The name New Forest is actually very old – around 1000 years old to be precise – and isn’t even entirely forest, so what is there to see in the New Forest today?
The New Forest is located a little west of Southampton thus making it easy to get to, and is intersected by the A31, A35 and A337 roads. There are numerous pretty little villages in the forest, but the only place of size is the large village of Lyndhurst.
As mentioned earlier, the New Forest is not entirely forested area. There are still plenty of trees, but the area also contains moorlands, farmlands and even some coastal regions on the southern edge. This mixture is what makes the New Forest so special in terms of tranquillity and wildlife.
Some of the most famous residents of the forest and moorland areas are the New Forest ponies – a breed found almost exclusively within this area. The ponies aren’t feral, but are owned and looked after by “commoners”, ie: people who have obtained rights to graze the common land, often by ancient family charters. The ponies are however essentially free to graze large parts of the forest.
There are many attractions beyond the bike trails and walking paths such as the famous and some would say slightly controversial Cerne Abbas Giant depicting what it believed to be a (very) naked warrior or hunter carved into the chalk hillside. The figure is believed to be either Celtic or Roman in origin, although exact dates are hard to come by along with the reason for him being there. The Cerne Abbas Giant is close to Lyndhurst.
For lovers of motor cars, the Beaulieu Palace & Motor Museum is an absolute must-see attraction. The museum continues to expand and has become one of the most fascinating museums in the country. Exhibits include early motor cars right through to cars from films and sports cars through the ages.
For something a little more peaceful, why not try the New Forest Wildlife Park with over 25 acres of ancient woodland, set within the New Forest Heritage area. Animals in the park include 3 species Eurasian and River otters, European wolves, 12 species of owls, badgers, foxes and deer. An ideal attraction for the whole family.
If you want to know more about the New Forest, then the New Forest Centre is the ideal place to start. Located in Lyndhurst, the centre is designed to answer all kinds of questions about the forest from history to wildlife with several interactive terminals to make the whole process fun, especially for the kids.
These are only a few of the many attractions in the New Forest. For a few more see the UKattraction New Forest attractions.
A little background – The “New Forest” was originally designated as protected by Royal Charter by William the Conqueror in 1079, around the time his famous Doomsday Book was also being compiled. It was intended as a royal hunting ground and thus protected from being chopped down, cultivated or environmentally damaged, which in turn I suppose made William (rather accidently) the first eco-warrior.
More New Forest links:
Self-catering in Lyndhurst
Camping and caravanning in the New Forest
Hotels and B&Bs in the New Forest
