New Milton area - Bournemouth with Teens

lappish22

Hi
We are staying at Hoburne Naish, New Milton near Bournemouth and wondered if anyone has been there or has any goods ideas of trips and activities for us with a 13 and 14 year old?
We want to stay away from Bournemouth as we are also going again and staying there later in the year, so anything in the surrounding area would be good.
Also could anyone recommend any restaurants for evening meals?

We have never been to the New Forest area before so maybe Horse Riding for my daughter would be good?

Any suggestions would be most welcome!!

Thanks!

susieb

We have just come back from a hol in the area and enjoyed this
http://www.snowtrax.eu/bobbing-and-ringos.asp its not far from christchurch.

we also went to poole and took a trip to brownsea island, which my 12 and 8 year old loved.

captainprincess

Hi,
Defo go to the New Forest, that is a day out in itself!
Riding is good (though will be expensive) there are a couple of riding stables in Burley and Brockenhurst. Alsoin Fordingbridge which isn't too far from you. You can also hire bikes for the day!

Brownsea Island would also be fun, or you could get the ferry from Sandbanks to Studland and go to Studland beach, and like already mentioned The Ski centre near Christchurch is a good day out.

Have fun there will be loads to do!

Grassy_Knollington

If you don't mind driving (or even catch the train from New Milton) Take the family to Portsmouth (1 hour by car along the M27). About 40 minutes by train to Portsmouth Harbour.

Go and visit the Historic Dockyard which includes HMS Warrior (first steam powered warship), and HMS Victory (Nelsons flagship at Trafalgar) - This is an "all day-er" and well worth it.

Alye16

Hi,

Some ideas,

Cycling in New Forest, Crabbing at Mudeford Quay(amused my kids for hours),New Forest Wildlife and Otter Park,Ferry to Isle of Wight, surfing lesson at Boscombe beach

Have fun!

oramgepekoe

Ferry to the Isle of Wight without the car and then the open-top bus from Yarmouth to the Needles battery.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-theneedlesoldbattery
http://www.theneedlesbattery.org.uk/

moneypooh

Splashdown nr Poole has loads to do..

http://www.greatdaysout.org/splashdown-poole.php

plenty of fun here

lappish22

Thank you for all your suggestion! Can't wait to try them out!

zenmaster

I think they would love Moors Valley Country Park, particularly "Go Ape" but I've just had a look and it ain't cheap.

£8 for a day car park ticket and £20 each for Go Ape :eek:.

zenmaster

Coincidentally I was in that area today and I would second Alye16's suggestion of crabbing at Mudeford. There were hordes of kids there today having a whale of a time.

You can buy all the bits you need for about a £5 from the shop but I would suggest you take a picnic as the cafe and pub are quite expensive for food.

MKS

You moght enjoy the deer feeding at Bolderwood - 2 o'clock daily, April to September. Coming from Naish, turn left out of the park, follow the road towards Lyndhurst, via Highcliffe (don't turn right at the first roundabout), then right at Hoburne roundabout (named after Hoburne Park), you'll have a KFC on your right and Sainsburys on your left. Just follow that road till just before Lyndhurst. You'll cone to a small crossroad, turn left to Bolderwood (it's in the forest) drive for about five minutes and you'll cross over a cattle grid. Immediately to your right will be a car park (free) and to your left is a path to the viewing area (free). It's amazing seeing them all trot up (if that's the word!) to the top of the field. If it's a nice day, take a picnic as there is a picnic area there. The ponies are usually there to keep you company.
You can also walk up to the top of Hengistbury Head, either park at the bottom, walk up and back - views over Christchurch and Mudeford etc. or park and take the land train one way. Alternatively, there is a boat ferry from Mudeford key. Not sure if Monkey World will appeal to them - it's about an hour away. Open top bus, hop on hop off, through the Forest takes you to several places, including Beaulieu. Pick up a leaflet from reception at Naish/Tourist office etc for Visit Dorset as it gives you quite a few money off coupons for entrances etc. You will also be able to buy tickets for Bealieu etc at Naish that will be discounted. If you do intend to go to Beaulieu, if you pay at the gate (with money off voucher) and 'gift aid' it your tickets are then valid for a year, so you could then return again when you visit Bournemouth. Parking is free as well! Go to Boscombe beach on a Friday evening and watch the weekly (July/August) firework display at Bournemouth. Thursday's there is another firework display in Poole. Finally, if you like sausages (if you don't, a useless bit of info!), go to Ferndene Farm shop, in New Milton (it's not in the town centre but very close to Sammy Millers motorcycle museum). where they make there own sausages in a variety of flavours. My husband swears that they are the best sausages to BBQ as they are high meat content and low fat! He loves the smokey pork ones. Meat and veg here are really good too. Depends on your food taste, restaurant wise. The Toby carvery opposite Sainsburys is very good as is the Harvester just up from there (next to PYO). If you like McD's, forget the one at Christchurch (Somerford)- you'll probably not want to eat another! KFC is a good one. Chinese takeaway - the last one coming out of Highcliffe (from New Milton) is excellent. Other end of the spectrum. you have King Rhodes in Christchurh and Rhodes South at Christchurh Harbour hotel at Mudeford. Enjoy yourselves.