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New Forest
The New Forest is a whole landscape to explore, rather than one reserve with a single entrance. Ancient woodland, open heath and wetland sit alongside villages and grazing animals. Choose a specific starting point before you travel.
For a first nature visit, Bolderwood and Blackwater offer manageable ways into the forest. This guide focuses on those woodland starting points while helping you plan a wider day without assuming every forest car park has the same facilities.
New Forest at a glance
Where
Hampshire · Wiltshire
Your visit
Choose a short outing or a longer walk using the route information below.
Before you arrive
Check current opening times, route conditions and local notices.
Why visit New Forest?
There is pleasure here in noticing small changes: shade beneath old trees, an opening onto heath, or the sound of birds above a quiet path. A short woodland walk can be more rewarding than trying to drive around every landmark in one day.
Bolderwood brings veteran trees and waymarked walks; Blackwater adds an arboretum and impressive tall trees. Neither needs to be combined with a long cross-forest hike. Set aside time to stop, look and listen, and pick a route whose return distance suits everyone in your group.
Walks and places to explore
Bolderwood woodland
Use Forestry England’s waymarked walks from Bolderwood, checking the route information at the start. Its veteran trees make this a good place for an unhurried woodland visit. There is no longer a deer sanctuary or feeding station here: seeing deer is a possibility, not a scheduled attraction.
Blackwater arboretum
Blackwater offers an easy arboretum trail and the Tall Trees route beneath giant redwoods. Consult the official walking information for the different options, rather than treating them as one identical circuit. The sensory sculptures provide another reason to slow down and observe the surroundings.
A longer forest outing
Download a map before extending a walk beyond a waymarked trail. Choose one area to explore well and plan where to turn back. Cyclists should use the permitted network rather than assume every woodland footpath is a cycle route.
Accessibility and easier visits
Blackwater lists an easy access trail and accessible parking. Check its detailed access information against your needs, including the distance from the parking space to your intended route. An easy trail at one site does not establish access throughout the national park.
Ground conditions change after rain. If you need a particular surface, a short walk or reliable toilet access, speak to Forestry England before travelling. Build in a rest and return plan rather than estimating the outing solely from a map.
Plan your visit
Getting there
Choose your destination first: Bolderwood is on Ornamental Drive near Lyndhurst, postcode SO43 7GQ; Blackwater is on Rhinefield Drive, SO42 7QB. Use each official site page for directions. For a car-free trip, check transport connections and the final walk to your chosen trail, rather than assuming a village stop serves every forest location.
Parking and cost
Forestry England introduced New Forest parking charges on 20 April 2026. Bolderwood and Blackwater now list paid parking, with RingGo and no cash payments. Check the current tariff and payment arrangements before travelling. Park within marked car parks; do not use verges or obstruct gateways if a site is full.
Opening and admission
There is no single opening timetable for the entire national park. Forestry England currently permits parking at Bolderwood and Blackwater between 4am and 11pm. Other attractions and facilities have their own hours. Plan your walk for daylight and check temporary forestry restrictions.
Toilets and refreshments
Both starting points list toilets and picnic provision, but temporary maintenance matters: Blackwater advertises toilet closure on 7 October and Bolderwood on 8 October. Check their current notices before relying on those facilities. Bring drinking water and food; do not assume a café is beside your woodland trail.
Dogs and responsible visits
Dogs are welcome at these woodland sites, but must stay under close control. Follow local lead signs, keep clear of grazing animals and protect nesting birds. Take waste away and never allow a dog to chase livestock. Allow room for other walkers on narrow paths.
Wildlife and changing seasons
Woodland observation
Look up into the canopy, listen for birds and notice the shapes of old trunks and fallen wood. Quiet observation is often more productive than rushing between viewpoints. Keep a respectful distance from any animal you encounter.
Heath and grazing animals
The contrast between trees and open ground is part of the forest’s character. Ponies and other livestock roam here, but they are not visitor attractions to approach or feed. Watch from a distance and be particularly careful when driving.
Make the most of your day
Follow the New Forest Code. Do not feed or touch livestock. Fires, barbecues and outdoor cooking equipment are prohibited on Forestry England land here. Take litter home, obey forestry signs and keep to designated routes where requested. Carry weather protection and a downloaded map.
Official visitor information
Forestry England New Forest visitor guide · Bolderwood facilities, notices and parking · Blackwater trails and access · New Forest Code
Visitor details checked 5 October 2026. Opening times, charges and access can change; check the official sources before travelling.