Watersports in the New Forest
Overview
According to the official Bournemouth website, no area in Europe has such a wide range of watersports in such a condensed area as Bournemouth and Poole! Sailing, kayaking, power-boating and jet-skiing are among the activities on offer. The Boscombe Surf Reef in Bournemouth is Europe’s first artificial surf reef. You can try water skiing and wake-boarding at the New Forest Water Park, as well as banana rides and tyre rides. Kayaking on the Beaulieu River is also popular and has had great reviews from previous guests. When you’re ready to swap countryside for coast, take the Blue Route bus to Milford-on-Sea to go swimming from the shingle beach, relax in seafront cafés or walk along dramatic coastal cliffs.
What makes it special
- A wide range of water sports
Hostels nearby
Other things to do nearby
Cycling in the New Forest
There are over a hundred miles of way-marked cycle routes in the New Forest which offer safe cycling for all the family (maps are available at the hostel).
Walking and Rambling in the New Forest
It’s usual to think of trees when you think of a forest, but the heath land is an equally important landscape in the New Forest National Park.
New Forest Tour
See the New Forest National Park like never before! Enjoy grandstand views on an exhilarating, open-top ride through pretty villages and magical landscapes, passing wandering ponies.
Brockenhurst Riding Stables
Your ride will take you out into the New Forest Country Park to take in the wonderful views and see wild ponies and other animals that live in the forest. Visit the Brockenhurst Riding Stables webs
Forest Leisure Cycling
0.1 miles Just 5 minutes walk from the YHA and situated in the traditional village of Burley. We recommend Forest Leisure Cycling for cycle hire, repairs and cycling accessories.
Liberty's Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre
6 miles Home to a large collection of birds of prey and reptiles. Watch the birds flying free and reptiles up close during the spectacular displays. Visit the website
New Forest Water Park
Set in 50 acres of beautiful countryside, the park is a great place to try waterskiing, wakeboarding or you the inflatable banana and tyre rides.
Beaulieu
There's lots to enjoy at Beaulieu including the world famous National Motor Museum, Palace House, World of Top Gear and the James Bond Exhibition.
Buckler's Hard
Discover the important role that Buckler’s Hard played in Britain’s shipbuilding history.
Fort Victoria Country Park
One of the best vantage points for watching boats, the park has an aquarium & a reptilarium, history of the Sea museum, model railway, and observatory & planetarium. Visit the Fort's&n
Yarmouth Harbour
3 miles A lovely seaside harbour, great for boat watching and all things nautical, with cafes and restaurants to while away the day. Visit the website
Cycling in Brighstone
Cycle around the whole island in a day on the Round the Island cycle route. The route is clearly marked and will give you plenty of time to enjoy the stunning scenery that the island has to offer.
Totland Bay beach
Great for anyone who enjoys a quiet relaxing time on the beach or wants an easy walk along the promenade to Colwell Bay. Visit the website
Cycling in Totland
There are plenty of good cycle routes marked on the island. Cycle around the island in a day or two or even three or four.
Watersports in Totland
Totland Bay and Freshwater Bay provide surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding and coasteering. Colwell Bay is great for kite surfing and at Compton Bay you can go surfing.
Walking and Rambling in Totland
The hostel is surrounded by National Trust land and footpaths galore. Footpaths go north to Yarmouth, south to Lord Alfred Tennyson's Monument on the Tennyson Trail, east to Freshwater Bay and west