Minimise your impact
Today the New Forest National Park welcomes over 13 million visitors every year, attracted by its special qualities of natural beauty, wildlife, cultural heritage and by the recreational opportunities it offers.
The New Forest is a great destination for visitors and tourism is a valuable part of the local economy. However, if recreational use is not managed in a sustainable way issues such as traffic congestion, development, litter, erosion and loss of tranquillity can lead to degradation of the wonderful environment which people come to enjoy.
The National Park has two purposes:
- to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park, and
- to promote understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities.
You can ensure the Forest is here for future generations by minimising your impact on the environment during your visit.
Make sure your visit is a 'forest friendly' one:
- Look after the New Forest Pony. Drive carefully and stay under 40mph where indicated. Over 100 ponies are killed each year in traffic accidents. Please do not feed the ponies as they then become attracted to people and the roadside. Ponies can be dangerous;
- Use your car less! Why not make use of the many bus and train connections to and within the Forest, and explore the National Park on foot, bicycle or horseback? If you are here on holiday, set aside one or two days when you give your car a holiday too by using other modes of transport. Take a look at the Planning your visit section of this website for information about public transport in this area;
- Support local skills, services and produce when shopping locally rather than bringing food with you. Look out for the New Forest Marque, which is used on local produce. Use village services and post offices to help boost the economy and keep local businesses alive. This increases the number of jobs and improves the quality of life for local people;
Respect wild animals, trees and other plants and fungi. Leave wild flowers for others to enjoy. Avoid disturbing birds and other animals particularly ground-nesting birds during the breeding season from March until June. Follow the fungi picking code.
- Guard against the risk of fire. A discarded cigarette or the remains of a barbecue can prove disastrous for the Forest;
- Keep your dog under close control;
- Follow the New Forest code, available on the Forestry Commission's website.
Above all, respect, enjoy and learn about the New Forest.
