Welly walking in the New Forest

Oli, Leo and I have not done much exploring since we moved to Hampshire. This weekend was our first opportunity to spend lots of quality family time together and yesterday we decided to go for a walk in The New Forest.

We set off on our adventure yesterday afternoon, the journey was only supposed to take 20minutes but Oli’s phone decided to die. We were left to find our destination with no GPS and no SatNav, who even does that any more? Luckily for us, The New Forest is massive so it wasn’t long before we found a car park next to lots of trees – who needs technology, hey?
Once we parked up it was time to get our wellies on and get exploring. It was a joint effort between Oli and I to squeeze Leo in to his splash suit – I think it might be time for a new one, he has had that one for over a year now. 
Leo in his splash suit and beloved Minion welly boots.

Not natural hikers or experts on the forest, we just decided to go for a wonder (without a map!) and see where we ended up. It was great fun! Walking across the fields to the woods we found lots of muddy puddles for Leo to jump in. There was one puddle definitely capable of causing a splash of Dawn French in The Vicar of Dibley proportion if Leo had stepped in it, thankfully I noticed how ominously dark it was before he jumped in.

Leo in the massive puddle!
After dragging Leo away from the puddles, this took lots of persuasion and promises of maybe seeing a Gruffalo in the woods, we went and had a lovely walk amongst the trees. It was so beautiful. All the warm colours of the leaves and the tall trees towering above us. Strange fungi sprouted out of the ground and out of trees, I wish I knew what they were all called so I could teach Leo but, as I said before, I am no nature expert. 
Weird pink mushroom, I doubt this one is edible!

Leo absolutely loved being able to roam and explore without his reins on or being confined to the buggy. We walked through squelchy bogs, climbed over crunchy bracken and Leo even asked to climb the trees. When he got tired he jumped on his Daddy’s back and we made our way back to the car.

Piggy back ride.
Awww.
Explorers.
Pretty colours, trees look cold though!

Before we made it back to the car we stopped off back at the puddles so Leo (and Oli!) could have 10 more minutes of splashing time.
Big boys love puddles just as much as little boys, apparently.
It’s the puddle monster!

If it weren’t for the very real threat of rain, we could have stayed out exploring for hours. Leo was tired though so we got back the car, a mere 10 seconds before the massive downpour started. I can’t wait to see more of The New Forest and to do some more exploring with my little family – Oli picked up a map from the tourist information so next time we can follow a proper route.

A fun family day out.

We had a fantastic afternoon in the woods, have you ever been? Can you recommend any good things to do/walks to go on in The New Forest? Does your toddler love exploring too?

You Baby Me Mummy
Life Unexpected
Follow:
Share:

Leave a Reply to Claire Hall - Tin Box Traveller Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badge

14 Comments

  1. November 10, 2015 / 9:32 am

    That splash suit looks fantastic, and what a wonderful outing! I love to go places where the littles can wander right along with the grownups and go wherever they fancy- so many times we're telling them where to go and not go to keep them safe! #twinklytuesday

  2. November 11, 2015 / 1:52 pm

    Welcome to Hampshire! We love the New Forest and visit regularly. For browsing around some lovely towns check out Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst and Lymington. Beaulieu is great for a day out if you like cars, Longdown Activity Farm is brilliant and I've heard the New Forest Wildlife Park is great too. The Forest is so goodfor walks. You can pretty much find one from any of the car parks off the main roads 🙂 #TwinklyTuesday

  3. November 12, 2015 / 6:11 am

    I have very mixed feelings about the New Forest. I went there for a study trip and got eaten to death bu gnats but also know it has some glorious scenery. Glad you had fun! #PointShoot

  4. Baby Isabella
    November 12, 2015 / 1:41 pm

    We love Burley, Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst in the New Forest! My mummy has been camping there since she was little! We only live 30 minutes away down the M27 so love visiting! Looks like you had a fab afternoon x #Whatevertheweather #PointShoot

  5. Chloe Ciliberto
    November 14, 2015 / 11:13 am

    I love your photos so much. Especially of both little and big boy in the puddle. That big puddle really is massive, I can see why you thought it'd be a bit of a Vicar Of Dibley moment. I love the New Forest, it's so beautiful and you're right, it's so nice not being restricted to reins and buggies. It's lovely to see how happy they are to be so free. Thank you so, so much for sharing this with us on #whatevertheweather xx

  6. Jenny Eaves
    November 14, 2015 / 7:21 pm

    It's been years since I visited the New Forest, and I remember how beautiful it was then! You guys look like you had a fab time jumping in all the puddles. Sometimes the best walks are the ones where you just wander around and have your own fun, no need to follow routes, you always discover lots to do with kids!
    Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather and looking forward to reading more of your family's adventures! 🙂 xx

  7. November 14, 2015 / 9:07 pm

    How gorgeous this is. I love that you had to use the Gruffalo as a persuasion tactic! We went wandering the woods just yesterday and it was raining and a bit chilly but so lovely! There's nothing quite like that natural fresh air! Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

  8. November 16, 2015 / 3:44 pm

    It is amazing, you fell over in the puddles a couple times but when we took it off he was completely dry. Yes I know, sometimes it is nice to let them be free and not worry about cars or anything like that. I know Leo definitely enjoys not being in the buggy xx

  9. November 16, 2015 / 3:46 pm

    Thank you so much for these suggestions Claire! This was just off a car park by Lyndhurst and this weekend we went for an extremely wet walk in some woods at Clay Hill. Will definitely be checking out these other places, I am excited to hear there is a wildlife park!!xx

  10. November 16, 2015 / 3:47 pm

    Eww I hate gnats as well, they can really spoil a walk outdoors. It is very pretty there and you will be pleased to know that on our rainy walk we didn't see a single gnat, yay xx

  11. November 16, 2015 / 3:49 pm

    Oh, you live close by too? I did not realise there were so many bloggers in Hampshire. It only took us 25 minutes to get to Lyndhurst but I am terrified of the busy roads down this way so it felt like it took forever! I can't wait to do some more exploring. xx

  12. November 16, 2015 / 3:53 pm

    Thank you for hosting :). Yes that one puddle was something else, it was huge! Yup, Oli loved the puddles a bit too much for a man past 30 haha. It definitely is so nice letting them be free, Leo hates his reins and buggy but most of the time they are the only option to keep him safe (he is 2 so doesn't really get the whole cars can kill you thing). Look forward to linking up more outdoorsy posts soon 🙂 xx

  13. November 16, 2015 / 3:55 pm

    It really is beautiful, you should visit again sometime. When we moved I was so sad to be leaving the beach behind but woodland walks are almost just as fun as running in the sand. Yes i totally agree, who need a map? Sometimes not knowing where you are going makes it more fun. Thanks for hosting xx

  14. November 16, 2015 / 3:57 pm

    i regularly have to use the promise of a Gruffalo appearing or some other animal to get Leo to do things, I don't know how he hasn't cottoned on yet. Aww glad you had a nice rainy walk too. I agree, going out for some fresh air is great, especially on those particularly hard days when your toddler is in a grump. Thanks for hosting #TwinklyTuesday xx