New Forest Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of the beautiful English region of Hampshire, the New Forest is a protected area that offers a unique and enchanting experience for travelers. With its unspoiled landscapes, ancient woodlands, and diverse wildlife, this natural wonderland is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Covering an expansive area of approximately 566 square kilometers, the New Forest is an idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The forest is home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna, including majestic oak trees, wild ponies, deer, and rare bird species. Visitors can explore the forest's many walking trails, cycle through its scenic routes, or even embark on a horseback riding adventure to fully immerse themselves in its natural beauty.

In addition to its stunning landscapes, the New Forest is also rich in history and culture. The area has a fascinating heritage dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, who designated it as a royal hunting ground in 1079. Today, remnants of this ancient history can still be discovered, such as the Rufus Stone, a memorial marking the spot where King William II was fatally shot with an arrow.

For those seeking a taste of traditional English village life, the New Forest has a number of charming towns and villages to explore. Lymington, a picturesque coastal town, is renowned for its sailing heritage and vibrant marina. Beaulieu, another delightful village, is home to the famous Beaulieu Palace House and National Motor Museum, where visitors can delve into the fascinating world of vintage cars and immerse themselves in the opulent history of the Montagu family.

Alternative names: Established: 1079 (945 years ago)Visitors per year: 14.75 mil.Elevation: 154 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 50°51'47"N, 1°36'26"W

Location

EnglandUnited Kingdom

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New Forest Top Attractions

New Forest Attractions - What to See and Explore

New Forest offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Paultons Park, Calshot Activities Centre, Sandy Balls, Exbury Gardens. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Theme park • Amusement park
Paultons Park
Nestled in the scenic beauty of the New Forest in Hampshire, Paultons Park is a vibrant and beloved theme park in the United Kingdom that promises a day of fun and adventure for families and thrill-seekers alike. Known for its friendly atmosphere and diverse range of...
Ski area • Watersports • Outdoor activities
Calshot Activities Centre
Calshot Activities Centre is located on Calshot Spit near Southampton. Indoor facilities include the oldest indoor velodrome in Britain, a dry ski slope and a climbing wall.
Forest
Sandy Balls
Sandy Balls is 120 acres of woods and parkland near the New Forest in Hampshire, England. Located between the village of Godshill and the town of Fordingbridge, it is bounded on the western edge by the River Avon. Now run as a holiday centre, Sandy Balls is owned by Away Resorts.

