Introduction to the Park

Royal Forest.  In 1079 the New Forest was designated as a royal forest by William the Conqueror.  This has shaped the Forest ever since and lead to its preservation to the extent of being desigated a National Park in 2005.  An interesting feature of the Park is Commoning.  This is a  system of common rights developed from medieval times and was formalised in the mid-16th century. Although many of these rights are no longer practiced, the rights of pasture (for ponies and cattle) and pannage (the foraging of pigs) are still very important and protected by the New Forest Court of Verderers. There are between four and five hundred active commoners living in and around the Forest today.

The Park is also made up of Crown lands.  In 1923, the Forestry Commission was made responsible for the management of the Crown Lands in the New Forest. These cover 27,000 hectares, 47% of the National Park.

The New Forest National Park is a unique landscape of ancient and ornamental woodland, pine plantations, heather-covered heath, wide lawns, mires, saltmarshes and picturesque villages.

It is one of the last places in the south-east of England to offer a sense of wildness and tranquillity.   It is the largest remaining area of lowland heath in Britain and Europe, giving the flavour of a landscape that was once much more extensive.

Today it is a wonderful place for walking, cycling and other quiet forms of recreation.   It is especially rich in wildlife with many rare habitats and nature conservation areas.

Getting There

BY TRAIN Train:   arriving at Ashurst, Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst,  or Sway, and New Milton or Lymington (which are just outside the National Park).
Bus:  links from Bournemouth, Christchurch, Southampton, Salisbury and Romsey

Getting Around the Park

The Park can be explored on foot and bike and you can find out more on the Park web site. 

Links

 New Forest National Park
 Park Authority Web Site