Health and Wellbeing and the New Forest National Park

Being in nature is good for us! This is something we often feel intuitively when we go outside on a nice day or take a trip to the countryside or the coast.

It’s also something which research and evidence backs up: time spent in nature benefits our wellbeing, improves our mood and provides us opportunities to move and get active. But it can also be hard for people to find time and opportunity to make the most of being outside, and to know what might be available or where to go.

The New Forest National Park provides many opportunities to experience nature. Our things to do page is a great place to start. We now also have a one-stop shop for activities in the New Forest to get people outside and benefiting from nature, including walking, cycling, arts, volunteering, gardening and more. It’s called the Green Health Hub and you can find it here.

On the site, you will also find people’s stories about their relationship with being outdoors and how it has helped them. We are keen to hear new stories so if you would like to share yours then there is a way to do this on the site.

We have recognised the importance of nature and the New Forest to our wellbeing in the Re:New Forest Partnership Plan 2022-2027. We would like to enhance our ‘natural health service’ and what it provides for people and communities. Check out our plans in the ‘Inclusive National Park’ section.

The Green Health Hub is a Green Halo project managed by the New Forest National Park Authority on behalf of the organisations and groups represented on the site, collectively known as the Green Health Network.