For comprehensive information about the New Forest National Park
***** For information about New Forest access restrictions and related matters, check out the Forestry England website. *****
Lyndhurst in old pictures - Bolton's Bench and the foxhounds
Bolton' Bench, a well-known landmark on the outskirts of Lyndhurst, was for may years the meeting place of the New Forest Foxhounds and from at least the early years of the 20th century, the ensuing colourful and frequently chaotic scenes appeared on many contemporary postcards. Here is a selection, most dating from the first few decades of that century - the clothing worn by onlookers and hunt followers provides clues to the dates.
And finally, this largely unremarkable view near Bolton's Bench
shows ponies close to the cricket pavilion. It is perhaps made
more interesting, though, by the inclusion of the huge sandpit
that today forms part of the Parc Pale car park
shows ponies close to the cricket pavilion. It is perhaps made
more interesting, though, by the inclusion of the huge sandpit
that today forms part of the Parc Pale car park
New Forest Explorers Guide - home page
More links
New Forest heritage - introduction
Other related links
Lyndhurst, Bank and Emery Down history - introduction and topic links
Lyndhurst, Bank and Emery Down history: Bolton's Bench - an overview
New Forest pictures from yesteryear - introduction and village links
New Forest Heritage
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** New Forest ponies and other animals**
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)
** Always take care when driving **
New Forest seasonal highlights
JulySilver-washed fritillary butterflies brighten many woodland rides.
Bird song subsides as the annual moult begins - old worn feathers are cast off and new replacements grown.
Wild gladiolus plants bloom. (In the UK, this species is found only in the New Forest).
Dragonflies and Damselflies take to the wing in ever increasing numbers.
August
Heather blossom produces huge swathes of heathland colour, adding to the pinks and purples of earlier flowering cross-leaved heath and bell heather.
Fallow, red and sika deer antlers, when fully grown, are cleaned of velvet in preparation for the autumn rut.
New Forest pony drifts - the annual round-ups - begin.
Marsh gentian blooms add splashes of blue to some of the wetter heathlands.
The Glorious New Forest
Marvellous landscapes, marvellous wildlife