Accessibility

Many places in the New Forest are accessible to less mobile visitors. The New Forest is a lowland national park which means no large mountains just beautiful scenery and wide trails through ancient woodland and heath. It’s a welcoming landscape with lots of villages, good visitor facilities and excellent rail and road links.

Given the accessible nature of this landscape it’s small wonder that the New Forest has been welcoming visitors since the early nineteenth century. As a National Park it is important to be as accessible as possible so everyone can enjoy this fabulous place.

Experience the heart of the New Forest by exploring the old hunting forest of the Norman kings. There are two Forestry England sites, Blackwater and Bolderwood, which have accessible parking bays, accessible toilets and an easy access trail.

For a more refined experience why not visit a stately home. Both Beaulieu and Exbury Gardens happily cater for visitors with additional needs.

Have you ever driven a tramper? They are a specially designed, four-wheel-drive, all-terrain, electric buggy. There are several sites where you can hire one for the day and go exploring along accessible trails.

Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve

Avon Heath Country Park

Moors Valley Country Park

Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve

The New Forest’s best kept secret is its gorgeous coastline with views over the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Lepe Country Park sits right on a stunning part of the coast. They have accessible facilities, a scent garden and the free use of a landeez all-terrain wheel chair.

Here are some other useful links about accessibility within the New Forest area and across the UK:

The Disabled Ramblers – is a small charity working across England and Wales to help make the countryside more accessible to people with limited mobility

New Forest Mobility Services are a New Milton based business in the South of the New Forest who hire mobility scooters.

The Community Toilet Scheme (Wee for Free!) makes it easier for many people to explore the New Forest without worrying about the availability of public toilets

Brockenhurst is the main train station in the New Forest. All train operators have a passenger assistance scheme to help make your journey as comfortable as possible

Accessible Countryside for Everyone (ACE) is a website promoting accessibility and showing a huge range of accessible locations across Hampshire and the rest of the UK

Tourism For All is the UK Voice for Accessible Tourism. They are a national charity dedicated to making tourism welcoming to all

Comments or suggestions?
We aim to continue improving the accessibility of the New Forest National Park. If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact the Access Ranger on 01590 646641 or email Adam.Vasey@newforestnpa.gov.uk