Upgraded and accessible trail opens in the New Forest

Upgraded and accessible trail opens in the New Forest

News release from Forestry England

A newly upgraded and accessible trail is now open at the site of the Knightwood Oak, one of the New Forest’s oldest and most magnificent trees.

The Knightwood Oak is the largest oak tree in the New Forest with a girth of 7.4 metres and one of the oldest at over 500 years of age. Given the title “Queen of the Forest” it first became well known in Victorian times and has featured on maps ever since.

The beauty spot has been upgraded with accessibility in mind. Forestry England’s team has resurfaced the car park and previous trail to ensure a flat and even surface suitable for mobility vehicles and pushchairs. Two fully accessible parking spaces are available in the car park and new picnic benches have been placed on the trail.   

The team has also been working around the boundary of this very special tree removing overgrown and encroaching vegetation and adding new signage and information explaining the history of this mighty tree.

The work was funded by the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) through a £50,000 grant from Defra’s Access for All fund as part of the NPA’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the National Park is accessible to all.

Richard Burke, Recreation Manager for Forestry England, said:

“The Knightwood Oak is one the New Forest’s most famous and much-loved trees. This additional funding has allowed us to ensure that everyone can access this special place and learn more about the history of the Forest. We are grateful to the New Forest National Park Authority for its financial support and commitment on this project.”

Adam Vasey, Lead Access and Volunteering Officer at the New Forest National Park Authority said:

“It’s been fantastic to work in partnership with Forestry England to deliver huge accessibility improvements along this much used and much-loved trail. The DEFRA Access For All funds made our plans a reality and we look forward to working with more landowners and achieving more great improvements for public access.”

ENDS

Media Contact:

Susan Smith

Media Officer, South Forest District, Forestry England

susan.smith@forestryengland.uk

07384 878434

Notes to Editor

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 National Park Authority

Protect – Enjoy – Prosper

The New Forest National Park Authority’s statutory purposes are to:
-Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park – Protect.
-Promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities – Enjoy.

We also have a duty to:
Seek to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities within the Park – Prosper.

The New Forest National Park was designated in March 2005. Its unique landscape has been shaped over the centuries by grazing ponies, cattle and pigs which roam free. Majestic woodlands, rare heathland and a spectacular coastline provide fabulous opportunities for quiet recreation, enjoyment and discovery.

Visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk to find out more.

About Access for All

The Access for All programme, funded by Defra, is an initiative aimed at improving accessibility to the natural environment, ensuring everyone – regardless of ability or background – can experience and enjoy the great outdoors. Through targeted funding and support, the programme helps remove physical, social, and information barriers that can limit access to nature. In the New Forest National Park, this funding has supported the development of inclusive walking routes and accessible facilities, making it easier for people to explore one of the UK’s most treasured landscapes.

Photo credit: Forestry England