New Forest Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
national park in southern England
About New Forest
The name 'New Forest' is somewhat misleading, as it is neither new (it was established in 1079), nor a forest in the current sense of the word. It is rather it is a patchwork of areas of open heath and gorselands, intermixed with forested 'enclosures'. It was established by William I as a royal deer-hunting reserve, and it is this which was the original meaning of the word "forest". He introduced the Forest Law, a strict and savage legal code which forbade the local peasantry from doing anything that would interfere with his pursuit of deer, forbidding them from enclosing land for agriculture, for example, erecting fences or barriers, or even owning a bow. In slight recompense, they were given the right to graze their ponies, cattle and pigs in common (i.e. running free) across the forest.
Top Attractions in New Forest
Explore the best things to see and do in New Forest:
- ★Walking Picnics
New Forest Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 11 sections including: