This national park is a nature reserve in Hampshire in south-east England. Today, the New Forest is an excellent opportunity to plunge into the leisurely life of the English province, breathe fresh air, and see wonderful towns, villages, and castles. Obviously, it is better to explore this wonderful place lightly. Therefore, find a place in advance where you can leave your luggage. You can do this on the website about NYC luggage storage.
History
A new forest in Hampshire in the south-east of England, no longer new, but very old. The last time it was new was in 1079, when William the Conqueror decided to develop these lands for his own hunting. According to rumors, he forcibly took away land from the peasants of 22 Saxon villages for this purpose. For hundreds of years, the pleasures and entertainment of the nobility here were placed above the vital needs of ordinary peasants, who were forbidden to hunt in the New Forest under threat of death. The only exception to this rule were the monks of Buley Abbey, who were even allowed to keep their cattle. However, over time, the need for wood to build houses and later ships gradually reduced the boundaries of the New Forest, and today, its territory occupies 224 square miles (approximately 581 sq. km), which is not so little. In 2005, it received official National Park status and is no longer owned by the royal family.
Is It Worth Visiting?
Today, the New Forest is home to a dozen small, old-fashioned villages, rivers, and lakes with crystal-clear waters, lookout points, beaches, hundreds of walking and cycling routes, pubs, family hotels, restaurants, farmers’ markets, gardens, castles, and manors.
You can come here for a week, stay in a traditional family B&B in the center of the reserve, rent a bike, car, or Twizzy (electric two-seater), and travel from one village to another. If you arrive in the summer, from June 29 to September 15 (the information is correct for 2014), you can freely move around the Forest on tourist and beach buses, which is very convenient and eliminates the need to rent a car. Or you can choose one of the many walking routes, either as part of a group with a local guide or on your own (all routes are signposted). A week is enough to leisurely visit the main villages and attractions, ride boats and horses, devote a day to walking or cycling, and have lunch and dinner in local pubs and Michelin-starred restaurants.
This is a holiday option for those who have already been to England more than once and would like to expand their knowledge of the country, get into the life of the English village, and discover something new.
What to Visit
In addition to its amazing natural features, New Forest has its attractions. These include the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu Abbey, Exbury Gardens, etc.
Abbey
The picturesque village of Beaulieu is considered the historical heart of the national park. Its name comes from the Latin Bellus Locus Regis, which means “beautiful place for a king.”
In this case, the king was King John (1167-1216). One day, John had a dream about being severely beaten by the monks with whom he had quarreled more than once and whom he had oppressed for many years. Waking up from a nightmare, John decides to donate part of the land of the New Forest, namely 4,000 hectares (10,000 acres), to the Cistercian monks so that they can build an abbey and pray for the salvation of his soul.
National Motor Museum
On the estate, you can also visit the National Motor Museum, founded by the Duke of Montagu in 1952. The museum boasts a fascinating collection of over 300 exhibits, each of which tells the story of the development of motoring in the UK and around the world. For example, while walking among the vintage cars, on one of the walls, you can see an interesting plaque telling about the Automobile Acts of 1865 and 1878, which limited the speed of traffic in the village to 4 miles per hour, and in the city to 2 miles per hour. Also, a person with a red flag in his hands had to walk in front of the car and warn other motorists about his appearance. Of course, such restrictions did not contribute to the rapid development of the automobile industry in Britain.
Exbury Gardens
A 10-minute drive from Bewley is one of England’s most beautiful gardens, Exbury Gardens, at the heart of which you can admire the majestic neo-Palladian mansion of the Rothschild family. Here, you can also ride a steam train.
Conclusion
The New Forest is an absolutely wonderful place. It seems to take you back to the past. You can admire the beautiful nature of Southern England, explore historical sights, and even take part in a horseback riding tour. It is a great way to enrich your visit to England and see a different side of this country. You can combine a visit to the park with a trip to London. This one will give you a feel for the contrast between the bustling industrial city and the quiet rural life.