New Forest National Park, England, UK

Since the creation of the New Forest National Park in 2005 the New Forest has become a favourite place to visit attracting over 20 million visitors each year and culminating in winning awards as the top destination to holiday in England. The parkland covers an area of approximately 193,000 acres which makes this the smallest of all the national parks in the UK.

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The Forest Park Hotel, in Brockenhurst is a real treat for the self guided walking holiday enthusiast. After a good nights sleep and a traditional English breakfast of Bacon, egg and tasty sausage (included in the cost of the room), you just stroll out of the hotel, cross the road and your off into the heart of the forest.
Only a short distance into the forest you can choose from many diverse routes including a walk along the river which will take you past the home of Lord Montagu who's family is involved in the running of the nearby National Motor Museum.
Forest Park Hotel, Brockenhurst

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The New Forest is situated in the south of England in the county of Hampshire between the towns of Southampton, Bournemouth and the cathedral town of Salisbury to the North. Southampton has become noted for the international cruise liners where the ‘Cunard Queens’ are regular visitors and Bournemouth is one of the main holiday seaside resorts of the area with many hotels and an abundance of evening entertainment. Both of these towns are in easy reach from the New Forest.

The New Forest was originally established as a Royal Forest by William the Conqueror in 1079 mainly as a preserve for deer. There are few other areas with such diversity of landscapes such as ancient woodland, heath land, wetland and open foreshore. The heath land is over 30,000 acres making this the largest area of heath in Europe. The valley bogs cover an area of 7000 acres, an area greater than all the bogs in England combined.

The parkland has become famous in recent years for the 4000 ‘New Forest Ponies’ and 100 donkeys that are free to roam the full expanse of the forest. Also within the park area there are 5 species of deer, 12 of the 16 native species of bats in Britain and 500 pairs of Dartford Warblers making this the most important population of the birds in Britain.

The New Forest offers total freedom and has become a popular destination for walkers. The forest is ideal for walking with guided walks varying from ½ hour to 1½ hours with many routes way marked from selected forest car parking areas, which are all ‘free’. For people who are more adventurous and wish to go out backpacking OS leisure maps are available for the area. It is always advisable to carry a compass with you. During the year the forestry commission also offers guided walks, all of varying distances.

For the person who wishes to cycle there are over 100 miles of cycle routes throughout the New Forest with all routes way marked. Maps showing these routes are available from many local shops, campsites and the New Forest Visitor Centre in Lyndhurst, which is classed as the ‘capital’ of the park and the home of the Forestry Commission and the Forest Verderers Court which safeguards the interests of the commoners. The Lyndhurst Visitors center offers all tourist information for the area which is an ideal starting point for all walkers and holiday visitors.

During the summer months normally from Easter to the end of September areas of the parkland are available for camping and caravanning with some of the caravan sites open all year round. During the winter months to conserve the parkland a small percentage of the car parks are closed to stop the human imprint on some of the sensitive areas.

Many tourists visit the New Forest National Park for self guided walking holidays. There is an abundance of top quality hotels, guest houses and restuarants within the area, although it is advisable to book your accommodation in advance, especially during the peak holiday periods.

At the end of July each year the New forest and Hampshire Show is held at the New Park Showground which is located between Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst. This show has grown from a one day event to an annual three day event, always on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The show has everything to do with the New Forest way of life plus international show jumping. During the summer months the New Park Showground is also home to international Polo and Jousting.

There are many attractions within the area some of note are:
Beaulieu Palace House and Abbey, the home of Lord Montagu and the National Motor Museum.
Exbury Gardens, which totals 250 acres, famous for the Rhododendrons and the home of Lord Rothschild.
Buckler Hard where seventy vessels were launched between 1745 and 1818, including Lord Nelson’s warship Agammemnon.

Hotel Accommodation:

New Forest National Park