Location

The New Forest is one of the UK's most popular tourist destinations and offers many attractions all year round, including picturesque forest villages as well as beautiful scenery. It is located in Southern England, spreading over 150 square miles and spilling into parts of Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire. The New Forest was established as a royal hunting ground by King William I, and by the 14th century the land was being used to produce timber for the ship building on the south coast. Today, after 900 years, the forest is still owned by the Crown and is administered by the Forestry Commission. Since the reign of King William I commoners have been given the right to graze their livestock, normally ponies, cattle and pigs, on Forest land where they wander freely. In the New Forest the well-being of the animals and the special needs of the countryside come first. The Forest is unarguably recognised as one of the most unique and important wilderness areas in Western Europe and due to these charms it is now a National Park.

 Weather

The weather in the UK is famous for its fluctuating temperatures but in general spring and summer months are warm with temperatures of around 20 C. The southwest has the mildest climate and therefore attracts many visitors in the summer months.

 Things to do

The New Forest is the ideal setting to enjoy many outdoor activities. The Forestry Commission has many sign-posted walks of various lengths from various car parks. There are several cycle shops where bikes can be hired and specific cycle routes are also signposted in the forest, although it is recommended that visitors follow the main roads. In addition there are many horse riding stables offering the opportunity to ride through the forest. Sailing is also a popular activity along the nearby coastline.

 Places to Visit

Brockenhurst
Brockenhurst is located in the centre of the New Forest, between Lyndhurst and Lymington, and is reached via the A337. The village is popular with tourists thanks to its delightful atmosphere independent shops and the added attraction of ponies and cattle roaming freely around the village. The village is also very popular with cycle enthusiasts who can enjoy the forest cycle tracks, and there are a numbers of places where visitors can hire bicycles to explore the Forest. Just outside Brockenhurst it is worthwhile driving through the beautiful Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, noted for its spectacular Rhododendrons which are in bloom throughout the spring.

Lyndhurst
Lyndhurst is often referred to as the ‘Capital of the New Forest’. The village has various shops, restaurants and cafes for visitors to enjoy and Lyndhurst’s Church, St Michaels and All Angels is worth visiting as the grave of Alice Liddell, Lewis Carroll's inspiration for Alice in wonderland is to be found in the churchyard.

Hythe
Hythe is a waterfront town to the east of the New Forest with many shops and a large market on Tuesdays. From Hythe, Southampton is only a short ferry ride away across the Solent.

Lymington
Lymington is situated to the south of the New Forest, and is a traditional coastal town with an array of shops, a large marina, and busy Saturday morning market which is popular both with visitors and locals. A good range of restaurants and cafes offer everything from traditional fish and chips, and cream teas to excellent international specialities. Along the seafront there is a scenic walkway and a number of walks along the coastline, with views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight. Passenger and car ferries depart frequently from Lymington to the Isle of Wight, and with a short journey time a visit to the island is highly recommended.

The Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing break, at any time of year. The island boasts beautiful scenery and a wealth of fascinating attractions despite its small size (the island is only 23 miles wide by 13 miles). On the west of the Isle of Wight, the Needles and Alum Bay, famous for its coloured sands, are well-worth visiting and along the east coast of the island are dotted picturesque villages popular with visitors. From Southampton, Red Funnel Ferries run frequent passenger and car ferries to Cowes on the Isle of Wight, and from Lymington a half-hourly car ferry travels to Yarmouth.

Southampton
One of the largest towns on the south coast of England, Southampton offers an excellent choice in entertainment, shopping, cultural attractions, visitor attractions, sport, leisure and beautiful heritage parks. The city is home to a variety of special events, including the Southampton Boat Show, which attract visitors from all over the world. The attractive marina in Ocean Village is worth visiting, and good cafes and restaurants can be found in this part of Southampton.