The New Forest Embroidery

900 years of New Forest history, stitched into one remarkable work.

Kings and queens, commoners, wildlife, ancient traditions, famous characters and moments that changed the New Forest forever - they’re all hidden within the incredible New Forest Embroidery.

Created to celebrate the New Forest’s 900th anniversary in 1979, this extraordinary piece tells the story of the New Forest from 1079 through to the 20th century.

And you can see it for yourself at the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst.

900 years, stitched together

The idea for the Embroidery came from the New Forest Association, which wanted to create something permanent to mark 900 years of the New Forest.

Artist Belinda Montagu designed the three panels, working with a team of embroiderers to bring centuries of New Forest history together in one enormous piece of art.

At around 25 feet long, there is an incredible amount to see.

Look a little closer...

This is where it gets really interesting.

You’ll find William the Conqueror, the death of William Rufus, Beaulieu Abbey, the ancient rights of commoning, shipbuilding at Buckler’s Hard, the arrival of the railway and even a Spitfire flying above the New Forest.

Look closer still and there are pigs out for pannage, ponies, deer, snakes, birds, butterflies, fungi and flowers woven throughout.

There’s even Alice Hargreaves - the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland - and legendary New Forest snake catcher Brusher Mills hiding among the scenes.

A New Forest story that continues today

Perhaps the most fascinating thing about the Embroidery is how much of its story is still visible around us.

Pannage still takes place every autumn. Commoning continues. The Knightwood Oak still stands. You can visit Hurst Castle, Beaulieu, Buckler’s Hard and the Rufus Stone.

Towards the end, the Embroidery even depicts issues we still talk about today - protecting free-roaming animals and conserving the New Forest landscape.

It might have been created more than 45 years ago, but its story feels remarkably current.

See it for yourself

Photos can show you the bigger picture. But to appreciate the individual stitches, tiny details and sheer scale of the New Forest Embroidery, you really need to stand in front of it.

You’ll find it on display at the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst.