|
The New Forest National Park is an area of unenclosed pasture land, forest and heath land in the south of England. It mainly falls within the county of Hampshire but also breaches the boundaries of Wiltshire. It stretches from Southampton in the east to Bournemouth in the west. The National Park is scattered with quaint towns and villages making it a very picturesque part of Britain.
The New Forest was initially created as a Royal Forest by William the Conqueror in 1079. He intended it to be used for private Royal hunting and other such activities. Eerily, two of William's sons died in the New Forest. Prince Richard, in 1081, died in a hunting accident and King William II died in 1100 after being shot through the chest by an arrow whilst out hunting. Folklore suggests these deaths were punishment for William the Conqueror's act of touching the New Forest.
Three quarters of Hampshire's coastline is taken up by the New Forest. This allows for some amazing sea views as well as the inland scenery the National Park offers. The New Forest is also a hub for rare wildlife such as animals, plants and vegetation. The environment of the New Forest allows for the rare species to flourish whilst remaining untouched due to the National Park status.
Urban settlements within the region include Lyndhurst, the self proclaimed capital of the New Forest, Beaulieu and Ringwood. The British National Motor Museum can be found at Beaulieu. Other places to visit include the hamlet of Buckler's Hard with its maritime history, Lymington and the New Forest Reptile Centre. There are also a large number of walks and cycle paths to be enjoyed offering charming views and scenery through the New Forest and its surrounding areas. It is a real taste of the real England.
| 