New Forest National Park — Attraction in New Forest

UPDATE

AS OF NEXT YEAR (2026) IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED CHARGES WILL APPLY TO NEW FOREST CAR PARKS.

''Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints''

I'm writing this more from the viewpoint of a local rather that a of a tourist.

FIRST UP The New Forest District Council seemed to think the New Forest National Park doesn't need any Information Centres....so there aren't any. According to the NFDC everyone has access to the internet via eletronic devices and can look up their own information...how very short-sighted and arrogant. Thankfully there are Information Points, the main one being at St Barbe's Museum in Lymington run by helpful volunteers and one in Lyndhurst (in the main carpark).

QUICK BIT OF HISTORY The iconic 1000+ year old New Forest, becoming a National Park in 1993, is home to native New Forest ponies, donkies, cattle, wildlife, rare birds etc. The NF ponies are wild but are owned by commoners.

MY OWN THOUGHTS In comparison to the Lake District and other National Parks, the NF is not beautiful in the sense of lush greeness or spectacular views. It is flat but but at certain parts of the year or time of the day it can be quite atmospheric with the colour of heather spiking out from the dull undertones of the background or the mist enveloping the ground.

Something for everyone with expanses of heathland, enclosures, rivers and streams to swim in, open spaces and coastline to enjoy. Marked walking and cycle routes will hopeful encourage you keep to the designated paths and prevent lasting damage to the forest.

Keep reading......(espicially if you've never visited and planning on doing so) 😊

The reality of this place is quite different to what a search engine enquiry will bring up or that of stunning photographs.

OVERTOURISM Parts of the New Forest has seen a lot of damage done by the influx of cars/caravans, espicially the verges. People parking infront of forest gates because there is nowhere else to park. These have to be kept clear for emergencies and emergency services...please stick to the carparks (they are free).

Hatchet Pond carpark, near to Beaulieu, was recently been moved back from the pond due to damage done by too many visitors. Ponies, that reside in the forest, have learnt humans equals food and has resulted in ponies kicking out when they can't get the food There are dedicated picnic sites where animals can't get to. Please use them. Purposefully feeding the ponies will land you with a £1000 fine. (Sadly some of these ponies will have be taken off by their owners if they resort to kicking or biting people through people's own fault).

ENTITLEMENT People/families seem to think the NF is an extension of their living room. Bringing picnics, tables and chairs, inflatable toys etc to rivers and open spaces. Quite a few leave their rubish behind causing a choking hazard to animals and wildlife...please take it with you. BBQs are strictly forbidden.

The New Forest is not a theme park or petting zoo. Parents putting their children on ponies or donkies for photographs and encouraging them to stroke them has resulted in ponies kicking out and in some cases causing injuries....Would you pet a lion on a saferi trip?.....didn't think so. It will also land you with a £1000 fine.

STRICTLY NO BBQS This applies to beaches, heathland, moorland etc both here and in Dorset. (Local campaigning has seen a majority of shops banning the sale of disposable bbqs).

FOREST ROADS There is a 40 mph blanket speed across the forest, 30 mph in the villages. This sadly doesn't prevent the deaths of ponies/donkies/cattle and sheep (sheep tend to be out in the north of the forest). Drive with caution, espicially when it's dusk or dark and slow down when there are animals in the road or near the road.

It is a legal requiment to telephone the police to let them know if you've hit or killed a pony, donkey or cow

Come and enjoy the New Forest and everything it has to offer. Use your commonsense and be respectful and abide by the Countryside Code.

BTW...dogs must be kept on leads...

Beautiful park - on a human scale (you can cycle around it all in a long day, or a few days’ walk) and the old forest trees provide a rejuvenation in summer (forest bathing, I guess?) and in autumn bright Fall colours to indulge the eyes. The ‘wild’ horses are an added bonus. Fairly small, like Exmoor Ponies, they roam freely - even wandering through towns and into shops if they spot a way in - it’s remarkable to see. Stroke them if you dare - they may not take to it - but avoid feeding them. Let them be natural. They move as a herd, sometimes in pairs, rarely alone. Once a year or so they are rounded up for vet care, so they aren’t truly wild - so be aware they don’t need ‘rescuing’ - they are looked after by local communities. Also be aware they often feed by the roadside or sometimes even hang about on the roads, so you need to drive carefully at all times, even if you can’t see them around - herds cross the roads, possibly even at a gallop, and you’ll not only kill them, you’ll total your car in the process. Or bike - just keep your eyes peeled. There aren’t many places you get such interaction with horses, mainly because the roads and lanes and bridleways lead right into the forest. Exmoor and Dartmoor have ‘wild’ horses too, but they are fewer and further between. A good place to start out is Brockenhurst, right in the heart of the Forest, and maybe use it as a hub to explore other parts, like spokes on a wheel. If you’re staying in accommodation, ask the owners for advice about where to go - some tracks and places are more worth going than others, which will vary with time. Meanwhile, I’d recommend the Forest as great for a weekend or several days out. Anything longer and you’ll find it a little repetitive. But do explore the small lanes that criss cross the Forest, as an alternative from following the main roads where there is much less to see. Again, Autumn really brings out a lot of...

The New Forest is just a bit magical. With it's open heathland, coniferous and deciduous forests, you walk from wonderland to wonderland as you make your way across and there's something for everyone.

The semi-tame ponies that free roam the area adds to the charm, together with deer, donkeys and cattle. In the fall you might also come across pigs as they are released in the area to eat the nuts! We've also found them just laying next to the roads and some will quite happily accept a belly rub!

The paths that you can follow seem to be well kept, but it's more of a hike than a Sunday stroll.

Bringing your dog is fine, but as a dog owner myself, please make sure its secure on a leash or that you have 100% control and can recall your dog off anything, if you let it off leash. We stayed in a cottage for 4 days so spent a lot of time in and around the park and saw 3 dogs chasing the ponies during this time. Animals also hide behind bushes, laying down, and will surprise you and your dog. Dont assume that just because you cant see them, they aren't there! also make sure you have tick prevention in place!

If I could live in New Forest, I would. The serenity, beauty and diversity makes it an...