We are considering spending a couple of days in this area... can anyone suggest any activities in late April/early May that a family with 2 young teens would enjoy?

Visit the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.

1) Motor museum at beaulieu<BR><BR>2) Pony trekking just about everywhere<BR><BR>3) Clay pigeon shooting, again commonly available<BR><BR>4) Sailing at Lymington<BR><BR>hope this helps.

MARK, We would like to hear about your trip could you email me (in case I miss your post) on what you did but especially where you ate. We will be there in Sept for 5 nights.

Thanks for the suggestions.<BR>David - could you elaborate on the pony trekking please

Beaulieu (motor museum, stately home, gardens, abbey)<BR><BR>Bucklars Hard - really fascinating village where they used to build ships and launch them by sliding them down the center of the villag right into the water.<BR><BR>Just driving through the forest - beautiful scenery plus the free roaming ponies and other wildlife.<BR><BR>If you have more time - atrip over to the Isle of Wight<BR><BR>Try to read Forest by Edward Rutherfuerd (also wrote London and Sarum) before you go - it is a great foundation for understanding the new forest.<BR><BR>Pony treking is simply horseback riding - you can do it in almost every part of the UK. Go into any tourist information office (like in Lymington) and they will have a list of riding centers and farms that offer pony treking.

Exbury Gardens near Beaulieu is pretty spectacular in the spring.

Hi Mark,<BR><BR>reeaulieu stately home is under reconstruction at the moment. You are only able to visit some of the rooms. Because of that they`ve a reduced entrance fee. Was there last week but don`t know how long the construction will take. It is still very nice with a lot of informative displays.<BR>And...I loved the wild ponys everywhere.<BR><BR>Have fun<BR>Miriam

Thanks for the info - (I'll try and remember to email you Marge) - all the suggestions sound like something we'd want to see or try.

Visit the museum/visitor centre in Lyndhurst, its situated just off the main car park in the town. The staff are very knowledgeable and there is plenty of visitor information available. I would second the suggestion re Bucklers Hard also you can go on a ride in a horse drawn cart from Brockenhurst if that appeals. Best of all just go for a walk, try one of the signed walks around either Rhinefield Drive or Bolderwood, that way you can enjoy some of the lovely forest scenery without having the bother of buying or reading a map. Lastly go to the Royal Oak at Fritham for beer and a lunch time meal, its a bit out of the way, but well worth it, hope you enjoy my wonderful home county of Hampshire.