New Forest National Park

New Forest National Park (2005). A Royal Hunting Forest Since About 1079, It Has Never Been Enclosed And Commoners Still Graze Ponies, Cattle And Pigs Freely Under Ancient Rights. The Largest Area Of Unenclosed Pasture, Heath And Woodland In Lowland England. · Lyndhurst, England

The New Forest is a national park in Hampshire between Southampton and Bournemouth, designated in 2005. It was a royal hunting forest from about 1079 and has never been enclosed, so ponies, cattle, donkeys and pigs still graze freely under ancient commoners' rights and wander across roads and village greens. The ground is a patchwork of old oak and beech woodland, open heath and wet bog, more varied than most people expect of lowland England. It suits families, cyclists and easy walkers who want flat, unhurried country, and it is a good half day or full day from London by train to Brockenhurst. It is honestly busy on summer weekends and bank holidays, when the main car parks fill and roads clog around Lyndhurst. There are no summits and no big sights, so it is gentle rather than dramatic. The animals are the draw, but they are wild enough to kick and bite, and drivers kill many each year, so slow down.

Ancient woodland, heath and bog in Hampshire between Southampton and Bournemouth, with Lyndhurst as its main village, Brockenhurst station on the main line from London and free-roaming ponies, cattle and pigs, Lyndhurst, England, United Kingdom

The forest is open all day and all year, with no gates across the open land, so you can walk or cycle from dawn to dusk and beyond. Forest car parks are usually unstaffed pay and display sites, and many charge all year; charges and any time limits change, so confirm on the signs. Brockenhurst station, village cafes, bike hire shops and the Lyndhurst visitor centre keep normal shop hours, longer in summer and shorter from November to March. Some campsites open only in the warmer months. Paths are unlit, and the forest is dark at night, with ponies and deer on unlit roads.

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