New Forest
From World travel guide
The New Forest is a major tourist area and (likely soon to be) a National Park in Hampshire in the south of England. The principal villages within the forest are Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Beaulieu and Burley, all of which are covered by this article.
Contents |
Understand
The name 'New Forest' is somewhat misleading, as it is neither new (it was established in 1079CE), nor a forest in the current sense of the word. It is rather it is a patchwork of areas of open heath and gorselands, intermixed with forested 'enclosures'.
It was originally established by William I as a royal deer hunting reserve. He introduced the Forest Law, a strict and savage legal code which forbade the local peasantry from doing anything that would interfere with his pursuit of deer, forbidding them from enclosing land for agriculture, for example, erecting fences or barriers, or even owning a bow. In slight recompense, they were given the right to graze their ponies, cattle and pigs in common (i.e. running free) across the forest.
The result of this regime, together with the Royal Navy's need for oak trees during the Napoleonic wars (which led to the development of the forested enclosures) has given us a unique, if very much man made, landscape. Semi-wild ponies, cattle and pigs still roam across the forest, sharing it with several species of wild deer and leading to a very special flora and fauna driven by their grazing. The ponies especially have become a symbol of the forest, and the New Forest Pony is a recognised breed.
Of late there has been a proposal to incorporate the New Forest as a National Park, although this is controversial with the local residents who currently still operate within a quite distinct legal framework (the forest has its own special courts and governances).
The New Forest has an area of about 148 square miles, and can become very busy on a spring or summer weekend. Road traffic can be a problem on the narrow unfenced roads, which all have a 40mph speed limit to safeguard the animals. Off the paved roads, however, there are miles of unpaved forest road ideal for walking and cycling.
Get in
By plane
Southampton has a relatively small airport which has the advantage of a direct train connection to Brockenhurst. The alternative is to use one of the London airports, and then use the train or car from there.
By train
Brockenhurst has a station on the mainline railway from London to Bournemouth via Southampton, which is served by at least one fast train from each of those cities every hour. It is also served by longer distance train services from Birmingham and the north of England.
There are smaller stations within the forest serving Lyndhurst and Beaulieu, but in both cases the service is infrequent and the stations isolated and not close to the places they serve.
There is also a branch line railway from Brockenhurst to Lymington, principally to provide connections with the ferry service from there to the Isle of Wight.
Train times can be found on the National Rail Planner or by calling 0845-748-4950 from anywhere in the UK.
By car
From the north and east, the New Forest is best approached by the M27 motorway (US English:freeway). For Beaulieu leave the M27 at junction 2 and follow the signs. For Lyndhurst and the north of the forest, leave at junction 1 and again follow signs. For Brockenhurst, use either of the above to, then follow signs for Brockenhurst from Beaulieu or Lyndhurst respectively
From the west, you can approach the forest from Bournemouth by the A337 via Lymington to Brockenhurst, or by the the A35 direct to Lyndhurst. From further west, use the A31 trunk road which bisects the forest (with very few intermediate junctions) and turns into the M27.
From the south, you can reach Lymington from the Isle of Wight by the Wightlink car and passenger ferry which runs every half-hour.
By Ferry
The Hythe Ferry operates a half-hourly passenger ferry and pier tram service across Southampton Water from Town Quay, Southampton to the small town of Hythe, on the eastern edge of the New Forest. During the 12-minute journey, if they are in port, the ferry passes the berth of the liners Queen Mary II and Queen Elizabeth II.
By bus
Get around
By foot
The New Forest has an excellent network of footpaths, rides and forest roads which can be used by walkers and hikers well away from any motor traffic. Indeed you are free to wander where you wish in much of the forest area.
Be aware that the distances involved are not insignificant, and the conditions underfoot can be very variable. Walking boots and decent walking clothing are advised.
By bike
With a good network of gravel rides and forest roads open to cyclists and walkers, but not to cars, cycling is a really good way to see the New Forest. Because of its popularity, there is a good selection of cycle hire outfits, which can supply adult and childrens bikes, trailers, etc. Here are some of them:
- Balmer Lawn Bike Hire, Balmer Lawn Road, Brockenhurst (north of Brockenhurst village center), tel 01590 623133. Open every day all year 9:30am-5.30pm.
- Burley Bike Hire, Burley, tel 01425 403584.
- Country Lane Cycle Centre, Brockenhurst Railway Station, tel 01590 622627. Open Easter-October every day 9.30am-5.30pm.
- New Forest Cycle Experience, Island Shop, Brookley Road, Brockenhurst, tel 01590 624204. Open every day 9.30am-5.30pm.
By bus
A good way for a first-time visitor to see the new forest by bus is the new New Forest Tour, an open top bus route which runs on a one-way loop through the forest serving Lyndhurst, Beaulieu, Lymington, Brockenhurst and many intermediate rural locations. Buses run every 90 minutes, and you can get off at any point and catch the next bus after you have looked around.
Additionally there is a network of conventional rural bus services running on the main routes in the forest. Traveline provides an online travel planner for these services, which can also be contacted by calling 087-608-2-608 from anywhere in the UK.
