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New Forest National Park

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Best Scenic Drives In The New Forest

Best Scenic Drives In The New Forest

The NewForest is considered one of the most extensive remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heathland, and forest in Southern England, covering southwest Hampshire and southeast Wiltshire. It covers an area of more than seventy-one acres, with its park having an area of 566 square kilometers. Although it was named the New Forest, it is neither new nor a forest. In 1079 the region was declared a royal hunting reserve by William the Conqueror. The landscape is more heathland than adjacent woodland, and the word forest descends from Old French for ‘hunting ground.’The new forest park offers about one hundred and forty miles of tracks and footpaths, leading to a wider range of routes; below are scenic drives in the new forest considered the best.

SOUTHAMPTON

Southampton is considered a major maritime port and transport hub, and it is a dynamic city situated close to the New Forest. Southampton’s relationship with the titanic and the Mayflower is an addition to history and the ancient buildings present. As of now, it is the home port of some of the largest ships in the world and one of the most prominent retail destinations in the South of England. It is also home to premier league club Southampton F.C. aka”the saints.”There are a lot of excellent scenic drives in Southampton, such as Salisbury, New Forest, Beaulieu, Southdowns, Hayling Island, Isle of Wight, North Wessex Downs, The Solent Coastline, West Meon, TestValley, Dorchester, etc. According to research, Salisbury has the best scenic drive in Southampton as it features fascinating museums, creative galleries, charming cafes, and restaurants. The famous Stonehenge is just around the corner for visitors to make a stop and explore.

NEW FOREST WILDLIFE PARK

The New Forest wildlife park is a safe outdoor environment that offers you the opportunity to reconnect with the natural world and enjoy its fresh air while you are at it. Situated in the beautiful woodlands of New Forest National Park is a home of delight, as this park holds both conservation projects and educational programs. With about 260 animals from 40 different species, it offers excellent wildlife sightings; follow the woodland trails to see the European Bison, wild boar, wolves, wallaby, lynx, Scottish wildcats, foxes, owls, pine marten, polecats, and ferrets. The park also has an impressive playground suitable for all ages and abilities to learn, exercise, and play; the café offers lovely snacks and hot/ cold drinks. New Forest Wildlife Park is packed with enough fun for every individual, group, or family with all these and more.

 

NORTH SOLENT NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE

Covering 820 hectares, North Solent National Reserve is one of the largest nature reserves in Hampshire. It features valley mires, heathland, and ancient oak woodlands, which meet coastal habitats along the Beaulieu river estuary. This nature reserve is home to various bird species, visiting migrants, and a variety of raptors. Other than those mentioned above, there are redshank, skylark, dragonflies, and butterflies. This site has diverse habitats ranging from salt marshes, beaches, mudflats, marshes, grassland, and woods. North Solent National Nature Reserve is a great place to sight animals in their natural habitat, stretch your legs, and enjoy nature’s fresh air.

BROCKENHURST

Brockenhurst has been named England’s most beautiful village and Britain’s most beautiful place to live, and it can be said that no tour is complete without a visit to Brockenhurst. It is home to deer, ponies, cows, and donkeys; the countryside around the village is spectacular,withRhinefiled Road being the prettiest among them. Also, there is the water splash ford and Brockenhurstbeach. Brockenhurst is the biggest village in New Forest, Hampshire, England, using its population as a critical factor. Besides everything mentioned above, it features a farm shop that offers free wine tasting daily, acafé, tearooms, hotels, and luxurious restaurants.

BOURNEMOUTH

It is about ninety-four miles southwest of London; Bournemouth offers visitors the opportunity to gain more knowledge about plants and wildlife thanks to the available nature reserves, parks, and gardens. Sightseeing in Bournemouth is faster and mostly enjoyed on a bike; visitors can come with theirs, or they could rent, other than the bike, a boat would also offer the same pleasure. Bournemouth is home to all six species of native reptiles, the Dartford warbler, and a few vital florae such as bog asphodel sundew. The Bournemouth coastline consists primarily of sandy beaches backed by gravel and sandy clay cliffs. Bournemouth has a temperate oceanic climate with little or no variations in annual and daily temperatures; the warmest months are July and August. The most excellent months are January and February.BadburyRings, Wimborne to Cranborne, Swanage to Bournemouth via Poole, Weymouth to Bridport, and Bournemouth to Poole are scenic routes within the Bournemouth region.

RHINEFIELD ORNAMENTAL DRIVE

It isa4-kilometer loop trail located near Brockenhurst that offers visitors scenic views and is suitable for all skill levels. The southern end of the Rhinefiled ornamental drive is a sharp bend just at the entrance of Rhinefield House, which used to be a private country mansion but is now a hotel. This house was built in the second half of the 19th century. It features a massive garden with an idyllic setting and ornamental ponds; many non-native trees were planted along the road leading to the house, and these trees include giant redwoods and Douglas firs.