Young sika hind © Keith Talbot The is The famous one of 15 National Parks in the UK, New Forest ponies each providing precious habitat Cairngorms Welcome Over 5,000 ponies roam free Woodgreen for wildlife and The New Forest National Park throughout the open area of the Forest breathing space Loch Lomond for millions of and the Trossachs and even in the main streets of some Driving: The ponies and the animals — although owned and cared for visitors each year. is truly unique. other animals have no road Northumberland villages such as and Burley. sense and frequently stand by local people called commoners, they are North York Spot the brand marks that that creates the accessible or walk on the unfenced Lake unpredictable and best Moors show who owns the pony landscape we all enjoy. roads, so give them (and District treated as wild. Please Yorkshire Dales It’s a ‘world capital’ for wildlife with a or different tail-clippings Ponies are owned by local walkers, cyclists and horse don’t feed or pet them; Snowdonia huge diversity of rare plants and animals indicating in which part people called commoners, riders) a wide berth and there is plenty of natural – one of the reasons why it was made of the Forest they belong. who take great pride be especially careful when Peak District driving at night. food and it’s best that Broads in their animals – often Pembrokeshire a National Park in 2005. The ponies are known as they don’t come to rely Brecon owning several generations Coast ‘the architects of the Forest’ Ponies, donkeys, cattle on people’s attention. Beacons A place of outstanding natural beauty, the of the same families. because it is their grazing & pigs: For their safety They may look friendly Exmoor South Downs unique landscape is shaped by the grazing and your own please but they can bite and kick, of ponies, cattle and pigs that roam freely. keep your distance from especially mares with foals. New Forest These animals may appear wild, but they Pony at Rockford Common Dartmoor © Martin Dolan are owned by people called commoners. Animals on the road in the New Forest This active, working Forest has been © Natasha Weyers managed by people for centuries. One of the last places in southern England to offer a sense of wildness and tranquillity, it’s a wonderful area to New Forest National Search for explore on foot, horseback, or by bike. Park Authority newforestnpa

Indeed William the Conqueror, who set Town Hall aside the ‘New Forest’ for hunting more Avenue Road than 900 years ago, would probably Lymington SO41 9ZG recognise much of it today. 01590 646600 [email protected] www.newforestnpa.gov.uk Front cover image © Stu Meech DID YOU KNOW? NPA 00661, March 2018. All images from the New Forest National Park photographic Over 700 commoners turn out library. Printed on FSC environmentally-friendly paper. Please recycle after use. Follow these simple ways thousands of ponies, cattle, donkeys, Horse riding: Horse riders have open access to Contact us if you would like to to help keep the New Forest sheep and pigs as part of their the New Forest, but to reduce damage to the ground special for future generations to enjoy. traditional ‘common rights’ please use tracks when it’s wet. receive the Pocket Guide in another format such as large print or Braille.

Cycling on Hampton Ridge New Forest National Park Walking FREE FREE Explore the woods, heathland ENTRY! MAP! and coast of the New Forest Pocket on 30 easy-to-follow routes.

The online routes finder allows you to search by distance, location or even whether there is a pub near the route! Guide Once you have chosen your preferred route just print off Find out more the directions or download the trails to your smartphone for free. newforestnpa.gov.uk/walks newforestnpa.gov.uk After your walk check your dog and yourself for ticks as they can lead to Lyme Disease. New Forest culture Join the New Forest Walking Festival for over 100 behind the scenes wildlife walks, history hikes and family and events Cycling strolls with local experts. 13 to 28 October, 2018. newforestnpa.gov.uk/walkingfestival Start your visit at the There are more than 100 miles New Forest Centre in Lyndhurst. Highland cattle Dog walking near Ashurst of waymarked family friendly cycle Find out about Forest life and history in the fascinating routes to explore, many of them museum, enjoy the changing exhibitions, discover all the off-road and traffic free. best things to see and do and buy unusual New Forest A taste of the New Forest gifts in the shop. newforestcentre.org.uk Try delicious local produce The network, managed by the Forestry Commission, There are hundreds of exciting events and activities or handmade crafts bearing the is easily accessible from railway stations at Ashurst, taking place in the New Forest this year, including New Forest Marque from local Brockenhurst and Sway and links the main New Forest the three-day New Forest Show in July. For details shops, cafés and markets. villages. There are plenty of places to hire bikes during pick up the Essential Guide visitor newspaper, speak newforestmarque.co.uk your stay and more than 20 easy-to-follow cycle routes to the rangers, or visit newforestnpa.gov.uk/events at newforestnpa.gov.uk/cycling

