Walking In The New Forest
The National Park offers something for everyone. Whether you want to see it from its miles and miles of trails on cycling trips and New Forest Walks, boat rides along the coastline, or perhaps just to visit some of the many museums and historic sites located within The national park boundaries, no visitor will be disappointed. The only let down is that one has to go home sooner or later!
There are also many guided tours walking tours are available to help you make the most of your experience here. While one can drive through many parts of the forest, you will then miss out on some of the striking natural beauty to be seen whilst on one of the ranger-guided walks, or even horseback or bicycle tours if you prefer.
When ever you are visiting the New Forest, at what ever time of the year, there is always something to see. The ever changing seasons will note typical and beautiful scenery changes even making a familiar walk different every time. Experienced guides such as wildlife experts, geologists and Forest Rangers will take you through the wonders and natural beauty of this wonderful countryside.
Throughout many of the guided tours and walks – the experienced ranger or tour guide will offer some history about the places you are visiting. Bucklers Hard for example was where Admiral Nelson’s fleet was built. The forest as you can imagine has a lot of history about it including formerly being the hunting ground of kings.
You will find the Visitors Centre will have an abundance of information for visitors to the New Forest. Because the Forest includes many miles of coastline and rivers on the south coast there are considerable aquatic attractions to be found in this marvellous park as well. Perhaps not surprisingly you can partake in water sports such as kayaking, wind surfing and sailing here or if not too keen in being too close to the water, there are many beautiful guided boat tours available.
Throughout the park you can experience many wonders of nature and animal species. During just a short walk through any part of the forest you will come across considerable species in their own natural habitat. It’s a marvellous experience to see animals and creatures in their own environment.
Amongst all the wildlife you will find deer in abundance hiding out in the depth of the trees. You might come across a herd of cows blocking your path in the road with all the time in the day and not bothering to let you pass. Horses and pony’s wandering aimlessly across the village green. This is life in the New Forest and just a tiny part of the beauty that this park has to offer.
There are considerable walks throughout the forest, many marked and guided and many that are not. It’s always wise to have a map, especially if you like to head off the main track. Exbury although not a forest walk but is a lovely place to visit, with its gardens set in 200 acres, there are miles of lovely pathways to experience here.
If your planning a trip to the New Forest National Park and plan to stay over night there is a good variety of New Forest self catering cottages in the region where you can stay which can be found on the New Forest guides website.
Also while you are in the area make sure you visit the nearby city of Southampton which is renowned for its shopping experience and museums.