Where open heath meets old oak forests, and quiet villages sit among timeless landscapes.
The New Forest National Park, spanning Hampshire (with small areas in Wiltshire and Dorset), is one of England’s most unique landscapes for walking holidays and outdoor adventures. Once a royal hunting ground, the New Forest is today a haven of ancient woodland, open heath, and riverside valleys. Wild ponies roam freely across the landscape, and walking here means experiencing one of Britain’s most characterful and accessible national parks.
Walking might take you through oak and beech woods, across purple heather-clad heath in summer, or along rivers like the Avon and Beaulieu. With charming villages such as Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst, and Beaulieu, plus easy rail and road links, the New Forest is perfect for both family-friendly strolls and longer self-guided holidays.
Solent Way (New Forest Section)
A coastal trail linking Milford-on-Sea and Lymington, with saltmarsh, harbours, and sea views.
Avon Valley Path
Runs between Salisbury and Christchurch, passing through the western edge of the New Forest with riverside and meadow walking.
Beaulieu River Walks
Peaceful riverside routes from Beaulieu village through ancient woodland and tidal marsh.
New Forest Circular Walks
A network of short and long circular trails around Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst, and Burley, exploring heathland, woodland, and open pasture.
Circular trails around Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst, as well as sections of the Solent Way, are among the most popular.
Yes — the Solent Way and Avon Valley Path both pass through parts of the park.
Yes — Brockenhurst is on the main London–Weymouth train line, and the New Forest Tour bus links key villages and walking areas in summer.
Spring for bluebells and foals, summer for purple heather across the heath, autumn for golden woodland colours, and winter for quiet, atmospheric walking.
Yes — the ponies, along with cattle and donkeys, roam freely under the traditional commoning system, and they’re an iconic part of the landscape.
