Share your views on the New Forest and be in with the chance of winning prizes
PUBLISHED ON: 21 MAY 2025The New Forest National Park Authority is asking for views on how to make the National Park a better place to visit.
The ‘Enjoying the New Forest’ survey 2025 has been designed in partnership with Forestry England and Go New Forest. The findings will help partners to provide relevant information and facilities to support people spending time here.
Anyone can share their views, whether a National Park resident or not. In doing so, you could win a two-night camping stay at a Camping New Forest site, or an expert-guided nature walk with Wild New Forest.
Over 740 people took part in last year’s survey. The key findings were:
- Most visited for walking, relaxing or exercising their dog(s)
- 54% of visits were made by New Forest residents
- 40% of visits included at least one dog
- 85% arrived by car
- 98% said the New Forest is special to them
- 32% visited in groups of two
- 61% were aged under 55
- 17% said they had a disability or long-term illness
- 65% found the New Forest very welcoming
- 88% were aware of the New Forest code, mostly through signage, social media and word of mouth
- 82% were aware you can be fined for petting or feeding ponies or donkeys and 89% were aware you can be fined for having a fire or BBQ on the open Forest, due to the Public Space Protection Order.
- 46% found the New Forest very accessible
- 95% found information, facilities, marked trails, and attractions in the New Forest to be accessible.
- Nearly 1/3 suggested accessible paths for wheelchair and pushchair users should be extended or better promoted.
Aynsley Clinton, Sustainable Visitor Experience Officer at the New Forest National Park Authority, said: ‘The survey enables us to find out how people are accessing the New Forest and how they spend their time here, whether on a day visit from within the National Park or longer stays from further afield.
‘Over half the National Park is internationally important for nature conservation. Our role is to ensure people visit sustainably and have an awareness of how to enjoy the special qualities of the New Forest responsibly. This is even more important as we mark 20 years of the New Forest becoming a National Park and look to protect it for years to come.’
Richard Burke, Recreation Manager for Forestry England said: ‘The New Forest is a special place to connect with nature with over 15 million visitor days per year where people do just that. The survey helps us to understand how we can provide information to help people enjoy their time here and support the area by visiting responsibly.’
Nic Carass, Business and Membership Manager at Go New Forest CIC, the destination management organisation, said: ‘Visitor insight is vital in shaping a New Forest that works for both people and place. This survey gives us a real-time snapshot of how and why people visit, which helps us support local businesses, enhance the visitor experience, and promote regenerative tourism. By sharing your views, you’re playing a part in protecting what makes the New Forest so special.’
The survey closes 30 September 2025. To enter and for full terms and conditions, see our website: www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/enjoyingtheforest
ENDS
About Forestry England
Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests, with over 285 million visits in 2023/24. As England’s largest land manager, we shape landscapes and enhance forests for people to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and businesses to grow. We are continuing the work we have already started to make the nation’s forests resilient to climate change and by 2026 we will:
- create at least 6,000 more hectares where we integrate wilding activities in our productive forests
- increase the diversity of visitors to the nation’s forests and have one million hours of high-quality volunteer time given to the nation’s forests
- plant at least 2,000 hectares of new, high quality, predominantly broadleaf woodlands
For more information visit Forestry England.uk. Forestry England is an agency of the Forestry Commission.
About The New Forest CIC
The New Forest CIC is the official Destination Management Organisation for the New Forest, dedicated to promoting responsible tourism, supporting local businesses, enhancing the visitor experience and helping people make memories. Working with over 170 member businesses, we connect people to the landscapes, heritage, and communities that make the New Forest unique.
Through inspiring storytelling, partnership working, and a shared commitment to care for the land, we help visitors discover the best of the New Forest – responsibly and meaningfully. From ancient woodlands and free-roaming ponies to historic villages and local producers, The New Forest CIC champions the people and places that define this extraordinary part of the world.
Learn more at www.thenewforest.co.uk
