Accessible New Forest Attractions and Activities
Explore the New Forest – Accessible Days Out
The New Forest National Park is full of places to visit, wildlife to enjoy, and activities for all ages. Many locations offer wheelchair access, accessible toilets, or facilities like hoists and trampers. Below we’ve combined our favourite attractions and activity ideas to help you plan your stay. Always check opening times, admission charges and accessibility details before visiting. For more ideas close to our cottages, explore our pages on Lymington and Accessible Day Trips.
Top Accessible Attractions in the New Forest
New Forest Heritage Centre
Located in Lyndhurst, the Heritage Centre showcases the history and traditions of the New Forest. It features exhibits on wildlife, conservation and interactive displays for children. Admission is free, with cafés and shops nearby. Don’t miss Bolton’s Bench, a local landmark.
New Forest Wildlife Park
Meet badgers, otters, owls, deer and more. The park has woodland trails, play areas, and a restaurant. Scooters and wheelchairs are welcome, but check in advance for accessibility needs.
Liberty’s Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre
Located near Burley, Liberty’s offers daily flying displays, falconry experiences, and a reptile house. A great day for wildlife lovers.
Paultons Park & Peppa Pig World
The UK’s leading family theme park with rides for all ages, landscaped gardens and Peppa Pig World for little ones. Guests who are wheelchair or scooter users have free admission and access support.
Beaulieu
Home to the National Motor Museum, Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey and gardens. Scooter hire is available, carers enter free, and advance tickets allow a free return within six days.
Buckler’s Hard
An 18th-century shipbuilding village on the Beaulieu River. Enjoy the maritime museum, tea room, and river cruises. Some areas have limited access due to the historic site.
Lepe Country Park
Seafront park with ramped access, accessible café, Changing Places toilet and all-terrain wheelchair hire. Enjoy coastal views, boardwalk trails and birdlife across Southampton Water.
Exbury Gardens
Two hundred acres of landscaped gardens, famous for spring and autumn colours. Carers have free entry, wheelchairs are available, and an accessible steam railway and trampers can be hired.
Highcliffe Castle
A Grade I listed cliff-top building with interactive displays, cafés and woodland walks. Accessible paths link to Steamer Point Nature Reserve with Solent views.
Longdown Activity Farm
Family farm with tractor rides, animal handling and play areas. Includes a Changing Places facility.
Moors Valley Country Park
Woodland park offering play trails, miniature railway, golf, Go Ape, Segways and fishing lakes. Accessible toilets, changing room, trampers and a café are all available.
Hurst Castle
Henry VIII’s coastal fortress reached by ferry or shingle spit walk. Access is limited for wheelchair users, but families love exploring the passageways and Solent views.
Furzey Gardens
Woodland gardens with fairy doors, tea room and children’s play area. Free entry for disabled visitors and their carers.
Blashford Lakes
Birdwatching reserve with 8km of rolled gravel paths, accessible gates and hides. Tramper scooters are available by arrangement.
Milford on Sea
Seaside village with clifftop parking, tarmac seafront path, Needles Eye Café and a children’s play area. Accessible Changing Places toilet nearby.
Accessible New Forest Walks
Many forest inclosures have gravel tracks suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Maps and route ideas are provided in your holiday cottage welcome pack.
Barton on Sea
Clifftop views with sloped access to the seafront and paragliders overhead in the right weather.
The Bakehouse, Brockenhurst
A favourite for fresh doughnuts, pastries and lardy cake. Perfect for a forest picnic.
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
A free site with accessible toilets and picnic spots. Deer are fed daily from April to September, making it the best place to spot them.
New Forest Reptile Centre
Near Lyndhurst, with reptile enclosures, trails and quizzes. Learn more about the forest’s natural residents.
Car Parks & Viewpoints
The New Forest has many named car parks, making planning easier. Download a car park map to plan accessible spots.
Inclusive Cycling
Try wheelchair bikes, tandems and hand cycles with Pedall New Forest.
Paultons Park
Fun for all ages with Peppa Pig World, rollercoasters and gardens.
New Forest Wildlife Park
Meet native animals, enjoy woodland trails and a family day out.
Accessible Activity Ideas
Inclusive Cycling with Pedall
Pedall offers guided rides with wheelchair bikes, hand cycles and tandems. Ideal for individuals, families or groups up to 10.
Crazy Creature Encounter
Book an interactive animal session at your cottage with snakes, owls and bugs. Great fun for families, with photography available. Find out more at Crazy Creatures.
Conductive Education
Specialist rehabilitation to build mobility and confidence. Available locally or at Our Bench cottages. More at juditszathmary.com.
Other Ideas
- Cycle hire including inclusive bikes.
- Horse riding at Burley Villa or the Island Riding Centre.
- New Forest Activities – canoeing, kayaking, archery, bushcraft.
- Go Ape at Moors Valley – high ropes and Segways.
- Avon Tyrrell – inclusive outdoor centre.
- WetWheels Hamble – adapted sailing and powerboat trips.
- Disability Horizons co-founder Martyn Sibley explored the New Forestand read his article or watch his video.
Barton on Sea
Sloped path from cliff top to the seafront with stunning views.
Lepe Views
Accessible paths and Solent viewpoints with Changing Places toilet.
Testwood Lakes
Accessible reserve near Totton with waterside trails.
