New Forest with Kids: The 10 best family-friendly holiday parks

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If you’re looking for somewhere family-friendly to stay with the kids near the New Forest – then you’ll be delighted to know I’ve found 10 fabulous holiday parks nearby and some hot tub accommodation options too. But first, let me fill you in on where exactly the New Forest National Park is to help you to decide which holiday park location is best for your trip away with the kids.

Where is the New Forest National Park?

The New Forest National Park, in southern England, is mainly in Hampshire (with a little tiptoe into Wiltshire). It’s a stunning mix of ancient woodlands, open heathland and even a bit of coastline to explore. It’s steeped in history – dating back to William the Conqueror in 1079 – and is now home to a charming collection of free-roaming horses, deer and cattle. Officially designated a National Park in 2005, it’s a fab spot for families and nature lovers alike, with over 140 miles of trails perfect for walking, cycling and letting the kids burn off some energy. Whether you’re after budget-friendly outdoor fun or a peaceful picnic among the trees, the New Forest is a real gem worth exploring.

The New Forest National Park also borders Dorset, and the Isle of Wight isn’t far from it’s Southern edge either, so it can be a great location for a family holiday as you can actually visit the New Forest from Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and the surrounding areas. So, if you’re looking for the best places to stay with the kids for your New Forest adventure, here are 10 family-friendly holiday parks within a 45 minute drive of the National Park – with the closest being just 2 minutes away! And, make sure you keep scrolling too as I’ve added in some more information for your New Forest getaway below, as well as links to family holiday itineraries for Hampshire and Dorset.

1. Away Resorts: Sandy Balls Holiday Village, Hampshire

Surrounded by beautiful countryside, Sandy Balls Holiday Village is a great base for a holiday with the kids – it’s less than a mile from the New Forest National Park, which is just a 2 minute drive, so you can be wandering the forest in no time. Read my Sandy Balls Review for all the details – we had a lovely stay! The park offers on-site amenities like indoor and outdoor swimming pools, soft play, bike hire, mini rovers, archery, arts & crafts, a playground, entertainment and even alpaca walks. (You can even book lodges with hot tubs!) The surrounding area is great for family-friendly days out with Paultons Park / Peppa Pig World, Moors Valley Country Park (with Go Ape) and the New Forest Water Park all within a 20 minute drive – perfect! For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Sandy Balls on the Away Resorts website.

2. Haven Holidays: Rockley Park, Dorset

Rockley Park Haven is a fantastic option for families who love outdoor activities and scenic surroundings – it’s around a 35 minute drive from the New Forest National Park, and you can explore the coast too. Located on the edge of Poole Harbour, the park offers its own private beach, ideal for water sports like paddle-boarding and kayaking. There’s an indoor swimming pool (with a waterslide), an outdoor pool, crazy golf, climbing, crafts, junior segways, a NERF training camp and nature activities – the kids will be spoilt for choice! Rockley Park’s proximity to the Jurassic Coast adds to its appeal and there are some great days out nearby. You’ll find Monkey World and the Tank Museum both 30 minutes away, it’s not far from Moors Valley Country Park and Paultons Park is an hour’s drive. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Rockley Park Holiday Park on the Haven website.

3. Shorefield Holidays: Shorefield Country Park, New Forest

Perfectly located between the coast and the New Forest, Shorefield Country Park in Milford-on-Sea offers a brilliant mix of seaside and countryside fun. This one is also really close, if you’d like the New Forest National Park on your doorstep, as it’s just over a 10 minute drive. On-site, families will love the indoor and outdoor pools, playgrounds, kids’ activities and evening entertainment. The accommodation ranges from caravans, to tree houses and luxury hot tub lodges – so there’s something to suit everyone. It’s just a short walk from the beach and there are some fabulous days out nearby. Paultons Park / Peppa Pig World, Moors Valley Country Park (with Go Ape) and the New Forest Water Park are all around 35 minutes away. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Shorefield Country Park on the Shorefield Holidays website.

4. Parkdean Resorts: Warmwell Holiday Park, Dorset

Warmwell Holiday Park is one of the best parks for year-round getaways with the kids – there’s so much to do whatever the weather and it’s just a 45 minute drive from the New Forest National Park. (It’s also another site with hot tub lodges!) The park boasts a 110m dry ski slope, an indoor heated pool with a waterslide, a roller rink, high ropes, adventure golf, a sports dome, an indoor clip and climb, soft play and all sorts! Its proximity to the Jurassic Coast makes it ideal for beach days – Durdle Door is 20 minutes away. For family-friendly days out, you’ll find places like Monkey World, the Tank Museum and Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park all less than half an hour’s drive. Plus, the brilliant Paultons Park (with Peppa Pig World) is about an hour away. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Warmwell Holiday Park on the Parkdean Resorts website.

5. Park Holidays UK: Solent Breezes Holiday Park, Southampton

Solent Breezes Holiday Park offers peaceful seaside vibes with lots of open space and sea views but you can still reach the New Forest National Park with a 30 minute drive. It’s ideal if you want to combine forest adventures with a more laid-back holiday by the coast. The park has an outdoor pool, a play area, tennis courts and a restaurant overlooking the water. It’s a little quieter than some other sites – perfect for unwinding after a busy day – but there are some great days out nearby if you fancy having some fun with the kids. Places like Paultons Park, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the New Forest Wildlife Park are all around a 35-40 minute drive from the holiday park – brilliant! For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Solent Breezes Holiday Park on the Park Holidays UK website.

