The New Forest is in full seasonal shift – each month bringing new sights and colour. One of the most delightful things about walking here in early autumn is spotting the Forest’s wild fruits, berries and nuts that add texture and things to spot to the landscape.
Here are some of the most common you might come across on your next stroll:
1. Blackberries
Clambering over hedgerows, blackberries are among the easiest wild fruits to spot. Their glossy, dark purple appearance contrasts beautifully with the late summer greenery, and they’re an important food source for birds and insects.
2. Sloes
The blackthorn’s tiny, bitter fruits – sloes – appear in abundance in autumn. They’re often found in dense hedgerows. While we use them in sloe gin, birds such as redwings rely on them as a rich late-season food.
3. Rosehips
Bright red and oval-shaped, rosehips glow in the hedgerows as the days shorten. They provide a vital source of food for birds and small mammals in winter and are also commonly used in natural skincare and remedies, such as rosehip oil and herbal teas.
4. Crab Apples
These small, round fruits vary in colour from green-yellow to flushed red, and they often carpet the woodland floor as autumn progresses. While too sour for humans to enjoy raw, many woodland animals feast on them – including deer and ponies.
5. Hawthorne
Often found in hedgerows, hawthorn trees produce vibrant red berries in early autumn. The berries grow in tight bunches and provide a valuable food source for birds. The tree itself, with its twisting branches and small leaves, has long been associated with folklore and traditional medicine.
6. Acorns
Falling from the mighty English oak, acorns are a staple of the New Forest’s autumn story. You’ll often see them littering the woodland floor. They’re essential food for jays, mice, squirrels – and of course, the famous New Forest pigs during pannage season.
7. Conkers
Another autumnal favourite, conkers are the glossy brown seeds of the horse chestnut tree. Children (and adults!) love spotting these inside their spiky green cases. You’ll find horse chestnuts lining pathways in more open areas of the Forest.
Slow Down and Soak It In
From crab apples and sloes to the humble acorn and shiny conker, these seasonal markers not only make your walk more interesting but connect you to the rhythms of nature. So next time you’re wandering the trails, take a moment to notice what’s growing around you. It’s a small but powerful way to feel grounded in the turning of the year – bring a camera, take photos, or simply enjoy identifying each find!
Why Not Stay a Little Longer?
Make the most of autumn in the New Forest with a relaxing stay at Setthorns or Holmsley campsite. Wake up to misty mornings, unwind beneath golden canopies, and soak in peaceful sunsets right from your pitch.
- Setthorns offers a more secluded forest feel – perfect for those who love a bit of quiet and the rustle of leaves underfoot (Own chemical toilet required)
- Holmsley, located near both the forest and coast, it’s ideal for those looking to explore more of the surrounding area (Closes for the season October 31st 2025)
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