The forest has changed little since William the Conqueror gave it his special protection over 900 years ago. The unique landscape has been moulded by centuries of grazing by commoner’s animals. You can still see their ponies eating by the roadside, pigs foraging for beechnuts, and donkeys ambling along the streets.
Most of the forest is made up of endless open heathland. In spring and autumn it is spectacular – a purple carpet of heather speckled with vibrant yellow splashes of gorse. It is in these seasons that visitors will find uncluttered roads, a good choice of accommodation – indeed the New Forest boasts four of the top 200 hotels in the country – locally produced good food, and a forest all their own.
In the scattered pockets of woodland, you will find magnificent ancient trees, crystal clear streams and sunny glades filled with flowers and butterflies. Where the forest meets the sea you can relax on the beaches and enjoy a non-stop parade of sails and small craft, surfers, elegant liners and gigantic tankers.
Whether you are walking, cycling or horse-riding, you can discover your own quiet haven where the only sounds are those of nature – the haunting cries of the curlew and lapwing, the chattering of the Dartford warbler, or the mellow tune of the woodlark.
As evening falls, stay a while to hear the humming song of the nightjar, glimpse deer as they venture out of the thickets and watch bats flitting across the darkening sky.
Must see and do
- National Motor Museum Beaulieu, Beaulieu
- Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway, Exbury
- Breamore House, Fordingbridge
- Longdown Activity Farm, Ashurst
- Paultons Park, Romsey
- Buckler’s Hard, Brockenhurst
- Rockbourne Roman Villa, Rockbourne
- New Forest Museum, Lyndhurst
- Totton and Eling Heritage Centre, Totton
- Eling Tide Mill, Totton