The New Forest National Park - 200+ square miles

The New Forest was originally an area of dense woodland which began to be cleared during the bronze and iron ages.
During the Roman occupation the principal industry was pottery, but when the Romans left there was little significant
development until King William declared the area a royal hunting ground in 1079.

Today, the Forestry Commission manage the considerable number of deer that are still present in the Forest, as well as the
extensive cutting, controlled burning, conservation, and timber production. Ponies and cattle form the majority of the
grazing stock and these are owned by the five hundred or so commoners who have the right to use the resources of the
unenclosed land. There are also small numbers of donkeys, sheep and pigs, and because all the animals are free to roam
on the roads there is a 40mph speed restriction within the New Forest.

In 2005 the New Forest became a National Park and for further information please visit:

www.newforestnpa.gov.uk