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New Forest National Park

New Forest National Park Information

New Forest National Park

Directory & Tourism Information

Welcome to the

New Forest National Park

 ..and to this unique part of the UK!

The National Park lies within the county of Hampshire, on the south-central coast of England, and is predominantly occupied by an area formerly just called the New Forest, approximately 150 square miles in size and once a royal hunting ground for King William I and his noblemen, in the 12th century AD.

horses

More about our park

The rare blend of open heathlands, beautiful gardens and ancient woodlands makes the New Forest – affectionately called the Forest by locals – a unique and very special place indeed, the underlying features of which have changed little over the centuries.

The National Park status (given March 2005) was awarded to the New Forest and immediate surrounding area in recognition of the many qualities that the Forest holds. Although received with mixed feelings, the new status will ensure the exciting and secure future that the area deserves.

Put down your phone, get some fresh air and explore the beautiful New Forest National Park. Entry is free and you can explore the park by foot on one of the many amazing walks or by bike on our well documents bike tracks. Cycling in the new forest is one of our favourite past times!

This website has been created by someone local to the New Forest, to help share the atmosphere of this very unique part of southern England.
From the pages within this site you’ll find plenty of interesting information covering all aspects of the New Forest National Park, in particular the Forest itself.

What you Can Learn Here
01.
  • New Forest history, from its creation as a royal hunting ground.
  • The rare mixture of habitats and wildlife.
  • Modern-day attractions and points of interest within the National Park.
  • What you can do in the Forest, and where.
02.
  • Where you can stay in the area.
  • Photos of the Forest, taken by myself to share with you.
  • Satellite views of the Forest, for your virtual exploration!

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This Is Why

You Should Visit The New Forest National Park

Main Attractions

Beaulieu

The tiny village of Beaulieu is situated in the south-eastern corner of the New Forest National Park

Bucklers Hard

The 18th century maritime village of Buckler's Hard sits on the western bank of the Beaulieu River

Bolderwood

Spotting deer in the New Forest isn't always easy, but at Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary there is a purpose built viewing platform

Hurst Castle

For spectacular views of The Solent and Isle of Wight, Hurst Castle and spit is the place to visit, at Keyhaven close to Lymington.

Wildlife Park

For a relaxing nature based half-day out, the New Forest Wildlife Park at Longdown, near Ashurst is a great attraction

Rhinefield Drive

Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, a narrow road lined with a mixture of large rhododendrons, azaleas and some very tall trees.

Bolton's Bench

A major New Forest landmark, Bolton’s Bench is situated on the outskirts of Lyndhurst right in the centre of the New Forest.

Commoners & Commoning

The present-day existence of New Forest Commoners and their commoning practices is an everyday reminder of the birth of the New Forest, when it was declared a Royal hunting ground by King William I in 1079AD.

Horse Riding

The large open spaces of the New Forest make for some of the very best horse riding to be found anywhere in Britain, with miles of open heath stretching out into wonderful views

New Forest Animals & Wildlife

New Forest Ponies

Without doubt, anyone who has ever read the words ‘New Forest’ will probably have read the word ‘pony’ in the same paragraph, if not the same sentence!

Pigs and Cattle

Commoner-owned New Forest wildlife doesn’t just stop at the ponies; pigs and cattle of various breeds can also be seen roaming freely.

Deer

The deer of the New Forest are the very reason why the area was designated as a royal hunting ground back in 1079 by King William I.

Reptiles

Because of its southerly location and relatively warmer climate, the New Forest is home to all of Britain’s species of snakes and lizards. A fine place to try and see all of the New Forest reptiles is the New Forest Reptile Centre, near Lyndhurst.

Foxes

Foxes are much more common throughout the Forest and indeed can be found in many urban areas throughout the National Park, where they scrounge on domestic rubbish.

Birds

The New Forest is particularly significant for heathland birds since it has some of the largest areas of health in all of Europe. Rare and endangered species, including the nightjar, woodlark, Dartford warbler, and curlew, come to breed there.

Some of Our

Recent Stories & Posts

Content & Stories by Geography Scout

Read more about the latest happenings, events and updates about the New Forest National Park. We keep you updated with information and beautiful images.

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