Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary

Fallow deer grazing just metres away while you sip your morning coffee - that's the magic of Bolderwood. This woodland clearing in the heart of the New Forest offers one of your best chances to spot the area's famous free-roaming deer without tramping for hours through brambles and bracken.

The deer platform here gives you a proper vantage point over the grassy area where fallow and red deer regularly come to graze, especially in early morning and late afternoon. Unlike some wildlife watching spots, this actually delivers - I've never left empty-handed. The deer are completely wild, so there's no guarantee, but the location is well-chosen.

Families with young children will love this place. Even if the deer don't show, there's a lovely woodland walk and the kids can burn off energy while you scan the treeline. Allow at least an hour, longer if you want to explore the surrounding paths that lead deeper into the forest.

From Lyndhurst, it's a straightforward drive into the forest proper. The spot works brilliantly as part of a New Forest camping holiday - several sites like Ocknell and Longbeech Campsite are within easy reach. Best visited early morning or towards evening when the deer are most active, though you'll often spot them throughout the day if you're patient.