| Named by William The Conqueror the 'new hunting | | | | forms of wet heaths, dry heaths and valley bogs |
| forest' in 1079, the landscape of the New Forest | | | | these areas are home to adders, grass snakes |
| has hardly changed since then. The woodlands and | | | | and lizards and more information regarding these |
| heaths are looked after today using the same | | | | creatures can be found at the New Forest Reptile |
| ancient systems implemented by William The | | | | Centre. |
| Conqueror mainly in the form of Commoners | | | | The New Forest is a popular location for all ages |
| which are the local inhabitants who farm cattle, | | | | and interests. All year round there are activities |
| pigs, donkeys and ponies. These areas are called | | | | such as guided walks, historic and geographic talks |
| pasture woodland are left open for the cattle and | | | | and traffic free cycle tracks with many New |
| pigs, also deer. The Ancient and Ornamental | | | | Forest bed and breakfast establishments to stay |
| woodlands cover 3,692 hectares of the open | | | | in. There are now a wide ranging selection of New |
| forest. There are also a number of other workers | | | | Forest accommodation venues available, from 5 |
| who manage the forest from rangers and | | | | star country house hotels and bed and breakfasts |
| keepers to skilled woodsmen, all of which work | | | | to stunning New Forest self catering cottages. |
| full time to look after the forest. | | | | Something that should always be kept in mind is |
| The New Forest was given National Park status in | | | | the British weather and if the weather is |
| 2005 and covers an area of approximately 580 | | | | inclement there are numerous museums, galleries |
| square kilometres which is 143321 acres with a | | | | and visitor centres to look round. Surrounding the |
| population of 38,000. The forest includes the | | | | park there are many pretty villages and the |
| largest tracts of unenclosed forest, heathland and | | | | towns such as Totton and Lymington to explore. |
| pastureland remaining in the South East England. | | | | These villages make an ideal base with a huge |
| The uniqueness of the landscape provides habitat | | | | choice of New Forest B&B accommodation |
| for rare wildlife and plants. These lowland areas | | | | venues. |
| are a rare occurrence in the UK today. In the | | | | |