A Curated Long-Weekend Itinerary in the New Forest for Adults Edition No 1: Featuring a New Forest Brewery Safari

Insider tips, hidden spots and affordable ideas for a memorable short break

⭐ Quick Summary: The Perfect 3-Day New Forest Itinerary for Adults

Day 1 – Coast, Castle & a Proper New Forest Welcome

• Ferry through Keyhaven’s lagoons

• Walk Hurst Spit or explore Hurst Castle

• Dinner at a coastal pub

Day 2 – Lymington Market, Woodland Walks & Local Culture

• Tall Trees Trail or Setley Plain

• Lymington Market (Saturday)

• Mid-week alternative: St Barbe Museum

• Dinner in Milford or Lymington

Day 3 – E-Bike Adventure & Brewery Safari

• Forest and coastal cycling

• Microbrewery tasting

• Pony spotting and scenic viewpoints

• Easy car-free exploring

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❓What’s the Best Way to Start a Short Break in the New Forest?

Planning a short break in the New Forest can be difficult when you’re unfamiliar with the area. One of the most common questions we’re asked is:

“Where do we even begin when planning a New Forest short break?”

So here is our trusted, locally approved long weekend itinerary in the New Forest, curated for adults who want to experience the Forest properly, not just the obvious tourist spots. This works for weekend or mid-week breaks.

If you already know you’d like to explore by e-bike during your stay, you can hire an e-bike from our Milford on Sea base and build this itinerary around one of our experiences. For more inspiration, you can browse our New Forest e-bike experiences and mix and match them with this long-weekend plan.

Day 1 – Coast, History & a Proper New Forest Welcome

❓ What’s the Best First Activity in the New Forest?

✔ Hurst Castle Ferry & Coastal Walk

Begin in Keyhaven, one of the coast’s prettiest hamlets and the start of a wonderfully scenic New Forest experience.

Take the small Keyhaven ferry on a 25-minute journey through lagoons and saltmarshes, with views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight’s Needles.

✔ Two Ways to Visit Hurst Castle

• Ferry both ways

• Walk one way + ferry the other (locals’ favourite)

✔ Hurst Castle: A Surprisingly Good-Value Historic Gem

Built by Henry VIII, extended in the 1800s, and active during both World Wars.

By the way, Hurst Castle and the ferry is super dog friendly and there is also a little cafe on site.

🌅 Evening Suggestions

• The Gun Inn, Keyhaven

• The Lighthouse, Milford on Sea

For more ideas starting from this part of the coast, take a look at our New Forest coastal e-bike routes.

Day 2 – Woodland Secrets, Lymington Market & Local Culture

❓ What Are the Best Woodland Walks for a Short Visit?

✔ Morning: Tall Trees Trail or Setley Plain

• Tall Trees Trail – 1.5 miles, easy loop, giant conifers

• Setley Plain or Wilverley – quieter alternatives

❓ What’s the Best Thing to Do in Lymington on a Saturday?

✔ Lymington Market (Saturdays Only)

A lively high street market with stalls selling local produce, snacks, crafts and more.

Afterwards:

• Wander the quay

• Walk the sea wall

• Browse the marina and admire the superyachts (one day!!)

❓ What’s the Best Mid-Week Alternative to the Market?

✔ St Barbe Museum & Gallery

Inexpensive, beautifully curated, coastal history, maritime heritage and changing art exhibitions.

🌅 Evening – Good-Value Local Dining

• Ray’s Italian - a locals fave

• Verveine (fine dining)

• The King’s Head, Lymington

• Rivaaz (Indian)

• The Larder (small plates) - the owner is a hoot

🗓️ Day 3 – Explore & Enjoy: The Brewery Safari

❓ What’s the Best Way to See the New Forest Without a Car?

✔ Full-Day Jaunt-E-Bikes Brewery Safari

A scenic, relaxed adventure through:

• Quiet woodland

• Open heathland

• Gorse trails

• Coastal-edge paths

• Pony territory

• Village lanes

• Solent and Isle of Wight Needles viewpoints

Includes a beer tasting platter at a local microbrewery.

✔ Food & Drink Stops

• The Filly Inn

• The Haven, Lymington Marina

🌅 Evening

• Fish & chips on Milford beach

• Sunset watching

• Optional sea dip

Top tip: Mr Pinks — pre-order online to skip the queue.

🗓️ Day 4 – Wildlife Moments, Local Produce & a Soft Goodbye

✔ Brunch with a View

• The Lighthouse

• The Cliff House

• Ray’s Italian

✔ Sturt Pond Secret Bird Hide

A peaceful hide overlooking Sturt Pond Nature Reserve.

Birdlife is abundant mand ay include:

egrets, oystercatchers, redshank, curlew, brent geese (winter), terns, gulls, occasional heron.

✔ Local Farm Shops

• The New Forest Hamper Company (Sway)

• Setley Ridge Farm Shop & Vineyard (Brockenhurst)

Dont be surprised if you get offered free tastings or tipples

🏡 Not Decided Where to Stay?

• New Forest Escapes (a luxury holiday retreat for every budget)

• Shorefield Country Park (great all rounder)

• South Lawn Hotel (uber doggy friendly)

• Biscuit Cottage (for a couple, right on the village green)

• Lymore New Forest (cute huts and a luxury home)

• Limewood Hotel (for the bigger budget)

⭐ FAQs

Q1: Is this itinerary suitable without a car?

Yes — everything is accessible by bike or e-bike and public services. New Milton train station is close by.

Q2: How long is the Keyhaven to Hurst Castle walk?

Around 90 minutes each way. Wear sturdy shoes or trainers.

Q3: Will we definitely see ponies?

Never say never, they are free-roaming of course, but they are hard to miss and sightings are common so we'd be surprised if you didn't.

Q4: What day is Lymington Market?

Saturday.

Q5: Is the Brewery Safari suitable for beginners?

Yes, e-bikes are stable and easy to ride. As long as you can ride a bike you can ride an e-bike.

⭐ Final Thoughts

If this itinerary has helped you plan your New Forest break and you'd like to explore more without relying on the car, plan your trip around one of our New Forest e-bike experiences, choosing the route or experience that fits your group best or simply hire an e-bike and follow this itinerary at your own pace.

ebike rider having a coffee at lighthouse restaurant Milford on Sea

the upper deck at the haven marina restaurant