Explore the New Forest - Wheelchair Accessible
Explore the New Forest
There are numerous places to visit and activities to try in the New Forest National Park. Here are some ideas and suggestions that you might like to explore. Note that some places have an admission fee, may need booking in advance, some are seasonal, and others are open all year. Not every activity will be accessible to everyone, so please check first if you have specific requirements or access needs.
New Forest Heritage Centre
Located in Lyndhurst's main car park, this centre offers insights into the forest's history and traditions. Explore forest wildlife, conservation, and interactive activities for younger visitors. The museum is free to visit and nearby you can explore restaurants, tea rooms, and the landmark hill "Bolten Bench."
New Forest Wildlife Park
Meet native and not-so-native woodland animals including badgers, hedgehogs, foxes, deer, otters, and owls. The park offers woodland trails, an adventure playground, and The Forest Kitchen Restaurant. Scooters and wheelchairs are welcome, but it's advisable to contact them for specific access concerns.
Liberty's Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre
Just outside Burley, Liberty's features a wide range of birds, daily flying displays, a reptile house, and photography workshops. They also offer falconry and owl experience days.
Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World
The UK's number one family theme park, located in the New Forest. Enjoy big rides, small rides, play areas, live entertainment, animals, and birds within 140 acres of landscaped parkland. Peppa Pig World is a must for preschoolers, and older children can enjoy the dinosaur area. Wheelchair or scooter-dependent guests have free admission and a queue assist policy.
Beaulieu
Discover the National Motor Museum, Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey, and the historic role of Beaulieu during WWII. Electric scooters are available for hire, disabled guests get a concessionary rate, and carers have free admission. Buy tickets in advance to save money and enjoy a return visit within 6 days.
Buckler's Hard
Located on the Beaulieu River, this 18th-century shipbuilding village features a maritime museum, river cruises, living history, a shipwright's workshop, tea room, and picnic areas. Some access restrictions due to the age of the site are detailed on their website.
Lepe Country Park
Right on the seashore, with accessible parking, ramped access to the beach, and a café called "The Lookout" with ramped access. Enjoy coastal walks and nature areas, pond dipping platforms, a Landeez all-terrain wheelchair, and a Changing Places toilet.
Exbury Gardens
A beautiful 200-acre landscaped garden known for its spring and autumn colours. Carers have free admission, free wheelchair hire, a wheelchair-adapted steam railway, and two large "tramper" style scooters for hire.
Highcliffe Castle
A Grade 1 listed building on the cliff top with views over the Solent to the Needles. Explore three floors with ramped access, interactive displays for children, and a cliff-top walk through Steamer Nature Reserve.
Longdown Activity Farm
A family-run farm with hands-on animal handling, play areas, tractor rides, and animal feeding. They encourage accessible guests with a Changing Spaces facility available to all.
Moors Valley Country Park
A woodland area with an adventure play trail, miniature railway, lake for fishing, play park, golf, Go Ape, bike hire, Segway, and more. Accessible toilets, an adult changing room, two trampers for hire, and a café for lunch.
Hurst Castle
An English Heritage castle built by Henry VIII, located a mile and a half along a shingle spit. Limited access for wheelchair users, but a fantastic place for children to explore with lots of stairs, dark passageways, and views over the Solent.
Furzey Gardens
An enchanted informal woodland garden with fairy doors, a children's playground, accessible paths, and a tea room. Access for disabled visitors and their carer is free.
Blashford Lakes
A bird-watching location with 8km of rolled gravel paths, accessible gates, and bird hides. Two Tramper All-Terrain Mobility Scooters are available for hire by prior arrangement.
Milford on Sea
A seaside village with parking overlooking the sea, a tarmac path along the seafront, a children's play area, and the Needles Eye Café.
New Forest Walks
Accessible walks on firm gravel through the enclosures, many incorporating cycle routes or circular trails. You'll find a map and information about our favourite walks in your holiday cottage.
