LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre is located in the heart of the New Forest National Park. Alongside our on-site Activities, there's lots to see and do nearby.
Beaulieu MOtor Museum
Beaulieu is one of the South's top visitor attractions and is approximately a 10 minute drive away. Here you will find the National Motor Museum, home to over 250 vehicles telling the history of motoring. You can also visit Palace House and Gardens, home of the Montagu family since 1538, the remains of Beaulieu Abbey and the World of Top Gear.
For more information visit: www.beaulieu.co.uk
New Forest Bus tour
Take an open top bus tour through the New Forest and enjoy the beautiful scenic views it has to offer. An audio commentary about the people, places and animals brings the view to life. You can get on and off at various stops and switch between routes, whilst visiting small villages throughout the day.
Tickets can be purchased on site and it can be arranged for the bus to stop at the end of Ferny Crofts drive. The tour only runs in the summer months (June - September).
For more information visit: The New Forest Tour - morebus
Other local attractions
Ferny Crofts is situated in the ideal location* within the New Forest to visit the many attractions it has to offer. Below are just a few of the amazing days out you could experience.
*Please note that the closest public transport that is available all year round to Ferny Crofts site, is the Beaulieu Road train station which is approximately a 20-30 minute walk.
Brownsea Island
Brownsea Island, in Poole Harbour, is the home of the first Scout Camp led by Lord Robert Baden-Powell in 1907. Ferny Crofts is ideally located for a day trip or overnight camp to Brownsea Island, and many of our guests choose to visit during their stay.
The trip to Poole takes around an hour by road, and there are also rail options either from nearby Beaulieu Road Station or Brockenhurst Station.
Visitors to Brownsea Island need to arrange a ferry crossing, and an entrance fee is also payable to visit the Island.
For more information about Brownsea Island and costs of visiting, please visit the National Trust's website here.
hurst castle
Go and discover the artillery fortress built by Henry VIII at the seaward end of a spit. Commanding the entrance to the Solent, it offers one of the best views in England and is approximately 30 minute drive from Ferny Crofts.
From its beginnings as one of Henry VIII's chain of military fortresses in 1544, Hurst Castle, unusually for a Tudor castle, remained in active role through both world wards. It played a part in the imprisonment of Charles I in the 17th century and defended England from invasion threats in the 19th and 20th centuries. Exhibitions around the castle provide you with a chance to piece together Hurst Castle's long history.
You can also take a short ferry ride from Keyhaven to get to the castle (charges do apply). Many forms of wildlife can be spotted along the way, so it will be a main talking point with your group.
Hurst Castle offers free entry to Scouts, Cubs, Brownies, Guides and similar youth groups, but bookings must be made in advance by calling 01590 642500 or visit https://www.hurstcastle.co.uk/schools/
New Forest Wildlife park
Only a 10 minute drive from Ferny Crofts, you can follow woodland trails to see wallaby, wolves, wild boars, owls and ferrets. Encounter friendly deer and experience feeding sessions with giant otters and keeper talks about the bison and lynx.
There is also a large Adventure playground that guests of all ages can experience.
For more information visit: www.newforestwildlifepark.co.uk
Splashdown water park
Located in Poole which is approximately a 1 hour drive away, Splashdown Water Park hosts some of the UK's most exciting water flumes. There is something suitable for all ages and levels of adventure with both indoor and outdoor areas.
Please note that tickets can only be booked in advance rather than on the day, due to our team having to book groups in directly with Splashdown.
For more information visit: www.splashdownwaterparks.co.uk
Long down Activity farm
There’s farmyard fun for the whole family at Longdown Activity Farm. Join in with a daily schedule of hands-on activities that include bottle-feeding kid goats and calves, the Animal Encounter Experience, and duck feeding. There are lots lots of friendly animals to meet including donkeys, alpacas, cute chicks, Pygmy goats, Kunekune pigs, cows, and many more.
For more information visit: www.longdownfarm.co.uk
Exbury gardens & steam railway
More than 100 years in the making, Exbury's glorious gardens, designed and curated by the de Rothschild family, have the power to delight and inspire in equal measure. This spectacular collection of landscaped woodland, herbaceous, contemporary, formal and wildflower gardens provide an ever-changing palette of colour that will entice you back to witness the seasons unfold.
For more information visit: www.exbury.co.uk
New Forest Heritage Centre
The New Forest Heritage Centre can provide both indoor and outdoor educational sessions for your group. The education team will adapt sessions to ensure that they fit with any key objectives and learning outcomes that you may have. Keeping the sessions fun and lighthearted, they can link up activities (where possible) to any existing challenge badges or skills progressions your group has.
The Centre is located within Lyndhurst, which is a 15 minute drive from Ferny Crofts. The New Forest Heritage Centre Team can also come out to site and provide educational talks with your group.
All visits must be booked in advance directly through the centre.
For more information or to make a booking, please visit: https://www.newforestheritage.org.uk/group-visits
buckler's hard
On the banks of the Beaulieu River, in the heart of the New Forest, you will find the peaceful haven of Buckler's Hard which remains untouched by the passage of time.
Once a thriving shipbuilding village where ships for Nelson's fleet at Trafalgar were built, now Buckler's Hard is a tranquil haven, perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Amble down the high street to watch the boats sailing by on the Beaulieu River or, if you're feeling more energetic, follow the scenic 2 mile footpath between Buckler’s Hard and Beaulieu.
For more information, please visit: www.bucklershard.co.uk
Paultons PArk
Paultons Park is the UK’s number one family theme park with over 70 exciting rides and home to the UK exclusive and world’s first Peppa Pig World.
There is an amazing variety of things to see and do at Paultons including; big rides, small rides, play areas, entertainments and an astonishing collection of animals and birds, all set within 140 acres of beautiful parkland.
Approximately a 20 minute drive from Ferny Crofts.
For more information, please visit: https://paultonspark.co.uk/
New Forest water park
The UK's first outdoor floating inflatable Water Park, located in Fordingbridge which is approximately a 40 minute drive from Ferny Crofts.
You can explore the huge 80 metre long course which has varying obstacles including 2 trampolines, monkey bars, flippers, slides, an overhang climbing wall, a swing, a giant iceberg and much more!
For more information visit: www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk