The best ways to explore the New Forest
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One of Hampshire's main attractions, the New Forest provides 220 square miles of woodland, heath and working landscape with many places to discover. To find out how we recommend you make the most of this wooded wonderland, read on ...
On foot ...
The forest is a walker's paradise with many circular and linear routes of different lengths. As you wander along the trails you will come across many picnic sites with toilet facilities making a walk through the forest the perfect leisurely family day out. Walks will lead you through vibrant gorse, ancient woodland and alongside bubbling streams. You will also find you are likely to stumble across one of the local villages offering tea rooms, gift shops and pubs - perfect for a rest stop. For those keen to learn facts about the forest and hear stories of the landscape, a guided walk with a local expert is a great way to achieve this.
Top tip for kids: During the summer of 2014 children can enjoy special Gruffalo forest trails to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the award-winning book by Julia Donaldson, in partnership with Camping in the Forest sites.
By bike ...
With miles and miles of traffic free off-road tracks leading you right into the heart of the forest, The New Forest is a fantastic place for cycling. There are many cycle routes throughout the forest which will take you through picturesque villages, such as Beaulieu and Brockenhurst, with a traditional pub or cosy tea room or two. Cyclists in the New Forest can benefit from over 100 miles of approved cycle routes, ranging from 3 to 21 miles in length. Routes follow well defined tracks, old railway lines and minor roads so all the family can get out and cycle. In the summer months you can hop on the New Forest Tour Bus to link routes together and see more of the forest.
Info: Bike hire is available from various places in Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Burley, Lyndhurst and Ringwood. The New Forest cycle map is available online at www.thenewforest.co.uk
On horseback ...
One of the finest ways to discover the natural beauty of the forest is on horseback. Horse riding is catered for in a variety of ways, whether you are an experienced rider or a beginner. There are many recommended stables where a horse riding experience can be organised, that could be a single lesson or a forest hack. In the New Forest, because of the abundance of wild ponies, animals have the right of way - so you can ride safe in the knowledge that cars have to drive slowly and give priority to horses and their riders.
Info: www.newforest.co.uk lists many riding stables in villages such as Brockenhurst, Burley, Fordingbridge, New Milton and Ringwood.
In the water ...
The New Forest is generally known for its woodland and open moors, but what about the 43 miles of coastline, plus rivers and water parks. Beaulieu and Buckler's Hard are great for messing about on the river in canoes and kayaks, while The New Forest Water Park will suit thrill seekers with its waterskiing and wake boarding cable system. Many places in Lymington offer boating escapades - Escape Yachting run affordable skippered champagne cruises at sunset and during the day, or hop aboard a self-drive motorboat from Aquasafe Boat Hire. If an adrenaline rush is more your style you can tour the Solent on a fast Rib power boat with Solent Events.
On an open-top bus ...
The New Forest Tour open-top bus is the best and the most leisurely way to enjoy more of the forest. There are three tours (the green route, the blue route and red route) which each take their own journey around the forest. There's an official guide full of information about things to see and do and places to 'hop off' along the way. Tours run daily between 28 June and 14 September 2014 with an adult ticket costing £13 for one day up to £26 for five days use. You can hop on and off at any of the designated stops and catch another bus later or to switch between tours.
For further information on walking routes, guided walks, cycle trails, boat hire, the open-top bus and any apsect of visiting the New Forest head to the website www.thenewforest.co.uk
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