6. Parkdean Resorts: Sandford Holiday Park, Dorset

Sandford Holiday Park, in Dorset, is a fantastic choice for a holiday with the kids – it’s around a 30 minute drive to both the New Forest National Park and the stunning Jurassic Coast with Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. The resort boasts both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, complete with a waterslide and splash play areas. There’s also high ropes, a VR area, crazy golf, bungee trampolines, archery, soft play, sports courts, pedal karts and the Bear Grylls Survival Academy – so there’s plenty to keep kids of all ages busy. The site offers hot tub accommodation options and there are plenty of family-friendly days out nearby. Paultons Park is 45 minutes away, while Monkey World, Splashdown Waterpark and the Tank Museum are all around a 15 minute drive from the park. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Sandford Holiday Park on the Parkdean Resorts website.

7. Shorefield Holidays: Oakdene Forest Park, Dorset

Tucked in the woodlands near Bournemouth, and just a 10 minute drive from the New Forest National Park, Oakdene Forest Park is a brilliant base for families who love nature. This holiday park offers a packed schedule of activities including adventure golf, zorbing and arts and crafts – plus there’s an indoor pool (with a flume), a heated outdoor pool and evening shows. Holiday accommodation includes lodges or caravans (with hot tub options) and it’s well set up for kids of all ages. When it comes to days out, it’s just a 25 minute drive to Paultons Theme Park if you’d like to include some thrill-seeking within your holiday itinerary. It’s not far from Bournemouth beach either, and New Forest Water Park is just 15 minutes away. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Oakdene Forest Park on the Shorefield Holidays website.

8. Away Resorts: Mill Rythe, Hayling Island

Away Resorts Mill Rythe, on Hayling Island, is another lovely choice for families looking to blend a coastal break with a trip to the New Forest National Park – it’s around a 40 minute drive away. The resort boasts an indoor swimming pool as well as a children’s splash play area (perfect for the summer months), a playground, soft play, craft activities, mini-archery and plenty of green space for the kids to run around. It’s an easy drive to both the countryside and Portsmouth making it perfect for day trips without spending a fortune – pack up a picnic and choose between the beach or the forest. If you’re after some fun days out with the kids – Paultons Park with Peppa Pig World, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and New Forest Wildlife Park are all within an hour’s drive. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Mill Rythe Holiday Park on the Away Resorts website.

9. Forest Holidays: Blackwood Forest, Hampshire

If you prefer a quieter nature-based break, Blackwood Forest Holiday Park in Hampshire offers a fabulous woodland escape with a bit of luxury that’s just 25 minutes from the New Forest National Park. Nestled within 270 hectares of beech forest, the park offers secluded cabins which come equipped with essentials like a dishwasher and washing machine, as well as a private hot tub – ideal for unwinding after a day of adventures. The kids can enjoy ranger led activities, trails, cycling and the play park, while activities like archery and spa treatments are on offer for the adults. If you fancy some days out, it’s 40 minutes from Paultons Park, 30 minutes from Marwell Zoo and just a short drive from Winchester Watersports. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Blackwood Forest Holiday Park on the Forest Holidays website.

10. Park Holidays UK: Sandhills Holiday Park, Dorset

Sandhills Holiday Park, nestled right by the beach in the charming seaside town of Christchurch, is a brilliant choice for a family getaway with the kids – and you can reach the New Forest National Park with just a 25 minute drive. The park’s got a lovely outdoor pool, a cosy clubhouse and a small play area for the little ones – just enough to keep everyone happy without the noisy hustle of the bigger resorts. You’re just a stone’s throw from the beach, and with caravans and lodges to suit different budgets, it’s a fab base for a budget-friendly family getaway. If you want to do some exploring, there are some good days out nearby too. You can reach the Moors Valley Country Park with just a 25 minute drive and Paultons Park is only 35 minutes away. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Sandhills Holiday Park on the Park Holidays UK website.

What are the best things to do in the New Forest area with kids?

I hope that this article has been useful – there are some brilliant places to stay with the kids within a short drive of the New Forest National park and it’s location makes it perfect for Hampshire and Dorset family holidays. You could also combine your New Forest adventure with a trip to the Isle of Wight, as you can catch a ferry from nearby Portsmouth, which is also a fantastic base for a family holiday.

Hampshire is packed full of things to do with the kids – I think the location makes it perfect for a UK family staycation with days out to places like Paultons Park / Peppa Pig World and Moors Valley Country Park on your doorstep. Plus walking through the New Forest on a deer hunt won’t cost you a penny! You can also visit New Forest Wildlife Park (take the kids the Blue Peter Badges with you to get them in for free), get soaked at New Forest Water Park, or head to Portsmouth with older kids to visit Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. For more information, and lots more ideas, check out my article: The 10 best things to do in Hampshire and the New Forest with kids.

If you decide on a Dorset base instead, you can still access Moors Valley Country Park (with Go Ape) and, as well as the obvious perks of being close to some of the most gorgeous coastline in the UK, there are loads of great days out to be had there too. You can take the kids to places like the SEA LIFE Centre in Weymouth, take a ride on Swanage Railway or visit the monkeys at Money World – Ape Rescue Centre. For more ideas for Dorset days out, check out my article: The 10 best things to do in Dorset with kids. Have a fabulous time! 😊