First New Forest Thrive nature festival free for all the family

PUBLISHED ON: 6 JUNE 2025

A new community festival will take place for the first time on the edge of the New Forest this summer.

The New Forest Thrive event will take place on Sunday 6 July at Carvers Recreation Ground in Ringwood to celebrate everything that makes the New Forest the special and unique place it is.

Led by the New Forest National Park Authority, the festival will include interactive displays and activities to inspire people of all ages and build a greater understanding of the Forest, its wildlife, habitats, and its people.

There will be a sneak peek performance from Theatre for Life’s highly anticipated youth-led ‘Bringing the Outside In’, bike maintenance and security marking through the police and PEDALL New Forest Inclusive Cycling, as well as opportunities to help build a minibeast estate and join in with wild play.

Local food and drink producers will be at the event and attractions will be spread across four themed zones promoting positive actions connected to climate and nature, looking to the future and the generations that will shape it.

Zones at New Forest Thrive

Chill Out – Relax in a quieter space, with access to food and drink
Sustainable Travel – Inclusive cycling, security bike marking, and more
Creative – Theatre performances, interactive art displays, and workshops
Discovery – Help build a mini beast estate, wild play, and opportunities for hands on discovery

A competition will run on the day to encourage as many people as possible to travel to New Forest Thrive car-free. To be in with a chance of winning a New Forest Tour group ticket, enter the competition by posting a selfie of your sustainable journey.

New Forest National Park Authority member and Chair of the Youth for Climate and Nature (YouCAN) partnership board, Brice Stratford, said:

‘The people who live in and around the New Forest are vital in defining it, not just culturally, but environmentally. One of the biggest impacts on the special wildlife of the National Park is the people who have it on their doorsteps.

‘New Forest Thrive, as part of the YouCAN scheme, is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to connect with that nature, and through that with their community.

‘The festival will share an important message to help empower people to join in with tackling climate and nature emergencies on the ground.

‘It’s hard to save the world but everyone can help their home, and hopefully have an exciting day out in the process.’

Cllr Mary Deboos from Ringwood Town Council said:

‘The New Forest is at the heart of Ringwood’s identity, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have it on our doorstep. But not everyone gets the chance to connect with nature regularly – especially younger people.

‘That’s why Ringwood Town Council is so delighted to support the event and bring a little piece of the Forest to the community, right here at Carvers.

‘This initiative not only supports our wider plans to make Carvers a greener, more welcoming space, but also a wonderful opportunity to connect community, creativity, and the outdoors in a way that reflects what Ringwood is all about.’

About New Forest Thrive:

New Forest Thrive will take place at Carvers Recreation Ground in Ringwood on Sunday 6 July between 10am and 3pm.
Attendees are encouraged to embrace sustainable travel options wherever possible.
Go to https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/thrive for more information and to find out who will be there on the day.

New Forest Thrive is supported as part of the YouCAN (Youth for Climate and Nature) scheme through a Climate Action Fund grant from The National Lottery Community Fund.

The YouCAN scheme is made possible thanks to National Lottery players and is aimed at 11- to 30-year-olds to encourage more community-led action to tackle the climate and nature emergencies.

Find out more about the YouCAN scheme here: www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/YouCAN