New Forest

The landscape around New Forest is a lowland mosaic of ancient woodland, open heath and wetland, which has shaped both its dispersed settlement pattern and rural economy. Along its southern boundary, the Solent coastline adds saltmarshes and mudflats to an area chiefly associated with forest and heath. William the Conqueror established the New Forest as a royal hunting forest in 1079, and commoners’ rights still support the grazing of ponies, cattle and other livestock on the open forest. Much of the area has been protected as New Forest National Park since 2005, with villages and market towns serving walkers and cyclists. Discover how New Forest connects with the Solent coast and Hampshire countryside by browsing webcams nearby.

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