Articles & Guides
Stories, guides and practical tips for exploring the New Forest & the UK. 600 articles and counting.
2 Jun 2021
Beaulieu Village
The Beaulieu Village Overview The picturesque Beaulieu village sits on the southern bank of the Beaulieu River, at the head of the tidal section of the river. It's one of the New Forest's smallest but busiest villages, and is home to the National Park's most popular attraction, the National Motor Mu
2 Jun 2021
Lepe satellite view
Explore Lepe satellite view Use this Lepe satellite view to explore the country park from above. Zoom in on the park for a bird's eye view, or travel further afield and see the rest of the New Forest National Park and beyond. Unfortunately Lepe isn't covered in the same high resolution as the rest o
2 Jun 2021
Lepe Country Park
New Forest Lepe Country Park Overview Lepe Country Park is located in the very southeastern corner of the New Forest National Park, just several miles from Beaulieu. It's a very popular spot and gives perfect views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight . Lepe Country Park The main area of Lepe Coun
2 Jun 2021
Sand lizard fact file
The Sand lizard fact file Common name - Sand lizard Scientific name - Lacerta agilis Size - average length of an adult is around 20cm Identification tips - sand lizards have relatively broad bodies giving a low, stocky appearance. The underlying pattern and colour of both male and female is a mottle
2 Jun 2021
Smooth Snake Fact File
The Smooth snake fact file Smooth Snake Common name - smooth snake Scientific name - coronella austriaca Size - a typical adult will be between 40 and 60cm long Identification tips - body colour varies between silvery-grey and a gingery-brown, with a mottled black pattern running the entire length o
2 Jun 2021
Grass Snake Fact File
The Grass snake fact file Common name - grass snake. Scientific name - natrix natrix helvetica. Size - adult grass snakes can grow to lengths of 120cm, but 80-100cm is average. Identification tips - the body is an olive-green colour with subtle black spots or lines regularly spaced along the back an
2 Jun 2021
Adder Fact File
The European adder Adder Fact File Common name - adder Scientific name - Vipera berus berus Size - males rarely exceed 60cm in length. Females grow larger than males, up to 80cm. Identification tips - adders have very distinctive 'zig-zag' patterns that run the entire length of the body, on the back
2 Jun 2021
New Forest Reptile Centre
New Forest Reptile Centre Overview The New Forest Reptile Centre is to be found at Holidays Hill , approximately 2 miles west of Lyndhurst on the A35 road. It's a small but very worthy attraction and conservation centre where you can (potentially...) see all of Britain's reptiles in one place; adder
2 Jun 2021
The Rufus Stone
New Forest The Rufus Stone Overview The Rufus Stone has to be one of the strongest reminders of the origins of the New Forest. The iron-clad stone marks the ( alleged ) spot where King William II was fatally wounded with an arrow, during a royal hunting outing in the Forest, in the year 1100 AD. The
2 Jun 2021
Exbury Gardens satellite view
Explore Furzey Gardens satellite view Use this Exbury Gardens satellite view to explore Exbury and surrounding areas. Zoom in on the gardens for a bird's eye view, or travel further afield and see the rest of the New Forest National Park and beyond! If you need any guidance using the map, just follo
2 Jun 2021
Azaleas at Exbury
New Forest Exbury Azalea Bowl Overview " Exbury Gardens - an Azalea Paradise ", written by Lesley Pinkett of www.east-devon-guide.com . The famous banking family of Rothschild owns the azalea paradise that is Exbury Gardens . Lionel de Rothschild was a plant collector who loved rhododendrons and aza
2 Jun 2021
Exbury Gardens
New Forest Exbury Gardens Overview The gardens are big and are the realisation of a dream of the late Lionel Nathan de Rothschild , from the famous family of banking and wealth. Created over many years (and continued long after his death) and then restored after much wartime damage, Exbury Gardens w
2 Jun 2021
Furzey Gardens Satellite View
Explore Furzey Gardens satellite view Use this Furzey Gardens satellite view to explore the area from above. Zoom in on the gardens for a bird's eye view, or travel further afield and see the rest of the New Forest National Park and beyond! If you need any guidance using the map, just follow the sim
2 Jun 2021
Furzey Gardens
New Forest Furzey Gardens Overview Set in the very heart of the New Forest, Furzey Gardens is a relatively small public garden on the edge of Minstead , a picturesque rural village. A relaxing stroll through just the gardens will take you around an hour. There is a large pond in one corner that play
2 Jun 2021
Horse riding in the New Forest
New Forest Horse riding Overview The large open spaces of the New Forest make for some of the very best horse riding to be found anywhere in Britain, with miles of open heath stretching out into wonderful views, ancient woodland with dappled clearings, green boggy bits and close-cropped grass lawns
2 Jun 2021
New Forest fishing
requirements for Forestry Commission owned ponds New Forest Fishing Overview Some relaxing New Forest fishing can be enjoyed on Hatchet Pond on the outskirts of Beaulieu. Until recently fishing for juniors was also available at Janesmoor Pond on Stoney Cross, but sadly this has been stopped by the F
2 Jun 2021
Explore Beaulieu Airfield
Explore Beaulieu Airfield Use this present day satellite view of Beaulieu Airfield to explore the airfield site and surrounding areas, or travel further afield and see the rest of the New Forest National Park and beyond! If you need any guidance using the map, just follow the simple instructions in
2 Jun 2021
New Forest Codes of Conduct
The New Forest Codes of Conduct New Forest Codes of Conduct Certain Codes of Conduct have been put into place in the New Forest to help protect the area. These codes are really just common sense and apply to the three main leisure activities that are enjoyed in the area - cycling , dog walking and h
2 Jun 2021
The New Forest Museum
(now part of the New Forest Centre) The New Forest Museum Overview The New Forest Museum is an integral part of the New Forest Centre and is a must-see place if this is your first trip to the National Park! Located at the eastern end of Lyndhurst car park ( directly off the High Street, map lower do
2 Jun 2021
Bolton's Bench In Lyndhurst
The New Forest Bolton's Bench Overview A major New Forest landmark, Bolton's Bench is situated on the outskirts of Lyndhurst right in the centre of the New Forest. The Bench actually commemorates the 18th century New Forest Master Keeper, the Duke of Bolton , and it attracts many visitors who come t
2 Jun 2021
New Forest Verderers Byelaws
The New Forest Verderers Byelaws Verderers laws governing the New Forest These New Forest Verderers Byelaws have been reproduced from the website of the Verderers . 1 . In these byelaws, unless the context otherwise requires - " agister " means a person who is for the time being employed as an agist
2 Jun 2021
Commoners & Commoning
The New Forest Commoners & Commoning Overview The present-day existence of New Forest Commoners and their commoning practices is an everyday reminder of the birth of the New Forest, when it was declared a Royal hunting ground by King William I in 1079AD. Above, the right of pasture is by far the
2 Jun 2021
Beaulieu Road Pony Sales
Beaulieu Road pony sales Overview The Beaulieu Road pony sales yard is located on the Lyndhurst to Beaulieu road (B3056), approximately 3 miles from Lyndhurst. The sales are famous throughout the equestrian community and the sale yard has recently undergone a complete refurbishment, in order to brin
2 Jun 2021
Safety on the New Forest roads
The New Forest Roads Overview Driving safely on New Forest roads is of paramount importance - there aren't many areas in Britain where free-roaming ponies , cattle , pigs and deer can appear in front of your bonnet without any warning! Safety on the New Forest roads Statistically, and unsurprisingly