Discover the New Forest
A national park in the heart of Hampshire – 150 square miles of ancient woodland, open heath and coast, roamed freely by ponies. Here’s why it’s one of the finest places in the country to visit and camp.
Why visit the New Forest?
There is nowhere else in England quite like it. Created as a royal hunting ground almost a thousand years ago, the New Forest is now a national park where ancient woodland, wild heath and quiet coastline sit side by side – and where ponies, donkeys and cattle still wander freely across the lanes.
Just two hours from London and on the doorstep of Southampton and Bournemouth, it’s an easy escape that feels a world away – perfect for a family day out, a walking or cycling break, or a proper camping trip in the heart of it.
Find your campsiteA whole national park to explore
From free-roaming ponies to hidden beaches, here’s what makes the New Forest so special – tap any card to dive deeper.
Free-roaming ponies
The free-roaming ponies are the enduring symbol of the New Forest. Around 5,000 of them graze the open heath, wander the lanes and amble through villages like Brockenhurst and Burley – and have done for close to a thousand years.
Each pony belongs to a commoner exercising ancient grazing rights, so they’re free-roaming rather than wildlife. Spring brings the first foals, while autumn adds donkeys, cattle and pannage pigs to the mix. Please drive slowly, keep your distance and never feed them.
Ancient woodland & heath
Beyond the ponies lie vast tracts of ancient woodland and open heath – one of the largest areas of unenclosed land left in southern England, and a haven for rare wildlife.
Ancient oak and beech inclosures give way to purple summer heather and gorse-lined tracks, criss-crossed by waymarked trails. Stay on one of our forest campsites and it’s all right on your doorstep.
Coast & beaches
The New Forest runs all the way down to the Solent, so a day at the coast is never far. Milford-on-Sea, Lepe, Barton-on-Sea and the Georgian harbour town of Lymington all sit within easy reach.
Rock-pool with the kids, walk the shingle with views to the Isle of Wight, or catch a ferry across from Lymington. Of our campsites, Holmsley sits closest to this stretch of coast.
Pretty forest villages
The forest’s villages are half the charm. Brockenhurst has ponies on the main street, Lyndhurst is the ‘capital’ with its galleries and museum, Beaulieu holds the Motor Museum and abbey, and Burley leans happily into its witchy folklore.
Thatched cottages, tea rooms, farm shops and centuries of history make each one worth a wander between walks and beach days.
Dark skies & stargazing
With so little light pollution, the New Forest has some of the darkest skies in southern England – and you need no kit to enjoy them. On a clear night the Milky Way is visible straight from your pitch.
Open, heath-edge sites are especially good – Holmsley and Ocknell among them. Bring a blanket, let your eyes adjust and look up.
Cycling & walking trails
More than 100 miles of gravel tracks and waymarked trails thread through the forest, most of them flat, car-free and ideal for families – some of the best easy cycling in the south.
Hire bikes at selected campsites and ride straight from your tent, or lace up for the walking routes: everything from gentle lawns to longer heathland loops.
The famous New Forest ponies
Around 5,000 ponies roam the New Forest freely, grazing the open heath and often wandering right through the villages. Each is owned by a local commoner exercising ancient grazing rights that have shaped this landscape for centuries.
Spring is magical, when the first foals find their feet. You’ll also share the forest with donkeys, cattle and, in autumn, pigs turned out for pannage. Please drive slowly, keep your distance and never feed them.
Days out for all the family
Big attractions, family farms and forest adventures. See the full list on our things to do page.
Paultons Park & Peppa Pig World
On the northern edge of the forest near Romsey, Paultons Park is the region’s biggest family day out – home to Peppa Pig World, the Lost Kingdom dinosaurs and Tornado Springs, with 70-plus rides and attractions in all.
It’s an easy hop from our campsites like Ashurst and Ocknell, so you can do the theme park by day and be back under the trees by night.
Beaulieu & the Motor Museum
Beaulieu packs several days out into one estate: Palace House, the ruined 13th-century abbey, the World of Top Gear and the National Motor Museum’s collection of classic and record-breaking cars.
