Celebrate October half term with spooky family fun as Howl-O-Ween comes to New Forest Wildlife Park from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2026! This seasonal event brings additional keeper talks and feeding displays featuring Asian short-clawed otters, wolves, wolverines, barn owls, and lynx. Young explorers can take part in the Halloween Trick or True Trail (£3 per sheet) to uncover animal facts and earn a prize, or book exclusive behind-the-scenes European Carnivores Keeper Experiences. Standard day admission tickets range from £13.95 for children up to £56.50 for a family ticket, with under 3s entering for free.
Howl-O-Ween Schedule & Timings
Event dates and daily keeper talk schedule at New Forest Wildlife Park:
- Event Dates: Saturday 24th October – Sunday 1st November 2026 (Daily throughout October half term).
- Extra Daily Keeper Talk Schedule:
- 11:00 AM: Asian short-clawed otters
- 11:30 AM: Wolves
- 12:00 PM: Wolverine
- 2:00 PM: Barn owl (Subject to weather conditions)
- 2:30 PM: Wolverine
- 3:00 PM: Lynx
- 3:30 PM: Wolves
- Note: Talk times can be subject to change on the day depending on animal welfare or staffing.
What to Expect at Howl-O-Ween
Key attractions and half-term highlights:
- Halloween Trick or True Trail: Follow clues around the park to solve animal facts, distinguish tricks from truths, and earn a small prize at the end (£3.00 per quiz sheet).
- European Carnivores Keeper Experiences: Exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences with wolves, wolverines, or lynx. Create custom animal enrichment and watch them hunt and investigate. Options include 20-minute single-animal sessions or a 1-hour Ultimate experience covering all three (Pre-booking required; additional charges apply).
- Spooky Park Decorations: Seasonal ghoulish additions set throughout the nature trails and woodland pathways.
- Native & Exotic Wildlife: Discover European carnivores, otters, owls, deer, and wallabies in a ancient New Forest woodland setting.
Howl-O-Ween Admission & Ticket Pricing
Day ticket options and pricing details:
- Adult (16–60 years): £17.95
- Child (3–15 years): £13.95 (Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)
- Child (Under 3): Free (£0.00)
- Family Ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children OR 1 Adult & 3 Children): £56.50
- Senior (60+) / Student Concession / Military Concession: £16.50 (Valid ID required at admissions desk)
- Disabled Adult: £16.50 (Includes 1 free designated carer ticket)
- Disabled Child: £12.95 (Includes 1 free designated carer ticket)
- Carer Ticket: Free (£0.00)
- Halloween Trail Sheet: £3.00 per sheet (Includes prize)
- Ticket Validity: Day admission tickets are valid for 1 visit within 30 days of purchase.
New Forest Wildlife Park Address
Location details and transport guide:
New Forest Wildlife Park Location
New Forest Wildlife Park, Deerleap Lane, Longdown, Nr Ashurst, Southampton, Hampshire SO40 4UH.
How to Get to New Forest Wildlife Park
- By Car: Located off the A35 near Ashurst in the New Forest National Park, easily accessible from Southampton via the A35 and Deerleap Lane.
- By Rail: The nearest train station is Ashurst New Forest railway station, approximately a 5-minute taxi ride away.
- By Bus: Local bus services run along the A35 near Ashurst, followed by a short taxi journey to Deerleap Lane.
Park Facilities & Accessibility
Visitor amenities and accessibility options:
- Facilities: Forest Kitchen Cafe, gift shop, tropical butterfly house, wallaby walk-through, outdoor adventure playgrounds, and customer restrooms.
- Accessibility: Gravel and woodland pathways run throughout the park. Accessible toilets and designated disabled parking bays are available near the entrance.
New Forest Wildlife Park Parking
Parking information for park visitors:
- On-Site Parking: Ample free on-site car parking is available directly at the park entrance for all ticket holders.
Discover More Local Events
Looking for more exciting things happening across the region? Check out our complete list of What’s On in Southampton to discover family-friendly Halloween events, half-term activities, wildlife attractions, and local days out near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Howl-O-Ween taking place at New Forest Wildlife Park?
- The event runs daily throughout October half term, from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2026.
- Where is New Forest Wildlife Park located?
- The park is located on Deerleap Lane, Longdown, Near Ashurst, Southampton, Hampshire (SO40 4UH).
- How much are standard admission tickets?
- Day admission is £17.95 for adults (16–60), £13.95 for children (3–15), £16.50 for seniors/students/military, and £56.50 for a family ticket. Children under 3 enter free.
- How does the Halloween Trick or True Trail work?
- Young explorers follow clues across the park to decide if animal statements are true or false. Trail sheets cost £3.00 each and include a small prize upon completion.
- What are the European Carnivores Keeper Experiences?
- These are behind-the-scenes experiences where participants learn about wolves, wolverines, or lynx, create custom animal enrichment, and watch the animals hunt for it. Pre-booking is required and extra charges apply.
- What time are the daily keeper talks held?
- Talks run throughout the day: Asian short-clawed otters (11:00 AM), Wolves (11:30 AM & 3:30 PM), Wolverine (12:00 PM & 2:30 PM), Barn owl (2:00 PM), and Lynx (3:00 PM).
- Is parking free at New Forest Wildlife Park?
- Yes, free on-site car parking is available directly at the park entrance for all visitors.
- Where is the nearest train station?
- Ashurst New Forest railway station is the nearest station, located about a 5-minute taxi ride from the park.