Hatchet Pond

Visitor information

Opening hours

Weekdays

Monday
Opening hours	Dawn to dusk

Tuesday
Opening hours	Dawn to dusk

Wednesday
Opening hours	Dawn to dusk

Thursday
Opening hours	Dawn to dusk

Friday
Opening hours	Dawn to dusk

Weekends

Saturday
Opening hours	Dawn to dusk

Sunday
Opening hours	Dawn to dusk

Parking and prices

Charges for parking in all of our 129 car parks in the New Forest are currently planned to begin in late April 2026. Find out more

Please park only in designated car parks, not on a verge or in gateways.

Please lock your car, taking any valuables with you and leave by dusk.

Additional information

Number of accessible parking spaces: 0

There are no designated accessible parking spaces at this forest. View our easy access trails page to find other forests with accessible parking.

Accessible parking available

Facilities and access

There are no toilets at this location, the nearest facilities are in the village in Beaulieu or Brockenhurst.

No swimming or boating is allowed in Hatchet Pond and other natural water sources that have potential dangers.

For more information on planning your visit, take a look at our accessibility information:

Assistance dogs welcome

Hatchet Pond

Hatchet Pond is one of the UK’s most important Ponds for nature and wildlife

Hatchet Pond is the New Forest’s largest body of fresh water and home to some of the rarest wetland plants and freshwater animals long since lost from many other parts of the UK. As one of the most wildlife rich water bodies remaining in lowland England, it has the highest possible conservation status as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area for Conservation.

Over the last four years a major restoration plan has been put in place and changes made at this location to try and protect it for future generations.

Please note: to reduce the risk of pollution into the pond there are no longer toilet facilities here. Alternative facilities can be found in the nearby villages of Beaulieu and Brockenhurst, or in Lymington.

Visitors also have a critical role to play in helping to ensure this special place can survive by not entering the water for swimming, or any other reason, and not allowing dogs into the water. Find out more about why this area is so special:

Wildlife of Hatchet Pond