The New Forest Wildlife Park is situated just off the A35, not far from Lyndhurst making it a great place to visit if you want an additional place to visit, close to the heart of the New Forest.
With animals such as Wolves, Bison, and Lynx, in addition to smaller animals such as Otters, and Butterflies, there is something for everyone here. With two play parks, and a cafe, there is no shortage of things to see, do and eat.
Is the New Forest Wildlife Park worthy of your time and money? Let’s take a look.
Photo Story of the New Forest Wildlife Park
New Forest Wildlife Park
useful Information
New Forest Wildlife Park
Deerleap Lane
Nr Ashurst, Southampton
SO40 4UH
Opening Hours
Spring/Summer 10.00am – 5.30pm
Autumn/Winter 10.00am – 4.30pm or dusk
Prices
Adults
12.50
Children
9.50
Family
£38
Snapshot of The New Forest Wildlife Park
The New Forest Wildlife Park is a great place to visit with or without children. Sometimes you have to be lucky with what animals you see, but they have regular feeding times, and talks which usually draws the animals out
There is a cafe on site, two play parks should the little ones get bored, and lots of things to see, do and learn as you wander around. We live pretty locally so visit often, and would highly recommend a trip if you are in the area, or even if you are willing to travel for a bit.
Location – 9 / 10
Customer Service – 8 / 10
Facilities – 8 / 10
Good for Children – 8 / 10
Price / Value for Money – 8 / 10
Customer Service
Staff are great and this starts off with the reception area, who are willing to share what is happening on that day, and highlight good things to see on the map you get as you arrive. The keepers/rangers clearly love their job and brim with enthusiasm when they are telling you about any animal.
They have extensive knowledge and are willing to share this with you during their regular keeper talks or feeding times. They field questions on the animals and are happy to encourage your input and chat with you.
Customer Service – 8 / 10
Facilities
You obviously come for the animals. These include, Otters, Bison, Deer, Wolves, Wallabies, and Owls, to name a few. However, the New Forest Wildlife Park also ensures that should the younger ones, or you for that matter, want a break from the animal spotting, then they have you covered.
Let the kids blow off some steam in one of the two play parks. Check out the gift shop, or read up on the animals at the informative signs that are located near each enclosure.
Hungry or Thirsty? The onsite cafe caters for most tastes. Perhaps one limitation is that there are only one set of toilets that are located by the reception, so if you get caught short the other side of the park, then it is a bit of a walk. But, you are in a Wildlife Park, in the middle of the New Forest. So what do you expect 🙂
Facilities – 8 / 10
Good for the Children?
Yes. Let’s move on.
Ok, here’s why. There are animals, Big ones, small ones, and ones in between. That should be enough. But there is more. The talks and the feeding always gets the kids attention.
The cafe is more than adequate for the children tastes.
There are two play parks, one to keep the younger ones happy with the usual things to go one, plus a sandpit. There is a larger one with more adventurous rides, and climbing structures.
If I was being hypercritical, I would say the only downside is the play parks are not close to each other, so a problem if you have a 3-year-old and a 10-year-old.
But, you are not really going for the play parks, so not really a big issue.
Good for Children – 8 / 10
Play Park goes down well 
…and small
Price / Value for Money
£12.50 for Adults and £9.50 for children isn’t too bad at all, considering what you are getting for the money. A family ticket for 2 Adults and 2 Children saves you £6, so worthwhile.
This is not only a fun day, but it can also be educational, as you can learn a great deal about the animals you encounter.
Price / Value for Money – 8 / 10
Conclusion for our Review of
the New Forest Wildlife Park
We have been a few times, and love wandering around to see what animals we can spot. The play parks and the educational bits for the children is another bonus.
The keeper talks and feeding are great to watch, and it is certainly a place we recommend to visit if you get the chance.
Video of New Forest Wildlife Park
Here is a short video we took while at New Forest Wildlife Park, while working on one of Max’s school projects. This video and all others are over on my YouTube channel.
Photo Gallery of New Forest Wildlife Park
