A Childs Guide to Christmas in the New Forest
Unforgettable forest adventures, any form of chocolate for breakfast, plenty of festive fun and magical meetings with Santa! [What would a Christmas spent in the New Forest look like if the kids were left to all the planning?]
It sounds rather splendid if you ask us…
Your Christmas break in Hampshire could be just as magical, with so much to explore and family-friendly festivities and attractions right on our doorstep, it may be about time to let the kids lead the way.
Classic attractions that never fail to entertain!
It’ll be hard to choose; the kids would have you stay for a week so you could do it all!
Paulton's Park is a wonderful family-focused theme park sitting on the edge of the New Forest National Park. Transforming into a winter wonderland over the winter, it is a top choice for kids at Christmas, jam-packed with rides, illuminations, a Christmas show and oodles of festive spirit!
The Paulton's Park Christmas events take place on selected dates from the 6th December right through to the 3rd January 2026.
Beaulieu – Where to begin! An all-time family favourite, there really is something for everyone to enjoy, from the National Motor Museum, Palace House and the Little Beaulieu play area, to the super fun Monorail, medieval Beaulieu Abbey and the beautifully kept estate grounds and gardens.
New this Christmas time is Beaulieu’s ‘A Palace House Christmas’ experience, taking you on a journey through the story of pantomime, weaving through the stately rooms, expect immersive décor and soundscapes and projections bringing the festivities to life!
Marwell – They’re calling it their ‘magical family grotto experience’; at Marwell this festive season, head to Christmas at Marwell Hall for jolly good Christmas storytelling, craft activity merriment and of course, it wouldn’t be a grotto without the chance to meet Santa!
But the fun doesn’t end there! Tickets to the Christmas event includes free entry to Marwell Zoo, so go wild and explore the 140-acre park and meet the animals!
Exbury – Christmas at Exbury is an extra special event, happening over two weekends, 29-30 November and 6-7 December. Festive celebrations include access to the bustling Christmas Fair, festive donkey rides, meet Father Christmas in his wintery engine shed and ride the Festive Express Railway to help Santa’s elves to prevent a Christmas catastrophe in an entertaining 30-minute live action, interactive experience.
New to Exbury - the Christmas Night Train; ride the amazing illuminated steam train through the woodland after dark and then go see Santa!
Dining designed for different appetites
We know that little appetites are different so our family-friendly hotel has designed menus just for kids so not only will they find something they’ll love, but so they can feel included in your break away. Hopefully mealtime decisions will be easier with more choice and special touches thoughtfully added just for them! Because special occasions ought to be enjoyed wholly by every member, big or small.
Breakfast; the first meal of the day is all about choice. Our continental breakfast includes a selection of delicious pastries (with chocolate), fresh fruit, yoghurts and fruity compotes.
At our country pub, dirty wellies and muddy paws are all welcome. Kids can sit down to the Little Explorers’ Forest Feast kids’ menu with starters, mains and desserts they’ll love, from soup and garlic bread, to beef burgers, pasta and on Sunday’s only – the Kids Sunday Roast! Puddings need no promotion; you only need to say the words ‘warm chocolate cookie’ and ‘salted caramel ice cream’ and you’ll have their attention.
Afternoon Tea – Our chefs have refreshed this rather traditional, rather adult-focused pastime, and now there’s an afternoon tea created just for them! Think gingerbread donkeys and sweet berry mousse, freshly baked scones with cream and jam, and delectable finger sandwiches too, all perfectly paired with their choice of a hot chocolate, a babyccino or an Innocent smoothie.
Christmas adventures
Walks, wanders, cycle rides and paddles… There’s every and any adventure ready for you and your family!
Hire bikes with New Forest Activities or try something different during your winter weekend break and join their festive Christmas Canoe Paddle along Beaulieu River and meet Father Christmas! Wrap up and take to the water to spot New Forest wildlife, stunning views and then look out for Santa paddling along with presents.
Keen to stay on dry land? Why not try some Winter Archery with a guide to show you how to handle the bow and arrow, then play some fun games. Or for more competitive families, take on ‘BattleZone: The Great Grinchmas Heist!’ where you can ‘team up with Santa's merry band of Elves to recover Santa's gifts and rescue his sleigh to save Christmas’ in a 2-hour guided session of festive scenarios and plenty of crawling, hiding and mayhem in a Christmas themed woodland.
Downtime in your family-friendly room
You’ll need it more than them! A little rest and recuperation will be necessary after all the festive fun they have planned for you, so be sure to make time to relax and slow the pace a little.
In your New Forest hotel bedroom or suite, you can find space to roam and importantly, space to relax, whatever that means to you. A board game or some drawing before dinner or an afternoon nap… Our House Suites offer a generous layout with separate sleeping areas to ensure both privacy and comfort for kids and parents, providing you with a relaxing retreat after a long day of festive fun!
Twixmas magic
If the kids are in charge, they’ll want to skip the post-Christmas chores, avoid washing up, and just enjoy relaxing fun and festive moments—that’s probably just what you need too! Why not make this Twixmas extra special by creating lasting memories? Imagine waking the kids up in the heart of an enchanting forest—right here in the New Forest National Park.
Our very own winter wonderland, what could be more exciting than spending Twixmas at the luxurious Montagu Arms? Relax after Christmas with peaceful mornings, explore the stunning surroundings, indulge in a cosy festive feast, and enjoy the magic of this special time of year.
It’s the perfect opportunity for family fun, new experiences, and reigniting your seasonal spirit.