of the New Forest. Swap heath for shingle and sand, with wide views across to the Isle of Wight and a steady parade of ships and sailing boats. It is a popular family beach with a car park and a café, so it works well when you want a proper day out with sandcastles and a paddle alongside your picnic.

Good for: a beach picnic, sea views, a full family day out.

Which picnic spot is right for you?

Not sure where to start? Here are our recommendations:

With the dog: almost anywhere in the forest, but Bolderwood and Bratley View give you space to roam.

With young children: Wilverley for the tables and toilets, or Lepe for the beach.

On a hot day: Blackwater Arboretum or the Knightwood Oak for deep shade.

For a romantic evening: Hatchet Pond at sunset, hands down.

For accessibility: Wilverley and the Knightwood Oak both have firm, level tracks.

Because the forest is so open, half the fun is finding your own quiet corner. If you spot an inviting clearing with somewhere safe to park, pull over and make it yours for the afternoon.

New Forest picnic questions

Can you have a barbecue in the New Forest?

No. Barbecues and any form of open-air cooking are banned across the open forest to protect it from wildfire, which spreads frighteningly fast across dry heath. A cold picnic is the way to go, and honestly, a good spread of local cheese, bread and fruit needs no cooking at all.

Are the picnic areas dog-friendly?

Yes. Dogs love the New Forest, and there is no need to leave your four-legged friend at home. Keep them under close control around the free-roaming ponies, cattle and donkeys, and take extra care near ground-nesting birds through spring and summer.

Which New Forest picnic spots are near water?

Hatchet Pond near Beaulieu is the classic waterside choice, and Lepe Beach gives you the sea. Many of the forest streams, such as Ober Water near Brockenhurst, also make lovely spots to dip your toes on a warm day.

Do I have to pay for parking?

Most forest car parks are Forestry England pay and display, so it is worth carrying a little change or downloading the parking app before you set off. Coastal car parks such as Lepe have their own charges too.

Make a weekend of it

Half a day in the forest has a way of turning into a whole one, and once the sun starts to dip you may find you are not ready to leave. If you would like to wake up among the oaks and heath, we own and care for a collection of holiday homes across the New Forest, from cosy boltholes for two to spacious homes for larger groups.

Every one of them welcomes dogs, so the whole family can come along for the picnic, and many have a hot tub to sink into after a happy day of walking and exploring. Have a look around, and if you would like a hand choosing the right base for your New Forest adventure, contact us – we would love to help you plan it.

The Best Picnic Spots in the New Forest

Posted on 23/07/2026 by Adrian Lee

Few things feel more like a proper holiday than packing up a hamper, throwing down a blanket and settling into a beautiful spot with your favourite people. The New Forest is full of wonderful places to do exactly that, from ancient woodland glades to coastal stretches with views across to the Isle of Wight. Here are some of our favourite picnic spots to help you plan the perfect outdoor lunch during your stay.

A Quick Word About the Ponies

Before we get started, a friendly reminder. The New Forest’s free-roaming ponies, cattle and donkeys are curious creatures, and they will show an interest in your food. However tempting it is to share, please don’t feed them. Human food is harmful to them, and animals that associate people with snacks can become pushy or aggressive. 

Buckler’s Hard, Near Beaulieu

Sitting peacefully on the banks of the Beaulieu River, Buckler’s Hard is one of those spots that feels like stepping into another era. This peaceful village was once a bustling shipbuilding hub where vessels for Nelson’s Navy were constructed. Spread out on the stunning riverside lawns and enjoy your picnic with beautiful water views, then wander through the historic cottage displays and Maritime Museum afterwards. There is a charge for entry, but it’s well worth it for the setting alone.

Knightwood Oak Trail, Near Lyndhurst

If you love being surrounded by ancient trees, the Knightwood Oak Trail is a must. The Knightwood Oak itself is thought to be over 500 years old, with a girth of more than seven metres, earning it the title “Queen of the Forest.” The trail from the car park follows an easy gravel track suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and the enclosed area keeps those inquisitive ponies at bay. 

Hurst Spit, Keyhaven

For sea views that will take your breath away, Hurst Spit is hard to beat. This 1.5-mile shingle bank curves out into the Solent towards the Isle of Wight, which feels close enough to touch on a clear day. You can walk the length of the spit or hop on the ferry from Keyhaven, and there’s plenty of open space around Hurst Castle at the far end for a windswept picnic with a view. Henry VIII’s coastal fortress makes for a fascinating exploration once you’ve finished eating.

Wilverley Inclosure, Near Brockenhurst

Wilverley Inclosure offers a lovely mix of woodland walks and open grassy areas, with a dedicated picnic area complete with benches nestled among the trees. The fields here were ploughed during the Second World War, and the grassy clearings that grew back have become a popular grazing spot for ponies and a fantastic place for families to spread out and play games. 

Tanners Lane Beach, Near Lymington

This one is a hidden gem. A small stretch of sandy and pebbly shore at the end of Tanners Lane, it’s a beautifully quiet spot with gentle waters and views across to the Isle of Wight. If you walk a quarter of a mile to the right along the beach, you’ll find a peaceful picnic spot. Continue a little further and you may well have the place entirely to yourself. Keep your eyes peeled too, as the New Forest ponies have been known to wander down for a paddle!

Exbury Gardens

For a picnic surrounded by colour and beauty, Exbury Gardens is something special. World-renowned for its rhododendrons and azaleas, the gardens also feature magnolias, wildflower displays and a steam railway that meanders through the grounds. There are two dedicated picnic areas overlooking Jubilee Pond and the Sakura Cherry Orchard, both offering magical settings to rest and refuel. Entry charges apply, but a day here is a real treat for the whole family.

Make the New Forest Your Base

With so many stunning spots to discover, a few days in the New Forest barely feels like enough! Our New Forest holiday cottages, including the picturesque Forest Drove Cottage and our Fordingbridge homes, make a wonderful base for exploring. Our properties welcome dogs, so your four-legged friends can join you on every adventure. 

When you book directly with Short Stay Homes, you pay no booking fees and get our best rate guaranteed, along with thoughtful touches throughout your stay. Contact us today to learn more about our New Forest properties and to start planning your perfect picnic getaway.