The New Forest
The forest area was set aside by William The Conqueror over nine centuries ago when he named it his ‘New’ hunting forest.

The New Forest ancient woodlands and wilderness heaths remain largely intact, earning the area national and international status; entering parts of the Forest today is like taking a step back in time – the atmosphere and landscape are unique and traditions exist here which have not changed since medieval times.

In the Forest there is a living and working community where ponies and cattle have the right of way as they freely graze the land. Each of the famous ponies is owned by a commoner and must be marked with an individual brand before left to wander. A ‘commoner’ has rights of ‘common’ attached to a property or plot of land he or she owns. The New Forest is dotted with attractive and spacious villages, Lyndhurst being the acknowledged centre.

A particular good way to see the New Forest is to drive through Brockenhurst to the ornamental drive leading to Rhinefield area. There are plenty of places to park and take a leisurely stroll on well-marked paths.