Our Bench

What is on in the New Forest?

Explore the New Forest Throughout the Year Guests often ask us about the best time of year to visit the New Forest and stay in our accessible holiday cottages. The truth is, it's hard to choose—this beautiful region has something to offer in every season! Below, we’ve highlighted what makes each time of year special, along with some of the annual events you might want to include in your plans. Be sure to follow our Facebook page for updates and reminders about these events.

Our Favorite time of year - As a photographer and lifelong New Forest resident, it’s impossible for me to pick just one season. Each offers unique opportunities to explore the forest and coast, so here’s a glimpse of what makes every season magical:

Winter - Lymington rarely experiences snow or extreme weather, but when it does, the forest is breathtaking, even if only briefly. Frosty mornings create a wonderland: crisp ground underfoot, glistening spider webs, and golden winter sunshine. With the trees bare, it's easier to spot wildlife as they graze in their winter coats.

Enjoy a peaceful coffee in a coastal car park, watching waves crash ashore, or visit one of the many New Forest pubs where a roaring wood fire awaits. Winter carnivals, festive light displays, and quiet natural beauty make this season truly special.

Spring - As the forest wakes, vibrant yellow gorse blooms brighten the landscape, and countless shades of green emerge. Bluebells carpet certain areas, followed later by the delicate foxgloves. This is also when Exbury Gardens opens, and you might spot the first foals, baby donkeys, or fawns of the year. For a unique experience, visit Boldrewood to see the Forestry Commission Rangers feeding the deer.

Summer - By late August, the heather transforms the forest into a sea of purple. Events abound, from lively county shows to village fêtes and free fireworks displays. Watch boats along the Solent or enjoy family picnics under shady trees while the foals and fawns play nearby. There are countless quieter spots for relaxation and nature-watching, even during this busy season.

Autumn - Autumn in the New Forest is a feast for the senses. The forest floor crunches underfoot as leaves turn vivid shades of orange, and unique fungi peek through the undergrowth. This is also the season of Pannage, when pigs roam freely, feeding on acorns to protect the ponies.

It’s a thrilling time to observe the deer during the rutting season, as stags display their antlers and establish dominance. With the wildlife in action and the forest ablaze with color, autumn is unforgettable.

When Should You Visit? We recommend visiting the New Forest in every season! Each time of year offers something different and magical. Start planning your trip now, and feel free to reach out—we’re happy to share tips or suggest hidden gems for your stay.

 

Annual Events in and around the New Forest!

This is a list of just some of the annual events in and around the New Forest and links to the relevant web sites to help you plan what time of year you would like to come and stay with us in the New Forest.

• January
• February
  • Festival of light at West Quay Southampton, a stunning showcase of brand new immersive and interactive pght displays on the Esplanade, in front of the Old City Walls. West Quay Events Page.
• March
  • Exbury Gardens opens for the summer season and the first couple of weeks are amongst the best weeks to visit when the spring flowers are all in bloom. Exbury
• April
• May
  • May Fayre - traditional May Fair with dancing around the Maypole on the village green by local school children.
  • Brockstock - family friendly mini festival in Brockenhurst - great value event, bands and local beers. Brockstock and the weekend before is normally BrockFest which is a community event managed by Brockenhurst College.
• June
  • Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival - a fantastic 2 day festival at Highcpffe with some amazing chefs doing demonstrations of some tasty dishes - Highcliffe Food Festival
• July
  • The Hat Fair - the UK's longest continually running Outdoor Arts Festival takes place the 1st weekend in July across the historic city of Winchester, and is free to attend -The Hat Fair
  • Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show - Hampshire's Biggest steam and craft show, a 3 day weekend event - lots of traction engines to be viewed and pve arena entertainment - Netley Marsh Steam Rally
  • Lymington Seafood Festival - an amazing 3 days of entertainment and lots of artisan food and drink down by Lymington River - Seafood Festival.
  • Milford Music Festival - an amazing 3 day event based around the village green.
  • The New Forest County Show - an annual 3 day mid week Agriculture Event full of family fun, main ring attractions, competitions, and more- the New Forest Show  
  • The New Forest Folk Festival - a small family run festival with great names held annually at Plaitford near Romsey.
  • Sopley Festival a fun, family event celebrating country life. Three areas provide an event and stall field, kidzone play area, and pve music lawn - Sopley Festival
  • Damerham Fair and Horticultural show one of the most popular village fairs in the region attracting over 2000 people through the gates. Featuring a traditional tented horticultural show, main arena events, stalls, children’s activities, live music and a fun dog show, it is the perfect day out with something for all the family to enjoy - Damerham Fair
  • The Pedal Car Grand Prix is a charitable event that involves pedal cars of all shapes and sizes racing around a town centre. The whole emphasis of the event is to have FUN! One year is appear in New Milton and then the following year it is in Ringwood - British Pedal Car Grand Prix
  • Pennington Sports Club Annual Beer Festival - a free entry event, lots of beers to sample and pve music throughout the weekend just 3 doors up the road from your hopday cottage! More details.
• August
  • Portsmouth Kits Festival - an amazing weekend showcasing some fantastic kites on the sea front near Portsmouth - Kite Festival.
  • New Forest Food Festival is an event for all the family. Rich in local produce, artisan foodies and makers, internationally-renowned chefs and restaurants, unique skills and intricate crafts, showcasing the best of the New Forest. From craft baking to organic local brewing, artisan cheese to local chocolates, the world-famous Pannage Pork to some seriously mouth-watering botanical gins – New Forest Food Festival
  • Friday fireworks - every Friday during August there is a free fireworks display at the end of Bournemouth Pier, fireworks are around 10pm.
  • Exbury Music Festival- 3 evening concerts outside in the garden - level ground with an accessible toilet on site which is a great evening of live outdoor music. Exbury
• September
  • Highcliffe Castle Swing unpmited and vintage cars - an amazing free event on the castle lawns - enjoy seeing some classic cars and then sit back and enjoy the music. Highcliffe Castle
  • Romsey Show - where town and country meet - a one day show with lots of opportunities to discover more about the countryside and enjoy show ring events. - Romsey Show
  • Southampton Boat Show - a huge international event in Southampton where you can discover everything to do with boats and boating. - Southampton Boat Show
  • Ringwood Carnival - festival fun for the whole family with two street processions one of which is illuminated - Ringwood Carnival
• October
  • New Forest Cider Annual Steam Pressing weekend - a chance to see cider making as it was done in days gone by. We shall be demonstrating the art of cider making the old fashioned way with a variety of vintage presses. New Forest Cider
  • Beaulieu Fireworks - one of the largest displays in the south held at Beaulieu Motor Museum every year - Beaulieu Fireworks
• November
  • Christmas Tree Wonderland - Bournemouth Free Christmas festive trail opens in November and continues through out December into the New Forest. Wonderful in the early evening - Christmas Tree Wonderland.
• December
  • New Forest Christmas Fair - An annual 2 day event of Christmas Crafts and present ideas a lot of which are homemade within the New Forest area. New Forest Christmas Fair
  • Victorian Christmas Festival at Portsmouth Dockyard - Travel back in time to a bygone era, where classic characters welcome you to a world of festive cheer, as you enjoy one of the south’s finest Christmas festivals - Christmas Festival
  • Santa Dash - see Lymington's high street fill with Santas as they prepare for the annual Santa Dash in aid of the local hospice. Santa's Dash

If you host an annual event in the New Forest area or that is within an easy drive and is accessible then please send us details to: enquiries@ourbench.co.uk - thank you!