New Forest Family Holidays: 14 Best Holiday Parks for Kids

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The New Forest is a fabulous location for a family holiday and I’ve found 14 brilliant holiday parks nearby with plenty on offer for the kids 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). You can visit the New Forest from Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and the surrounding areas. It’s a stunning mix of ancient woodlands, open heathland and even a bit of coastline to explore. It’s home to a collection of free-roaming horses, deer and cattle with over 140 miles of trails perfect for walking and cycling. If you’re looking for the best places to stay with the kids for your New Forest adventure, here are 14 family-friendly holiday parks within a 45 minute drive – with one even located inside the National Park!

Where are the best places for family holidays near the New Forest?

1. Hoburne Holidays: Hoburne Bashley, New Forest

Actually inside the New Forest National Park, Hoburne Bashley is the best located holiday park for family holidays in the woods – and it has some great facilities for the kids. You can wander along trails directly from the holiday park. Plus, it boasts indoor and outdoor swimming pools, play areas, soft play, mini golf, an arcade, nature activities, a spa, sports and a 9 hole golf course. There are some fabulous days out on offer – Paultons Park with Peppa Pig World, Moors Valley Country Park (with Go Ape), New Forest Wildlife Park and the New Forest Water Park are all around 30 minutes away. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Hoburne Bashley on the Hoburne Holidays website.

2. Away Resorts: Sandy Balls Holiday Village, Hampshire

Sandy Balls Holiday Village is a great base for a getaway with the kids – it’s just a 2 minute drive from the New Forest National Park! 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. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Sandy Balls on the Away Resorts website.

3. Haven Holidays: Rockley Park, Dorset

Rockley Park Haven is a fantastic option for families as it’s around a 35 minute drive from the New Forest and you can explore the coast. The park has 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! 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.

4. Shorefield Holidays: Shorefield Country Park, Hampshire

Perfectly located between the coast and the New Forest, Shorefield Country Park offers a brilliant mix of seaside and countryside fun. This one is also really close, if you’d like the New Forest 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. For days out, it’s just a short walk from the beach and Paultons Park, Moors Valley Country Park 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.

5. Hoburne Holidays: Hoburne Naish, Hampshire

If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, Hoburne Naish Holiday Park offers direct beach access for coastal family holidays just a 10 minute drive from the New Forest. It’s location makes it well-suited for a summer getaway, plus the site boasts indoor and outdoor swimming pools, play areas, indoor soft play, mini golf, an arcade, sports and family-friendly entertainment. There are some fabulous days out on offer nearby. Around a 30 minute drive away, you’ll find Paultons Park with Peppa Pig World, Moors Valley Country Park (with Go Ape), New Forest Wildlife Park and the New Forest Water Park – perfect! For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Hoburne Naish on the Hoburne Holidays website.

6. Parkdean Resorts: Sandford Holiday Park, Dorset

Sandford Holiday Park is a fantastic choice for family holidays – it’s around a 30 minute drive from both the New Forest and the stunning Jurassic Coast with Durdle Door. The resort boasts indoor and outdoor pools 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! The site offers hot tub accommodation and family-friendly days out nearby. Paultons Park is 45 minutes away, while Monkey World, Splashdown Waterpark and the Tank Museum are all a 15 minute drive. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Sandford Holiday Park on the Parkdean Resorts website.

7. Parkdean Resorts: Warmwell Holiday Park, Dorset

A 45 minute drive from the New Forest, Warmwell Holiday Park is one of the best parks for year-round stays with the kids – and you can treat yourself to a hot tub lodge! It 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! Check out my Warmwell Holiday Park Review – we had a great time! For family-friendly days out, you’ll find Weymouth, Durdle Door, Monkey World, the Tank Museum and Weymouth SEA LIFE all less than half an hour’s drive away. Plus, Paultons Park is an hour away. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Warmwell Holiday Park on the Parkdean Resorts website.

8. Shorefield Holidays: Oakdene Forest Park, Dorset

Just a 10 minute drive from the New Forest, 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. When it comes to days out, it’s just a 25 minute drive to Paultons Theme Park, it’s not far from Bournemouth beach 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.

9. 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 pool as well as a children’s splash play area, a playground, soft play, craft activities and mini-archery. It’s an easy drive to both the countryside and Portsmouth making it perfect for day trips – pack a picnic and choose between the beach or the forest. If you’re after some fun days out – Paultons Park, 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.

10. 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. Nestled within 270 hectares of forest, the park offers secluded cabins with hot tubs – 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.

11. Hoburne Holidays: Hoburne Park, Dorset

Just a 10 minute drive from the New Forest, and few minutes’ walk from the beach, Hoburne Park is a great choice for a family getaway in Dorset. The park boasts both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a playground, sports facilities, mini golf, soft play, an arcade, craft activities, pool inflatables and all sorts! We had a lovely stay there – check out my Hoburne Park Review for more info. This one is well-located for family-friendly days out in both Hampshire and Dorset – it’s just 20 minutes from Bournemouth Beach, half an hour from Paulton’s Park and 25 minutes from Moors Valley (with Go Ape and Segways). For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Hoburne Park on the Hoburne Holidays website.

12. Park Holidays UK: Solent Breezes, 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 quieter than some other sites and there are some great days out nearby. 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. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Solent Breezes Holiday Park on the Park Holidays UK website.

13. 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 there are some good days out nearby – you can reach Moors Valley 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.

14. Shorefield Holidays: Merley Court, Wimborne

20 minutes from the New Forest, Merley Court Holiday Park offers a peaceful, woodland-style retreat just outside of Wimborne. There’s less on-site entertainment compared to some other parks (though you can use the pool at nearby Oakdene Holiday Park) so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a quiet stay with nature walks and nearby attractions. Lodges are cosy and well-equipped, and some even come with hot tubs. It’s ideal for families who prefer a self-catered break away from the crowds. For days out, you’ll find Moors Valley Country Park 20 minutes away and Paultons Park is a 40 minute drive. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Merley Court Holiday Park on the Shorefield Holidays 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 holiday parks for 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 – 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 on 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 on the 15 best things to do in Dorset with kids. Have a fabulous time! 😊