Heath, coast, woods and wildlife – hikes in the New Forest National Park

With ancient woodland, majestic heathland and wildlife-rich coastline, the New Forest is a magical place where deer and ponies roam freely, rare birds soar in the skies and dragonflies dart across tranquil ponds.

The national park boasts myriad hiking routes that take you into the woods, by the ocean, by rivers and streams, through patchwork fields and over heaths. As the landscape is generally flat, walking is typically quite leisurely, meaning all ages and abilities can enjoy hiking here.

Oddly, the New Forest is neither new nor much of a forest. The area was first proclaimed a royal hunting preserve by William the Conqueror in 1079 and covers mostly heathland. Do not let this irony deter you, though. The area, which was designated as a national park in 2005, is charming, beautiful, packed with wildlife and full of history.

The Tours in this Collection – ordered from easiest to most challenging – serve as an introduction to the New Forest. Within these routes, you will see the tallest and oldest trees in the national park and visit what is arguably the best place to see red deer in England, Bolderwood.

You will also wander along a magnificent coastline, through internationally-important nature reserves, around popular summertime relaxation spots, along gently-flowing streams and through gardens that boast an earthly paradise. You will see marinas, pretty harbours, and a plethora of wildlife.

A great option to stay when visiting the New Forest is Lyndhurst. The largest village in the New Forest, Lyndhurst became the region's natural capital when William the Conqueror established his hunting grounds here. No longer the preserve of royal elites, these days the village boasts a wide range of tearooms, pubs, restaurants, independent shops and places to stay. Once there, the New Forest is well-served by a public bus network.

The best way to access the National Park by rail is via Brockenhurst station, which is served by direct trains from London Waterloo, Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth, as well as by connecting services from Reading, Oxford and Birmingham. Brockenhurst is 4 miles (6.4 km) from Lyndhurst and there are hourly connecting buses if you catch the number six service.