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The New Forest National Park

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A world capital for wildlife

Ancient woodlands, wild open heathlands and stretches of beautiful coastline.

The New Forest National Park’s landscape is unique and includes the largest area of lowland heath in southern England, a rare habitat that once covered this part of the country. The New Forest is not a natural landscape though, it has been shaped over hundreds of years by people, by history and by the animals that still graze it today.

Visiting

Care for the Forest , Activity

Help care for the unique landscape and diverse wildlife of the New Forest.

Discover wildlife , Activity

Wherever you go in the New Forest you are likely to see many different types of plants, trees, insects and birds.

Walk traffic-free trails , Activity

Miles of off-road walks and cycle tracks take you into woods, by sea, over heath or along rivers and streams.

Special qualities

Special qualities

Outstanding natural beauty: the sights, sounds and smells of ancient woodland with veteran trees, heathland, bog and an unspoilt coastline.


An extraordinary diversity of plants and animals of international importance.


A unique historic, cultural and archaeological heritage from royal hunting ground to ship-building, salt-making and 500 years of military coastal defence.


An historic commoning system, forming the heart of a working landscape based on farming and forestry.


The iconic New Forest pony together with donkeys, pigs and cattle roaming free.


Tranquillity in the midst of the busy, built-up south of England.


Wonderful opportunities for quiet recreation, learning and discovery in one of the last extensive, gentle landscapes in the south including unmatched open access on foot and horseback.


A healthy environment: fresh air, clean water, local produce and a sense of ‘wildness’.


Strong and distinctive local communities with real pride in and sense of identity with their local area.


Did you know...

William the Conqueror created the New Forest in 1079 as a royal hunting ground for the pursuit of wild deer and pigs.

Architects of the Forest

One of the first things you notice in the New Forest are the free-roaming animals.

It’s rare to travel more than a few miles without coming across these famous Forest residents grazing on gorse, wandering through villages or even crossing roads.

The ponies, cattle, donkeys and pigs are known as ‘the architects of the Forest’ because it is their grazing that creates the accessible landscape we all enjoy.

They are owned by local people called commoners, who take great pride in their animals and there is a strong commoning culture within the Forest.

The animals have an ever-changing pattern of grazing which could not be replicated by a single herd and commoning makes a positive contribution to the remarkable biodiversity of the New Forest.

Getting around

The New Forest is a welcoming landscape with lots of villages, good visitor facilities and excellent rail and road links. It is well-served by a public bus network and there are three open top New Forest Tour routes running throughout the summer.

Arrive by train

Let the train take the strain and enjoy unforgettable views as you travel to the National Park. Brockenhurst station is in the heart of the New Forest and there are six further rail stations in and around the National Park.

Cycling

Cycling the New Forest’s network of permitted routes is an ideal way to discover the beauty of the National Park. It’s easy to hop off a train and head straight out for a cycle ride, so leave the car at home and experience the landscape up close.

A week on from National Parks UK’s Big Volunteer Weekend, we’re still celebrating the people who make a difference across our National Parks.

Last weekend, hundreds of people came together across all 15 National Parks to give their time, share their skills and support our landscapes.

But volunteering in our National Parks doesn’t happen just one weekend a year. All year round, volunteers play an incredible variety of roles – from leading guided walks and supporting education, to conservation, planting and caring for our landscapes.

Every volunteer makes a valuable contribution to protecting our natural and cultural heritage. We simply couldn’t do what we do without you. 💚

So, to all our volunteers: thank you for your time, energy, enthusiasm and everything you bring to our National Parks.
If you know someone who volunteers in a National Park, help us spread the thanks by sharing this post. 🌿

#Volunteers #NationalParks #NationalParksUK
It’s the Autumn Equinox 🍂

Our National Parks are always changing in time with the rhythm of nature, but this becomes particularly noticeable when autumn arrives.

Deer begin to rut, spiders’ cobwebs glisten in the fresh light, fungi become more prominent, and leaves begin to change colour.

What changes have you noticed so far? 🧡

#Autumn #AutumnEquinox #NationalParks
Autumn brings some unusual visitors to the @newforestnpa 🐷🍂

As the leaves turn and acorns begin to carpet the Forest floor, you might spot a few more snouts among the trees.

Each autumn, New Forest Commoners exercise an ancient right known as pannage – turning their pigs out to forage for fallen acorns, beech mast and other natural foods that might be harmful to other grazing animals.

It’s a tradition that has been part of life in the New Forest for many years. Just like many of our Parks, it shows how these landscapes are shaped by history and the unique ways of working that protect the environment. 

📸This beautiful photograph was captured by @hang_ross76. 

#NewForestPigs #Autumn #NewForest
🍂 Autumn is creeping in, and the nights are slowly drawing in around us. But darkness isn’t just something we notice. For countless bugs, it’s essential.

Two-thirds of invertebrates are partially or wholly nocturnal, relying on the natural rhythm of night and day to feed, move, reproduce and survive. Yet increasing light pollution is disrupting this vital nighttime world. 🐜

September is an active time for bugs - spiders seek shelter, wasp colonies reach their peak size, and many are migrating or laying overwintering eggs. 

Our National Parks are home to some of the UK’s darkest skies and important habitats where we can protect the darkness that bugs depend on. 

Together, we can help even the smallest of species to thrive.

Clips via @buglife_ict 
1 & 2: Moth © Patrick Chadwick
3: Running Crab Spider © Patrick Chadwick
4: Millipede © Patrick Chadwick
5: Common glow-worm (Lampyris noctiluca) © Kristian Pikner
6 & 7: Ringlet butterfly roosting © Patrick Chadwick
8: Wasp © Patrick Chadwick

#BugLife #DarkSkies #NationalParks