Wild play at Lepe Country Park Birds: To help ground a lead. Pick up after your Cycling at providing water is available. Cycling: Cycling is nesting birds rear their dog, especially around car BBQs and fire: To reduce You can hire fixed-stand allowed only on the young safely, keep yourself, parks, on paths and where the risk of damaging party-sized BBQs from waymarked tracks dogs and ridden horses on people play or picnic, and wildfires, campfires are the Forestry Commission and other designated routes. the main tracks from the take bagged waste home not permitted without the (0300 067 4601) and from When approaching people beginning of March to if there is no litter bin. landowner’s permission. Hampshire County Council and animals, call out a warning the end of July. Disposable BBQs are and pass slowly and wide. Try Forest management: welcome at Bolderwood, at Lepe Country Park at to leave gaps for overtaking Dogs: To minimise Take notice of any warning Blackwater and Wilverley www.hants.gov.uk/lepe vehicles and never ride more disturbance to wildlife, signs and keep a safe where stands and water Litter: Your food and litter than two abreast. Keep to a livestock and other people, distance from work sites. are available. Raised could harm the ponies and safe speed, wear bright colours please keep your dogs Only pass a vehicle loading non-disposable BBQs donkeys. Please take your to be visible and always use close by you and visible at timber when told it is safe are allowed on the hard- litter home if bins are full. lights in the dark. all times – if necessary use to do so. standing areas of car parks, DID YOU KNOW? 1 2 3 4 5km Map Key 0 N The New Forest National 1 2 3miles Your New Forest Park is home to all six of the UK’s native New Forest adventure awaits… reptile species National Park Museum Information Campsite Every year, tens of thousands of people choose the best way to get around the National Park – with car-free trips Railway station Caravan site on the New Forest Tour. There are great-value day tickets 7 July – 9 September Car parking Waymarked footpath to ride all day, with discounts at attractions, tempting treats, and audio commentaries revealing secrets of the Forest on some services. Check the map for routes.

Travel Concierge Meet the New Forest Travel Concierge for advice about exploring the National Park without a car. The service is available at the New Forest Centre in Lyndhurst and DID YOU KNOW? Brockenhurst railway station from 7 July to 9 September. Every purebred New Forest newforestnpa.gov.uk/travel_concierge pony has a passport and a registered name

New Forest Tour Enjoy grandstand views from the open-top Tour. Discover three scenic routes around magical landscapes, picture postcard villages and popular attractions, with a commentary to guide you. Hop on and off and switch routes – all on the same ticket. Hourly, every day, 7 July to 9 September. thenewforesttour.info Parking: To avoid Camping: Please note damage and obstruction, that camping in the wild Hop on the please park only in and overnight parking New Forest Tour designated car parks, is not allowed. There are not on a verge or in 10 campsites in the New gateways. Lock your Forest run by Camping car, taking any valuables in the Forest, and with you and leave a number Forestry Commission of private car parks by dusk. sites. Map for illustrative purposes only. Crown Copyright and Database Right 2018. Ordnance Survey 1000114703.

DID YOU DID YOU KNOW? Spectacular KNOW? Need somewhere The New Forest has the The New Forest was to stay? highest concentration seasonal sights of ancient trees in established by William May: Newborn foals and Visit thenewforest.co.uk for Western Europe, with the Conqueror in 1079 bluebell carpets as ‘Nova Foresta’ luxurious spas, family hotels, some yew trees believed July: Sun-drenched coastal views (‘new hunting ground’) quaint B&Bs and friendly campsites. to be over 1,000 Fungi: Please leave fungi for other people to enjoy. Fungi from Lepe Country Park Meet the rangers years old are essential to the New Forest’s internationally protected Oak tree August: Purple heather in bloom ecosystem. Foray leaders must apply for permission for educational excursions from the Forestry Commission in Fungi © Steve Elson November: Free-roaming pigs and advance. If you suspect or see commercial picking please DID YOU autumn colours call the Forestry Commission on 0300 067 4600 or the KNOW? National Trust on 01425 650035. Picnicking on Unidentified objects: Areas of the New Forest were Over 2,600 species Lepe beach used to test bombs in World War I and II. Please keep of fungi have been away from objects that might be dangerous and notify Highland cow Fallow deer recorded here the police immediately on 999. © Zoe Davis © Robert Bigwood Beaulieu