A group of young people look out over heathland. Two are sat on a mat and two are standing.

Activities

It's 21:33 Mainly clear, 7°C
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Tap into a 'natural health service' with activities for all ages and abilities

The New Forest is a fantastic place to spend time in nature actively connecting to the heritage and culture that shapes communities. This can bring proven and significant health and wellbeing benefits and have a lasting impact on you and your environment.

From active pursuits in the outdoors like walking and cycling to connecting with nature and the environment through local arts and heritage, there are many ways we can get involved and experience the mental health and wellbeing benefits that come hand-in-hand with these opportunities. Why not spend time in your or a community garden, or volunteer for a great cause in the New Forest area?

Activities to boost wellbeing

A woman wearing a blue coat takes part in a conservation volunteering task.

Volunteering

Support the communities and wildlife around you, learn new skills, and meet new people as a volunteer in the New Forest.

Volunteering Volunteering
A young person's hands molding clay to make a Roman pot.

Arts and heritage

Connect to the New Forest's wildlife, landscapes, and communities and gain inspiration from the environment around.

Arts and heritage Arts and heritage
A woman in a blue jumper is planting a tree during a community event. She is standing between a wheel barrow and a wire fence with a line of bark on the floor and a blue sky.

Gardening

Nurture life in your own or a community garden to connect with your environment.

Gardening Gardening
Five people walking uphill on a Forest track. One - closest to the camera - is a New forest NPA ranger wearing a fluorescent yellow bag.

Walking

Discover the special landscapes on your doorstep and further afield on Forest tracks.

Walking Walking
Six cycling on specialist cycles riding on tracks in the New Forest. Trees and gorse can be seen in the background.

Cycling

Ride on New Forest tracks to discover special wildlife and connect with nature while enjoying exercise and fresh air.

Cycling Cycling