Location

The New Forest is situated in central southern England, 120km from London.  Spreading over nearly 400 square kilometres, this National Park is home to picturesque villages, unspoiled scenery, abundant wildlife and many attractions for visitors.

The New Forest was established as a royal hunting ground by the Norman King William I, and 900 years later, the New Forest is still owned by the Crown and is administered by the Forestry Commission. Local commoners still have the right to graze their ponies, cattle and pigs on Forest land where they wander freely. The forest is unarguably recognised as one of the most unique wilderness areas in western Europe, where many landscapes have remained virtually unchanged for thousands of years.

Weather

During the summer months, southern England is warm and dry, with occasional rain and showers, and temperatures between 16°C - 24°C.  Although changeable at times, the weather is generally mild during the day and cooler in the evening.

Activities

The New Forest offers many outdoor activities, and is especially popular with walkers, cyclists and horse-riders. Signposted walks of varying lengths run from many of the car parks across the forest, and cycle hire is available in both Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst.  Visit the New Forest Visitor Centre in Lyndhurst for more information.

 Places of interest

Brockenhurst

Located between Lyndhurst and Lymington, Brockenhurst is popular with visitors thanks to its delightful atmosphere, independent shops and the added attraction of ponies and cattle roaming freely around the village.  Rhinefield Ornamental Drive is located approximately three miles from the village centre, and is an area of outstanding ornamental woodland, particularly renowned for its collection of Rhododendrons which bloom throughout the spring.  The area is especially popular with walkers and cyclists.

Lyndhurst

Lyndhurst is often referred to as the ‘Capital of the New Forest’, and is home to the Verderers Court, administrative centre for the forest, and the New Forest Museum.  The village has many restaurants, cafes and pubs as well as shops along its main street.  In the churchyard of St Michaels and All Angels, Lyndhurst’s Victorian church, is the grave of Alice Liddell, who inspired the character of 'Alice' in Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland'.

Southampton

One of southern England's largest cities, Southampton offers an excellent choice in entertainment, shopping, visitor and leisure attractions. The city is home to a number of special events, including the International Boat Show which attracts visitors from all over the world, as well as several theatres, live music venues, museums and galleries. The attractive marina in Ocean Village is worth visiting, and many good international restaurants can be found in nearby Oxford Street.

Lymington

Lymington is a traditional coastal town to the south of the New Forest, with an array of shops and a busy Saturday morning market, popular with both visitors and locals. A range of restaurants and cafes offer everything from traditional fish and chips to excellent international cuisine. Along the waterfront, there are marinas as well as a number of walks along the coast, with views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight.

Isle of Wight

Despite its small size the Isle of Wight boasts beautiful scenery, pretty villages and a wealth of interesting attractions. The small towns of Cowes (famous for its annual sailing regatta) and Newport offer restaurants, cafes and shops, and dotted along the east coast of the island are traditional seaside villages popular with visitors. Nineteenth century Osborne House, close to Cowes, was the summer home of Queen Victoria and both the house and gardens are open to visitors.  The rocky headland of the Needles, and Alum Bay, famous for its coloured sands, are popular with visitors to the west side of the island.

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. Journey time is approximately 30 minutes.