Botanical garden
Exbury Gardens
Exbury Gardens is an 200-acre informal woodland garden in Hampshire, England with large collections of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, and is often considered the finest garden of its type in the United Kingdom.
Playground • Outdoor activities • Park
New Forest Wildlife Park
The New Forest Wildlife Park is located on the edge of The New Forest close to the towns of Ashurst and Lyndhurst. The park specialises in native and past-native wildlife of Britain and otters and owls from around the globe, housing four species of the former and ten of the latter.
Memorial
Portuguese Fireplace
The Portuguese Fireplace is a war memorial in the New Forest National Park, near the village of Lyndhurst, Hampshire, England. It is located on the road between Bolderwood and Emery Down, approximately 2 km from the latter.
Park
Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes
Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes is a 738-hectare nature reserve which stretches from Keyhaven along the south coast across the Lymington River in Hampshire. It is managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. It is part of Solent and Southampton Water Ramsar site and Special Protection Area.
Archaeological site
Buckland Rings
Buckland Rings is the site of an Iron Age hill fort in the town of Lymington, Hampshire. Today, the mounds and dykes around the outside which once constituted its defences are still clearly visible, although the outer bank lies under the road on the west side, and on the south-east it is nearly ploughed-out.
Park
Copythorne Common
Copythorne Common is a 17-hectare nature reserve west of Southampton in Hampshire. It is managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. It is part of the New Forest, which is a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Tower • Vernacular architecture
Luttrell's Tower
Luttrell's Tower is a three-storey stuccoed yellow brick folly south of Southampton, Hampshire, England, near the village of Calshot. It has a six-storey circular stair turret extending above the rest. It stands on the shore of the Solent, close to the grounds of Eaglehurst House. It is owned by the Landmark Trust.
Park
Calshot Marshes
Calshot Marshes is a 51.1-hectare Local Nature Reserve near Calshot, at the junction of The Solent and Southampton Water in Hampshire. It is owned by Hampshire County Council and managed by Hampshire Countryside Service.
50°47'55"N • 1°23'59"W
Exbury House
Exbury House is an English country house in Exbury and Lepe, Hampshire, situated on the edge of the New Forest. It is a Grade II* listed building with associated Grade II* listed parkland and gardens.
Park
Roydon Woods
Roydon Woods is a 294.9-hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest near Brockenhurst in Hampshire. It is a nature reserve managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and is part of New Forest Special Area of Conservation.
Tree
Knightwood Oak
The Knightwood Oak is a pedunculate oak and the largest, and perhaps most famous, oak tree in the New Forest, in southern England. It is also known as the Queen of the Forest. It is over 500 years old and has a girth of 7.38 metres. The tree is still growing.
Park
Boldre Foreshore
Boldre Foreshore is a 193.3-hectare Local Nature Reserve east of Lymington in Hampshire. It is owned by New Forest District Council and managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
50°45'30"N • 1°43'35"W
Burton Common
Burton Common is a 32.1-hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest south of Bransgore in Hampshire. This dry heath has over-mature heather with a rich bryophyte and lichen flora.
Archaeological site
Frankenbury Camp
Frankenbury Camp is the site of an Iron Age univallate hillfort located in Hampshire. The site is on a very slight promontory overlooking the Avon Valley on the north-western edge of the New Forest. The fort encloses approximately 11 acres. It has very steep natural slopes on the west and south sides.
Archaeological site
Gorley Hill
Gorley Hill is the site of a former Iron Age promontory hillfort located in Hampshire in the United Kingdom. The fort once occupied the southwestern corner of Gorley Common on Gorley Hill, a gravel-capped spur that points southwest into the Avon valley next to the hamlet of North Gorley, between the towns of Fordingbridge and Ringwood.
50°47'60"N • 1°22'60"W
Exbury and Lepe
Exbury and Lepe is a civil parish in the New Forest in Hampshire, England. It is bounded to the west by the Beaulieu River, to the south by the shore of the Solent and to the east by the Dark Water. To the north it extends to the New Forest heathland. The parish includes the settlements of Exbury and Lepe.

Day trips

New Forest – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of New Forest, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Salisbury Cathedral (Salisbury), Spinnaker Tower (Portsmouth), Clarence Pier (Portsmouth).

16 milesNW
Medieval edifice housing the Magna Carta
Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury
Salisbury Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an architectural marvel and a place of worship that dominates the skyline of Salisbury, England. This Anglican cathedral, completed in the 13th century, is renowned for having...
22 milesE
Sail-like tower with panoramic views
Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
The Spinnaker Tower is a striking landmark in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, and an emblem of the city's maritime heritage. This sleek, sail-shaped structure soars to a height of 170 meters, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the historic Portsmouth Harbour, the...
23 milesE
Amusement, Amusement park, Piers and boardwalks
Clarence Pier, Portsmouth
Nestled along the southern coast of England, Clarence Pier stands as a vibrant hub of entertainment in the city of Portsmouth. This seaside amusement park, with its array of rides, arcades, and attractions, offers a delightful escape for families, tourists,...
35 milesNW
Scenic walking areas, Garden, History museum
Stourhead
Nestled in the verdant Wiltshire countryside, Stourhead is a stunning example of an 18th-century English landscape garden. This picturesque estate, with its classical architecture and tranquil lake, is often referred to as a living work of art.
17 milesSE
Queen Victoria's cherished residence
Osborne House, Cowes
Osborne House stands as a stately testament to Victorian opulence, nestled in the verdant surroundings of East Cowes on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom. This former royal residence, once the beloved retreat of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, is a must-visit...