Accessibility

The New Forest is a beautiful national park which boasts stunning views across the coast, rolling heathlands and dense majestic woodlands.

We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful and varied landscape – you can find out all the information you will need regarding accessibility in the New Forest here.

Getting here & around

Across the New Forest you can travel by bus, by car, by coach and by train. We have detailed all of the relevant accessible companies and their contact details below.

Our Bus companies travel in accessible buses, which makes for very easy travel in and around the New Forest for all. Travel with Bluestar (01202 338 420), Morebus (01202 338 420) or Yellow (01202 636 110). Or for further information, including live route & timetable information and advice, contact Travel line on 0871 200 2233.

The main Train service in the area is operated by South West Trains. If you are a wheelchair user or need assistance when travelling by train you should book your rail journey at least 24 hours in advance.
Please contact South West Trains Assisted Travel on 0800 528 2100 (6am - 10pm).
Alternatively contact National Rail Enquiries on 0345 748 4950 or text phone (for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing) on 0845 6050 600.

There are three Ferry companies which operate services in The New Forest and the surrounding area.
Please contact the companies for information on timetables, access and fares on the following: Hythe Ferry (Hythe to Southampton) on 02380840 722, Wightlink (Lymington to Yarmouth) on 0333 999 7333 or Red Funnel (Southampton to Cowes) on 0844 844 9988.

National Express coaches stop at Lyndhurst, Lymington and Ringwood. If you are a wheelchair user or need assistance when travelling by coach, National Express advise you to book your coach journey at least 24 hours in advance.
Please contact National Express for information on timetables, access and fares on 0871 781 8181 or text phone 0121 455 0086.

Travel by Car from Southampton, London or the East: exit M27 at Junction 1, signed Cadnam & head southwards into The New Forest. Travelling from the West: use A31 from Dorset. Travelling from the North: take either A338 from Salisbury to Ringwood in the west of the Forest, or A36 to Totton in the east.
Parking charges apply in the New Forest District Council car parks however, if you are a Blue Badge holder then you will be able to park for free. There are accessible parking spaces in each car park however, if they are not vacant you are able to park with your blue badge in another bay.

Where to stay

In the New Forest there are plenty of wonderful places to stay with accessibility for all, including ground-floor rooms, lifts and fully accessible rooms through to wet rooms. We advise you to check with the provider in advance to ensure the accommodation is suitable for your needs.

Wheelchair Hire in the New Forest

The following companies offer sales (new and old), repair and hire of manual and electric wheelchairs, scooters and equipment in the New Forest and surrounding areas:

• KJ's Mobility: 12 High Street, Hythe SO45 6AH Tel: 02380 844886
• Richens Care: Unit 2 Sea Vixen Industrial Estate, Wilverley Road, Christchurch, BH23 3RU Tel: 01202 588102
• Gallager Mobility: 104 Ringwood Road, Walkford BH23 5RF Tel: 01425 270666
• M&J Mobility: Old Lyndhurst Road, Cadnam, SO40 2NL Tel: 023 8081 1949
• Hearing & Mobility: Bursledon House, 4 Station Road, New Milton, BH25 6HS Tel: 01425 628815

We advise to contact each company to check their product meets your accessibility needs.

Accessible Toilet Facilities

There are a number of accessible facilities located in car parks across the New Forest. There are over 20 NFDC car parks with these facilities, including: Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Keyhaven, Lymington, Lyndhurst, New Milton, Ringwood and Totton. For a full list of NFDC car parks and their locations please click here.
There are also some forest car parks with accessible facilities: Blackwater, Bolderwood, The New Forest Reptile Centre, Whitefield Moor and Wilverley Plain.

Accessible Walking Routes

Enjoy the stunning New Forest with Accessible Walking Routes throughout the New Forest with designated accessible footpaths provided by the Forestry Commission.

If we haven’t been able to answer all of your questions, please find a number of useful contacts below you could try:

• New Forest Disability Information Service - 01425 628750
• Forestry Commission - 023 8028 3141 / enquiries.southern@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
• New Forest National Park Authority - 01590 646600 / enquiries@newforestnpa.gov.uk
• Radar - 020 7250 8181 / radar@radar.org.uk