The New Forest

By: Andy Mills
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:42:59
Print this article | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

To the east of Bournemouth, in the neighbouring county of Hampshire, lies the medieval royal hunting area of The New Forest. Created in 1079 by William the Conqueror, the landscape has remained largely unchanged and in 2005 was classified as a National Park.

Renowned for its free roaming ponies, the New Forest is a walker's paradise and numerous books and leaflets describe circular and linear walks of varying length and difficulty allowing the visitor to both appreciate the beauty of the area and learn something of its history and origins.There are also guided walks all year round where you can explore the forest in the company of a local expert.

Besides the beauty of the forest itself there are other things to interest visitors. The New Forest Museum in Lyndhurst is a good place to start any visit. Here you will find displays on all aspects of life in the Forest and learn all about its history. There is a film, computer interactives and a 25 feet long tapestry together with colourings and quizzes for children. There is also a gift shop selling souvenirs, gifts and a large selection of local books.

The grave of Alice Lidell (the Alice from Alice in Wonderland) can be found in Lyndhurst churchyard although she was buried as Mrs Reginald Hargreaves.

Another place worth visiting is the little village of Burley, very much geared towards tourism with its tea rooms, gift shops and art galleries. Many of its souvenir shops have a witch theme, due to Sybil Leek, a white witch who lived in the village during the late 1950s and wrote many books about witchcraft.

At Brockenhurst visitors can see St Nicholas' Church, believed to be the oldest in the forest and recorded in the Domesday Book. Many different architectural styles can be seen in the church, from the Norman stonework of The Nave and the fine 17th century barrel vaulted roof to the Georgian brickwork of the Tower.

Next to the church stands a Yew Tree carbon dated to be more than 1000 years old and with a trunk over 20 feet in diameter at its widest point. A walk around the churchyard reveals the grave of 'Brusher Mills', a local snake-catcher in the 19th century, and an Anzac War Cemetery with the graves of almost 100 New Zealanders who were killed in the first world war (the no.1 New Zealand General Hospital being based at 3 sites around Brockenhurst at this time).

Among other tourist attractions are the 25 acre New Forest Otter Owl and Wildlife Park 7 km from Southampton where visitors can see otters, owls, pine martens, badgers, foxes, deer, wild boar and more in their natural surroundings and Beaulieu Motor Museum, Palace and Abbey, home to The National Motor Museum which includes a motorsport gallery, the James Bond Experience featuring vehicles from the films, many cars once owned by celebrities and film stars, Wheels - a trip through motoring history, the country's first monorail and much more.

Andy Mills is passionate about Bournemouth and Poole. He has lived in the area for many years and has explored many of its hidden treasures. Andy is short and balding, but very cuddly.

http://www.bournemouthandpoole.co.uk/

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Travel & Leisure category

  • James Bond's Prague - By: Stepan Stich
    Hear about some of the most famous films shot on location in Prague and where the actors chose to stay whilst shooting in the Bohemian city.
  • Top 5 Sights of Kafka's Prague - By: Stepan Stich
    Follow in the footsteps of Prague's most famous resident. Go on a 'Kafkaesque' tour of the Czech Republic's capital city.
  • Budapest's Finest Festivals - By: Gergely Garami
    Want to get more out of your holiday in Budapest? Time your trip with one of these fantastic festivals.
  • Koh Samui Hotels - First Class for Accommodation - By: Michiel Van Kets
    Thailand is full of sublime vacation spots - there's the gentle beauty of the northern capital Chiang Mai, the energy and excitement of Bangkok, and the breezy hedonism of the tropical island of Phuket with its beaches, grand hotels and wide array of watersports. But few have the charm and vibrancy of Koh Samui.
  • My Beautiful Memories of the Amazing Stockholm Sights - By: Estanislao Chapel
    Looking back on my vacation in Sweden, I am truly in awe of all the sights and sounds that I experienced when I visited its capital city, Stockholm. A cosmopolitan city that boasts of Old World charm and modern architecture blended perfectly together.
  • Your Stockholm Vacation and How to Make The Most Out of It - By: Estanislao Chapel
    Planned for the longest time for this Swedish vacation? Making the most out of your Stockholm vacation is so fabulously easy! The Land of the Vikings as Sweden is also known for, is a land filled with history, arts, nature and everything else you can imagine.
  • Experience Koh Samui in Thailand for a True Tropical Island Adventure - By: Michiel Van Kets
    Most people visit the Thai island of Koh Samui for the beaches and they're never disappointed. The beaches fulfill all the promise of a tropical island with their expanses of white sand lapped by a crystal clear sea under an endless warm sun.
  • Encounter the best of Morocco with Hotel Amanjena - By: Robert Murgatroyd
    The first time I stayed in Hotel Amanjena on one of my travels in Morocco, it made me think of coming back and staying there the next time I come for a visit. I think this hotel is one of the most exquisite hotels in terms of architecture that I know. It's the first Aman resort in the African continent and it certainly lives up to its name that means "peaceful paradise".
  • My Swedish Vacation and All Its Splendor - By: Estanislao Chapel
    I've had a wonderful time spending a couple of weeks having a vacation and adventure in the third largest country in the European Union, Sweden. Sweden is a surprisingly warm and pleasurable adventure that I would surely never forget. Let me tell you about my wonderful visual and gastronomic Swedish vacation. Sweden is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe which is bordered by Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast and the Baltic Coast to the east and south.
  • How I Discovered Sweden Enjoyed Every Single Moment - By: Estanislao Chapel
    Looking to discover a new travel destination? Then Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden is the place to discover. There are more than 60 airlines going to and from Sweden so no problem getting there in style. Stockholm offers the best of both worlds: discover the old world charm with its fascinating castles and the new world charm of having the best and most modern amenities.