Seven people sitting on a stone wall by a harbor with boats and a cloudy sky in the background.
Two brown horses with dark manes standing on autumn leaves in a forested area, with ferns and trees in the background.
A peaceful autumn scene of a small creek with fallen leaves, surrounded by trees with orange, red, and yellow foliage.
Close-up of two white mushrooms growing on a tree branch with a blurred autumn forest background.
Group of people sitting by a creek in a forest during autumn, surrounded by fallen leaves and trees with changing foliage.
Group of six women and one man standing and sitting on a bench along a nature trail, with a wetland and cloudy sky in the background.
Group of seven hikers standing on pebbled beach near water, with clouds and distant shoreline in the background.
Colorful beach huts along the shoreline with ocean and cloudy sky in the background.
A group of seven women dressed in outdoor hiking gear standing on a grassy hill with the ocean and cloudy sky in the background.

Weekends & Short Breaks

Autumnal Walking Break in the New Forest

Join Large Outdoors for an autumn walking break exploring some of the New Forest’s most distinctive landscapes. This relaxed, fully guided, car-free trip includes woodland walks among seasonal colour, coastal nature reserves, and time along the Beaulieu River, all supported with comfortable hotel accommodation and included local transport.

Duration: 3 nights
Accommodation: Hotel
Group Size: 8
Level: Leisurely

Pricing & Accommodation: From £495 per person. Shared rooms, single rooms, twin rooms, and double rooms available - see booking calendar for specific dates and pricing.

 

Booking Calendar…

Autumn Walking Break in the New Forest

This three-night midweek break is designed to show the New Forest at its best during autumn, when the woodlands and riverside areas are full of seasonal colour and the coastal paths feel calm and open. With steady guided walks, social evenings, and all local transport included, it’s a straightforward and friendly way to enjoy this well-loved National Park.

Based in a comfortable hotel, you’ll explore a mix of landscapes that highlight what makes the New Forest unique. One day focuses on Bolderwood Arboretum and the surrounding oak and beech woodland, where the paths offer a real sense of the forest’s character in autumn. Another takes you to the coast around Keyhaven and the Lymington–Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserve, with views across the Solent and time to walk out along the historic Hurst Castle Spit. Our final day is centred on the Beaulieu River, following gentle riverside paths between Beaulieu and Buckler’s Hard, with plenty of opportunity to enjoy the history and quiet atmosphere of the area.

This is a relaxed, car-free trip with all arrangements handled for you. Evenings are sociable and unhurried, with time to unwind, share a meal, and chat with fellow walkers. Whether you’re joining on your own or with a friend, it’s an easy and enjoyable way to experience the New Forest’s woodlands, coast, and river landscapes during one of the most rewarding times of the year to visit.

Autumn Woodlands

Autumn Woodlands

Suggested Itinerary

Please note: This is a planned outline and may be adjusted to suit the weather or group needs.

  • Check in to the hotel any time from 15:00. For those arriving by train, we’ll provide a free collection from New Milton Station at 17:30, making it easy to arrive without a car.

    Your Large Outdoors guide will be in the hotel bar from 18:00 to welcome you and chat through plans for the break. It’s a relaxed introduction to the group, with time to settle in, get to know everyone, and ask any questions.

  • After a good hotel breakfast, we’ll head out in our minibus to Bolderwood Arboretum, a highlight of the New Forest’s autumn scenery.

    Today’s walk is around 8 miles, perfect for taking it slow and soaking up the vibrant autumn colours. Expect impressive ornamental conifers and ancient oak woodland where golden leaves crunch underfoot. We’ll also visit the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, where there’s an excellent chance of spotting fallow deer at the feeding platform, providing fantastic photo opportunities.

    Paths here are generally flat and well-maintained, making it ideal for relaxed walking with time to chat and enjoy the scenery.

    After finishing the walk, we’ll travel on to Lyndhurst, known as the “capital” of the New Forest, with independent shops, cafes, and tearooms. You’ll have time to wander around and reward yourself with tea and cake before we return to the hotel.

    Back at the hotel, there’s time to freshen up and relax before we head out together for a sociable pub dinner (not included), making for a convivial evening with the group.

  • Today, it’s all about the coast. After breakfast, we’ll head to Keyhaven for a longer but still relaxed 15km (9-mile) walk combining coastal wildlife, marshland paths, and dramatic views across the Solent.

