IF you’re searching for some family-friendly things to do in the run up to December 25, look no further than the New Forest...

Sort your Christmas shop in one drop and enjoy a mince pie at Lymington’s famous Saturday market on December 15 and 22.

Tinies will love Peppa Pig World’s Christmas fun at Paulton’s Park, with Santa’s grotto. They’ll also love the Christmas hubbub at Longdown Activity Farm, which runs until December 23, with the chance to see the animals in the farmhouse grotto.

Train-loving tinies will have the chance to send their letter to Father Christmas via the Postal Express at Exbury Gardens on December 15 and 16 from 10am-5.30pm.

And, don’t miss out on Beaulieu’s magical and illuminated Christmas trail which takes place on selected dates until Christmas Eve. Listen out for the singing trees, marvel at the tunnel of light which features around 100,000 twinkling bulbs, and soak up the atmosphere of the scented fire garden as you wind your way round the grounds.

Still at Beaulieu, New Forest Activities’ family archery days and winter paddling take place on selected dates throughout the winter and are great for a treat or day out to burn off energy.

Relax and take in a festive movie as it really should be seen – on the big screen. On December 15, Forest Arts Centre at New Milton is showing the Will Ferrell classic, Elf, from 10.30am-12.10am at its Saturday mornings kids’ club.

Or hold out for the ultimate Christmas tear-jerker and catch one of the three screenings of The Snowman, accompanied by live classical music, on December 22 from 2pm onwards at the same venue. Or what about a good old-fashioned walk? There are 140 miles of trails and footpaths punctuated by pubs with roaring fires, most of which welcome furry friends, and all have plenty of festive fare to sample.

Base your walk around a pub, such as The Drift Inn near Lyndhurst, or The Rising Sun in Bashley. How about trying out the ‘Lyndhurst’ trail and enjoy a festive tipple by the open fire at some of the beautiful country pubs along the way, including The Waterloo Arms and The New Forest Inn.

Or why not attempt the Burley Food Trail, five miles of fun, which takes you to New Forest Cider, gives the chance to traditional sweets and handmade fudge. Younger walkers will find plenty of things to spot along the way including a cob cottage made of earth, a witch on a broomstick and a large stone cross.

Plenty of places are still offering seasonal lunches and you can book a festive Afternoon Tea at some cafes and restaurants, -The Bell Inn even has a special NativiTEA you can book until December 23. For more information, see website the newforest.co.uk