Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.

Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.

Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.

Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.

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Two minivans and a car parked in a New Forest car park. There is a woodland in the background

Car parks

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The best way to explore the National Park is without your car.

There are plenty of sustainable and active travel options to help you discover the special qualities of the National Park whilst reducing your impact on it, including train, bus, the New Forest Tour, bike and on foot. See the sustainable travel page for more information.

Car parks and toilets in the New Forest:

The National Park Authority doesn’t own or manage any car parks. Below are links to all the main car park providers in the National Park.

At peak times, some car parks are full by mid-morning. If your chosen car park is full when you arrive, please find another one nearby. Do not park on the verge or block gateways.

Parking on verges causes damage. They might only look like ordinary grass or gravel, but are protected habitats in their own right. Find out more about why New Forest verges are so special on our protecting verges page.

It’s also important not to obstruct gateways or car park entrances. The National Park is a working Forest; access is needed at all times by people who care for the animals, manage the woodlands and for emergencies.

Forestry England:

Forestry England has 129 car parks on the open Forest, you’ll recognise them by their distinctive green signs.

As of April 2026, parking charges apply at all of Forestry England’s car parks in the New Forest. Find out more on Forestry England’s website.

Each year, a very small number of Forestry England car parks are closed between February and August to protect vulnerable ground nesting birds and in winter for maintenance.

Find a full list of car parks and info on which have facilities such as toilets, and updates on planned maintenance and closures on Forestry England’s website.

New Forest District Council:

There are more than 50 New Forest District Council car parks in the New Forest, including on the coast and in towns and village centres. These offer many short stay, long stay and disabled spaces. More details on the New Forest District Council’s website.

National Trust:

There are National Trust car parks at Bramshaw, Rockford, Hale Purlieu and Hightown Commons. See the National Trust website for more.

Hampshire County Council:

You can find information about Abbotswell car park in the west of the New Forest and Lepe Country Park. There are toilets at Lepe.