The
New Forest in Hampshire dates back to 1079 when William the Conqueror established
the area as a royal hunting ground - his 'Nova Foresta'. This nationally
important environment comprising woodland pasture, heaths, bogs and the remains
of coppices and timber plantations. Today its 145 square miles of virtually
undisturbed deciduous and coniferous forest provide excellent opportunities for
nature watching, walking and riding. Over the centuries the forest has been
shaped by man including successive monarchs who used it for timber, recreation
and hunting, and by the Commoners grazing animals. The New Forest was designated
a National Park in 2005. Although it is no longer a hunting ground, there
are still about 1,500 Fallow Deer living there. Deer spotting is a popular
pursuit, and visitors can look out for the deer's different coats which change
from season to season. One of the forest's most famous and oldest residents
is the New Forest Pony, which can be seen running loose in the wild. The
pony has helped to shape the forest through its grazing. Every Autumn the
ponies are rounded up in 'drifts', before once again being set free into the wilds. Send
a New Forest e-card | 
