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New Forest National Park Hampshire
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New Forest National Park
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New Forest National Park

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New Forest National Park
5
1,861 reviews
#1 of 8 things to do in Lyndhurst
National Parks
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8:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:45 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
The New Forest National Park is truly unique. It’s a ‘world capital’ for wildlife with a huge diversity of rare plants and animals– one of the reasons why it was made a National Park in 2005. A place of outstanding natural beauty, the unique landscape is shaped by the grazing of ponies, cattle and pigs that roam freely. These animals may appear wild, but they are owned by people called commoners. One of the last places in southern England to offer a sense of wildness and tranquillity, it’s a wonderful area to explore on foot, horseback, or by bike. Indeed William the Conqueror, who set aside the ‘New Forest’ for hunting more than 900 years ago, would probably recognise much of it today.
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Top ways to experience New Forest National Park and nearby attractions

The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
53 within 3 miles
Peggy Mays Cafe
617
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • British • Vegetarian Friendly
Renoufs (Lyndhurst)
173
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • European • British • Wine Bar
The Forage
1,490
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Cafe • British
Indian Fusion
266
52 ft$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly
Surfing Moo Moo
418
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Seafood • British
Anissa's Thai Kitchen
431
25 ft$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Enzee
322
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
The Greenwood Tree
693
391 ft$$ - $$$ • Cafe • British • Vegetarian Friendly
La Pergola
1,468
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
Bar & Grill At The Crown Manor House Hotel
276
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • British • Contemporary • Vegetarian Friendly
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Attractions
29 within 6 miles
St Michael & All Angels Church, Lyndhurst
41
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals
The Lyndhurst Antiques Centre
21
0.2 miAntique Shops
New Forest Reptile Centre
209
0.5 miNature & Wildlife Areas
Bolton's Bench
67
0.6 miNational Parks
Furzey Gardens
525
2.7 miGardens
Paultons Park
10,092
Amusement & Theme Parks
Pondhead Conservation Trust
10
0.8 miNature & Wildlife Areas
Longdown Activity Farm
741
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Farms
New Forest Wildlife Park
1,474
Nature & Wildlife Areas
New Forest National Park
47
2.6 miState Parks • National Parks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,861 reviews
Excellent
1,500
Very good
307
Average
33
Poor
13
Terrible
8
Steve
Littlehampton, UK505 contributions
A great short stay
Oct 2020
If your here for the hiking or just a walk or bicycle ride you will love the scenery. You may see some of the local deer but they are timid and you will most certainly meet some of the local New Forest ponies who are actually very friendly., There is an abundance of nature and wildlife and you can take your dog along. The local residence are very friendly and if your going to stay over then we recommend the Woodland Lodge Hotel, which backs onto the forest and allows dogs to stay. food is excellent and the prices of rooms/food are very fair and the staff are very friendly. If your driving there is ample parking, if your going by train book a taxi well in advance as Ashurst railway station is about a 30 minute walk, taxis charge around a minimum charge of £15. The nearest shop in Ashurst village is about a 40 minute walk each way from the hotel.
Written October 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
YeeshRose
London, UK131 contributions
If you’re not confident with wild animals go when others are around!
Jun 2021 • Friends
First and foremost this park is huge and has various access points. It is very clean and the walk and there are wild animals from horses, pigs, donkeys etc..

So me and my friend walked through this place at 9am on a Sunday morning and we were the only ones here. We were a bit sceptical as we were approaching the horses but most of them were asleep/minding their own business so we decided to continue with the walk. However, there was this one horse who made a lot of noise when we walked past and then ran towards us. Long story short this horse gathered some mates and were chasing us through the park so we had to jump over a fence onto private property. We waited for what seemed to be forever until a couple driving past helped us. Maybe if we stood still or patted that particular horse it was have backed off but we were not taking any chances so had to run.

