Caring for the Forest

The New Forest is a great place to visit for walking, dog walking, cycling and horse riding for everyone. When you’re out in the forest and are enjoying the beautiful surroundings and the rich wildlife, please help us to care for this very special place.

Ponies, donkeys, cattle, pigs & sheep: For their safety and yours please look from afar and leave the animals alone – although owned and cared for by local people called commoners, they are unpredictable and best treated as wild. Please don’t feed or pet them; there is plenty of natural food for them in the forest and it’s best that they don’t come to rely on people’s attention. They may look friendly and cute but they can bite and kick, especially ponies with foals.

Dogs: To minimise disturbance to wildlife, livestock and other people, please keep your dogs close by you and visible at all times – if necessary use a lead. Please ensure you pick up after your dog, especially on paths, around car parks and where others play or picnic, and there are dedicated little bins around the New Forest but please take bagged waste home if there is no litter bin. 

Birds: To help ground-nesting birds rear their young safely, keep yourself, dogs and horses on the main tracks from the beginning of March to the end of July.

Litter: Your food and litter could harm the ponies, donkeys and other wildlife. There are plenty of bins in high footfall locations across the forest, but if full then please take your litter home.

Driving: Our ponies and other animals have no road sense and frequently stand or walk on the unfenced roads, so give them (and walkers, cyclists and horse-riders) a wide berth and be especially careful when driving at night.

Parking: To avoid damage and obstruction, please park only in designated car parks, not on a verge or in gateways. Lock your car, taking any valuables with you and leave Forestry Commission car parks by dusk.

Barbeques & fires: To reduce the risk of damaging wildfires, campfires are not allowed without the landowner’s permission. Disposable BBQs are welcome at Bolderwood, Blackwater and Wilverley where stands and water are available. Raised non-disposable BBQs are allowed on the hard-standing areas of car parks, providing water is available. You can hire fixed stand party-sized BBQs from the Forestry Commission (call 0300 067 4601) and from Hampshire County Council at Lepe Country Park (hants.gov.uk/lepe or call 023 8089 9108 in advance).

Fungi: Please leave fungi for other people to enjoy and do not pick or touch. Fungi are essential to the New Forest’s internationally protected ecosystem. Foray leaders must apply for permission for educational excursions from the Forestry Commission in advance. If you suspect or see commercial picking please call the Forestry Commission on 0300 067 4600 or the National Trust on 01425 650 035.

Cycling: Cycling is allowed only on the waymarked tracks and other designated routes. When approaching people and animals, call out a warning to make yourself noticed and pass slowly and wide. Try to leave gaps for overtaking vehicles and never ride more than two abreast. Keep to a safe speed, wear bright colours to be visible and always use lights in the dark.

Horse riding: Horse riders have open access to the New Forest, but to reduce damage to the ground please use tracks when it’s wet.

Camping: Please note that camping in the wild and overnight parking is not allowed. There are 10 campsites in the New Forest run by Camping in the Forest, and a number of private sites.

Ticks: Check your dog and yourself for ticks when you get back home – they can lead to Lyme Disease.

Forest management: Stay safe by taking note of warning signs and keeping away from work sites and vehicles.

Unidentified objects: Areas of the New Forest were used to test bombs in World War I and II. Please keep away from objects that might be dangerous and notify the police immediately on 999.

Buy Local: If you like fresh, locally distinctive free range and organic produce then look out for Local Produce, especially the New Forest Marque! You will be helping to support small and unique forest businesses, reducing food miles and be enjoying the best locally produced food and drink around. Visit New Forest Producers Markets for food, drink and crafts and take home a flavour of the New Forest.

Give your car a break: 100 miles of off-road cycle tracks, great walks, the New Forest Tour bus and a main line station at the heart of the forest in Brockenhurst, means you don't need to bring your car at all. Numerous New Forest businesses are also offering discounts and incentives for leaving your car at home, so get out there! Have fun, get fit and give your car a break. Please keep to the tracks when cycling on the open forest.

New Forest Animal Emergency Hotlines: If you find yourself in an unforeseen circumstance where you need to report an accident/injured animal please use the contacts below:

• Police (24hrs) Tel: 999 (emergency)
  Tel: 0845 045 4545 (non-emergency)
  Road traffic accident involving a pony, cow, donkey, pig, sheep, dog or deer
• Verderer's Office (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm) Tel: 023 8028 2052
  Sick, injured or distressed pony, cow, donkey, pig or sheep
• Forestry Commission (24hrs) Tel: 023 8028 3141
  Sick, injured or distressed pony, cow, donkey, pig, sheep or deer