What’s on in Lymington and the New Forest over Half Term
Things to do during the school holidays in the New Forest area
There are lots of exciting things to do in the New Forest, Lymington and surrounding areas during the school holidays. Here's our guide of what's on locally for visitors and locals. For those having to juggle work with school holidays, we have information about holiday childcare.
To see what's on day by day, take a look at our Events Calendar for the Lymington, New Milton and New Forest area. Remember, if you're organising a local event then add your event to the Lymington.com calendar for free and
And if you've not already subscribed to receive our FREE Weekly What's On newsletter, emailed every Friday morning and full of the latest New Forest events, news and information, subscribe here:
Remember, remember the 5th November...
Actually local Bonfire Night celebrations and firework displays appear to start on Thursday 24 October this year! Find our New Forest Firework Displays guide here.
The biggest Firework Display locally takes place on Saturday 26 at Beaulieu, where you can enter the motor museum from 3pm. This year at Beaulieu there is an 'Out of this World' theme, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landings. Find out more.
Fun Days Out in the New Forest over Half Term
It's Apple Day at the Countryside Education Trust on Tuesday 29 October! Come and have a go at lots of apple-themed activities including apple pressing, juice tasting and juice for sale, apple-themed games and crafts, storytelling and campfire baked apples. Free entry and parking – no need to book in advance for this event.
Visit Beaulieu this half term (27 October - 3 November for a last chance to see the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition in the National Motor Museum. Follow the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang family trail around the attraction then head to Palace House to hear storytelling and take part in special Chitty-themed crafts. You might even be lucky enough to see a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang reconstruction being driven around the grounds (weather dependent). Find out more.
Lymington.com Top Tip! Get a discount when you buy your tickets online at least one day in advance. Plus visit again within 6 days free of charge - perfect if its a cold day - spread out all the things to do over several days!
At Buckler's Hard step back in time and chat to living history characters in the village to discover what life was life like during its shipbuilding heyday.
New Forest Adventure Golf is open throughout the holidays from 10am to 5pm. Built with children in mind, it's also fun and challenging for adults. The beautifully landscaped adventure golf course is a high spec 18 hole discovery adventure of the New Forest, including Isle of Wight ferry, Lymington and Beaulieu Rivers and New Forest towns and villages.
Lymington.com Top Tip! Whilst at New Forest Adventure Golf pop over to Goodall's Farm for pumpkins!
Lymington’s Charter Market takes place along the length of the High Street every Saturday throughout the year from 8am to 4pm. It's by far the largest street market in the New Forest area with over 100 traders who regularly attend. Established in 1250, this traditional market with a great deal of history behind it is nowadays a special experience for New Forest visitors to enjoy.
Lymington.com Top Tip! Remember to vote for Lymington Charter Market in the 2020 Great British Market Awards!
Spooky things to do in the New Forest
Are you brave enough for a Spooky Halloween River Tour with New Forest Activities? Taking place on Saturday 26, Sunday 27 and Thursday 31 October...
At Lepe Country Park near Exbury, Lepe in the Dark enables you to explore the park looking for nocturnal life on Monday 28 and Thursday 31 October.
On Sunday 27 October participate in the Halloween Activity Trail at Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Centre. Be sure to mention Lymington.com when you book!
There's Spooky Science at Forest Arts on Wednesday 30 October and Spooky Street (street dance and street art) on Thursday 31 October. Plus a Halloween Disco on Thursday 31 October. Remember to mention Lymington.com when you book!
Creative things to do in the New Forest
Carve a pumpkin - or make pumpkin pie! Pumpkins are available all week from Friday 19th at Goodall's Farm - where the café will be open for delicious homemade cake. Lunch time food will be available from the New Forest Pizza Co and/or The Laughing Street Chef throughout the week.
At St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery on Wednesday 30 October take part in the Great St Barbe Bake Off! A challenge for all children to bring in their scariest culinary creations, find out more here!
Also at St Barbe on Thursday 31 October have a go at bat-themed arts and crafts: the Secret Life of Bats part 2 (see below for learning more about bats)
Make a witch's broom at Eagle Owls at the Countryside Education Trust on Tuesday 28 October (children aged 7+) and bake some Halloween Cupcakes on Thursday 1 November.
On Monday 21 October there's an Art Workshop at Durlston Court Prep School for children in years 4-8.
At Ballard School try some Mad Science on Friday 25 October, Monday 28 October and Friday 1 November, plus Art Camps from Tuesday 29 October to Thursday 31 October and Beginners French and/or Spanish on Monday 28 October.
Visit the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst on Tuesday 29 and Thursday 31 October for their Half Term Discovery Days. Learn more about the New Forest and its heritage by making simple take home crafts. Museum entry is free, craft activities by donation.
Get baking at The Kitchen at Chewton Glen with Junior Chef - Bake with Me on Saturday 26 October. And on Thursday 31 October Junior and Teen Chef Halloween Baking - learn how to make the spookiest, most ghoulish Halloween cake you've ever seen!
There is also a Halloween Cookery Workshop with Skylight Kitchen at Durlston Court Prep School on Thursday 24 October.
Construction Club takes place every Saturday at Lymington Library at 2.30pm and at Ringwood Library at 10am and every Thursday at New Milton Library at 4.30pm.
Lights, Camera, Code will be taking place at Milford on Sea Primary School from Monday 28 October to Friday 1 November.
Build a Bird Feeder at Furzey Gardens, Monday 28 October to Friday 1 November. Remember to mention Lymington.com!
