Activities at New Forest

The nation's forests and essential facilities are open, but please follow government coronavirus guidelines when planning your visit - read our coronavirus guidance.

Views over the heather and open forest in the New Forest

Things to do

Activities at New Forest

Two small boys learning to cycle in the woods

Cycling in the New Forest

walkers enjoying a walk around a woodland lake in autumn

Walking in the New Forest

Couple on a picnic bench in a campsite

Camping in the New Forest

Barn owl

Forest Find | New Forest

horse riding generic

Horse riding in the New Forest

Nightjar camouflaged nesting on the ground

Ground nesting birds

The New Forest is one of the last places in the UK where these birds can still be found and helping them to breed successfully is now critical to their survival in the UK.

The open forest landscape within the New Forest National Park

Car parks

List of car parks and updates about closures.

New Forest heathland

Your Essential Guide to the New Forest in 2021

Off-road running event in the Forest

Plan an event or activity

More information

Two ponies New Forest

New Forest Ponies

Keep your distance

Close up of water lillies on Eyeworth Pond

Swimming and Watersports in the New Forest

Swimming and watersports (including boating and paddleboarding) in ponds and other natural water sources in the New Forest is not allowed.

dog walking in Hamsterley Forest

New Forest - Dog walking code

To help keep the New Forest special, local people have agreed this code of practice for dog walking throughout the National Park.

More information

New Forest Fungi - Turkey Tail

New Forest fungi

In order to protect this special landscape please don't pick fungi.

Red Deer Stag

Deer Rut Season

As the temperatures drop the Red Deer rutting season begins.

Pigs eating fallen acorns in the New Forest

Pannage

Pannage is an ancient practice that is still used today by New Forest Commoners, who turn out their pigs into the Forest to eat fallen acorns.

A herd of deer in a glade in the forest

New Forest National Park Authority

Membership invitation - click to find out more about membership

Volunteer with us invitation - click to discover volunteer opportunities across England