Knightwood Oak

Visitor information

Peace, tranquility and a great spot for a picnic whilst exploring the 500 year old Knightwood Oak

Knightwood Oak is a great place to stop and enjoy a picnic, 'away from it all' and try to imagine what it would have been like over 500 years ago when the famous Knightwood Oak tree began to grow.

The Knightwood Oak is the largest oak in the New Forest, at 7.4m girth, and surely one of the oldest.

The Queen of the Forest

It is still going strong today and is a spectacular example of the ancient art of 'pollarding', the traditional way of harvesting wood without killing the tree. This living monument became a tree to find in Victorian times and acquired the title "Queen of the Forest". It has featured on maps since this time.

At a glance

Walking trail
Picnic areas
View the largest oak tree in the forest

Things to do

Knightwood Oak Trail

Take a short stroll from Knightwood car park, across the road to see the most famous tree in the New Forest. Believed to have been planted in 1600, this tree is still going strong...

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Picnics at Knightwood Oak

Enjoy a tasty treat in the forest, just bring along good food and company! We have some picnic tables on site, however visitors are welcome to bring blankets and pitch up.

To help...

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Nearby forests

A herd of deer in a glade in the forest

Bolderwood

Situated on an old coaching route, Bolderwood contains some of the oldest Douglas fir trees in the New Forest with some dating back as far as 1860.  South of Bolderwood car park...

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Boy counting tree rings on a very old tree that's been felled.

Blackwater

Blackwater arboretum is an idyllic setting with a stunning variety of beautiful trees from around the world. Inspired by the tree collection at this special place, a sensory...

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couple enjoying a picnic in a clearing within a forest

Anderwood

Nestled in the trees, Anderwood is the perfect place to park up and enjoy a picnic whilst listening to the sounds of woodland wildlife all around. 

To help prevent wildfires fires...

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Three New Forest ponies standing on open grassland.

Whitefield Moor

Enjoy the stunning views of the heathland and trees beyond. This is an ideal spot for all the family with good waymarked walking trail that pass by the nearby Ober Water stream.

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