1 There's no better way to see the New Forest than on horseback. The Burley Villa Riding School, in New Milton, (01425 610278; www.burleyvilla.co.uk) caters for all abilities. Western style, one-hour group hacks £21, two hours £40.

2 Take a wagon ride in Burley, one of the forest's prettiest villages, with Burley Wagon Rides (07712 074486). A 20-minute ride costs £5 adults, £3 children.

3 Get on the water at Lymington with Event Management Group (01590 670999; www.e-m-g.co.uk). A power boat for six to 10 people costs from £350 for a day while small yachts with a skipper, for six to eight, cost from £550-£750.

4 See Europe's largest gathering of otters and owls at the New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Park (023 8029 2408; www.ottersandowls.co.uk) near Ashurst. Entry £6.50 adults, £4.50 child (4-16), or £19 for two adults and two children.

5 Brockenhurst is a good base from which to explore more than 100 miles of safe, flat cycle trails. Cyclexperience (01590 624204; www.cyclex.co.uk) at Brockenhurst Station has standard bikes for £10, mountain bikes £13. Prices include toolkits, locks, child seats, route plans and basic helmet.

6 Visit Hurst Castle (01590 642500/642344; www.hurst-castle.co.uk) at the seaward end of the shingle spit that extends from Milford-On-Sea. Charles I was imprisoned here before being taken to London for execution. Adults £3, seniors £2.70, children (5-15) £1.80. Open 10.30am-5pm until the end of October, then weekends only. Earlier closing times in winter.

7 Watch deer at Bolderwood deer sanctuary, at the northern end of Bolderwood Drive off the A35, about three miles west of Lyndhurst. Best to go around 2pm at feeding time.

8 Admire spectacular displays of colour from the Japanese maples, deciduous azaleas and dogwoods that flourish in the autumn at Exbury Gardens, Exbury (023 8089 1203; www.exbury.co.uk). Open until October 31, 10am-5.30pm. Entry adults £4, seniors £3.50, children (5-15) £1.

9 Be amazed at the collection of 250 vehicles at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu (01590 612345; www.beaulieu.co.uk). Adults £15, children (5-12) £7.50, youths (13-17) £8.50, seniors and students £13.50, families £42 (two adults and up to three children, or an adult and up to four children). Open 10am-6pm May to September, until 5pm October to April.

10 Browse the stalls at Lymington's Saturday market, then take a Wightlink (0870 582 7744; www.wightlink.co.uk) ferry to the Isle of Wight. A day return as a foot passenger costs £8.90 adults and £4.50 children (5-15).

· New Forest Tourism (01590 689000; www.thenewforest.co.uk)