A monorail glides over the exhibits and the gardens run down to the Beaulieu River – a hit across the generations. Roundhill is one of our handiest campsites for a visit.
Exbury Gardens & steam railway
Exbury Gardens spreads over 200 acres of the Rothschild family’s woodland on the Beaulieu River, world-famous for its rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias.
Spring is a riot of colour and autumn glows just as brightly, while a narrow-gauge steam railway loops the grounds – a favourite with younger visitors.
Longdown Activity Farm
Longdown Activity Farm near Ashurst is hands-on from the moment you arrive: bottle-feed lambs and goat kids, meet the pigs and rabbits, and let little ones loose in the play barns.
It’s part indoors and part out, so it works rain or shine – a gentle, animal-filled day for younger families. Ashurst is the nearest of our campsites.
Water sports at Lymington
Lymington’s Georgian quay makes a lovely afternoon by the water. Take a boat trip, ride the ferry across to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, or cool off at the open-air Lymington Sea Water Baths, a seawater lido on the shore since 1833.
Of our campsites, Holmsley is the closest to this stretch of the coast.
New Forest Wildlife Park
The New Forest Wildlife Park near Ashurst is home to otters, deer, owls, lynx, wolves and one of the UK’s largest collections of native and European species, set along shady boardwalk trails.
Daily keeper talks and feeds make it an easy, engaging day – and a brilliant option when the weather turns. Ashurst is the closest of our campsites.
A proper taste of the New Forest
Local produce, cosy pubs and treats worth pulling over for.
Classic forest pubs
The New Forest’s country pubs are the heart of a good day out – log fires in winter, big gardens in summer, local ales year-round and Sunday roasts worth loosening your boots for.
Most are dog-friendly and used to muddy walkers, so you can roll in straight off the heath with the dog in tow.
Farm shops & markets
Roadside farm shops and weekly markets brim with New Forest produce – marque-branded meat, local cheese, honey, cider and just-picked veg.
Time your visit around Lymington’s Saturday charter market or Ringwood’s Wednesday market, then fill the cool box for a proper campsite feast.
New Forest Ice Cream
No forest trip is complete without New Forest Ice Cream, churned just up the road and scooped from village shops and kiosks across the park.
It’s also sold in tubs at many of our campsites, including Ashurst, Hollands Wood, Holmsley and Ocknell – perfect after a long day on the trails.
Local ale & cider
Hampshire pours a proper pint. Sample beers from New Forest breweries and traditional local cider in pubs across the park – many serving something brewed within a few miles.
Ask what’s on at the bar, or pick up bottles from a farm shop to enjoy back at your pitch.
The New Forest through the seasons
Every season brings something new – here’s what to look forward to.
New foals & bluebells
The first pony foals find their feet and the woodland floor turns blue – the forest at its freshest.
Read moreBeaches & long evenings
Coast days, festivals and warm nights under dark skies – peak season for camping.
Read morePannage & the deer rut
Pigs forage for acorns, the deer rut echoes through the trees and the colours turn golden.
Read moreFrosty walks & cosy pubs
Crisp, quiet trails, roaring pub fires and year-round camping at Setthorns.
Read moreSleep right in the heart of it under the trees
The best way to experience the New Forest is to stay in it. Our ten campsites sit inside the national park itself – for tents, caravans, motorhomes and ready-pitched glamping – so ponies for neighbours and forest trails from your pitch come as standard. Book direct for the best rate.
Ten New Forest campsites, one easy booking
From riverside pitches and open heath to sheltered woodland and sites near the coast, each of our ten campsites has its own character – and every one puts you right inside the forest, not on the edge of it.
New Forest FAQs
Where is the New Forest?
Is the New Forest in Hampshire?
Can you camp in the New Forest?
Are there really ponies roaming free in the New Forest?
Is Paultons Park in the New Forest?
Is the New Forest dog friendly?
Start your New Forest adventure
Pick your campsite, check live availability and book direct – the forest, the ponies and a whole national park are waiting.