The New Forest

For details of places to stay and things to do in The New Forest, please try the links on the left.

THE New Forest's landscape has changed little since the days of William the Conqueror, who set aside the New Forest as a royal hunting ground. Its character has been retained by careful management and by an ancient system of animal farming. Anyone owning or renting a property with rights of pasture within the forest's 150 square miles is entitled to graze stock. Today, cattle, pigs, ponies and donkeys belonging to more than 400 commoners are currently free to roam the forest.

The oak and beech trees that can be found in the ancient and ornamental woodlands are truly magnificent. A short walk from the Knightswood Oak car park, about two miles from Lyndhurst, you can find the largest oak tree in the forest. With a 7.4m girth it is possibly one of the oldest and a good example of the art of pollarding, a way of harvesting wood whilst encouraging new growth.

The forest is dotted with pretty villages, thriving seaside towns and a number of family attractions.
Beaulieu, home to the famous Palace House and Motor Museum, is built around a tidal river, which attracts lots of wildlife. Donkeys and ponies stroll around the narrow streets of the village, adding to the charming pace of life.

Nearby Buckler's Hard is a pretty waterside village that attracts many visitors to its idyllic setting. It was here that some of the ships for Nelson's navy were built.

Lymington, whilst still a working fishing port, is also one of the south's most fashionable yachting centres. Pretty cottages and houses line the narrow streets and the Parish Church of St Thomas the Apostle, with its churchyard avenue of lime trees, stands proudly in the High Street.

Lyndhurst is the 'capital' of the forest and headquarters of the Forestry Commission, the government department responsible for forestry policy throughout Great Britain. In the village churchyard lies the grave of the original Alice in Wonderland (Alice Liddell, later Hargreaves).
The New Forest Museum & Visitor Centre has exhibitions and displays that reveal the history of the forest and its people.

Sitting alongside Southampton Water is the town of Hythe. A stroll around the old part of town will reveal attractive Victorian and Georgian buildings, whilst an ever-changing view of the comings and goings of the great ocean liners can be enjoyed from the waterfront.

Brockenhurst has a pretty village green, which attracts grazing ponies and cattle. Many of the forest's main walks and cycle trails start here and with some of the prettiest scenery in the district it's a popular destination for visitors.

The market town of Ringwood stands on the western edge of the forest and has a good selection of modern shops and historic inns.

Fordingbridge sits on the banks of the river Avon and has a medieval stone bridge with seven arches. Home to the fascinating Branksome China factory Fordingbridge has a number of shops, cafes and pubs.

Whatever time of year you choose to visit the New Forest it's truly magnificent: cool in summer; stunning in its autumn colours; still and quiet in winter; and refreshing in spring when the trees burst into new life.