New Forest Attractions

   
ABOUT THE NEW FOREST

The New Forest is the largest un-enclosed area in Southern England.  There are 93,000 acres of wild open heathland and ancient forest.  The area is home to a wide variety of wildlife and domestic animals - donkeys, pigs and cattle are allowed to roam freely along with the famous wild ponies.

William I (William the Conqueror), the Saxon King of England, took the area into Crown ownership around 1079 and imposed Forest law.  He wanted the place to hunt for venison.  The area was granted National Park status in 2004. 

FOR THE VISITOR

Today the New Forest is an outstanding recreational area for walking, riding and enjoying the wide range of wildlife and plant species.

There is a rich variety of trees to be found in the Forest including beech, oak, crab apple, silver birch, blackthorn and hawthorn. Common plants include heather, fern, orchids, bog aspodel, sphagnum moss, violets, butcher's broom, mushrooms and many varieties of fungi.

ATTRACTIONS

Apart from the beautiful scenery and wildlife the New Forest has lots of attractions for the visitor;

The New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society's website has a vast collection of information on the New Forest Pony, including lots of pictures.  Excellent coverage of the annual roundups or "drifts" with detailed background and history.  Although much is for the equine fraternity there is some good stuff here for interested visitors.

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The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu houses a superb collection of over 250 vehicles of all ages and types.  There are also many hundreds of associated motoring exhibits and displays. Home of Lord Montagu, Palace House and gardens are also open to the public.

Exbury Gardens were created by Lionel de Rothschild in the 1920s, and are renowned for their world-famous displays of rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas. The vast range of exotic plants and trees in the 200 acre ground will inspire gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Longdown Activity Farm offers a great chance to meet lots of friendly farm animals and to try your hand at being a farmer for a day! 
Milking - watch the milking in the afternoon and get an insight into how a modern farm is managed; 
Farm work - adults can be a farmer for a day
Children can bottle feed the lambs and calves, hold a chick and brush the miniature ponies. 
Playareas, A spacious picnic area, Refreshment kiosk; 

The New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Conservation Park is set in 25 acres of ancient woodland in the New Forest. Part of Europe’s largest collection of multi-specied otters, owls and other indigenous wildlife. 
The otter and owl enclosures are on circular nature trails which meander through the ancient wooded grounds surrounding the indoor animal accommodation.