Anyways I say that to say that if you’re not an animal person go there during the day when there are other people around. Apart from this, the Park is amaaaaazzziiinnnggg. You can walk for millessssss and as the day went on there were more people so we entered here from a different place which was serene. I would definitely return here as Im sure there is soo much more to explore.
Written July 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Walshy Travels 🇬🇧
Portsmouth, UK3,397 contributions
Travel by train to Brockenhurst
Aug 2021 • Family
Brokenhurst is a lovely village on the edge of the New Forest and is a great place to stop at for an explore as a day trip. A few lovely pubs and restaurants in the area along with a cafe and convenient stores. From the train station a 10 minute walk will see you into the park surrounded by wild ponies and nature.
Written August 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tom G
1 contribution
Beautiful place ruined by awful people.
Aug 2022 • Couples
I have lived in this area for over three years now and I think it’s an awful place with awful people. Obviously not as awful as Bagdad or Aleppo but for somewhere that doesn’t have missiles falling out the sky it’s pretty tragic and infuriating. Avoid unless you like fake Instagram posting cretins, stuck up tourists and victim mentality cyclists. It is a playground for unintelligent snobs with less brain cells than the French.
Written March 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Daniel C
Middlesbrough, UK164 contributions
Wild horses
Aug 2019
Found in the south of England you can drive down on a nice sunny day if you don't live too far away and slowly explore the miles and miles of untouched woods. Once there you'll see wild horses and their children walking freely around, same for wild cows and bulls, just don't get too close to them though, they can be dangerous. You'll need to bring walking boots in case it gets muddy and since you could be walking a long time, the nearest pub/ restaurant is a pretty good trek away. You can also learn about the history of the new forest and how it was named that by the Normans when they conquered England nearly a thousand years ago (not very new then). This is a great place for photos, family picnics, long walks, taking your dog, (remember to keep it on a leash) and its a lovely way to see nature. You might even stumble on a whole herd of horses slowly walking by, you do have the option of driving through the forest if you don't want to spend as much time there but watch out on the road as horses do sometimes walk into the middle of it. Just remember to check the weather forecast ahead of time since English weather can change suddenly and you don't want to et caught in the rain without a coat or umbrella.
Written June 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bluebellplasnewydd
Cardiff, UK1,648 contributions
Extensive area to review
Jun 2021
The New Forrest covers a wide area and can be explored on food, cycle or by car. Woods and streams are present as well as common land. It is best to stay there to make the most of it but even a diversion on your car trip to the West Country will enable you to appreciate it. Beware that the roads and towns get very crowded with traffic queues common. You may be lucky to see deer and ponies.
Written June 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Teesdale
Barnard Castle, UK17 contributions
Great for easy cycling
Oct 2021 • Couples
Went for a long weekend, hired bikes for a day which I would highly recommend - there is a very good selection of well maintained gravel forest trails which are well marked with pre made route plans available.
The area is very quiet and tranquil outside of the main towns.
I did feel that after 2 days I had seen pretty much everything that was there to be seen.
Written October 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michellechampers
England, UK1,540 contributions
Beautiful scenery and fabulous walks
Jan 2023 • Family
I am very lucky that I only live 25 miles from the new forest, but even if you live further away, it’s worth the drive, and if visiting Hampshire or Dorset I think it’s definitely worth a visit, Ringwood has some lovely places for lunch or dinner, and Lymington is a wonderful sea side town, but there are so many places to visit, with train stations in a few. The kids often mark of the animals they see on a day trip, pigs, Rabbits, cows, donkeys, ponies and deer they love it. With so many good old fashioned English pubs in the forest you will be spoiled for choice if you fancy a drink.
Written January 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sue y
Oxford, UK436 contributions
I was captivated...like a child.
Nov 2021
We passed through this gem of a place. I was completely captivated, seeing the ponies, donkeys and cattle roaming freely. We were on the way to and from the Beaulieu Motor Museum as a birthday treat for my partner. I just couldn't get over how beautiful this place was, so tranquil, like going back in time. Because of the time of year that we went, the hustle and bustle wasn't there. I would expect on a warmer day and during the summer this place would get very busy. I think you could spend a while day in this area and still not see everything.
Written November 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kim
188 contributions
Mesmerising
May 2021 • Solo
I highly recommend coming to visit the New Forest because you have everything you desire in short driving disrance. There are plenty of walks, picnic areas, shops, villages, towns, seaside, beaches, woodlands, car parks and a theme park. Fantastic place, will be sad to leave.
Written May 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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New Forest National Park (Lyndhurst) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about New Forest National Park
New Forest National Park is open:
  • Mon - Fri 8:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking New Forest National Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 New Forest National Park tours on Tripadvisor