In terms of looking for a fantastic place to explore, very few places in England offer what the New Forest does. Timeless landscapes and ancient woodland, the area has remained unchanged for Millenia. Little could William The Conqueror imagine in 1079 that nearly 1,000 years later his ‘Nova Foresta’ would still retain its mystery and romance as it did back then. The New Forest is a magical place for everyone to enjoy, be it a short break or family holiday.
If its taking part in some of the great activities on offer, visiting the wonderful towns and villages or perhaps visiting one of the many attractions in the area, exploring the New Forest will guarantee to be a captivating experience.
The unique sense of history remains strong in the New Forest and it has been passed on through the generations of people who live there. The age old system successfully established by William The Conqueror to protect and manage the woodlands and heathlands is still very much in place today through the efforts of Verderers, Agisters and Commoners.
New Forest Wildlife
The wildlife and nature of the the New Forest is crucial to its survival and these ancient woodlands not only provide some unique flora and fauna but also the chance to see ponies, donkeys, pigs and cattle roaming free. For those who love getting back to nature, and want to explore the New Forest on foot or bike, there are opportunities to enjoy wandering the many footpaths that criss cross the National Park.
Photography lovers will marvel at the stunning landscapes and there are endless opportunities to capture the perfect shot, maybe an elusive deer. Or maybe its just a case of simply stepping away from busy modern day life and escaping here to relax. The nature and wildlife of the New Forest will ensure you are transported into another world, a place of peace and serenity.
Explore The New Forest Coastline
In addition to the 193,000 acres of woodland that make up the New Forest National Park, there are also around 40 miles of New Forest Coastline to be discovered and enjoyed.
There are the Keyhaven salt marshes which are unique to the area and many species of seabirds love to visit this particular part of the South coast, both in Summer and Winter. It`s a bird spotters paradise!
Take the time to experience far-reaching views out across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and the Needles from many of the New Forest towns and villages on the stunning coastline.
The lovely Hampshire coastline boasts tranquil settings and stunning backdrops and many of the shores incidently are inaccessible. However, this is not a bad thing as it is this inaccessibility that keeps the wildlife coming back time and time again. Some of the wildlife seen in the area includes wildfowl, egrets, herons, birds of prey and, of course, the famous New Forest Ponies. These can be seen rolling every now and then in sand-patches on the deserted beaches.
Close To Nature
For anybody who wants to get even closer to nature, there are a host of leisure companies who are willing to help you make the most of this diverse coastline. Lymington is well known for its association with sailing and there are plenty of sailing companies to chooses from to help you get on the water, Escape Yachting being one of them for example. Also New Forest Activities has a great reputation and they offer sea kayaking and canoeing tours of the beautiful Beaulieu River.
Whatever floats your boat so to speak, there are infinite ways to explore the New Forest and the only limit is your imagination. Explore and enjoy!