Barton On Sea
A cliff-top location with a café, a slope down to the sea, and views of the beach with paragliders overhead when the wind is right.
The Bakehouse
A bakery in Brockenhurst selling amazing doughnuts, pastries, and lardy cake. Enjoy your treats overlooking the forest on the Ornamental Drive.
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary
In the heart of the New Forest, Bolderwood is one of the best places to see deer, as they are fed daily from April to September in the afternoons. A free location with disabled toilets available and great spots for a picnic.
The New Forest Reptile Centre
Near Lyndhurst, the Reptile Centre invites you to learn about New Forest reptiles with frog and snake pits, bird quizzes, and a signposted trail.
Car Parks
The New Forest has a variety of car parks where you can park, walk, or sit back and admire the view. Each car park is individually named, making it easier to plan your visit Here's a .map.
Miles of cycle paths to explore - or try out a bike with New Forest Pedall
Family fun for the whole day at Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World
A chance to meet the animals at New Forest Wildlife Park near Ashurst.
Activity Ideas
Martyn Sibley's Visit to the New Forest
Check out Disability Horizons co-founder Martyn Sibley's visit to the New Forest for great activity ideas . Disability Horizon's New Forest accessible article. or watch his video here: Martyn Sibley Video of Activity Ideas in the New Forest
Pedall - New Forst Inclusive Cycling
Pedall offers cycling sessions with a variety of bikes, including wheelchair cycles, hand cycles, and tandems. They recommend starting with a starter session to try different bikes, followed by guided rides. Private sessions are also available for £50, accommodating up to 10 people.. More details
Crazy Creature Encounter
Enjoy educational and fun encounters with creatures from around the world. Prices start at £75, and you can invite a photographer for unique memories. Crazy Creatures.
New Forest Conductive Education
Specialized neuro-rehabilitation programmes designed to enhance mobility and independence. Sessions can be arranged at Our Bench or a local venue. https://juditszathmary.com or find them on Facebook - New Forest Conductive Education.
Cycle Hire
Cycle Experience at Brockenhurst offers a range of bikes for hire, including specialist inclusive bikes. Bike Hire
Horse Riding
Opportunities to ride horses around the New Forest, including Western Style riding at Burley Villa. Accessible horse riding sessions are also available on the Isle of Wight at the Island Riding Centre.
Calshot Activity Centre
One of the UK's largest outdoor activity centres offering activities like dry slope skiing, climbing, and water-based activities.
Canoeing, Kayaking, Archery, or Bushcraft
New Forest Activities at Beaulieu offers various activities all year round. New Forest Activities.
Go Ape High Ropes Course and Full Throttle Segways
Experience high ropes and Segway courses at Moors Valley. Check accessibility guidelines before booking. Go Ape at Moors Valley
Avon Tyrrell
Offers a range of accessible activities. More details.
Wild Play
Outdoor play in natural environments, building dens, jumping in puddles, and more. Opportunities for free play can be found throughout the New Forest inclosures.
New Forest Water Park
Offers cable wakeboarding, an Aqua Park, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Note that the outdoor changing block is accessible, but there are no disabled toilets on site.
Swimming
New Forest Health and Leisure centres offer swimming pools with poolside hoists and easy access steps. Call 023 8028 5588 to check hoist availability. New Forest Health and Leisure
Fishing
Public trout and fly fishing locations recommended by a local expert. Check accessibility before visiting. Popular spots include sea fishing off Lymington Sea Wall and Hurst Spitwww.rockbournetroutfishery.co.uk and chalksprings.com
Sailing / Speed Boats - Watercraft Activities
Wet Wheels Hamble offers accessible trips from Hamble, Southampton, and Lymington. They can tailor experiences to suit your needs. Wet Wheels Hamble - their leaflet can be downloaded here!
Sloped footpath down from the cliff top at Barton on Sea
Lepe Country Park with their amazing views accross the Solent