Sporty things to do in the New Forest
Tennis Activity Camp at Durlston Court Prep School on Monday 28 October. Join tennis coach James Lilley and his team for fun, games and coaching. Booking essential!
On Friday 1 November it is Try a Boat Day at Royal Lymington Yacht Club! For sailors aged 8 years and above who are considering changing fleet. On offer for you to try will be Optimist, RS Tera, Laser, RS Aero, RS Feva, 420 and RS 200. Book at reception to secure your place!
Bikeability Level 1, 2, 3 at Durlston Court Prep School on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 October, 9am to 4pm two day course. Booking essential!
There is also a Bikeability Level 1, 2, 3 course at Ballard School on Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 October.
Also at Ballard School there are Sports, Gym and Maths camps on Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 October.
Based on the bank of the Beaulieu River, New Forest Activities have a great range of activities for all the family - choose from archery, canoeing, kayaking, cycling and Battlefield Open Battles (for age 8+). There's a Family Woodland Adventure Day on Sunday 27 October and Family Canoeing and Family Adventure Days every day during Half Term. Find out more and make bookings online.
Meanwhile, find The New Forest Paddle Sport Company in Milford on Sea, who offer paddleboard and kayak tuition and hire, plus Kayaking Castle Experience Tours.
Every Saturday is Park Run - in Lymington at Woodside Park or in Brockenhurst at Wilverley, a great way for families to run together, from 9am. Register online before arriving to get a barcode.
Music, books and theatre things to do in the New Forest
If you have grade 2 or above in your chosen instrument, join a Youth Orchestra Workshop at Durlston Court Prep School on Thursday 31 October and Friday 1 November.
At Forest Forge Theatre Company there is a Halloween Themed Make Up Workshop on Wednesday 30 October.
Lymington's Malt Cinema at The Lymington Centre will be showing Abominable (U) on Saturday 26, Monday 28, Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 October at 11am and Tuesday 29 October at 2.30pm. A magical Yeti must return to his family.
The New Forest Players present Humble Boy, a witty family comedy, at Ballard School from Wednesday 30 October to Saturday 2 November.
At Forest Arts see The House with a Clock in its Walls (12A) on Saturday 26 October, Aladdin (PG) on Tuesday 29 October,
At Sway Village Hall see Balloon (12A) on Saturday 26 October.
There's a literature themed creative camp during the Play on Words literary festival at Forest Arts on Tuesday 29 October. Remember to mention Lymington.com!
Enjoy Tales in a Twilight Garden at Furzey Gardens on Tuesday 29 October. Remember to mention Lymingotn.com!
Visit your local library and find different books to read, as well as DVDs and lots of events!
Learn about nature and heritage in the New Forest
On Wednesday 30 October at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery learn about the Secret Life of Bats - Learn how bats see in the dark, what vampire bats feed on and much more. Then take home your own research project to impress your Science Teacher. And on Thursday 31 October in the Secret Life of Bats part 2, bat themed art and crafts.
There is an Autumn Bushcraft day for adults and children at the Countryside Education Trust on Wednesday 30 October. Make jerky and preserve meat and fruits, build a smoker and use ‘smudge fires’, knife craft and green wood working, animal tracks and sign identification, as well as a seasonal forage for wild foods, mushrooms and medicines.
Also on Wednesday 30 October at the Countryside Education Trust is Big Owls for 4-7 year olds, this month all about exploring nature so you’ll need to be ready for adventure.
At Durlston Court Prep School on Monday 21 October there is a Forest School Workshop which includes den building, natural tie-dying and cooking on the fire.
The New Forest Walking Festival continues throughout half term, with guided walks led by knowledgeable local experts to help you discover more about the history, heritage and wildlife of the Forest.
Learn more about Lymington with the Time Traveller's Guide to Victorian Lymington tour on Sunday 27 October.
Lepe Country Park have a half term trail. Pick up a trail card from the park office anytime between 10am - 3pm and return with correct answers to claim your prize. Plus learn about Bushcraft at Lepe Country Park on Tuesday 29 October.
Things to do for preschoolers during the holidays
School holidays can be soul-destroying for parents whose children have not yet reached school age as many clubs, drop ins and classes only happen in term time. Thankfully the following are on during half term to help you retain some structure and sanity!
Owlets at the Countryside Education Trust is for 0-2 year olds on Monday 21 October.
Find new 'preloved' toys and games at the Little Pickles Market at Brockenhurst Village Hall on Sunday 27 October and at Open Doors Toy Library in Ashley on Monday 28 October.
At Lymington Library there will be the Tuesday Rhyme Time, Wednesday Toddler Time and Thursday Baby Play as usual.
At Lyndhurst Library there will be Tuesday Terrific Tales for Tiny Tots and Wednesday Tots and Tinies.
At Ringwood Library there will be Tuesday Tots and Tinies and Thursday Story Time.
At Hythe Library there will be Baby Rhyme Time and Toddler Rhyme Time on Monday as usual, plus Friday Story Time.
At New Milton Library there will be Thursday Storytime and Monday Rhyme Time as usual.
At Fordingbridge Library there will be Friday Tots and Tinies as usual.
Take a look at the Babies and Toddlers section in our Events Calendar to see what else is on!
To find events and activies for a specific day take a look at our New Forest Events Calendar.
If you hear of any other exciting things to do locally this half term, do suggest the organiser adds it to our Events Calendar! And please mention that you "saw it on Lymington.com" !
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