3 inspiring New Forest & Isle of Wight itineraries for your perfect short break

Connected by a short 40 minute ferry crossing, the New Forest and the Isle of Wight were made for exploring together.

Spend your mornings cycling beneath ancient trees and your afternoons following dramatic coastal paths. Discover local delicacies at farm shops and waterside restaurants on both sides of the Solent. Or simply take things at a slower pace, enjoying beautiful landscapes, wildlife and unforgettable views wherever the day takes you.

Stay a couple of nights in each destination to get the full forest and island experience. Or base yourself the New Forest and hop across to the Isle of Wight for a day trip (or vice versa!). Regular ferry crossings make the journey quick and easy, so experiencing both has never been simpler.

Not sure where to start? Our itineraries below show just a few ways to make the most of two extraordinary destinations in one trip.

Local produce, memorable meals and two incredible foodie destinations.

Day 1: A taste of the New Forest

Begin your adventure exploring some of the New Forest’s beloved farm shops, artisan bakeries and village cafés.
Browse local produce, sample homemade treats and enjoy lunch surrounded by countryside. Check out local independent ales at Vibrant Forest’s and Pig BEER’s taprooms or try a cider in Burley. Spend the evening at one of the Forest’s celebrated gastropubs or country house hotels where you’ll dine on local ingredients.

Day 2: Vineyards, pubs and the ferry

Spend the morning exploring Lymington’s independent cafés, delicatessens and waterside restaurants. The cobbled streets and quayside location make it a great place to while away a few hours (and don’t miss the weekly market on a Saturday!). After lunch, hop aboard the ferry and continue your culinary adventure on the Isle of Wight.

Once you’ve checked in, head out for dinner featuring some of the Island’s famous local produce. Garlic, tomatoes, seafood, cheese and locally grown vegetables all appear regularly on menus across the Island.

Day 3: Meet the producers

Today is all about discovering where great food begins. Visit The Garlic Farm, explore farm shops, sample award-winning cheeses, pick out the juiciest tomatoes and seek out local producers. Wine lovers can enjoy a tasting at Adgestone Vineyard, while gin enthusiasts may prefer a visit to Mermaid Gin’s HQ, The Mermaid Bar.

In the evening, book a table at one of the Island’s standout restaurants and enjoy a meal showcasing some of the ingredients you’ve spent the day discovering.

Day 4: One final treat

No food-focused Isle of Wight trip is complete without a leisurely breakfast and a wander through one of the Island’s markets, cafés or food destinations such as Harvey Browns. Pick up a few edible souvenirs before heading back across the Solent. You’ll return home with a slightly heavier bag and absolutely no regrets.

One break. Two spectacular walking destinations.

Day 1: Into the New Forest

Arrive in the New Forest and start as you mean to go on with a gentle stroll beneath ancient trees. Wander through the ornamental woodland at Rhinefield, follow quiet trails around Bolderwood or head out across the open heathland where free-roaming ponies, donkeys and cattle have right of way.

As evening approaches, settle into a country pub and enjoy dinner beside a crackling fire or in a sunny beer garden, depending on the season.

Day 2: Coast and countryside

The New Forest isn’t just about woodland. Spend the day exploring the coast with a walk from Lymington to Keyhaven, taking in salt marshes, sailing boats and spectacular Solent views.

When you’ve walked up an appetite, reward yourself with lunch in Lymington before catching the ferry to the Isle of Wight.
The crossing itself offers a chance to put your feet up and watch the sea roll by before arriving in Yarmouth, one of the Island’s prettiest harbour towns.

Day 3: The Isle of Wight Coast Path

Choose a section of the Isle of Wight Coast Path and discover dramatic chalk cliffs, hidden coves and panoramic sea views. Walk from Freshwater Bay to The Needles, explore the coastline around Ventnor, or tackle part of the famous south-west coast between Chale and Compton. Expect to stop regularly for photos of epic views.

Day 4: Woodland, wildlife and one final walk

Before heading home, discover a different side of the Island. Explore Parkhurst Forest, wander through Newtown National Nature Reserve or enjoy a gentle literary-themed walk connected to Tennyson and the Island’s literary heritage. You’ll leave having explored two of southern England’s best walking destinations in a single trip.

From free-roaming ponies to soaring sea eagles, discover two of southern England’s best wildlife destinations in one unforgettable trip.

Day 1: Meet the New Forest’s famous residents

Your adventure begins in the New Forest, where wildlife sightings come with surprising regularity. Spend the day exploring heathland, woodland and river valleys, keeping an eye out for the ponies, donkeys, cattle and deer that roam freely throughout the National Park. Walk through Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, seek out birdlife on the heathland and enjoy the slower pace that makes the New Forest feel wonderfully wild.

As evening approaches, settle into a cosy countryside retreat surrounded by nature.

Day 2: From forest to marshes and sea views

Head for the coast and discover a different side of the New Forest at Keyhaven Marshes and Lymington. These internationally important habitats attract a huge variety of wading birds and coastal wildlife throughout the year.

After lunch, board the ferry and enjoy a wildlife-watching journey across the Solent. Keep your eyes on the water. You never know what you might spot. Arriving on the Isle of Wight, spend the evening exploring the shoreline or watching the sunset from one of the Island’s quieter bays.

Day 3: Red squirrels, sea eagles and hidden nature reserves

The Isle of Wight is one of Britain’s most important wildlife destinations. Start the day in woodland where you have one of the UK’s best chances of spotting a red squirrel, then head to Newtown National Nature Reserve or Brading Marshes to discover wetlands packed with birdlife.

If you’re lucky, you may even see one of the Island’s most famous recent arrivals. The reintroduced white-tailed eagles can often be seen soaring over the coast and countryside, their huge wingspans making them impossible to miss.

Day 4: One last dose of nature

Before heading home, spend a final morning exploring the Island’s remarkable landscapes.

Walk the downs above Compton Bay in search of butterflies, keep watch for seals along the coast or simply enjoy the peace and quiet that comes from being surrounded by nature. You’ll leave having experienced two destinations that may sit just a ferry crossing apart, but together offer some of the richest wildlife experiences in southern England