Car park closures
New Forest Drift 2021
The Drifts are an essential part of the welfare and management of the Forest Herd.
The New Forest Drift is where ponies are rounded up to be checked. For safety we close car parks around the drift and advise the public to avoid the area while they take place.
The Drifts are managed by Agisters who work for the Verderers Office and it’s one of the busiest times of year for the commoners. They make sure every pony on the Forest is accounted for. The ponies are given a health check, treated for worms and branded with each commoners own distinct marking and their tails are cut to signify that the “marking fee”, the fee to graze the common, has been paid. They are also fitted with light reflectors to protect them from traffic at night. The following car parks and cycle routes will be closed for the day shown in the table below during the New Forest Drifts.
Please avoid these areas during the drift, use an alternative car park and do not park on verges, along access tracks or in gateways.
| Date | Location | Cycle route closures | Car park closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 26 October | Picket Post / Bratley | Picket Post to Bratley View Picket Post to A31 | Picket Post
|
| Sun 7 November | Holmsley | Holmsley Walk to campsite | Holmsley |
Other car park closures
- To keep everybody safe we are temporarily closing Woods Corner car park on Mon 25 - Fri 29 October, whilst tree felling takes place nearby.
- Clay Hill, near Burley, will remain closed to accommodate vehicles from Knights Brown contractors that are working on the Holmsley Rail Bridge replacement. By allowing their vehicles to be stored here, we’re preventing potential verge parking and habitat damage of the Forest.
- Osmond's Bushes will remain closed whilst the Holmsley Rail Bridge replacement works are carried out.
There are no longer toilets at Hatchet Pond car park.
Please do not park on verges, along access tracks or in gateways, alternative car parks are available, thank you.
