New Forest 
In spite of its name, the New Forest is by no means new and is not a continuous area of forest, large parts of it being heath and moorland, with a certain amount of agricultural land as well. It extends over an area of some 145sq.mi/375sq.km from Southampton to the River Avon at Ringwood.
From the time of William the Conqueror the New Forest was a royal hunting preserve, while in the 19th C it was declared a recreational area.
From the time of William the Conqueror the New Forest was a royal hunting preserve, while in the 19th C it was declared a recreational area.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Today the forest has been designated a nature conservancy area, even though large tracts of it still belong to the Crown. The wildlife of the forest is symbolized by the famous "New Forest Ponies", which are to be found wherever one goes. Motorists therefore need to proceed slowly and with care, as ponies are likely to stray on to the road at any time.
Extensive reforestation is now in progress; a visit in spring can be particularly lovely, when wild flowers are in bloom everywhere, and also when the heather is out. Away from the roads the visitor is able to find real peace and quiet, although occasionally it is possible to come across adders. The Forestry Commission has signs up warning about these snakes, and others alerting people to the dangers posed by areas of marshy land and bog. Besides walking in the forest, it is possible to take a ride in a horse-drawn cart. These are available in Brockenhurst, Burley and on the Butterfly Farm in Ashurst.
Extensive reforestation is now in progress; a visit in spring can be particularly lovely, when wild flowers are in bloom everywhere, and also when the heather is out. Away from the roads the visitor is able to find real peace and quiet, although occasionally it is possible to come across adders. The Forestry Commission has signs up warning about these snakes, and others alerting people to the dangers posed by areas of marshy land and bog. Besides walking in the forest, it is possible to take a ride in a horse-drawn cart. These are available in Brockenhurst, Burley and on the Butterfly Farm in Ashurst.
Related Attractions
Exbury Gardens
Exbury Gardens was planted by Edmond de Rothschild (d. 1942). Among other species it features world-renowned displays of rhododendron, azaleas, heather and irises. More than one million rhododendron plants grow on the grounds of this 200-acre spring garden.
All values are in local currency
Hours
March 8 to November 9
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
November 8 to December 14
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 |
| Family | 17.50 |
| Adult | 7.50 |
| Pensioners (OAP) | 7.00 |
| Child 15 & under | 1.50 |
| Child 2 & under | FREE |
Discounted admission from mid-June to November.
Discount rates available to seniors on Tues, Wed and Thurs.
Discounts on
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Parking
Free
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Brockenhurst - Buckler's Hard Village, England
Buckler's Hard Village was created in the early 18th century as a free port, Montagu Town, on the banks of the Beaulieu River for the import and export of sugar from the West Indies. Visitors can cruise the Beaulieu River, visit the forge site or the Maritime Museum.
Hours
March 1 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
September 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
November 1 to February 28
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Buckler's Hard
Buckler's Hard (3mi/5km down river from Beaulieu) is a picturesque little place dating from the 17th century. Many famous ships, including "Agamemnon", the flagship of Lord Nelson, were built here between 1750 and 1820, using oak from the New Forest, prior to the advent of iron steamships. This significant chapter in English seafaring history is commemorated by a small Maritime Museum.
Buckler's Hard
Montagu Ventures Limited
Maritime Museum
Buckler's Hard SO42 7XB
England
Montagu Ventures Limited
Maritime Museum
Buckler's Hard SO42 7XB
England
Hours
March 1 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
September 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
November 1 to February 28
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Knightwood Oak
Knightwood Oak is an area of woodland (2mi/3km southwest of Lyndhurst) where there are romantic old oak-trees, some of them of considerable size.
Read More
Minstead - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Grave
The road leading north from Lyndhurst to Cadnam (A 337) passes through Minstead, where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is buried.
New Park Manor Equestrian Centre
The center is situated in 93,000 acres of former royal hunting preserves created by William the Conqueror. Riding and tuition is available year-round and all staff is BHS-approved. Rides can be booked by the hour, day or week, and are available for riders of all abilities. Other facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court, forest biking and walking tours.
Rufus Stone
The Rufus Stone (3.5mi/6km northwest of Lyndhurst) was set up in its present position in 1745. It is said to mark the spot where King William Rufus (William II) was killed by an arrow in 1100 while out hunting.
