Great explorers wanted

Spring is a time for new beginnings; the sun starts shining, flowers and blossom bloom and everybody gets a similar feeling - they want a change. This could be a new car, job, or perhaps you just have itchy feet to see more of the world – to get exploring.

The New Forest offers budding adventurers the perfect break, which may come as a surprise; although proud of the tranquil, peaceful and picturesque qualities on offer in England’s newest National Park, the New Forest is the perfect setting for exploration. Cycle through unexplored glades, heath land and natural fords; walk through the ancient forest and canoe on some of the country’s most ancient lakes.

Calshot Activities Centre, on the very eastern edge of the New Forest, offers adrenaline junkies the perfect outlet for their adventurous urges. Ideally located on the shores of the Solent, the centre offers various water sports; sailing, (dinghy and catamaran), windsurfing, canoeing and power boating. Not to mention the rock climbing, track cycling, velodrome, skiing, snowboarding, and archery also included in the multi-activity holidays.

If you want to put the zing back into the office, then Calshot also offers corporate events, development and management training facilities. Log onto Calshot.com for more information.

While you’re at the centre, Calshot the place is worth exploring and boasts one of Henry VIII’s prime costal sea defences, Calshot castle, still completely in tact; giving you the chance to explore history from both Tudor and World Wars eras. For more, log onto Hants.gov.uk/discover/places/calshot.html. Calshot Activity Centre is also rich with history - the building is former hangars of the locally-famous seaplanes.

If all this action and exploration isn’t for you – Calshot beach is a beautiful stretch of coastline, with spectacular views of the Solent, Southampton Water, the Isle of Wight and land stretching all the way to Portsmouth’s regenerated harbour at Gunwharf Quays, with views of the fantastic Spinnaker Tower.

The New Forest is the perfect destination for exploring, so grab your walking boots and see what it can offer.

The crackling fire
The New Forest is fantastic for daytime exploring, but even better for cosy, relaxing, luxurious evenings. Once your feet are aching, there are many quality hotels, B&Bs and self catering accommodation options for you to choose from, some with beautiful spas to wash away the day’s aches and pains.

Your exploring will work up monster appetites, and luckily the New Forest has many pubs, restaurants and eateries, many of them serving hearty local produce, to whet your appetite. Exploring is great fun, but so is kicking back and relaxing afterwards. Visit Thenewforest.co.uk for where to stay and what to see and do.

Breathe in the fresh air
The New Forest is looking to become one of the ‘greenest’ destinations in the country, and not just because of the trees. A large eco-tourism push is currently taking place, with many hotels and B&Bs offering ‘car-free’ discounts if you arrive by train or bus. Many outlets also serve locally-sourced food and produce, all of which works to reduce carbon emissions and impact upon this naturally stunning destination.

So while you’re breathing in our clean air, why not try a spot of canoeing (Newforestactivities.co.uk/liquid_main.htm) or cycle hire (Cyclex.co.uk) to really explore the New Forest.

Watch out, it’s wild
It’s not just ponies that you should watch out for in the New Forest, and any explorer should be on the look out for the array of lizard and snake beasties that roam freely in the undergrowth. With Sand and Common lizards, Adders and Smooth snakes choosing the New Forest as their home, the adventurous visitor may be lucky enough to spot one of these usually-shy critters. However, if you prefer to see reptiles at arm’s length, the Forestry Commission run the fantastic reptile centre in Lyndhurst. For more info on this, and the work of the Forest Commission, log on to Forestry.gov.uk/newforest.