Is New Forest free to roam?

The New Forest National Park has over 30,000ha of open access countryside and 325km of public rights of way for you to explore and enjoy. The Open Forest is a large area of countryside over which there is the right to roam on foot, and the right to roam on horseback over some areas.



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The New Forest National Park organisation says: “If you do decide to travel by car, take your time when driving around the National Park. Many of the New Forest's roads are narrow, and drivers will regularly come across cyclists, horse riders, walkers and animals in the road.

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The New Forest is served by a public bus network, New Forest Tour, which provides the opportunity to travel around the area by bus. If you have any queries regarding bus travel, please contact Bluestar on 01202 338 421, or Morebus on 01202 338 420.

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The New Forest National Park has over 30,000ha of open access countryside and 325km of public rights of way for you to explore and enjoy. The Open Forest is a large area of countryside over which there is the right to roam on foot, and the right to roam on horseback over some areas.

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Do you have to pay to park in the New Forest? It is free to park in the Forestry England car parks, although some do have donation boxes that you can contribute to. The car parks in towns and villages are chargeable, please see our car parks page for more information on the charges in these car parks.

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On average people spend between 2½ to 5 hours visiting our park.

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How many days do you need for the New Forest? We often go for a day trip to the New Forest. However, to make the most of this national park, allow between 2 and 5 days. This gives time for fantastic hikes and bike rides, a visit to the main villages, tourist attractions and Hampshire coast.

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To become a commoner you essentially have to buy some land that comes with the right to common on the new forest. Commoners are those who occupy land or property to which privileges known as 'rights of common' are attached, which includes the right to graze stock on the Open Forest.

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