The sun is out, the sky is blue and the days are gloriously long. Yes, British Summer Time is officially here, so let us introduce you to our Great Outdoors – where the New Forest’s magic really happens!
The New Forest has more than 140,000 acres of woodland and heath, as well as rivers, beaches and amazing wildlife beyond, and accessing it couldn’t be easier - all you have to do is walk!
With more than 140 miles of waymarked tracks and footpaths taking in some of the Forest’s most magnificent sights, from the deer sanctuary at Bolderwood, to the beautiful Hatchet Pond (where you can usually catch a gorgeous sunset) and, of course, our world-famous roaming ponies, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Our shortest walks are less than a mile, our longest join onto the Solent Way and Avon Valley Walk. Two of the south’s best-loved long-distance paths, they’ll show you coastal views, as well as rivers, and heathlands bursting with wildlife.
Head along to Bratley Inclosure for a 4.3mile trail, as well as some of the most beautiful giants of the forest in the beech woods there, or try Anses Wood, near Fritham. If you park at Cadman’s Pool and walk to Ocknell Pond, you’ll also find Ocknall Inclosure just beyond, which is another great part of the forest to explore.
To spot our largest tree, take the The Knightwood Oak Trail, near Minstead. This gentle walk will bring you up close and personal with a tree that is understood to have started growing during the reign of Henry VIII and whose girth is an astonishing 24 feet wide. No wonder she is revered as ‘The Queen of the Forest’! Or take a wander along the ornamental drive at Blackwater, where you’ll see our Wellingtonia coastal redwoods, one of which is roughly as tall as Nelson’s Column.
Summer in the New Forest is an excellent time to get out for a bike ride and the best way to do it is to get off the road and onto the Castleman Trail; a disused railway track with tea stops and pubs along the way, or the 8.5 mile Woodland Trail, which is almost entirely off-road.
No bike? No problem! We have plenty of bike hire spots to choose from in the New Forest. Renting gravel bikes, e-bikes, plus tandems, tag-alongs and even a doggy-trailer for your four-legged friend. These companies can help you find the best routes or new ones to explore, so make sure you ask their knowledgeable staff before you head out!
Feeling more leisurely? Pack up a good, old-fashioned Enid Blyton-style picnic (or treat yourself to a selection of foods from our local shops, bearing the New Forest Marque of quality) and throw down your tartan blanket near one of our rivers or streams. Dockens Water near Ringwood, or the Lymington river at Balmer Lawn are popular spots.
For an adventure the little ones will love, take them to the mysterious Miz Maze, accessible on foot from a path leading from nearby Breamore House. Understood to be of Cretan design, the maze is cut into the chalk downland and has no dead ends, but resembles a labyrinth, where all paths will eventually bring you to the little mound in the centre.
Inspired by Springwatch? You’ve come to the right place! The Great Outdoors is where you’ll catch our amazing wildlife, which includes all five species of British deer. According to the New Forest National Park Authority, Ober Heath near Brockenhurst and the area around Burley are good places to see them.
The New Forest is also home to all five of Britain’s reptile species, including the rare sand lizard. They are a beautiful golden green, with jewel-coloured spots and very hard to find but can be spotted on gravel paths and sand patches, where they like to bask in the heat.
On the very best days of all, if you look to the skies you may be lucky to spot s rare White Tailed Eagle. They live on the Isle of Wight but enjoy hunting over our woods and heathlands.
For the freshest of air and a possible swim, we have more than 40 miles of ‘secret’ coastline for you to explore; from the quiet of Calshot Spit and Lepe Beach in the east, to the family beaches of Barton on Sea and Milford on Sea in the west.
Not feeling so energetic? Plan a trip on the excellent New Forest Tour, where you’ll be able to sit outside on the open top bus, taking in the views as your trundle majestically through our Great Outdoors.
- More outdoor greatness here: thenewforest.co.uk