    Our route begins through the Lymington-Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserve, an expanse of saltmarshes, tidal lagoons, and creeks that’s a haven for wading birds, wildfowl, and salt-tolerant plants. This is a prime spot for autumn birdwatching, with views stretching across mudflats and reedbeds, and well-maintained paths making for easy-going walking.

    From the marshes, we’ll head out along Hurst Spit, a striking shingle bank stretching 1.5 miles into the Solent. This historic route was a key defensive point, leading to Hurst Castle—originally built by Henry VIII and expanded over the centuries. Walking the spit gives impressive panoramic views over the Solent and the Isle of Wight, with crashing waves on one side and calm waters on the other.

    After exploring the area and enjoying the coastal air, we’ll return to the hotel to freshen up before heading out again for another pub dinner with the group (not included).

  • Distance: 6–8 miles (10–13 km)

    Our final day is a steady riverside walk exploring one of the New Forest’s most historic areas. After breakfast, we travel to the village of Beaulieu to begin a relaxed 6–8 mile route following the Beaulieu River towards the historic shipbuilding hamlet of Buckler’s Hard.

    We start in Beaulieu, a village known for its riverside setting, traditional buildings, and links to the Montagu family. The route then follows quiet paths and flat riverside tracks through peaceful woodland and meadows as we gradually trace the river towards Buckler’s Hard.

    Buckler’s Hard offers a strong sense of local history. Once a key shipbuilding site for the Royal Navy during the 18th century, several vessels built here went on to serve in major maritime campaigns. The preserved street, cottages, and riverside setting give a good feel for what life would have been like during its busiest years. There’s time to explore the area, take in the views along the river, and enjoy a steady-paced walk through one of the most recognisable parts of the New Forest coastline.

    We return along the same river valley, following gentle paths with views of reedbeds, woodland edges, and the quiet bends of the Beaulieu River. It’s a calm, enjoyable way to round off the trip, with plenty of opportunities to pause, chat, or take photographs.

    Back in Beaulieu, there’s time for a final café stop before we travel to Brockenhurst station, where we aim to arrive around 16:00 for onward train connections.

    If you’re driving, you’ll head to Beaulieu in the morning and can make your way home straight from the end of the walk.

Aerial view of a coastal area with a historic fort on a peninsula, beaches, and boats in the water under a cloudy sky.
Group of people hiking in a forest with tall trees and a leaf-covered ground.
Group of people walking on a sandy beach near colorful beach huts on a clear day.
Group of hikers crossing a small creek in a forest setting
Group of women hiking in a forested area with autumn foliage, wearing jackets and backpacks.
Group of people standing on a wooden bridge in a forest during autumn, wearing casual outdoor clothing.
Three people hiking in a forest with a brown horse nearby, surrounded by trees and ferns.
Cluster of brown mushrooms growing at the base of a tree in a forest setting, surrounded by dry leaves and branches.

Essential Information

  • Meeting Time:
    You can arrive any time from 15:00 - the Large Outdoors host will meet you all in the bar for 18:00. We’ll be eating in the hotel bar tonight. 


    Meeting Location:
    Premie Inn Lymington
    Silver Street,
    Hordle,
    Lymington
    SO41 0FN

    Parking: There is free parking available at the accommodation.

    Public Transport: 
    We are offering a free collection from New Milton Train Station at 17:30. We will drop you back here or at Christchurch Station for around 16:00 on the last day.

    Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day by around 16:00.

  • Accommodation Address:
    Premie Inn Lymington
    Silver Street,
    Hordle,
    Lymington
    SO41 0FN

    Room Types:
    You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
    Bed in a Shared Female Room
    Bed in a Shared Male Room
    Sole Occupancy Double
    Twin Rooms
    Double Rooms

  • Included:

    • 3 nights accommodation at Premier Inn, Lymington

    • A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.

    • Guided walks on 3 days (Day 2, 3 & Day 4) through the autumn loveliness of the New Forest.

    • All travel during the trip.

    • Breakfast buffet provided at the hotel

    • The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

    • Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

    Not included:

    • Travel to and from the meeting location.

    • Packed Lunches - we will stop at a local shop each day and you can purchase what you wish.

    • Evening Meals.

    • Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.

    • Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.

    • Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

    • Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

  • Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.

    The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.

  • What level of fitness is needed?
    This trip is graded as Leisurely . Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.

    Can I attend on my own?
    Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

    I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
    Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.

    Can I bring my dog?
    Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

Location of our Autumn Walking Break to the New Forest