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The New Forest National Park

The lovely landscape is always beautiful

Located on the south-central coast of England, within the county of Hampshire, the New Forest National Park is truly a lovely gem, and is Britain's smallest National Park on the English mainland. Occupying the majority of the Park is the New Forest, which was once the hunting ground for King William I and local nobles. The New Forest received National Park status recently (in March 2005) and these lovely landscapes will now be preserved securely for the future.

What to Do
There are many things to do besides sightseeing, although, not surprisingly, most of the popular leisure activities are geared towards enjoying the outdoors. In particular, activities often enjoyed by local people and visitors are cycling, walking, horse riding and fishing.

Cycling
Off-road cycling has become increasingly popular, and the Forestry Commission has created official cycle routes to protect the Forest, whilst providing for the many enthusiasts that visit the Park yearly. The many way-marked routes throughout the New Forest add up to over one hundred miles of mainly low lying land (with a few severe gradients for the daring!)

Taking a tour of the Forest on your bike is a relaxed and comfortable way to explore the area, as the routes take you through great landscapes and popular locations. There is a Cycle Code in place, but a bit of common sense and responsible cycling should cover most of the basics.

Walking
Walking is the chief leisure activity, and there are almost no restrictions on where you can go. For those willing to get up early, there is the special treat of seeing deer (which at other times of day are usually hard to find since they are very shy animals) as well as other animals that usually retreat as more people appear. If you want to make your experience complete, there are also guided walks that will help you learn about the New Forest and its history.

Horse Riding
Riding is as popular as ever in the New Forest
Horseback riding has grown in popularity during the last few years. Even for complete beginners, horse riding is possible thanks to the pony trekking rides on offer. The ponies are extremely docile and completely relaxed (even if their riders are very nervous sometimes!) Horse riders are not restricted to way-marked routes as are cyclists, although there is a Horse Riding Code that must be obeyed.


Since nowadays there are many people looking for an English course London, the New Forest National Park comes as a prime recommendation for a lovely weekend or even a quick afternoon in the company of nature. The rare blend of open heathlands and mysterious ancient woodlands provides a stark contrast with the steel and asphalt of city life that also attracts many visitors throughout the year. If you are enrolling in an English school London , the city will provide you with many tourist attractions and lovely destinations. When you want a change of pace, however, the Forest will be waiting for you.

 

 

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