Welcome to The New Forest

If you love The New Forest then let me introduce you to my website all about Life In The New Forest. A place where you can discover why this beautiful location in Hampshire is regarded as one of the most favourite places to both live and visit. As a local to this magnificent area of outstanding natural beauty, I decided to create this site to help anyone who may be thinking of spending some time in the New Forest National Park and would like to know what goes on here.

You may be a first time visitor, or perhaps a “Forest veteran” who comes back time after time…either way I`m hoping you will find the information on this site helpful and will go some way to making your stay in the New Forest National Park an enjoyable and most memorable experience.

Where Is The New Forest

This National Park gem is located in the lovely county of Hampshire and is easily accessible via all the major routes. It is situated just off the South Central coast of England and covers an area of around 150 square miles. The vast majority of this land is occupied by what used to be called the “New Forest” before it was given it`s National Park status in 2005.

You may be glad to hear the forest is not “new” at all. In fact it was back in 12th Century AD that William The Conquerer decided to call it the New Forest so he could use it as a royal hunting ground for himself and his noblemen. This was much to the dislike of the local people who worked and owned animals on this land. They were known as “Commoners” and are still known by this name today. Predominantly the king hunted deer and wild boar over these vast swathes of woodland and open heathland, so it`s fair to say this special place can alternatively be regarded as pretty ancient indeed.

A Life In The New Forest

I decided to create this website so I can share my knowledge of the New Forest with you first hand, I think it`s much better to get the information you need from someone who lives and breathes this wonderful place on a day to day basis. Along with our fantastic two labradors Pip and Bella, I don`t think there is a better place to live and enjoy life to the full. I count myself lucky every morning that I wake up. If you are a dog lover you can follow the lives and adventures of Pip and Bella here at New Forest Labradors. They keep us entertained constantly and I rather think they will keep you entertained too!

Learn About The New Forest

There is a wealth of information you can find within this Life In The New Forest website and it covers a broad range of topics. It is easy to navigate around and you just have to click on any of the coloured links that are relevant to what you may be looking for. The pages and blog posts contained within this site encompass all aspects of the National Park, with it`s main focus on the forest itself. Some of the topics I feature are highlighted below…

The New Forest has something for everyone to enjoy and never fails to create special memories. Its a fantastic place to come and explore and you can bring all the family, or come on your own. It`s a place that will capture your heart, as it does mine every single day. The forest would be nothing without its magnificent ancient woodlands that make up vast swathes of the area. Centuries old Beeches and Oaks can be observed in high numbers within the forest,…you can`t help wonder what these broad leaf trees have witnessed down the years, whilst  maintaining a dignified silence of their intriguing secrets. There are plenty of waymarked paths you can walk or cycle that take you into the depths of the woods. A truly calming and wonderful opportunity to get up close to nature and lose yourself in all its beauty.

Just a few miles away is the fabulous coastline that beckons the visitor to this area. Stunning views await those who take the time to visit, with vistas across the Solent and over to the Isle of Wight, which so happens to be just a short ferry ride away. The coast is a haven for numerous birdlife and attracts varying species from around the world. They often spend the winter here on the fertile wetlands and nature reserves.

Each season here in the New Forest brings a stunning array of Flora and Fauna. The Bluebells in Spring never fail to impress and its a great time to visit. This is a good time to see the forest come to life, as not only do the new flowers and plants bring new life to the National Park, but so do the animals too with their new born calves, foals and piglets to name just a few.

Have you experienced a New Forest Camping holiday yet? There`s no better place…Camping in the Forest manage ten excellent campsites within the forest and I highly recommend you should try at least one of them. Each varies in size and caters for everyone`s needs, from large family groups, to single individuals who want to just get away from it all and be at one with nature. The campsites also accommodate caravans and motorhomes so you don`t only just need a tent. On this site we primarily focus on the Camping in the Forest run campsites but there are also plenty more to choose from. I cover these sites mainly because they are popular and well established.

I will be looking at a vast number of places now and in the future on where to stay in the New Forest.  There are a selection of fine country New Forest Hotels dotted about and will be recommending which ones to choose…Other options include Self Catering Cottages which can be in high demand throughout the Summer season. There is also plenty of Bed and Breakfast accommodation to choose for those seeking a short break or don`t want to commit to a more expensive type of holiday.

Those interested in learning about this part of the county can find out more about the New Forest History and how it came to be. There is so much to know about the New Forest and it is fascinating to discover what has been going on throughout its lifespan, even up to the present day. There will be ongoing regular blog posts highlighting the latest stories, attractions, features and events you can visit or attend whilst in and around the area.

There are a whole host of Activities and Attractions in the New Forest, just waiting for you to enjoy. Choose from the award winning Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway, to the world renowned National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. Leisure and wildlife parks feature in abundance and there is even the famous Peppa Pig World at Paulton’s Park, plus much more…

Take the time to visit the lovely Towns and Villages within the New Forest…Come and explore the popular places that lie within the National Park. Just a few destinations to consider include Brockenhurst, Burley and Lyndhurst. There are so many places to visit that you will be spoilt for choice…

Meet the New Forest Wildlife. You can`t come to the New Forest without encountering the amazing animals and birds that make this area their home. There are ponies galore, as well as cattle, deer, pigs and donkeys. These treasured lands are a rich, diverse ecosystem to a variety of  species of wildlife and you can be rest assured there is plenty more to see when you come to visit…

Want to know the best places for Food and Drink?…Yes there are countless places to eat and drink in the New Forest. Just browse the pages within the site to see what`s on offer. The food is often made with local produce and quite a few of the local beers are brewed nearby if you fancy trying the local ales…

Local Business Reviews...I will be frequently making reviews of local businesses in the New Forest and will share them with you. I will be giving you the low down on the best pubs in the area, sampling their food and drink , plus recommending which ones to choose. I  will also be including many of the local restaurants, cafes and tearooms too. Finding the best cream tea in the New Forest is also a quest I will also be embarking on, so stay tuned to where it might be. In addition, I will be reviewing some of the best bed and breakfast`s located round and about, the best hotels and the numerous New Forest holiday cottages which are available to rent. I hope this will provide so a more informed view on accommodation before you book…

Photos Of the New Forest – All the photographs on this website are personally taken by me to share with you! Check out my gallery here. It has involved a huge amount of time and effort to gather together my pictures so please respect my rights to the images. They are copyrighted and cannot be used or sold without my prior permission.

If you are thinking of having a New Forest holiday, a New forest day out, or simply browsing this website to acquire some tourist info or useful information, please feel free to make full use of it by sharing it with your friends and family. Go ahead and also bookmark it right now for future reference as new content will be continually added. Thank you and I hope you enjoy your New forest experience.

Steve