Caring for the New Forest
People and nature live together harmoniously in the New Forest National Park. To ensure that we continue to do so we ask everyone to follow a simple code of behaviour.
Access: Keep to tracks to avoid disturbing wildlife. Plan your route to be out of Forestry Commission car parks by dusk.
Dogs: The New Forest is a great place to walk dogs but please keep them within sight and under control at all times. To help birds rear their young safely keep dogs on the tracks from the beginning of March to the end of July. Some beaches are out of bounds to dogs during the summer; look out for local restrictions.
Parking: Use a designated car park and lock your car, taking any valuables with you.
Driving: The 40mph speed limit on unfenced roads greatly reduces the number of accidents involving animals. Slow down and give ponies and other forest animals a wide berth; they have little road-sense! Be especially careful at night.
Fire: Because uncontrolled forest fires are a great threat, campfires are not allowed in the New Forest without the permission of the landowner. Barbecue sites are provided for hire at Wilverley and Anderwood car parks by the Forestry Commission (023 8028 3141 or www.forestry.gov.uk/newforest) and at Lepe Country Park by Hampshire County Council (please book in advance 023 8089 9108 or www.hants.gov.uk/lepe).
Cycling: Keep to the waymarked tracks. Give way to walkers and horse-riders, and call out a warning when approaching them. Ride in single file on narrow roads and never more than two abreast. Wear bright colours to be visible and always use lights in the dark.
Camping: The New Forest is a wonderful place to pitch your tent or bring your caravan, as long as you use one of the designated sites provided by Forest Holidays and other operators. Wild camping is not allowed.
Forest management: Take notice of any warning signs and keep a safe distance from work sites. Only pass a vehicle loading timber when told it is safe to do so.
Litter: Please take your litter home.
Ponies: There is plenty of natural food for the ponies so please don’t feed them. It’s against the byelaws and human food can harm them. Hand-fed ponies tend to gather near roads where they are vulnerable to traffic accidents and some become aggressive with people who, quite rightly, keep their picnics to themselves. Even stroking ponies is dangerous - they may look friendly but they can bite and kick, especially mares with foals.
