Dog friendly, family-friendly New Forest days out this October half term — from Burley Village on the doorstep to a day trip to Bournemouth or Stonehenge, all near The Bell Inn.
There is a particular kind of chaos that arrives with half term — wellies by the door, a dog doing figure-of-eights round your ankles, and a list of ideas that somehow got shorter the longer you looked at it. The New Forest has a way of solving that problem better than most places. Wide open heath for small legs and four legs alike, ancient woodland to disappear into, and villages built for slow mornings and second breakfasts. Whether you are basing yourselves at The Bell Inn — a proper dog friendly pub in the heart of the New Forest — for a night or two, or just passing through for the day, here is our own well-thumbed list of where to go this October half term, with both the kids and the dog kept firmly in mind.
The Bell Inn sits right in the heart of the Forest at Brook, with dog-friendly bedrooms, a beer garden made for muddy paws, and a fire worth coming back to. Everything below is arranged by how far you will need to travel, from the doorstep out to a full day's adventure — so however much time you have, there is something here to fill it.
At a Glance
- Best for: families with young children, and well-behaved dogs on leads.
- When: October half term 2026 (24 October – 1 November) — most of what follows works well year-round, but autumn colour and quieter crowds make it a particularly good time to visit.
- Distance: from right outside our door to just under an hour's drive.
- Worth knowing: dog policies vary by attraction and can change — where we are not certain, we have said so below, so check ahead before you set off.
Right on the Doorstep (Up to 15 Minutes)
Burley Village
Barely a quarter of an hour from The Bell Inn, Burley is the kind of place that rewards an aimless wander. It is best known for its witchcraft folklore — expect broomsticks and crystal shops alongside the tearooms — and for the New Forest ponies that amble along the high street as if they own it, which, in a sense, they do. It is an easy, low-key half day: a browse of the boutique shops, a slice of cake, and plenty of open verges for the dog to sniff along the way.
New Forest Wildlife Park
Ten to fifteen minutes away, New Forest Wildlife Park is native British wildlife done properly — red squirrels, otters, lynx, deer and owls, all in natural woodland enclosures rather than behind bars. It is consistently one of the best half-term outings for younger children, with plenty to see at a small child's pace. Dog policies at wildlife parks can vary by enclosure and by season, so it is worth checking the Wildlife Park's own site before you bring yours along.
A Short Drive (Up to 30 Minutes)
Exbury Gardens
Around half an hour from the inn, Exbury's 200 acres are best known for their spring rhododendrons, but the gardens are lovely year-round and October brings its own quieter, mellower colour. The narrow-gauge steam railway runs through the grounds all year and is a guaranteed hit with children. As with the Wildlife Park, check current dog access before you go — some garden areas welcome dogs on leads and others do not.
Worth the Trip (Up to an Hour)
This is where an overnight stay starts to make real sense — far enough for a proper day out, but close enough that you are back at the inn for dinner rather than facing a long drive home.
Bournemouth
The best all-rounder in this tier. Bournemouth's seven miles of sandy beach, a Victorian pier and a lively seafront make it a strong choice for children, and many south coast beaches lift their summer dog restrictions once October arrives — Bournemouth's beaches are generally more welcoming to dogs outside the main season, though it is worth checking current council signage on the day, as rules can vary by stretch of beach.
Salisbury & Stonehenge
A cathedral city with Britain's tallest spire, one of the four original Magna Carta manuscripts, and Stonehenge itself just twenty minutes further on — hard to beat for a half-term dose of history that actually holds a child's attention. Dogs are generally welcome in Salisbury itself and around the Stonehenge visitor centre and wider landscape on a lead, but are not permitted inside the stone circle — worth knowing if you are planning to bring yours for the whole day.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
HMS Victory, the raised wreck of the Mary Rose, and five hundred years of Royal Navy history make Portsmouth Historic Dockyard one of the biggest days out on this list — brilliant for curious children, but not really a dog day. Dogs are not permitted aboard the ships or inside the museums, so this is one to save for a trip where the dog is happy holding the fort back at the inn.
Free, Seasonal and Right Outside the Door
Not every good half-term idea needs a car journey. The New Forest itself — its open heath, ancient woodland and grazing ponies — starts right outside The Bell Inn's front door, and a wellies-on walk from the pub costs nothing and tires out small legs and paws in equal measure. If you would like a route to follow, our favourite New Forest walks are just as good in autumn as they are in spring. If you are visiting in late October, it is also pumpkin-picking season at several local farms — a proper autumn half-term staple, and one we will be writing more about separately.
Who It Suits
Most of what is above works well for children from toddler age up, and for calm, well-socialised dogs on a lead. A couple are better suited to older children with a bit more stamina for history (Salisbury, Portsmouth), while Burley and the Wildlife Park are the easiest wins for a family with very young children or a first-half-term-with-a-puppy situation. If in doubt, our team at the inn is always happy to help you plan the day that suits your family best.
Come Back to the Inn
However you spend the day, there is nothing quite like coming back to The Bell Inn afterwards — muddy boots off, dog settled by the fire, and a hearty plate of something good from our seasonal menu. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the bar and garden, and several of our bedrooms are dog-friendly too, so the whole family can stay together.
If you are planning to make a stay of it this half term, don't forget our October Half Term offer — book two nights before 11th October and we will treat you to a free ticket to Paultons Park as well. Take a look at our stays, book a table on our Eat & Drink page, or call the team on 023 8081 2214 and we will help you plan the perfect family (and canine) half term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Bell Inn a dog friendly pub in the New Forest?
Yes — well-behaved dogs are welcome in our bar and beer garden, and several of our bedrooms are dog-friendly too, so the whole family can stay together.
What can families do in the New Forest during half term?
Plenty, from free activities like pony-spotting and woodland walks right outside The Bell Inn, to nearby attractions such as Burley Village, the New Forest Wildlife Park and Exbury Gardens, through to bigger day trips to Bournemouth, Salisbury and Stonehenge, or Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Are there dog friendly days out near the New Forest?
Yes — Burley Village, the New Forest's open heath and woodland trails, and Bournemouth's beaches outside the summer season are all generally dog-friendly. A few attractions restrict dogs in certain areas, so it is worth checking each venue's own site before you go.