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Have you ever wondered why the New Forest exists and how the animals came to be free roaming? Let me take you back in time to unravel the fascinating and storied history of the New Forest. So, lace up your walking boots and prepare a cup of tea, for we are about to delve into the lush, historical tapestry of this magnificent region. Centuries before the name “Hampshire” entered the history books, the New Forest was already a thriving centre of activity. Its roots extend over a millennium to the year 1079 when King William the Conqueror ordered the creation of a ‘new hunting forest’ for his royal amusement. In the realm of ambitious landscape projects, this one certainly stands out, spanning over 566 square kilometers. For generations, the New Forest served as a playground for the aristocracy. Kings and queens, nobles, and the upper echelons of society flocked to this verdant landscape to indulge in their favorite pastime: hunting. The dense woodlands and expansive heaths provided the ideal backdrop for their aristocratic pursuits. In the 18th century, a significant transformation took place. The inhabitants of the nearby villages, known as ‘Commoners,’ were granted ‘Commoners’ Rights,’ entitling them to graze their livestock and collect firewood from the forest. This tradition continues to this day, and you will still witness the sight of ponies and cattle roaming freely around the forest. World War II cast its shadow upon the New Forest. This area played a pivotal role in preparations for the D-Day landings. The forest served as a training ground for military exercises, and it was from these very shores that thousands of troops embarked on the journey to Normandy. Remnants of this wartime history, such as concrete bunkers and tank traps, remain visible in the forest - as well as craters as the area was heavily bombed. Hurst Castle is an interesting visit for this era. The New Forest is not just a repository of history but also a thriving ecosystem. With its ancient woodlands, heathlands, wetlands, and grasslands, it stands as a haven for wildlife. Keep an eye out for the iconic New Forest ponies, fallow deer, and a multitude of bird species. The region’s flora, featuring rare orchids and vibrant heather, is equally enchanting. In the spring, the vibrant yellow of the Gorse gives way to the purple heather in Summer and Autumn. Today, the New Forest holds the status of a National Park and ranks among the UK’s most cherished natural landscapes. It appeals to history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike and offers an escape from the pace of modern life. Whether your interests lie in hiking, cycling, horseback riding, or simply taking a serene stroll, the New Forest has something for everyone. There you have it—a whirlwind tour through the history of the New Forest. It’s a place where bygone eras harmonize with the present, where diverse wildlife thrives, and where stories are etched into every tree and blade of grass. Should you find yourself in Hampshire, consider diverting your path to the New Forest, allowing its tales of royalty, commoners, and the wonders of nature to transport you to another time.

* (AFF) This post contains affiliate links, I may receive a commission for my recommendation. Please see my disclaimer page for more information. When the British weather is great, it's really really great, as good as any destination abroad. When we have those periods of prolonged rain it can make caravanning miserable. It's still absolutely possible to play and do activities outside with appropriate clothing - waterproofs and wellies are a must for the caravan packing list. Vinted is a great place to buy reasonable priced spares to keep inside the caravan. For days when hibernation is the only option, I have listed all of our tried and tested ways to keep everyone entertained in a confined space so that even the gloomiest of days can still make fun memories for all. Playing Cards Playing cards are such a diverse and compact way to keep entertained. There are games that even small children can get on board with. We've created some free printable game rule sheets* to keep in your caravan. (*coming soon) You can purchase specific sets like this one, containing 'Go Fish', 'Old Maid' & 'Happy Families' Compact Games With space at a premium, these games take up very little space. We consider UNO a caravan staple, it’s well worn & easy to play if you can agree on the rules! Dobble is recommended from 6+ & is a matching game with speed. 5 Alive is a fast paced card game in a similar style to UNO where you have to keep the running total under 21, recommended for ages 8+, lose 5 lives and you’re out. Tripe Tongue Twisters is also recommended from 8+, beat the tongue tie to win the set. What would you Choose? is a ‘would you rather‘ type game with 500 silly and funny dilemmas to choose from, it says age 5+ but it is dependent on being able to read, buddy a non-reader up with a reader to include younger ones. Exploding Kittens is a funny card game, where you avoid the exploding kitten cards at all costs by using defuse cards and all manner of other avoid tactics, silly and funny game for older kids, its recommended from 7+. Travel Pictionary needs no introduction, this is a handy compact card version. The Muddles is another card based game, combine animals together, the rarer the combination the more points it’s worth, recommended from age 6. Table Top & Board Games - younger children (under 7) For younger children, these games don’t require too much strategy & are relatively easy to play on a table top in the caravan. Connect 4 can be played over and over again, recommended from 6+ as long as your child understands 4 in a row it’s definitely playable by younger children. Pop up Pirate & Jenga style games rely on a steady hand. The Gruffalo Deep Dark Wood recommended from age 3, roll the dice to help the mouse get home. Monopoly Junior is recommended from age 5 and is a classic family favourite. Kids vs Parents is recommended from age 6, 2 sets of cards one for parents and one for kids sets questions kids vs parents. Table Top & Board Games - older children (over 7) Any of the games in the younger children section above are great for older children too. The Best of Kids is a mini board game of fun trivia questions, recommended from age 7. Bananagrams is another favourite, create anagrams from tiles pitching against each other, its compact with everything stored within the banana. Articulate, Rummikaub, Headbanz is a game based around ‘who am i?’, you wear a card on your forehead using a headband and ask yes/no questions to solve your own card. Storage With space at a premium, these A4 sized zip bags make an ideal storage solution to boxed games. Camping Bingo Fun for all ages, both readers and non readers can take part. Why not try our free printable playing cards which are, of course, camping themed. Make friendship bracelets You can buy a ready made kit or just the bracelet string, perfect for if the weather isn't good enough to be outside & at the end of the holiday they make a really good parting gift to exchange.

* (AFF) This post contains affiliate links, I may receive a commission for my recommendation at no extra cost to you. Please see my disclaimer page for more information. Catching crabs is an activity which is relatively low in cost and is suitable for all ages. Even the really young can get involved as it's so simple to do. Lymington is one of the best places to do some crabbing, Mudeford is also a good place to try it out. How to crab… You’ll need some tools, you can expect to pick up a crab line for around £2.50 from a local shop, the nets are around £5.50 and the bait is around £1.00 which makes this quite inexpensive. If you want to pre-order the equipment, these are the types of things you can use. Multi-packs are often cheaper if you need more than one set. One crab line or net per person and a bucket between two would be more than enough equipment, however, if your children tend to argue, a net and a line each is a good idea! For bait, bacon and sausage meat is the best type and yields great results. Pop it in the bag provided and mash it up so that it’s not sitting in a lump. To attach the bag to the line, the metal L shaped hook goes into the drawstring bag & which ties up tight & won’t allow the metal to come back through. You might even find eels or fish instead. To hold the crabs, gently pick them up from behind to avoid getting pincered! Kindness always, make sure they are treated well whilst within your care and return them gently to the water once your crabbing adventure is over. Have fun!