Communities

The New Forest National Park is a wonderful place to live, with peaceful hamlets, bustling towns and thriving communities.

Thriving communities

More than 34,000 people live in the New Forest, making it the most densely-populated national park in England. If you are one of them, this section will help you settle in as a new resident, get support for your business or volunteer to help protect this special place.

Volunteer with usThe New Forest National Park Authority is responsible...

New Forest Awards 2022

Update: Nominations are now closed for this year's awards. Thank you to...

Schools and Groups

The New Forest National Park offers outstanding learning opportunities for schools and...

Volunteer with local organisations

Find New Forest organisations looking for volunteers.

New Forest Ambassador scheme

Become a New Forest Ambassador New Forest Ambassadors should always follow the...

Get stuck in!

Find out how you can join our dedicated team of ambassadors.

New Forest Ambassador schemeBecome a New Forest Ambassador...

Litter picking

Can you spare some time to help litter pick in the New...

Help record verge and gateway parking

Can you help us to record verge and gateway parking? What’s the...

Local produce

We support the local produce economy in and...

Businesses

Partnering with us

We are actively seeking new opportunities to work...

Businesses

All National Parks in England have a duty to 'seek to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities within the Park' while delivering their purposes of protecting this landscape and encouraging people's understanding and enjoyment of the Park. Sign up for our email newsletter for businesses

Parishes

This section is for parish councillors and others who want to know about the National Park Authority and our work in your parish area.

Find your parish council

There are 37 parishes and towns wholly or...

Parishes

Useful information

A map of the National Park boundary (2...

New residents

Your home and garden

If your home is next to the Open...

New residents

Who does what

In the main the landowners are responsible for...

New residents

Make the most of living here and keep the New Forest special. For the latest National Park updates sign up for our regular e-news below. It’s an amazing place with lots of wildlife, thousands of free-roaming animals and spectacular landscapes.

Grants

Do you need funding for a community project in the New Forest? Use the links below to find out more information. For helpful and friendly advice before making an application, contact our grants officer on 01590 646634 or email scf@newforestnpa.gov.uk. For school travel grants, see our web page www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/travelgrant

Love the Forest grants

The New Forest Trust has grants from £50...

Grants

Rural communities fund

This fund will help improve local countryside access...

Young people

Youth Opportunities Survey

Are you aged between 11 and 25 years...

Young people

Youth schemes

From winding rivers to expansive heathland, ancient woodland...

Young people

Our education team and rangers work with young people every single week to inspire them to love the National Park. In this section you can download teaching resources, book school visits, find out about our schemes for teenagers and much more.

Get involved

Whether you’re far away from the forest, out and about in the National Park, or live here and want to commit some time and energy, everyone can help keep this unique place special for now and future generations.

Welcoming visitors

Welcoming visitors back to the Forest safely ...

Get involved

BBQ-free New Forest campaign

The New Forest has now been declared a...

New Forest Arts

Arts Archive

Over the years, the National Park Authority has...

New Forest Arts

Culture in Common

In December 2021, Arts Council England announced funding...

New Forest Arts

Stunning scenery, changing seasons and historic culture make the New Forest National Park a magnificent place to explore, photograph and film at any time of year. Within this section you will find beautiful images from local photographers and details of arts events and opportunities revealing the best of the National Park. Stay up to date via our New Forest Arts Facebook page.