By car
The road network within the New Forest is fairly limited in its extent, although all the major villages are served. The roads are quite narrow and can get busy. As most roads are unfenced, drivers need to be constantly aware of the possibility of encountering animals on the road, especially at night. For this reason, the forest is subject to a blanket 40mph speed limit.
See
The main thing to see in the New Forest is the forest itself. Throughout the forest there are areas of heathland, forested enclosures, upland streams and the free roaming New Forest Ponies.
However there are some more specific attractions, as described in the following sections.
Northern Forest
The Northern Forest is that part of the forest north of the very busy A31 road which bisects the forest and forms something of a barrier for both visitors and the local flora and fauna. Compared to the Southern Forest, the Northern Forest is higher and has more open heathland and less woodland. With a smaller population and fewer roads, this part of the forest tends to be less busy.
Other than the forest itself, there are a few other attractions.
- The Rufus Stone, situated in an attractive glade just north of the A31 towards the eastern boundary of the forest. The stone marks the spot where King William II, often called William Rufus and son of William the Conqueror, was was killed by an arrow shot by Walter Tyrell, while hunting on August 2nd 1100. Whilst apparently an accident, the reaction of William's brother Henry in immediately riding to Winchester to claim the treasury and the crown does make one wonder. Open daylight hours. Free.
Southern Forest
The Southern Forest is that part of the forest south of the A31. This is lower lying, with a greater proportion of woodland although heathland still occupies a significant proportion of the area. The Southern Forest is more inhabited, containing all the major forest villages, and tends to see more visitors.
Other than the forest itself, there are a few other attractions.
- Exbury Gardens, tel 023-8089-1203 from within the UK or +44-23-8089-1203 from outside. Exbury Gardens is a spectacular 200-acre woodland garden, world famous for the Rothschild collection of rhododendrons, azaleas & camellias. Best seen in late spring (up until the beginning of June), when the rhododendrons and azaleas are at their best. Open daily Mar-Oct 10am-5:30pm. £4-£6 (adult); £3.50-£5.50 (senior); £1-£1.50 (child); higher price applies during rhododendron and azalea flowering season.
- Bucklers Hard, tel 01590-614645 from within the UK or +44-1590-614645 from outside. Bucklers Hard is a very pretty 18th century village with a single wide street running down to the Beaulieu River. During the Napoleonic Wars, with Britains urgent need for ships and the New Forest's abundant supply of Oak, Bucklers Hard became a major shipbuilding center. Many warships, including Nelson's Agamemnon, were built on the slips at the foot of the village street. In some of the village buildings is The Maritime Museum with displays on the villages history. Open Easter-Sep M-Su 10:30am-5pm and Oct-Easter M-Su 11am-4pm. Admission to the village street and riverside is free; museum admission is £5.25 (adult), £4.75 (senior) and £3.75 (child).
In Beaulieu Village
Beaulieu village has been owned by the Montagu family since the dissolution of Beaulieu Abbey, and they have followed a policy of developing the tourist potential of the village, resulting in a rather bizarre mixture of attractions. Perhaps more despite than because of this, the village itself is very attractive, clustering around the mill pond and the tidal headwaters of the Beaulieu River. Keep an eye open for the ponies and donkeys which can often be found congregating in the village's main street.
- Beaulieu Abbey, Beaulieu, tel 01590-612345 from within the UK or +44-1590-612345 from outside. Beaulieu Abbey was founded in 1204 by Cistercian monks on land given to them by King John. Although much was destroyed at the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries during the reign of Henry VIII, there is still much for visitors to see today. Open May-Sep M-Su 10am-6pm and Oct-Apr M-Su 10am-5pm. £15 (adult); £13.50 (senior); £7.50 (child); includes admission to Beaulieu Palace House and Gardens and the National Motor Museum.
- Beaulieu Palace House and Gardens, Beaulieu, tel 01590-612345 from within the UK or +44-1590-612345 from outside. Formerly the 14th century Great Gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House is set in glorious grounds and gardens with immaculate spreading lawns and walkways overlooking the Beaulieu River. Open May-Sep M-Su 10am-6pm and Oct-Apr M-Su 10am-5pm. £15 (adult); £13.50 (senior); £7.50 (child); includes admission to the National Motor Museum and Beaulieu Abbey.
- The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, tel 01590-612345 from within the UK or +44-1590-612345 from outside. A car museum with a collection comprising some 250 vehicles; from some of the earliest examples of motoring to legendary world record breakers. Open May-Sep M-Su 10am-6pm and Oct-Apr M-Su 10am-5pm. £15 (adult); £13.50 (senior); £7.50 (child); includes admission to Beaulieu Palace House and Gardens and Beaulieu Abbey.
Do
- The New Forest Tour open top bus tour, as described under 'Getting Around'.
- Visit the adjoining town and small port of Lymington, and maybe even catch the ferry across the Solent from there to the very pretty (and even smaller) port of Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.
Eat
Drink
Sleep
- The Balmer Lawn Hotel, Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst, tel: 01590 623116. Probably the best known and most prestigious hotel in the New Forest. £70-160.
Get out
External links
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