New Forest National Park

Ancient woodland, open heath, and free-roaming wildlife

Woodland, heathland, grassland, and winding streams create a landscape shaped by centuries of commoning, forestry, and grazing. Located in Hampshire on England's south coast, the New Forest National Park is known for its free-roaming ponies, ancient woodlands, open heaths, and extensive network of routes linking villages, coast, and countryside.

Long-distance trails such as the Solent Way, Avon Valley Path, and sections of the England Coast Path pass through or alongside the national park, connecting places including Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Beaulieu, Lymington, and Ringwood. Forest tracks, gravel paths, quiet lanes, and heathland routes reveal changing landscapes of ancient trees, open commons, wetlands, and coastal marshes, creating journeys that feel both varied and deeply connected to nature.

Whether following a waymarked trail, exploring forest paths, or walking between villages and open heath, the New Forest rewards a slower pace and careful observation. Wildlife, seasonal colour, and a strong sense of place shape every journey, making it one of England's most distinctive destinations for self-guided travel.