Weekends & Short Breaks
New Forest Midweek Walking Break: Woods, Coast & River
Join Large Outdoors for a relaxed, fully guided walking break exploring the New Forest’s woodlands, coastline, and riverside paths. This car-free trip is based in a comfortable hotel and includes local transport, steady walking routes, and a friendly small-group atmosphere from start to finish.
Duration: 3 nights
Accommodation: Hotel
Group Size: 8
Level: Leisurely
Pricing & Accommodation: From £395 per person. Shared rooms, single rooms, twin rooms, and double rooms available - see booking calendar for specific dates and pricing.
Is this trip right for me?
Most people on our trips come on their own
Groups are small, friendly and fully guided
Walking is at a steady pace with regular breaks
There’s no pressure to be super fit or super chatty
If you’re new to Large Outdoors or unsure whether this trip suits you, our Start here page explains how our walking and wild swimming trips work and what it’s really like to join.
Find out more before booking:
https://www.largeoutdoors.com/new-to-large-outdoors-start-here
If you’d prefer to ask a question first, you’re very welcome to get in touch.
Booking Calendar…
A Sociable Small-Group Walking Break in the New Forest
This three-night, car-free break is designed to give you a broad introduction to the New Forest National Park, taking in ancient woodland, coastal nature reserves, and the tranquil Beaulieu River. With steady guided walks and a hotel base offering comfort and simplicity, it’s an easy way to explore one of the UK’s most distinctive walking locations without needing to drive.
Each day offers something different. One walk focuses on Bolderwood and the surrounding forest, where well-maintained paths wind through oak, beech, and ornamental conifers. Another explores the coastline around Keyhaven and the Lymington–Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserve, with wide views across the Solent and time to walk out along the historic Hurst Castle Spit. The final day follows the Beaulieu River between Beaulieu and Buckler’s Hard, where riverside paths, woodland edges, and maritime history come together in one of the area’s most recognisable settings.
Evenings are relaxed and sociable, with dinners in local pubs and plenty of time to chat with fellow walkers. With all transport included, guided routes chosen by experienced leaders, and a calm and friendly pace throughout, it’s a straightforward way to enjoy the New Forest’s landscapes—woodland, coastal, and riverside—without any logistical pressure.
Suggested Itinerary
Please note: This is a planned outline and may be adjusted to suit the weather or group needs.
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Arrive at the hotel from 15:00.
A free pick-up from New Milton Station at 17:30 is available for anyone travelling by train.At 18:00, meet your Large Outdoors guide in the hotel bar for a friendly welcome and a brief outline of the trip. We then head out for a relaxed group dinner (meal not included), giving everyone a chance to settle in and get to know the group.
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Distance: 8 miles (13 km)
After breakfast, we travel to Bolderwood Arboretum for a steady loop through some of the New Forest’s best woodland. The route includes a mix of ornamental conifers, established woodland, and time at the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, where there’s a good chance of seeing fallow deer from the viewing platform.
Paths are generally flat and easy-going, with time to pause, chat, and enjoy the forest setting.
After the walk, we visit Lyndhurst for an hour to browse the shops or enjoy a drink before returning to the hotel. The evening features a sociable pub dinner (meal not included).
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Distance: 9 miles (15 km)
Today’s route offers a contrasting day by the coast. Starting in Keyhaven, we follow well-maintained paths through the Lymington–Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserve, an area known for tidal lagoons, saltmarsh, creeks, and birdlife.
The walk continues out along Hurst Spit, the shingle bank leading towards Hurst Castle. This section gives wide views across the Solent and towards the Isle of Wight. The mix of coast, wildlife, and open views makes this a rewarding but straightforward day on the flat.
After the walk, we return to the hotel to freshen up before another relaxed and friendly group meal (not included).
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Distance: 6–8 miles (10–13 km)
Our final walk explores the Beaulieu River, beginning in the village of Beaulieu and following easy riverside and woodland paths towards Buckler’s Hard.
Buckler’s Hard was once an important shipbuilding site for the Royal Navy, with several vessels constructed here for 18th-century maritime campaigns. The preserved street and riverside setting offer a good sense of the area’s history, and there's time to explore before we walk back along the same river valley.
After a final brew in Beaulieu, we travel to Brockenhurst Station, aiming to arrive around 16:00 for onward travel.
If you’re driving, you will head to Beaulieu in the morning and can leave straight from the end of the walk.
Essential Information
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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 0FNParking: 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.
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Accommodation Address:
Premie Inn Lymington
Silver Street,
Hordle,
Lymington
SO41 0FNRoom 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.
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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.
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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.
Booking FAQ’s
Can I book with a deposit?
Yes, if the trip is more than 12 weeks away you can secure your place with a 20% deposit. The balance is due no later than 10 weeks before travel. You will receive a series of reminder emails when the balance is due. If the trip is less than 12 weeks away, the full balance is due at the time of booking.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes – although our system doesn't have a function to do this automatically. If you'd like to split your payments, simply email us (hello@largeoutdoors.com) when you'd like to make a payment. Please don't forget to tell us how much you'd like to pay off the balance and your order number. We'll then send you an email with a secure online payment link.