You'll find plenty of hotels, B&Bs, camping and caravan sites and character self catering properties in the New Forest. You'll find plenty to do here and although your stay will be in the heart of Hampshires rural countryside you'll never be far by car from the coast if you fancy a day out by the seaside.

The New Forest is a beautifully preserved corner of the English countryside planted over 1000 years ago and set aside by William the Conqueror as royal hunting grounds.

Much of the countryside remains little changed over the years and the forest towns and villages retain a charm all of their own. The Court of the Verderers still administers the law of the forest, and deal with such rights as the grazing of livestock. The ponies and cattle you see are owned by commoners, people who own land in and around the New Forest and have what is know as 'commoners right'. Famous for its wild ponies, there are also over 1,500 fallow deer as well as red, sika and roe deer.

The New Forest attracts many visitors every year, and is a must for nature lovers, with its a huge variety of plants and flowers, some of which are quite rare. The area is also very popular for walking, riding and biking. There are many other attractions to be visited ranging from museums to stately homes, leisure parks to farm and wildlife centres where you can learn more about the natural life of the forest.

There is an impressive range of accommodation available from charming hotels, cosy guest houses, farmhouses and B & B's to camp-sites where you can really sleep under the trees. There are many pubs and restaurants which offer local fayre and ales in wonderful rural settings. During your travels through the forest villages you will come across interesting craft & antique shops, village stores and welcoming tea rooms. The New Forest is a truly unique experience.

Use the map of New Forest below to zoom in or out to view directions or click the satellite button for an aerial view. For a larger version of this New Forest map Click Here.