New Forest activities
The New Forest offers many activities, whether simple relaxation is preferred or something a little more strenuous is sought. Walking, cycling, wildlife watching and exploring the local villages are ever-popular, but there are many more New Forest activities from which to choose, ranging from relaxing on a New Forest lawn to taking the family swimming at a local recreation centre. Here are some great examples:
The red route passes through Lyndhurst and takes in Burley, Ringwood, Fordingbridge, Godshill, Brook, Cadnam and Ashurst.
The green route also passes through Lyndhurst and goes on to Brockenhurst, Lymington, Beaulieu, Exbury and Hythe.
The blue route visits Brockenhurst, Lymington, Milford-on-Sea, Barton-on-Sea, New Milton and Burley.
The tour buses link with many places of interest and a wide range of walks and cycle rides, including ten Lyndhurst Walks, four Brockenhurst Walks and most of the New Forest Cycle Rides.
Further details can be found on the New Forest Tour website, including information about routes and fares.
Fishing permits are available and for history enthusiasts, the site of East Boldre Airfield - one of the UK's first airfields dating back to before the First World War - is nearby, and so is the site of the Second World War, RAF Beaulieu airfield.
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Sadly, 58 animals were killed - 35 ponies, 13 cows, 8 donkeys and 2 sheep, whilst a further 32 were injured - 3 pigs, 9 donkeys, 11 cows and 9 ponies.
(Forty-three accidents occurred in daylight, 15 at twilight and 101 in the dark. Twenty-seven accidents were not reported by the driver involved).
Here's just one horrific example - Three donkeys killed in collision with van at notorious New Forest blackspot (Advertiser and Times)
Lesser celandine blooms illuminate woodlands, and heathland edges.
Fallow deer remain in single sex herds, the bucks at this time always separate from the does.
Curlews return from the coast to breed in and around the New Forest's wetter areas.
Red admiral butterflies are increasingly seen on bright, sunny days.
April
Redstarts are amongst the first returning long-distance migrant birds that arrive in April.
Large red damselflies take to the wing, the first of many such species that will soon be seen in the New Forest.
Bluebells blossom, sometimes in good numbers in ungrazed woodlands.
Badger cubs usually first appear above ground towards the end of the month.