The National Park
The New Forest National Park was created in 2005 and took up its full powers in April 2006. It is the eighth national park in England (or ninth including the Broads Authority, which has status equivalent to a national park), the first in the south-east of England and the first to be created for nearly 50 years.

The National Park lies mainly in south-west Hampshire – from east of the Avon Valley to Southampton Water and from the Solent coast to the edge of the Wiltshire chalk downs. The New Forest has long been recognised as a special and important area that needs protection. National Park designation means the strongest possible level of protection for the future which is especially important in the south and south-east where development and recreation pressures are intense and on the increase.

Visit the New Forest National Park Website:

www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/