New Forest National Park

The New Forest preserves one of the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture, heath and mixed woodland in southern England and includes many protected sites of scientific interest. It was proclaimed a royal forest by William the Conqueror and appears in the Domesday Book.

The landscape today still reflects centuries of commoning rights: commoners exercise rights of pasture, pannage and gathering fuel, overseen historically by verderers and agisters. Parts of the Forest were planted for naval timber in the 18th century, and some plantations are now being restored to heath and broadleaved woodland.

Wildlife is a major draw: the area is a Special Area of Conservation, a Ramsar site and a Special Protection Area containing rare birds, mammals and a mosaic of habitats. Visitors will find a mix of open heaths, mature oak and beech woods, small villages, and scattered archaeological sites such as barrows and the Rufus Stone marking the reputed spot where King William II died.

Visiting can be very quiet in places or busy around popular car parks and villages; expect well-waymarked walking and cycling tracks, visitor centres and reserves managed by organisations including the National Park Authority, Forestry England and local trusts.

• Open heath and grassland: Expansive heaths and wet mires support specialist plants and attract heathland birds and insects.
• Ancient broadleaved woodland: Coppiced and veteran trees create a patchwork of oak, beech and mixed woodland with shaded rides for wildlife.
• Commoners' ponies and grazing animals: Semi-feral New Forest ponies, cattle and pigs roam the open areas and are an ever-present feature of the landscape.
• Rufus Stone and archaeology: The Rufus Stone marks the traditional spot linked to William II’s death and the Forest contains many Bronze and Iron Age barrows and scheduled monuments.
• Walking, cycling and wildlife hides: A network of trails and dedicated cycling routes takes you through varied habitats and to hides for birdwatching.

The forest sits between the larger towns of Southampton, Bournemouth and Salisbury with road access from these urban centres; Winchester is also within easy reach. The nearest airports are Southampton and Bournemouth, while rail services call at several stations on the forest edge and within it, notably Brockenhurst and Lymington.

Once you reach the edge of the New Forest the last mile is usually done by car, local bus, taxi or bicycle; many settlements and village car parks are starting points for walks and there are waymarked routes and visitor centres that will orient you - check local timetables and visitor information for public-transport details.

• Give ponies and other grazing stock a wide berth and never feed them; they are semi-wild and can bite or cause injury.
• Stick to marked paths and designated cycling routes to protect fragile heathland and nesting birds.
• Wear footwear for mud and changeable conditions and carry water and a map; the weather can change quickly.
• Keep dogs on short leads where livestock are present and follow local signage about seasonal restrictions such as pannage.