Paulton’s Park and Peppa Pig World
This has to be one of the biggest local attractions with over 60 rides and an amazing 4D cinema. Paulton’s has a wide variety of children’s rides, family rides and thrill rides to enjoy – voted the UK’s No 1 Theme Park 2016 – 2020. About 25 minutes pleasant drive through the forest. www.paultonspark.co.uk
Longdown Activity Farm
Small children can bottle feed the kid goats, feed the ducks, meet the pigs and cuddle baby rabbits, chicks and even maybe a piglet. Plenty of other activities as well and good picnic area. About 25 minutes drive away. www.longdownfarm.co.uk
Moors Valley Country Park
A favourite with our grandchildren – there are walking, play, tree top and cycling trails, Forest Segway rides, play areas, a model steam railway, and a ‘go ape experience’ with zip wires. Just off the A31 past Ringwood – about an hour’s drive. www.moors-valley.co.uk
Hurst Castle
A great day out! Start at Keyhaven (5 minutes drive) and take the small ferry down Keyhaven river to Hurst Castle (English Heritage) – this takes about 20 minutes. The ferry stops directly in front of the castle entrance. The castle was originally built by Henry V111 and continued in defence of the realm right up to 1950. There is plenty to see inside and there is a good small café, toilet facilities etc. If the weather is fine take a picnic – plenty of grassy areas. www.hurstcastle.co.uk
Crabbing
Fun and easy on the pocket! If you are staying in Mulberry Barn nets and buckets are in the garage. Our favourite place is down at Keyhaven on the ‘hard’ dock area where the fishing boats off load and the lobster pots are kept. Crab off the left hand side behind the pots – here you are of the way – and just drop your line in with a piece of bacon and haul them up! The Gun Inn is just across the car park and has a large garden – speciality – Crab sandwiches!
Bournemouth Oceanarium
Perhaps best to keep this for rainy days. About an hour’s drive and right on the sea front. Several different areas depicting fish from the Amazon, Great Barrier Reef, Key West etc. Also a virtual interactive dive cage. Easy to combine with a look around the town and a walk on the famous pier. 15% discount if you book on line. www.oceanarium.co.uk
New Forest Adventure Golf
An eighteen hole adventure golf course is fun and beautifully landscaped and has a distinctive New Forest feel. Takes just over the hour to complete. Snacks, coffee, ice creams available. The course is in Lymington (by the ferry terminal) – no more than 15 minutes drive. http://www.lymingtongolfcentre.co.uk
